Journey of the Heart

Evelyn David: Echelon Press Author Award

Posted on July 29, 2009 | Leave a comment

I knew when I read the first chapter of MURDER OFF THE BOOKS that it would be a winner. The entire book is just that good. But the readers had no way of knowing that until AFTER buying the book. Evelyn David is what I refer to as the Dynamic Duo.

Marian Borden from New York and Rhonda Dossett from Oklahoma could not be more different if they’d come from different planets. But together they have developed a remarkable team both on and off the “paper.” Their combined effort in writing the story is nearly seamless and together they build characters that are multi-dimensional.

Evelyn David is also a publisher’s dream team. Being so far apart not only allows for maximum exposure on a geographical level, but their ability to coordinate and implement marketing strategies is just plain brilliant. They have built a great network of fans in both readers and booksellers, and no matter the obstacles they have faced, and there have been plenty, they have never wavered in their efforts to work together to be something spectacular.

With this all said, it pleases me very much to award Evelyn David (Marian Borden and Rhonda Dossett) my personal Tremendous Team Effort Award from Echelon Press for June 2009.

Both halves of the team will receive specially designed awards and a gift of appreciation.

Excellent work, Ladies!

Dangerous Trends in Publishing

Posted on July 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Karen Syed I’ve been frequenting several blogs lately (my favorite is JA Konrath’s http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/). The topic of racism in publishing has become a much more visible hot button lately. We know it has always been a problem, but I can’t help wondering what has made it zoom to the top of the things to worry about in the publishing industry. I despise the whole concept of racism and prejudice of any kind, can I change it? I will certainly keep trying, but it probably won’t happen in my lifetime.

The topic has gotten me to thinking about some of the other things that are becoming dangerously prevalent in the industry.

Every day, I learn something new about the industry and I am constantly faced with some new drama threatening to overload my professional and personal senses. As a publisher, it is crucial for me to be aware of what is going on along the front lines of the industry, and it is equally important for me to know what is happening among the ranks. Part of my education is to pay attention to what the authors in the industry are facing and to evaluate whether or not I can do anything to make a difference.

Below are the issues I feel are becoming dangerously prevalent in the industry.

1. Raging Racism. There seems to be an uprising on the horizon where ethnic books and authors are concerned. If you spend any time reading author blogs, you may have noted that someone has pushed this big colorful hot button. Implications of racism and prejudice are flying among authors of all cultures. Do publishers actually contract authors based on the color of their skin? Are entire marketing strategies based on the same? Is there some subtle form of profiling going on behind the closed doors of editors and marketing departments? When entering a bookstore, you expect to find the books organized according to genre; mystery, romance, fiction, etc. Merriam-Webster defines a genre as “a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.” There is no indication that this would include race or ethnicity. So, why then, are we finding more stores segregating their “African American” authors off on their own? Where should publishing houses draw the line in their marketing? What role should the retailers play in this? We’ve come to expect the nuances of racism in the media, but in the publishing industry? It gives new meaning to judging a book by its cover.

2. Apathetic Authors. The author who is proud, and committed to what they are doing is quickly being replaced by the author will write whatever anyone tells them to for money. I’m an author, I would love to make money, but I do work very hard to maintain some control over what I write. These authors who will write anything for money are in high demand with major publishers. They just don’t really care. They just want to be published and make money. Fair enough, but where does it end? If you’ve written a book, don’t just sit around and wait for people to buy it. How will they know you have a book if you don’t tell them? Rejoice! Celebrate! You’ve done a remarkable thing and the more people you tell with the pride glowing in your expression, the more books you will sell.

3. Marketing Manipulation. The marketing indicators provide data that says “this” is selling; let’s publish ten more exactly like. Okay, that could be considered good business, if only they weren’t limiting the market. If ten authors write ten books and they are all the same story with the same stale characters and drab setting, what makes them sell? Jacket blurbs. Marketing departments have learned the fine art of manipulating the back cover text to portray a fresh twist or new exotic location. You read, you are hooked, you buy. You just bought into the manipulation. You’ve been had. It goes back to the author. Give us that twist, don’t make us fork over $10 – $20 and then realize we just read this story by last month’s author. Think creative. Give the marketing department something to get excited about, so they can give readers something to get excited about.

4. Failing Fans. Where are the fans that used to love attending weekend book events? What has happened to the idea of going out and meeting your favorite author at your favorite bookstore? Again, the authors. Now some may argue that the book signing has fallen by the wayside because booksellers won’t set them up. I say, phooey. If a bookseller won’t take you up on your offer to make them money, then you haven’t done your job. What is the first thing you learn when you begin writing? You’ve got to have a hook! Same thing goes with events. The bookseller has to feel your enthusiasm or they won’t get enthusiastic. Don’t offer to go sit at a table and sign books. Offer to charm their customers, hell, offer to bring them customers. So many independent bookstores are fighting to get the consumers out of the chains and back in their little stores. They would be thrilled if you offered to bring them 1oo people on a lonely Saturday afternoon. You’ve obviously got something to offer. Put the readers back into the equation. They are why we are here.

