Publishing – Page 14 – Jean's Writing

Do you want to know more? Read more!

Published on January 25, 2016January 23, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Don’t you just love the internet!

It’s so easy to spend hours reading article after article on how to do any and everything from, publishing an ebook to refinishing a table.

First off, let me start by saying I am not an expert. I’m still learning, but I’ve learned a lot over the last few years. A lot about writing, publishing and blogging. The world-wide web is a wonderful place. And with the help of other writers, editors and bloggers learning more every day. One thing I’ve learned. There is only so much editing a writer can do on their own.

Unless you are a professional editor, hire one. This is one thing, it’s best not to do yourself. At least not all of it. For a book to be edited to a polished spit shine it takes a professional.

So If you’re looking for an editor here are a few tips.

First, a couple of don’ts.

For the love of God, don’t ask friends to edit your book.
- Well, I guess it’s okay if you have too many friends and this one has gotten on your last nerve.
And, unless you hate your family, don’t ask Aunt Tillie, that’s got disaster written all over it.
- Of course, maybe you don’t want to attend Thanksgiving dinner next year.

Now that we’ve gotten the don’ts out-of-the-way, where do you find an editor?

You can start at your local library.

This might surprise you, they might fuss because you didn’t bring back that book from 1989 but they’ll still help you out.

You can ask for referrals on Linked In

I found my wonderful editor through a contact on Linked In.

After you’ve found an editor – now what?

Ask lots of questions.

Do they have a website?

Does the website look professional?
Having a website is not a must but it does raise more questions?

Does their style match yours? The correct genre.

Remember, different strokes for different folks. Blood and guts, BDSM, or Hot in Texas is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you write murder mysteries, but they edit children’s books this editor is going to barf at the first bloody scene.

What is their price?

Ask for a flat fee based on your project. You don’t want any last-minute surprises.
Don’t know about you, but I don’t have money to burn!
Will they charge for additional consultation should you want a last look-see?

When is payment due?

Will they provide a sample based on your manuscript?
Most editors will edit a section of your book so that you can see how they work.
This should be done before a contract is signed.

Ask for details of the editing services they will provide.

Grammar, rewrite suggestions, flow, structure, concept, etc.

Determine and understand the expected schedule.

Remember, you aren’t their only client – chill.
The editor is an artist too. Patience is a virtue.

Someone, once said, “Information is power,” or something like that. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What did I forget? What questions did you ask your editor?

What did you learn about editing your first book?

Tell me in the comments section.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Writers, do you need more info…

Published on January 13, 2016January 10, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

Writers, do you spend too much time on Google?

Searching for answers?

On how to self-publish your book? Or someone to review your book?

Now, thanks to the hard work of John Maberry your search will be a bit shorter.

Head over and read all of the links he has compiled on these and more subjects at his blog the Eagle Peak Press.

On the first post John gives you links for Advertising/Marketing, Email marketing, Miscellaneous promotion techniques, Press releases, special multifaceted sites, and various, Author blogs/sites of interest.

WEB RESOURCES FOR SELF-PUBLISHING AUTHORS DECEMBER 4, 2015 JOHN MABERRY

He this next post he lists links for Book design/production, General self-publishing tips and resources, and my favorite, Reviews of your book.

WEB RESOURCES FOR SELF-PUBLISHING AUTHORS–PART 2 DECEMBER 10, 2015 JOHN MABERRY

Some of the links are oldies but goodies, however, some were new to me.

I hope you find a few new surprises too. If you find a few good tips be sure and let John know. I’m sure he’ll enjoy hearing from you.

Thanks John! I love it when my readers share good info! Keep the good stuff coming guys.

Y’all can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey!

Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Publishing mistakes I made this year

Published on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

First, let me say my mistakes were expensive.

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Now that I’ve got that off my chest I’ll try to share something constructive.

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I rushed the process.

Those who know me, stop snickering. I’ll admit patience is a problem for me sometimes. But after working on the same project over and over and over and over until I was sick of it and ready to put that baby to bed. I ended up submitting it three times due to errors found in the proof copy.

