The hardest part in being an author is not the writing. It is also not the marketing and selling of the book. Finding a publisher is really daunting, I agree, but it is also not the most difficult. Negotiating with a publisher is also not so much difficult, especially if you have an idea about the legalities and what is rightfully yours. The contract could come very easy. What is the hardest part? The hardest part in being an author is not being taken advantage of by your publisher. Yes. Publishers have a nasty reputation when it comes to contracting authors, especially newbies. They entice unsuspecting newbie authors with a huge advance payment but take advantage with the rest of the payment system and the royalties. Remember that advance payment is only the icing of the cake. The real money-maker here is the royalty. It is the most profitable part of the books sale, especially if your book hits as a bestseller and becomes a popular icon with which pens, mugs and other products are decorated. So how does an author protect himself and his intellectual rights?
Authors should consult experts on negotiating book contracts and royalties. They can join advocacy organizations that can advise them with firsthand experience in publishing contracts. And there's no better advice than from someone who has been there and done that. However, most advocacy organizations only accept those authors who are already published writers. So newbie authors may be out of luck in this option. The best and surest way to be safe against publishing predators is to have a lawyer at your side. Have him read the contract and all other agreement terms first before signing anything.
However, for those who cannot afford a lawyer and are willing to gamble with a publisher, thinking that it is just the first time anyway, they can take note of the following things they have to know and study their contract themselves. Here are the basic things you have to know under your contract.
First, determine the number of book copies that you and your publisher have agreed upon. Also know how many copies are going to be shipped and distributed. This way, you can also keep track of the number of copies that were actually sold and the number of copies that were returned.
Second, make it clear with your publisher what type of royalty you are agreeing with in the contract. Is it a regular, foreign export, or a special discount? It can also be some other type that nobody has heard of yet, as there is really no standard format in royalty contracts. Also, be make sure you know and understand the royalty rate, both in terms of percentage and dollar amounts.
Third, know the details of reserve against returns as clearly stated in dollars. Make sure you also get the details of subsidiary contracts, income and sales. As much as possible, try to know everything you can. Be brave in asking questions of your publisher. After all, it is your creation that they are selling so protect it!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Non-fiction Book Writing Tips
So, you have some knowledge or know-how to share and you want to write a book about it and profit from it. But you know very well that non-fiction books don't sell well. So what do you do?
Non-fiction topics such as history, biographies, how-to books, and self-help books can be a big bore to readers. The data, facts or information overload bores and turns off some readers. Some people have a hard time focusing on reading pure facts and they tend to forget what they have just read if it is written in plain and straightforward facts. If your aim is to produce a best-seller, you have to learn to turn boring and straightforward facts into fun and interesting facts. Otherwise, you might as well just write a textbook. And remember, textbooks only sell because they are required by schools. Otherwise, they would rot on bookstores shelves.
So the first thing you have to learn after deciding what to write about is how to write it interestingly. Remember, nothing beats human interest in capturing an audience. So you have to have that wit of injecting human interest factor into your otherwise boring how-to manual or history book. For example, you are writing about how to build a dog house. Instead of plainly telling the readers step by step the how-to's, insert some anecdotes or possible incidents the reader might experience while doing the task; like seeing their dog watch him while working and get excited about his future house as if he understands that you are building it for him. You should always capitalize on human feelings. Appeal to the emotions always works, even in court.
In writing fiction, it is always best to show the readers what is happening than tell them what is happening. By showing, I mean leading readers into the scene and make them feel they are seeing or witnessing the event firsthand. The same method works in writing non-fiction. So, instead of plainly enumerating the facts or stating the numbers, describe it in a way the average person can relate to. Not everybody knows their metric system, or not everyone has a vivid image of how long 10 meters is. In cases like these, you can make use of your stock idiomatic expressions and metaphors. You can liken the length to something the readers see in their everyday lives. So aside from stating that the wood is two inches thick, you can also say that it is as thick as their Harry Potter book 7. These allusions give the readers a vivid image in their mind, with which they can play their imagination and not get bored.
If you learn these simple techniques, you can write your non-fiction book in a fun and interesting manner and not bore your readers to death.
Non-fiction topics such as history, biographies, how-to books, and self-help books can be a big bore to readers. The data, facts or information overload bores and turns off some readers. Some people have a hard time focusing on reading pure facts and they tend to forget what they have just read if it is written in plain and straightforward facts. If your aim is to produce a best-seller, you have to learn to turn boring and straightforward facts into fun and interesting facts. Otherwise, you might as well just write a textbook. And remember, textbooks only sell because they are required by schools. Otherwise, they would rot on bookstores shelves.