5. Publishing Pirates. For all that is right with the industry, so much more is wrong. What do you want from a publisher? What do you need from a publisher? Why should you even give this any thought? These are the same questions we ask about authors. We want enthusiasm. We need commitment. For five years I have been arguing the fact that Echelon Press is a legitimate publisher. There are those who will argue that because we pay small advances or that we used to utilize POD to print our titles made us less credible. I have given up fighting these people. I know what my company stands for and what we strive to accomplish. We don’t do it alone. We work side by side with our authors. There are those who say we are not as good as the New York publishers, not true, we are simply smaller. Unfortunately, there are those who are out to scavenge whatever they can from unsuspecting or uneducated authors. They prey on those so desperate to see their work published that they will pay any price or make nay deal. Do not fall into this trap. The time to begin researching potential markets and publishers was the day you decided to write for publication. Take pride in what you have to offer, and don’t let anyone snatch it away from you for a song and a dance. Chances are you won’t get a goodnight kiss when the music ends.

Author’s Note: This was originally posted 2/2006, but the same problems still linger in the industry

10 Steps to Publication

Posted on July 26, 2009 | 3 comments

With each day, the positions available for new authors grow fewer. The glamorous spin put on publishing leads newcomers and novice writers into a wonderfully bright light. Unfortunately, that bright light is probably only 40 watts. It only seems brighter because someone with exceptional writing skills convinced you otherwise.

Keep in mind that if, in fact, you do have writing talent, you still have tons of opportunity to get published. But before you jump from the frying pan into the fire, consider these things.

1. You are not the only person trying to write the “Great American Novel.” There are literally thousands, tens of thousands, of writers all looking on with bulging eyes toward the vast sales potential when Oprah chooses their book. It will serve you well to remember that the one thing that will lead to your greatest success is your ability to write an exceptional book. The competition is fierce and you must go into the writing profession with the knowledge that you will have to be better than most of those other writers.

2. Know your market before you get there. When you sit down to write your novel, you should already have answered a short list of questions. (1) Who are you writing the book for? Gender, age, geographic location, etc. (2) what do you hope to accomplish with your book? Educating, entertaining, inspiring, etc. (3) what are you willing to do to make certain people know about your book?

3. Aspire to be the very best. You may sit at your desk and think that you are not in competition with Nora Roberts or Clive Cussler, but you are. Consider the economic structure of our current and immediate future. Money is tight in most wallets, so in order for readers to choose your book over any other, it must have some dynamic angle or aspect that will make it more appealing than the national best sellers. This is a must. If you simply aspire to be the best that you can, it may not be good enough to knock those A-List authors down to allow room for your novel on the top of the lists.

4. Study the competition. Make certain you have a firm understanding about what it is that makes their book incredibly marketable and profitable. Have you ever considered what made Harry Potter the phenomenal success it is? Perhaps that should be your first homework assignment. Read the best sellers and read the books that are being trashed in the review guides. And do not discount the power of the library. Library Journal publishes a list of the most checked out books. As an author, you owe it to yourself to understand the impact of each book and the author on the market.

5. Follow your instincts. I cannot stress enough how much I disagree when I hear someone say, “Write for the publishers.” Yes, the publishers are the initial decision makers on whether a book is published, but it is the reader you must consider when choosing your topic and marketing strategy. Publishers make financial commitments, but those commitments mean nothing if the book does not touch the readers’ community in a large way.

6. Learn and continue to learn your craft. Writing is a talent and like any other, experience and practice will ultimately help you to improve your skills. Once you decide you cannot learn any more, you cannot learn any more. Even the rules of grammar change with time. It doesn’t seem right, but it happens. Pay careful attention to not only what you write, but how you write it. When you present a finished manuscript to a publisher or an agent, it should be fully edited. It is not an editor’s responsibility to fix mistakes that you should have fixed beforehand. It is yours. Own your work. Be proud of it. Don’t sell it short. An editor will help you, but they are not there to do it for you.

7. Educate yourself on the industry standards. Each publishing company has its own set of guidelines, but some things are a given. It is crucial that you present your work according to each individual company’s guidelines. If you don’t know what they are, find out before you move ahead. Do not assume that what you did for Publisher A will work for Publisher B. One simple inconsistency in your submission could dissuade an otherwise interested editor from further consideration. Unfortunately for writers, editors are human and have bad days. If you single space your submission to save paper and get an editor who has a headache on the day she reads your pages, you are history. Play by the rules.

8. Presentation is very important. From the color of paper you use for your query letter to the way you sign the letter. Professionalism is mandatory in this business. No corporate head would send a business letter on pink paper with pretty teal ink, and signed with a gold metallic pen. It sounds pretty, but it is not proper business etiquette. Don’t tell an editor/publisher what to think when you write your query. Present the facts and then dazzle them with your story. That is what is important, your story. Let your talent shine…but not in gold metallic pen.

9. Solidify yourself with success. Once you have submitted your work, it’s time to begin the process all over again. Don’t take the cordless phone to the mailbox and sit and wait. Begin your next project. But it’s not all about writing. Get out into the industry and get to know your fellow readers and writers. You want as many people to know your name when you finally do get the call. Get your web site set up. As MJ Rose says, “Get that buzz going.” Once you sell, all the contacts you have made go from being just friends, to being potential customers. And don’t waste time on the naysayer. There will always be those people who simply cannot be supportive of your efforts. You deserve better and by distancing yourself from the negativity and replacing it with everything positive, you increase your chances of finding great success.

10. Believe in yourself. If you are not totally confident in what you are doing, you are destined to failure. Writing a book, a short story, or even an article can be emotionally draining to a writer. Why would you subject yourself to that if it wasn’t what you truly wanted? Know your limits, push yourself, and then celebrate every accomplishment. This alone can increase your level of self-esteem and nobody deserves the success more than you.