Tips before you self-publish

Technology is changing so quickly, that the tools are available like never before within online bookstores, like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, to help you create covers, design the interior, even check for spelling errors!

But, in your fantastic enthusiasm, one tiny piece of advice I’d give is to remember that publishing is a business, it’s not an after school assignment or a hobby. Publishing should be treated as a professional business, work with professionals, don’t skimp on your editing or covers. Don’t trust a “critique group” for your editing. Even though sites like Amazon allow you to make your own covers, which is fine, however, if you want your book cover to not look “cookie cutter,” I’d suggest a professional graphic designer, they know what they’re doing, hire them and allow them to create a one-of-a-kind book cover that will stand out. Use professional editors, don’t try to edit your book yourself, and don’t just have a friend or cousin do it, unless they are a professional, experienced editor.

You’ve jumped into the world of publishing, take it serious and be taken seriously by being professional. Let’s keep publishing with high standards and not put out sloppy work. Yes, it takes time. Don’t be too quick to put your book out there before it’s completely, and I mean, completely ready. You may be anxious to see your name on Amazon, but in the long run, taking the time to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, is to your benefit.

With all that said, it really makes me smile warmly to see so many people publishing themselves and jumping in with both feet and using the courage they’ve mustered up to do so; and believe me, it takes courage to put your work out there.

So, once you’ve hit the “publish” button, sit back and congratulate yourself for doing something so many dream of, but haven’t (yet) found the courage.

Catherine Burr is the author of 14 books and has published over 120 books via New Line Press. 

Word Press

Some of my books

Even though I’ve had a Word Press.com site since 2007, I never used it much until a couple months ago when I was looking for a new place to have my website. Now that I’ve been using it for a couple months,

Think you don’t need a website or social networking to be a author? Think again

You mean I have to do more than write a book?

I originally wrote and posted this blog when I was accepting submissions for my publishing company, and still believe authors should have a web presence (of some kind).

Think you don’t need a website or social networking to be a author? Think again!

I am simply amazed how people write to me and announce that they do not have a website, do not have any social networking, do not have any web presence, and yet they want me to publish them, oh, and they will get those things, “if” I publish them.

No! No! No!

Dear writers, if you want to be considered for publication, start a web, a blog, Facebook, Twitter, you know what all the social networking sites are. Set them up, post, write, don’t be lazy. Don’t tell me you’ll get serious, “Once you have a contract.”

Oh boy.

Promotion 101 from a publisher’s POV. How am I going to promote you if you don’t have anything for me to promote? When you query me, here’s a heads-up, round about the FIRST thing I’m going to do is Google you. No website, two strikes against you, No Facebook, No Twitter, ditto, ditto, ditto. You submitted to me, where is your seriousness of becoming an author? And yes, your ms will go to the sludge pile if you do not have a serious web presence. Without one, I don’t see you as a serious writer and promoting you is next to impossible. Don’t tell me you have a friend who can slap up a website if only you get a contract.

My friends. Writing as a career is a serious business, don’t treat it as an after school assignment.

 

Update: I realize I sounded a little frustrated when I wrote this blog, but as a publisher, it amazed me how people claim they want to be authors yet aren’t willing to do the promotional aspect of it. Believe me, I do understand, but there is much a writer can do to promote themselves, unless they have a PR firm who can do it all for them.

It’s easier than ever to establish a web presence. Twitter, Facebook, Rebel Mouse, Good Reads, Amazon Author Page, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram, there are so many places to have a free website, Word Press, Blogger, Weebly, the list goes on and on. If you are an author who has a book or books for sale on Amazon.com, and you have not set up your free Amazon Author Central Account, you really should (IMO). Amazon gives you a free web page, where better place to connect with readers than where people go to buy books? By the way, there is a different one for each country, so get a cup of coffee and get to it! I know, I need to. 🙂

A few places to get started:

• Amazon Author Central
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google Plus
• Rebel Mouse
• Good Reads
• Website 
• Linkedin
• Pinterest
• Instagram

Catherine Burr is a bestselling author and publisher of more books than she can count. Her first commercial book was published in 1996. In 2004, she started her own publishing house and is now mentoring and guiding authors through the self-publishing maze. Google Plus her +Catherine Burr

What social sites would you recommend that aspiring authors use to promote their books?