So the first thing you have to learn after deciding what to write about is how to write it interestingly. Remember, nothing beats human interest in capturing an audience. So you have to have that wit of injecting human interest factor into your otherwise boring how-to manual or history book. For example, you are writing about how to build a dog house. Instead of plainly telling the readers step by step the how-to's, insert some anecdotes or possible incidents the reader might experience while doing the task; like seeing their dog watch him while working and get excited about his future house as if he understands that you are building it for him. You should always capitalize on human feelings. Appeal to the emotions always works, even in court.
In writing fiction, it is always best to show the readers what is happening than tell them what is happening. By showing, I mean leading readers into the scene and make them feel they are seeing or witnessing the event firsthand. The same method works in writing non-fiction. So, instead of plainly enumerating the facts or stating the numbers, describe it in a way the average person can relate to. Not everybody knows their metric system, or not everyone has a vivid image of how long 10 meters is. In cases like these, you can make use of your stock idiomatic expressions and metaphors. You can liken the length to something the readers see in their everyday lives. So aside from stating that the wood is two inches thick, you can also say that it is as thick as their Harry Potter book 7. These allusions give the readers a vivid image in their mind, with which they can play their imagination and not get bored.
If you learn these simple techniques, you can write your non-fiction book in a fun and interesting manner and not bore your readers to death.
Income Potential of Writing a Book
Many of us are great storytellers. Our friends love being around us for the funny stories, as well as valuable serious stories, we tell them. And what they love about our stories is the way we deliver them because we can turn something simply funny to a laugh out loud hilarious story. Or we can turn a simply sad story to a tearjerker moment.
You may not realize it, but you might have the talent of storytelling. And you know what's better than having your friends surround you and eagerly listen to every word you have to say? Why, earning money out of your talent, of course! Some people who have the knack of storytelling capitalize on their talent through standup comedy bars. They make money out of making people laugh through their funny stories. However, not all have the courage and grace of standing up on stage in front of a large audience and deliver a punch line. So, if you are more of the latter kind, what can you do? Simply put your story in writing, publish it, and sell it!
Yes, you can do that. A lot of people earn from their blogs. There are a lot of people out there who are just plain voracious readers. And bloggers earn from them. You can also earn from writing a book in the same way. You may argue that no publishing house in their sane minds would entertain and invest in some unknown newbie writer and that is true. So, you are going to publish it and sell it yourself! What is your dusty printer doing beside your computer? And what is the World Wide Web for? You have the tools at your fingertips; you just have to learn how to use them to your advantage.
You can print your book through your very own printer and sell it over your own website. Or you can turn it into an eBook, which could sell just the same. You can even place it on Amazon.com for a wider customer reach. With the advent of modern technology, who needs a publisher when you can do it yourself? The only advantage of having a publisher is that they get your book into bookstore, but that's it! You, as the author, still do most of the marketing. So, why not just do it yourself over the web and get 100% control over your book and 100% of the profit? The Internet has opened up to us a myriad of options and opportunities in every aspect of our lives in love, in friendship, in entertainment and most especially, in business. So we should make the most out of it.
You may not realize it, but you might have the talent of storytelling. And you know what's better than having your friends surround you and eagerly listen to every word you have to say? Why, earning money out of your talent, of course! Some people who have the knack of storytelling capitalize on their talent through standup comedy bars. They make money out of making people laugh through their funny stories. However, not all have the courage and grace of standing up on stage in front of a large audience and deliver a punch line. So, if you are more of the latter kind, what can you do? Simply put your story in writing, publish it, and sell it!
Yes, you can do that. A lot of people earn from their blogs. There are a lot of people out there who are just plain voracious readers. And bloggers earn from them. You can also earn from writing a book in the same way. You may argue that no publishing house in their sane minds would entertain and invest in some unknown newbie writer and that is true. So, you are going to publish it and sell it yourself! What is your dusty printer doing beside your computer? And what is the World Wide Web for? You have the tools at your fingertips; you just have to learn how to use them to your advantage.
You can print your book through your very own printer and sell it over your own website. Or you can turn it into an eBook, which could sell just the same. You can even place it on Amazon.com for a wider customer reach. With the advent of modern technology, who needs a publisher when you can do it yourself? The only advantage of having a publisher is that they get your book into bookstore, but that's it! You, as the author, still do most of the marketing. So, why not just do it yourself over the web and get 100% control over your book and 100% of the profit? The Internet has opened up to us a myriad of options and opportunities in every aspect of our lives in love, in friendship, in entertainment and most especially, in business. So we should make the most out of it.