I didn’t understand the IngramSpark process before I started.

That turned out to be a very costly mistake. They use different templates than Createspace and well, everything is different. I’d read it was the easiest and cheapest self-publishing platform to use and it was.

So if you are looking for a step by step way to get a book self-published with little cost Createspace is the way to go.

I didn’t submit Tryouts for Ben to reviewers before publication.

This is something I didn’t realize. I know ignorance is no excuse, but it’s all I’ve got. Apparently many, not all but many reviewers want an advance copy of the book before it is released to the public. Go figure. In the link below Kristen Lamb explains how very important reviews are for writers, click and read. Review are our life blood.

When doing a book with illustrations or pictures use a heavier paper.

I’d read the suggestion somewhere by someone, don’t remember who or where but unfortunately didn’t. A mistake. The finished product, especially with the IngramSparks book would’ve looked much more polished.

I didn’t ask questions.

When in doubt, ask. That’s what the help line is for. The people at IngramSparks were very helpful. I should’ve called them sooner. Would’ve saved me $$$ and a lot of frustration.

Self-publishing a book without knowing anything about marketing.

And I still don’t have the vaguest idea how or where to start.

Did I learn anything? Yes.

I will probably make several mistakes but I do hope not the same ones.
Createspace is quicker, cheaper and easier than IngramSpark. However, I will continue to publish on both.
Ask questions!

How about y’all? Which platform do you use to self-publish? What has been your experience? I’d love to know.

The Ugly Truth of Publishing & How BEST to Support Writers by Kristen Lamb

Self-Publishing and Living the LLC Dream by Scott De Buitléir

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? 4 Authors Share Their Numbers by Dana Sitar

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together we can learn the latest writing tips, and look for me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Have a safe and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing a better New Year for the survivors

Published on December 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

For the last few days my emotions have been all over the place. Joy, fear, exhilaration, terror, happiness, sadness, relief, gratitude, has bounced around like a ping-pong ball on the new table we gave the grandkids for Christmas.

Why all these emotions?

In the midst of enjoying an amazing holiday, filled with grandkids, good food, gifts that left me stunned at the generosity of my family, and emailing ideas to the illustrator for a new project, tornadoes ripped through our area.

Two of our children were driving through the storm, two children with two grandkids were at their home a few miles away.

Here at our house, Phil, myself, three grandkids and one dog huddled in a closet as tornado sirens wailed in the night.

After the all clear, we left the closet, relieved the tornado had passed over our house and thrilled to receive texts that everyone else was safe.

Next morning, we watched the news stunned at the devastation. According to the weather service an EF4 tornado — which is the second-most powerful with winds over 200 mph — struck Rowlett, Texas, just minutes from where I live. Relief and sadness flooded me as I watched the news reports.

9 tornados, 11 dead!

Still If felt a distance from the destruction until I received a reply from my earlier email.

Ashley Bauer, the artist who illustrated my first children’s book Tryouts for Ben and is collaborating with me on my newest project lives in Rowlett.

Evacuated from her apartment, Ashley apologized because the illustrations might be delayed. Displaced from her home in the midst of the second deadliest storm in Texas history, she’s worried about my little book! Wow! I assured her that should be way down on her priority list at the moment.

The storm cloud that held that enormous tornado passed over my little town, and dropped from the sky hitting Ashley’s apartment complex. She explained her building was not destroyed, but the building next to hers along with the management office was destroyed. I believe she used the word flattened.

I’ve had a stomach ache ever since I received her email. I’m so glad she’s and her family are safe.

The tornado came so close to us. The enormity of our escape hit me. There but for the grace of God, luck of the Irish, a toss of the coin, luck of the draw, or whichever ideology you subscribe I realize my family was very fortunate. But as relieved and grateful as I am for us, I’m also saddened for the loss suffered by my neighbors.

Time to finish gathering things for the donation drive. The families effected need everything. And then I’m going to go hug my kids!

So when you ring in the New Year, remember the families who need good things to happen and let’s wish them all the best that 2016 can bring.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.