Tag Archives: Shelia Goss

Query – Quick Tips vby Shelia M. Goss

A query letter is a one or two page pitch letter. Keep it short and simple. Your query letter is the first thing an agent or editor reads. An effective query letter is meant to intrigue the reader so they will want more.

Things your query letter should include:

1. Introduction: The first paragraph of your query letter should include:

your name
name of your novel
the length of your novel and
genre

2. Short Synopsis: You should be able to summarize your book in at least one to two paragraphs. Aim for one paragraph.

3. Bio: Don’t be shy. Brag on yourself in this section. Keep it book related. Although it might seem odd, be sure to write your bio in the third person.

4. Closing: Don’t forget to thank and tell the agent/editor how they can reach you.

Other things to remember when writing your query:

It’s important to address your query letter to a specific person. If you do not know the name of the agent or editor at the publishing company, call or check their website.
If you met the agent/editor at a conference or somewhere, be sure to mention it in the first paragraph.
Make sure you have a title for your work (even if you decide to change the title later).
If you mention a website/email address/phone number in your query letter, make sure it’s active.

Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over fifteen books in print and numerous of ebooks available. She writes in multiple genres. With unique story lines, her goal is to create “stories with a twist.” For more information, visit her website at http://www.sheliagoss.com/

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The Story Doesn’t Write Itself By Shelia M. Goss

It seems only another writer will understand the plight of an author when they are trying to juggle their everyday life with a writing career. If you decide to write when you have time, you will never write because there will always be something that will interfere with your writing.

Below are a few tips to better manage your time in order to complete your writing projects:

1. Make an appointment with yourself. We schedule doctor’s appointments, hair appointments, school events, etc, so why not add “writing” to your schedule. Not only schedule it, but keep to the appointment.
2. Set boundaries. Inform those in your inner circle (family and friends) that you need X amount of solitude time to write. A story doesn’t write itself and in order for the story to be written, you, the writer need the solitude time to write the story.
3. Limit your social networking time. This is a catch-22 because if you’re marketing, social networking is a must. In order to write however, logging off Facebook, Twitter, etc era is a must. Social networking is a time zapper and if you don’t be careful, you’ll spend hours and hours without writing one sentence on your writing project.
4. Set word count/page writing goals. It helps to set goals on how many pages or words you want to write. Most importantly, when you set these goals, stick to them. Write them by any means necessary. If it means less time watching TV, being on social networks, getting up earlier or going to bed later, do so.
5. Set mini-goals. A lot of times we get frustrated because we don’t see an end to what we want to accomplish. One way to avoid this is to set mini-goals. Once you reach the mini-goal, then go on to the next goal.

What are some other tips that you use to help manage your time?

Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over fourteen books in print and numerous of ebooks available. She writes in multiple genres. With unique storylines, her goal is to create “stories with a twist.” For more information, visit her website at http://www.sheliagoss.com/

Shelia M. Goss

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Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author will be used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or $9.99 (print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

My Adventure as a Mainstream Author Doing Self Published ebooks: Part 2

Last month, I discussed why I, a mainstream author, decided to self publish ebooks too My Adventure As A Mainstream Author Doing Self-Published eBooks Part 1. This month, I’ll share my experience with using the Amazon KDP Select program.

I decided since The Commitment Plan and VIP were two of my older titles re-released as ebooks that I would try the KDP Select program and see what the hype was about.

One of the drawing factors to the program was being able to offer the title for free for a limited amount of time. Free? How does that benefit the author financially if the book is free?

Several ways. There are millions of people with Kindles. Unless you’re a Jackie Collins or James Patterson, you may not have a million readers so being able to offer the book for free is a good way to give readers an opportunity to read a book with no strings attached by an author they are not familiar with or who’ve they’ve always wanted to try but was unsure.

Will offering the book for free guarantee future sales? Nothing is 100 percent but from my experience being a part of the KDP program, my sales not only increased for the book that was offered for free but also sales for some of my other titles increased.

I saw sales triple for both The Commitment Plan and VIP after being put on the program. What gave it the boost? Believe it or not is offering the book for free over a one to two day period. I don’t know what the magic is about increasing sales after a free promotion but yes, folks, it works.

When the books were offered for free there were enough downloads to place the books in the top 100 Amazon best sellers list which brought more awareness to the books. Another thing that happened is the books were also offered as a “recommended” read after a customer makes a purchase of another book in that same category.

I experienced the most sales the first six weeks after being in the program. Although sales have waned some from the first six weeks, they are steady.

When is a good time to put your ebook in the KDP program?

If your book is an older title being re-released as an ebook, then it may benefit you.
If your book is part of a series and you want to get people interested in the series, then it may benefit you.
If you noticed low to no sales and need a boost, then it may benefit you.
If you only have one title out, it may or may not benefit you.

Another feature of the program that is either a plus or minus is people who have the Amazon Prime Membership will have the option to borrow the book. Authors get paid when the book is borrowed, but the amount paid per borrow will fluctuate. Members are only able to borrow one book per month but can extend the borrow. There aren’t any limits on how many people can borrow one book though.

In my opinion, the only negative I could find with the program is giving exclusive rights to sell for a period of 90 days. That means you can’t sell it on your website or at any of the other online retailers for the specified 90 day period. So people who don’t have Kindles, will not be able to read your book until after you offer it on the other devices after the 90 day period.

Overall, participating in the program has worked for me. Remember, my journey is not every author’s journey. If you decide to try it, put forth your best effort. Stop back by next month when I talk about writing under pen-names, the pros and the cons.

