I promised we could talk about ebooks and today we will. Let's start with digital publishing companies. They don't publish print books and they don't prep manuscripts or covers for print-on-demand.
Do you know how long it takes to do the graphic design for an ebook cover once the art is complete? Not long. It's an absolute cakewalk compared to making a cover that wraps around a paperback. Along the same lines, do you know how easy it is to prepare an ebook for publication compared to something that has to go to print? Again, it's a snap.
Digital publishing companies prey upon writers who know how to write but do not know how to independently publish a book. They'll lend you a hand with editing without being too handsy (unlike traditional publishing houses who are risking a lot and can get very handsy), they'll help you with a polished looking cover, and they'll do all the technical things you have no interest learning. They'll skim a little off the profits on your ebook for themselves and everyone is happy.
These guys are less choosy than a traditional publisher. You're way more likely to get a publishing deal with one of them. Their standards are a lot lower because they have a lot less on the line. They have invested very little capital in you (just what they paid for your cover art). They'll put a few minutes into your manuscript in order to prep it for publication, they're tech-savvy and they're building an empire, so the more manuscripts the better.
Because their standards are lower, if you get turned down by one of them, it may mean that you are not ready to be a published author.
However, do not despair. Even if they turn you down, and you're done working on your manuscript, it's okay. Go to a free writing website like Inkitt, Wattpad, Fictionpress, and post your writing there. You can work with sample audiences there and get a feel for what people like. You will have to write more than one book... but you were always going to have to write more than one book.
Do you know how long it takes to do the graphic design for an ebook cover once the art is complete? Not long. It's an absolute cakewalk compared to making a cover that wraps around a paperback. Along the same lines, do you know how easy it is to prepare an ebook for publication compared to something that has to go to print? Again, it's a snap.
Digital publishing companies prey upon writers who know how to write but do not know how to independently publish a book. They'll lend you a hand with editing without being too handsy (unlike traditional publishing houses who are risking a lot and can get very handsy), they'll help you with a polished looking cover, and they'll do all the technical things you have no interest learning. They'll skim a little off the profits on your ebook for themselves and everyone is happy.
These guys are less choosy than a traditional publisher. You're way more likely to get a publishing deal with one of them. Their standards are a lot lower because they have a lot less on the line. They have invested very little capital in you (just what they paid for your cover art). They'll put a few minutes into your manuscript in order to prep it for publication, they're tech-savvy and they're building an empire, so the more manuscripts the better.
Because their standards are lower, if you get turned down by one of them, it may mean that you are not ready to be a published author.
However, do not despair. Even if they turn you down, and you're done working on your manuscript, it's okay. Go to a free writing website like Inkitt, Wattpad, Fictionpress, and post your writing there. You can work with sample audiences there and get a feel for what people like. You will have to write more than one book... but you were always going to have to write more than one book.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment