publish, and be damned (OR not)

1/29/2013

Greetings, Earthlings, from a crisp but sunny Hong Kong. I am not feeling too bright today, guess I did too much yesterday (Sunday), so I will just take it easy today and dose myself up. If anyone is feeling sorry for me I am happy to receive bunches of grapes (preferably fermented and bottled).

Ok, Down to business. The purpose of my blog today is to educate you and to warn you – here is the education bit:-

These are just hands, painted by the Italian Artist – Guido Daniela – each hand taking up to 10 hours.

There is a method in my madness – I do like showing you entertaining and amazing things – but I have a deeper message....... Things are seldom what they seem.

I must put my thoughts down on paper (well, computer screen anyway) about the number of ‘Publishing’ companies who offer to publish your book online – and take a hefty part of what is left after the online retailers take their cut.

With the reducing price of online books and lower sales volumes this can leave the unwary author with a tiny bit of a small share of very little. I have heard from MANY authors about this. These people prey on the ignorance of newbie writers who do not know how easy it is to do it themselves.

Most of them get the writer to pay for such things as critique and editing (if they bother about such things), book covers and formatting and marketing – and often doing very little of the latter – which is by far the most crucial bit.

I have author friends who have signed contracts giving up as much as half of their share of the books net takings and are still waiting, many months later for any updates, money or significant advertising – It really is something we should all be wary of.

This is not to say that there are NO good publishers out there – there certainly are, but please safeguard you wallet and your peace of mind by checking them out (what we lawyers call ‘due dilligence’).

Here is my guide for checking a prospective publisher out.

· Ask them how and where they promote your product – and what they will expect YOU to do – and check out what they tell you!
· Ask for some referrals (three at least if possible) from authors who are already with them. If they are a brand new outfit- be afraid, be very afraid!
· Make sure that you have read carefully and fully understand ALL the terms and conditions of any contract or agreement they ask you to sign – complete understanding is the only basis for a harmonious working relationship with them
· Do not part with ANY money until you have done ALL of the above.

The good ones will put time and effort into preparing your book for the market, then work with you to actively promote it – and they deserve to be paid a reasonable amount for this. Recommendation of a satisfied writer is by far the best way to find a publisher, but even then, please follow the guide above to protect yourself.

Before I became a penniless author I was a not quite so penniless lawyer, so if anyone wants me to look over any contracts or agreements I will be glad to do so. I will not charge for a quick opinion.

In principle, I would try to avoid most of these people if you can. Publishing and marketing on your own – without the aid of a safety net – can of course be daunting, but by doing so you will learn the process and get the most possible benefit from your labours.

Now, the second serious topic of the day – keep the cat or finish the feline? I am a cat lover myself so I am VERY biased. But I have variously been told to keep the cat pics in – ‘cause they are cute’, or to use something else because they are boring now! PLEASE let me know what you think, and if you have cute pics of ANY animals please send them – I may try to include them. Thank you so much.
Finally, the usual exhortation to REGISTER – to receive this blog regularly – there is a box on the column on the right – and a great freebie if you do! Check it out ------>

All the best until next time, Arthur

And now, despite great public demand, the cat pics..........

CAPTION COMPETITION - I will publish this picture again next week with the best caption sent to me between now and then - email me with captions - arthurcrandon@yahoo.com

13 Comments

Meet the author

Arthur Crandon is a lawyer, the boring office kind, not the exciting (and much better paid) courtroom type. He worked as a solicitor for a while before embarking on an interesting life overseas. He has spent most of his time in recent years in South East Asia, more recently in Hong Kong. Before that, Arthur lived and worked in the Philippine Islands.
He loves to fish, and play the piano – but spends most of his time writing, eating, drinking and sleeping
– usually, but not always, in that order.
His first book, Deadly Election, draws on his strange imagination and his
experiences, together with those of others, in a land that, beneath a veneer of civilisation, operates like the Wild West and is very
dangerous to innocent and gullible foreigners.

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leziel

1/29/2013 02:07:33 pm

woww,, amazing picture and very helful blogs,..thank you and goodluck Arthur!!!:-)

arthur crandon

1/29/2013 03:01:56 pm

Thank you so much leziel. I was amazed when I first saw them :-)

Jane Bwye link

1/29/2013 03:48:56 pm

Sound advice indeed, Arthur!
But what about the authors who want the security of a committed editor -? That was me.
Oddly enough, my publishers are Crooked Cat Publishing!!! They are just over a year old, and our little "cats' cradle" is most supportive of each other.
Perhaps we will be the exception that proves the rule.
Looking forward to meeting you in the flesh next month?
Jane.

1/29/2013 03:55:18 pm

I am very pleased to hear you have had a good experience Jane, and you are right - some people need that help and support - my concern is for those who need it, but end up with a service that is somewhat lacking. :-)

karen link

1/29/2013 04:05:18 pm

Good advice. I have self published, but I agree with Jane on the editor part.

Thank you Karen. It is good to hear some positive stories.

1/30/2013 01:43:42 am

Gingerfightback link

1/29/2013 06:20:10 pm

Great advice thanks - amazing drawings - I'd never have the patience!

1/30/2013 01:44:27 am

I know what you mean. How can you keen your hands still all that time? hehe

Billy Ray Chitwood link

1/29/2013 08:44:23 pm

Enjoyed Guido Daniela 'hands' paintings, your good information, and your advice... Cats stay! :-)

1/30/2013 01:45:41 am

Thank you Billy Ray, when I saw them I thought they were so amazing that I just wanted to shear them - and YAY! for the cats! :-)

Stephen Tiano link

2/2/2013 05:31:03 pm

First ... Interesting take on China. 'Specially since I agree. Tho' perhaps you're a bit more optimistic about how well it can go if the government stops fighting it's people. I'm afraid it might turn out a cas of, "meet the new boss; same as the old boss."

Anyway, to self-publishing ... I've Ben a freelance book designer for almostb20 years. One thing I've learned is that the self-publishers who do best are ones who realize self-publishing is not a chance to reach print for nickels-and-dimes as a DIY-er, but rather a choice to go into business as a publisher. If only one time for a single book. As such, it behooves the self-publisher to find individuals who do great work editing, designing, typesetting,etc., and with whom you can establish a rapport for understanding and producing the best books possible.

2/6/2013 06:32:55 am

Thank you Srephen. You are absolutely right with you comments about writing being a business now. It used to be that publishing was the 'business end' of things and writers could just write. No more, not for newbie writers anyway - brave new world!

Catherine Lyon link

2/2/2013 11:03:45 pm

Yes this was a Heavy. but interesting blog post! I agree about not talking Politics with anyone either, I lost a couple FB pals that way!!..lol...Some people don't know how to have a healthy debate, they JUST WANT TO BE RIGHT!....What Ever...lol...Catherine :-)

publish, and be damned (OR not)

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