Get a Grant to Write Your Book
You have a story in mind. The story is great and you are very sure that if it were written, many people would love the book and the book might even end up on the bestsellers list. The problem lies in how you are going to find the money to write the book. There is no need to worry because there are grants available that will allow you to write the book of your dreams. As you keep on reading, you will find the steps to take in order to realize that dream.
There are many grants available for writers. There are grants given to those who want to write a book but do not have the money to make it. There are even grants given to those who have begun a book but cannot complete it because of financial matters. There are also travel grants that allow writers to attend writers conferences or even to be a guest speaker.
If you are really a great writer, you should take advantage of this rare talent. Your skills as a writer should be used to the fullest to reach the dream of writing the book of your dreams. You can begin by joining writing contests. Many contests aim at giving writing grants to deserving and talented writers. Poetic writing can land you grants for as much as $100,000 such as the Wallace Stevens Award. Another award like the Walt Whitman award gives $5,000 for first-time publications with free residency for a month at the Vermont Studio Center. This opens another opportunity for you to hone that wonderful writing talent.
You cannot get a grant without writing a proposal. Maybe this is the time to learn how to make a proposal. There are short tutorial classes that specialize in this field. Once you have learned how, write the book proposal first and submit it to a publisher. Many publishers are looking for fresh and raw talents to tap and are willing to provide funding for their works. If you really have good material or if you have great credentials, the publisher may be impressed and give you the amount you need to make the book a reality.
If you are writing a book that focuses on a special field like science and research, why not tap these entities? There are many companies and entities that are in need of writers to write something about their field of work. You just might be the person for the job. If you have what it takes, then they will be willing to fund your work and they will work in partnership with you, supporting you all the way.
You may want to look at other ways to get to that dream. Do your research on the internet. Look at all the options and see what will work best for you.
There are many grants available for writers. There are grants given to those who want to write a book but do not have the money to make it. There are even grants given to those who have begun a book but cannot complete it because of financial matters. There are also travel grants that allow writers to attend writers conferences or even to be a guest speaker.
If you are really a great writer, you should take advantage of this rare talent. Your skills as a writer should be used to the fullest to reach the dream of writing the book of your dreams. You can begin by joining writing contests. Many contests aim at giving writing grants to deserving and talented writers. Poetic writing can land you grants for as much as $100,000 such as the Wallace Stevens Award. Another award like the Walt Whitman award gives $5,000 for first-time publications with free residency for a month at the Vermont Studio Center. This opens another opportunity for you to hone that wonderful writing talent.
You cannot get a grant without writing a proposal. Maybe this is the time to learn how to make a proposal. There are short tutorial classes that specialize in this field. Once you have learned how, write the book proposal first and submit it to a publisher. Many publishers are looking for fresh and raw talents to tap and are willing to provide funding for their works. If you really have good material or if you have great credentials, the publisher may be impressed and give you the amount you need to make the book a reality.
If you are writing a book that focuses on a special field like science and research, why not tap these entities? There are many companies and entities that are in need of writers to write something about their field of work. You just might be the person for the job. If you have what it takes, then they will be willing to fund your work and they will work in partnership with you, supporting you all the way.
You may want to look at other ways to get to that dream. Do your research on the internet. Look at all the options and see what will work best for you.
Searching for Excellent Pictures for your Book
Basically, books are intended to be read and pictures can be an exception. But if we are talking of children's books, pictures are vital ingredients to captivate the minds of young readers. It may not be highlighted, but choosing the most fitting picture for a book's story is crucial.
The first step on creating a picture book is to pick a picture or gather all the pictures for your chosen topic. A product like Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 is one of those software which can help you enhance and crop your pictures. The clearer, larger, colorful and more diverse the compilation of photos you assemble, the better the results can be. Aside from the photos which are available on your pc, where can you find excellent pictures that can help you create books with astonishing visuals? Read some suggestions below.
First, you can consider browsing the internet for sources of photos and clip arts. If you are looking for old pictures, there is the fromoldbooks.org website which provides pictures of classic manors, gravestones and castles. Several online vendors are also offering thousands of visuals that may be fitting for your literary work. There are also sample images; search for the category and those which are printable.