Bookstores Are Closing: Share Thoughts on Where to Hold Author Events

In my previous blog post, I discussed the closing of Barnes and Noble brick and mortar stores. As authors, most of us would agree that it is a sad time to see bookstores shut down, especially authors who have not yet had the experience of book events in physical bookstores. Where does this leave authors who want to have an in-person event to showcase their books?

Publishing has entered a new era and it’s time for authors and indie publishers to take a hard look at other options that are available for us for book events. We need to start by brainstorming. I’ve posted some ideas to get us kickstarted, please add your ideas in the “comments” section at the end of this blog and we’ll see what new ideas are born so we can move forward into the new age of publishing.

• Book Groups: Just about everyone knows someone in a book group.

Cathy’s Diary: February

Dear Friends,

Most people would probably say that they can’t believe it’s February already, for me, this year, I can’t believe it’s finally February. It’s been a long time coming, it seems. This year has been a record cold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Even with the cold weather, we have only had about a 1/2 an inch of snow, very minimal.

Low snow levels (and view from my den!)

Every year, we wait with baited breath as the experts trudge through the snow at the higher elevations to test the water levels in the snow.

Blogging for the Love it

“Writers are passionate people,” says bestselling author Catherine Burr. Image via Dreamstime

I have been blogging of late about the writing business (and it is a business) with the self-publisher in mind.

Today, I want to touch on something that I read the other day. Someone was amazed at how bloggers keep posting even though people don’t necessarily comment or leave “Likes” on their post; they were in fact “inspired” by the determination of writers.

Here’s the truth. Facebook has turned us into a needy, insecure generation of wanting reassurance that we are “Liked.”

Authorgraph Lets Authors Sign eBooks

One of the favorite features of print books has always been the ability for an author to sign their books for readers enjoyment and keepsake. Well, what does one do with eBooks? Easy, Authorgraph enables readers to have personalized autographs from their favorite authors. Originally called, “Kindlegraph,” the feature is available for authors that have signed up on the Authorgraph website (free for authors). When an author adds their books, the author’s titles are easily located through an Amazon identifier number and author’s are given their own page on Authorgraph that displays their books, and also authors can receive the code to display a widget on their own websites. Very cool.

As an author, I have seen references to Kindlegraph, now Authorgraph on social networking sites, like Twitter, and so I decided to try it out, for myself and also to let other authors know about my experience, and I’m happy to say that the sign up process took about two minutes (if even), and my books appeared on my own author page, which is totally cool. You can see the, “Catherine Burr on Authorgraph” page here, and I was emailed the code by Authorgraph, which I easily installed on my website.

This is the year of eBooks like never before. Technology is changing at a rapid rate, and with the advent of programs like Authorgraph, authors and readers are able to connect on the digital bridge of the future.

Catherine Burr book for sale for $2,475

Rainy day in the Caribbean

Makes for a good writing spot

My Caribbean home office

Inconvenient Affairs by Catherine Burr

Best Seller List

Recently it came to my attention that one of books, an out of print, hard to find, sold-out books is for sale online for $2,475.00. It’s a 63-page book, that’s $39.29 per page (I did the math). I don’t know who put it up for sale for that amount and I don’t know how many copies have been sold at that price (if any), however here’s the back story.

A few years ago, I was living half (at least) the time in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands with my husband. One day, the power went out, this was a common occurrence whenever it rained, which in the islands, was a lot. Anywho (a made up word), being the enterprising writer that I am; I took a stack of blank paper from my printer and got comfortable on our king-sized bed, and to the nurturing sound of a rain storm, I started writing.

In a couple of hours, I had pounded out a short story. When I got back to my California office (a fancy name for my den), I sent it to my editor who edited it (I hadn’t sent it from the VI’s because the Internet was sketchy at best), and I did a mesmerizing cover for it, and released it on Kindle. I called the story, “An Inconvenient Attorney.” It was never available (that I know of) for free and the price fluctuated between .99 and 1.99.