Second, there are downloadable software like Media Picture Finder which can be used to find photos and to download thousands of free pictures from the internet. This is a supplementary tool which can automatically download pictures from website; thus saving a lot of time.
Third, you can create your own pictures with your digital camera. You can use software like Graphire Wireless. This is a pen tablet which allows you to control and easily edit digital photos. Create, draw and paint pictures. You can also sketch diagrams. Other software which can be used are Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop.
Fourth, you can also draw illustrations manually or seek a professional to do it for you. There are many graphic illustrators who can take your ideas and provide you with excellent results in both electronic and hard copy formats. Results can be in editable files but are compatible with typesetters programs with a highly professional touch.
Pictures represent a thousand words. One picture can carry different meanings; thus, it is an essential element of a picture book. Writing a book and bringing out your thoughts can really be tedious but putting the right picture is another thing. The readers will treat the book as a whole and the pictures on it must be the best representation of the thoughts that the writer really intends to relay.
The first step on creating a picture book is to pick a picture or gather all the pictures for your chosen topic. A product like Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 is one of those software which can help you enhance and crop your pictures. The clearer, larger, colorful and more diverse the compilation of photos you assemble, the better the results can be. Aside from the photos which are available on your pc, where can you find excellent pictures that can help you create books with astonishing visuals? Read some suggestions below.
First, you can consider browsing the internet for sources of photos and clip arts. If you are looking for old pictures, there is the fromoldbooks.org website which provides pictures of classic manors, gravestones and castles. Several online vendors are also offering thousands of visuals that may be fitting for your literary work. There are also sample images; search for the category and those which are printable.
Second, there are downloadable software like Media Picture Finder which can be used to find photos and to download thousands of free pictures from the internet. This is a supplementary tool which can automatically download pictures from website; thus saving a lot of time.
Third, you can create your own pictures with your digital camera. You can use software like Graphire Wireless. This is a pen tablet which allows you to control and easily edit digital photos. Create, draw and paint pictures. You can also sketch diagrams. Other software which can be used are Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop.
Fourth, you can also draw illustrations manually or seek a professional to do it for you. There are many graphic illustrators who can take your ideas and provide you with excellent results in both electronic and hard copy formats. Results can be in editable files but are compatible with typesetters programs with a highly professional touch.
Pictures represent a thousand words. One picture can carry different meanings; thus, it is an essential element of a picture book. Writing a book and bringing out your thoughts can really be tedious but putting the right picture is another thing. The readers will treat the book as a whole and the pictures on it must be the best representation of the thoughts that the writer really intends to relay.
7 Tips to Great Fiction Book Writing
It feels great to read a good fiction novel. But do you know how a good author creates a good novel? Do you know what efforts an author has to go through to give you that wonderful plot that keeps you reading from cover to cover? If you are one of those writers who want to have your readers finish your book in one sitting, keep reading to learn some great tips that you can apply to your fiction writing.
1. In all cases of fiction writing, it is important to write original plots. Your storyline should not be lifted from some other book. It is important to be unpredictable in every part of your fiction novel.
2. Begin your story with a rough story outline. Even if it's only in your head, it would be good to have some sort of chronology of your planned book. You may begin by writing down one sentence describing the opening scene. Next is to write another sentence that describes the very last scene of your book. A big space in between would serve as the space where you write down the major plot points of your story from beginning to end. These sentences will serve as guide as you write the whole novel.
3. You must have the story characters in mind by now. You must know these characters by heart, just like you personally know them. You must know each ones strength and weaknesses.
4. To be able to develop the plot and the different characters as you write along, know the weaknesses of your character and attack them using the plot. There should be a point when the characters will have to fight between two strong emotions in some sort of emotional struggle.
5. Great fiction writers have to be great storytellers. If you already have the talent for storytelling, it would be great to start with some storyline that comes from your own experience. The other ideas will have to come from research. You must have the eye for important facts when doing your research. You could always use these for your plot and sub-plots.
6. Use the active voice when telling the story. It is the most effective kind of writing since the reader tends to relate himself to the character and has the tendency to feel that he is part of the story. Use words that are concrete and short to make the impact stronger on the reader.
7. Practice your typing skills. If you are a good typist, it is easier to put your thoughts in the written form. Sometimes, writers ideas get overtaken by slow typing. It would be great to learn how to type fast so you get your thoughts into writing fast, too.
These are just some of the important tips that you should take into consideration when writing fictional stories. Keep going at it. As you get better at the craft, the easier it will become for you to think up new plots and characters.
1. In all cases of fiction writing, it is important to write original plots. Your storyline should not be lifted from some other book. It is important to be unpredictable in every part of your fiction novel.
2. Begin your story with a rough story outline. Even if it's only in your head, it would be good to have some sort of chronology of your planned book. You may begin by writing down one sentence describing the opening scene. Next is to write another sentence that describes the very last scene of your book. A big space in between would serve as the space where you write down the major plot points of your story from beginning to end. These sentences will serve as guide as you write the whole novel.
3. You must have the story characters in mind by now. You must know these characters by heart, just like you personally know them. You must know each ones strength and weaknesses.
4. To be able to develop the plot and the different characters as you write along, know the weaknesses of your character and attack them using the plot. There should be a point when the characters will have to fight between two strong emotions in some sort of emotional struggle.
5. Great fiction writers have to be great storytellers. If you already have the talent for storytelling, it would be great to start with some storyline that comes from your own experience. The other ideas will have to come from research. You must have the eye for important facts when doing your research. You could always use these for your plot and sub-plots.
6. Use the active voice when telling the story. It is the most effective kind of writing since the reader tends to relate himself to the character and has the tendency to feel that he is part of the story. Use words that are concrete and short to make the impact stronger on the reader.
7. Practice your typing skills. If you are a good typist, it is easier to put your thoughts in the written form. Sometimes, writers ideas get overtaken by slow typing. It would be great to learn how to type fast so you get your thoughts into writing fast, too.
These are just some of the important tips that you should take into consideration when writing fictional stories. Keep going at it. As you get better at the craft, the easier it will become for you to think up new plots and characters.
How to Write Your Own Book
Writing can be very easy for those who have the talent. It can be as simple as A-B-C and the flow of words can just come out from them naturally. However, there are people who are good at telling stories verbally but not putting them in writing. I once had a suitor who could not compose a simple love letter that he had to excuse himself from that traditional courtship tool and asked me if we could just hang out together because he is more at ease with the spoken rather than with the written words. Somewhat strange isn't it? Because most people are shy speaking up so they just put what they have to say in writing. Well, strange as it may seem, there are people like that. So how does that kind of person make use of his gift in storytelling to write a book? Well, there are three simple steps to get you started.
First, think of what to write about. There are a whole lot of topics under the sun, which you can write about. You can write about your very personal experiences, other peoples experiences or even what-if experiences. I am sure you have a lot of what-if scenarios, which you have played in your mind. You can write about those and I'm sure you would be very motivated in writing them. Play with your imagination and let it take you wherever it may lead you. You can also write about the things you love doing like sports and hobbies.
Second, write an outline. It is always best to organize your thoughts before writing. That is the advantage of writing over speaking. In writing, you have the time to organize your thoughts well so you wouldn't be fumbling for things to say and going back and forth to things you should have said earlier.
Third, listen to yourself. Record your voice while telling a story to a friend. Try not to be conscious of the recorder and just tell a story as you normally would. Then listen to your recorded voice afterwards. This way, you can be aware of your style in verbal storytelling and you can use that in your writing. You may transcribe what you have recorded word for word if you like. Writing is really not that different from telling a story verbally. And the same goes even if you are writing about a non-fiction book. Even non-fiction books are like telling a simple story. So what are you waiting for? Pick up that pen, and start writing your first draft!
First, think of what to write about. There are a whole lot of topics under the sun, which you can write about. You can write about your very personal experiences, other peoples experiences or even what-if experiences. I am sure you have a lot of what-if scenarios, which you have played in your mind. You can write about those and I'm sure you would be very motivated in writing them. Play with your imagination and let it take you wherever it may lead you. You can also write about the things you love doing like sports and hobbies.
Second, write an outline. It is always best to organize your thoughts before writing. That is the advantage of writing over speaking. In writing, you have the time to organize your thoughts well so you wouldn't be fumbling for things to say and going back and forth to things you should have said earlier.
Third, listen to yourself. Record your voice while telling a story to a friend. Try not to be conscious of the recorder and just tell a story as you normally would. Then listen to your recorded voice afterwards. This way, you can be aware of your style in verbal storytelling and you can use that in your writing. You may transcribe what you have recorded word for word if you like. Writing is really not that different from telling a story verbally. And the same goes even if you are writing about a non-fiction book. Even non-fiction books are like telling a simple story. So what are you waiting for? Pick up that pen, and start writing your first draft!
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