Are you an author using the Amazon KDP Select program? What have been your personal pros and cons?

Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments field.

Shelia M. Goss

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For a full list of the books in the Shelia Goss eBook Collection go to: http://www.sheliagoss.com/ebooks

Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over thirteen books in print and numerous of ebooks available. She writes in multiple genres. With unique storylines, her goal is to create “stories with a twist.” For more information, visit her website at http://www.sheliagoss.com/

ANNOUNCEMENT: Deatri will be conducting a FREE Character Development workshop for people who are signed up for my monthly newsletter. Workshop: Character Cake Cost: Free Date: Apr, 28 2012 Time: 4-5 p.m. Central Location: Become A Successful Author Website (link and password will be given the day before the event)

My Adventure as a Mainstream Author Doing Self Published ebooks: Part I

Many may ask the question, if you have a publisher, why are you doing independent ebooks? My response is why not. I love writing and have been blessed that it’s not just a hobby, it’s a career. I am the Shelia Goss corporation and I have several divisions within the Shelia Goss corporation. I treat my brand like a business and for longevity in this industry, you must do so.

For example, if this was corporate America, I would work full-time for Company A, but I also have the option to do part-time work if I want to. Working part-time for Company B doesn’t interfere with my full-time job at Company A.

Why limit yourself as an author when you can have the best of both worlds.

Other mainstream authors, such as Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and most recently, Jackie Collins are doing it as well. It’s a win for the author and for readers.

I’m glad I did it. My ebook, LOVE UNEXPECTED, has been on the Amazon Best sellers list under the multicultural romance category every day for over a year. I got readers excited about my newest ebook release, The Commitment Plan by having a contest where readers helped come up with the ebook title.

In order to succeed at doing your own ebooks, you must make sure your ebook is professionally done. Readers should not be able to tell your ebook is self-published. Your ebook should be able to stand up against traditionally published ebooks. To accomplish that, make sure your ebook has a professional edit, professional looking cover and it’s been formatted correctly so it doesn’t look crazy on the various e-readers.

When it comes to pricing, make sure your prices are competitive. There are countless of debates going on about ebook pricing. Some are in favor of higher ebook prices while others frown on it and think all ebooks should be less than $2.99 or free. My best advice to you is to play around with the price and find a price structure that works best for you and your books because what works for Author A might not work for Author B.

Having said that, here’s my personal take on ebook pricing. I try to look at things from both the author and reader’s perspective. If the mass market paperback version can be purchased from the store at $4.98, then the ebook version of that book needs to be a little lower, which averages around $2.99. As a consumer, if it’s the same price, then I would rather have the paperback version. If the paperback version sells for $9.95. I would knock $2 off and sell the ebook at $7.95.

What about those books that are straight to ebook format and are not available in print? Now this is where it gets tricky.

For short stories, the price would depend on how short. If its 5000 to 6000 words, as a consumer, I think $2.99 is too much so the most I would pay is $1.50. I don’t think that devalues the work of the short story. I’ve sold short stories to magazines in the past and you only get paid once—average $250 for the life of that story as opposed to a continuous steady income. You would still make more than the $250 selling the short story yourself at even the low price of 99 cents.

If it’s a full length novel, and its new, maybe do an introductory price at a lower rate, but I think your regular price shouldn’t be lower than $4.99 for a full length novel.

Well, some may say, “Your novels that you have available as ebooks are $2.99.” True. Why? Because they are older novels that I re-released as ebooks. My newer books are with a traditional publisher.

I opted to do both traditional publishing as well as do my independent projects. I like to write short stories and have found my niche in that area. I also like having my older novels available to readers who only read ebooks and may not have ever read any Shelia Goss books.

The bonus, selling my ebooks independently has brought in a steady monthly income. I have the 1099 to prove it.

My journey is not every author’s journey. If you decide to try it, put forth your best effort. Stop back by next month when I share my experience with using the Amazon KDP Select program.

Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments field.

For a full list of the books in the Shelia Goss eBook Collection go to: http://www.sheliagoss.com/ebooks

If you found this post useful, please use the Share links to spread the word to other authors.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Hello All, Dee here. I’ll be conducting a FREE eBook formatting workshop for people who are signed up for my monthly newsletter.
Topic: eBook Formatting Basics for Fiction Titles Cost: Free Date: March, 24, 2012 Time: 3-4 p.m. Central Location: Become A Successful Author Website (link and password will be given the day before the event)

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author will be used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author (eBook) for only $4.99 from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble or print copies for only $7.99 by using the Contact page of this website and tell Dee know how many copies you’d like and shipping address. She’ll email the ordering information. Or you can purchase the print version from any book store for $9.99.

Bringing Your Characters to Life- 7 Quick Tips

WHO ARE YOU? That’s the first question I ask my characters. Before you begin writing the world’s next best seller, there is something important you must do–know your characters.

1. Your character may not volunteer information at first, so you must interview the character. Make the character speak to you until you can’t shut it up.

Start off simple, by finding out the basics: Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Weight
Dig a little deeper. Find out your characters likes and dislikes.
What is your character’s history? Remember this information will help you as you write your story.

2. Whether you’re writing romance or science fiction, make your characters realistic to the story that you’re writing. Ask yourself, do you believe the character is real in the world that you created?

3. You must have at least ONE central character in your story. For example, even if you’re writing about an entire family, one of those characters should stand out as your central character.

4. Life brings emotions; make sure you give your characters emotions for the various situations they will face within your story.

5. Create names that fit your character. A name doesn’t sound like it’s too important, but names are just as important as personality traits.

6. Make sure to answer these questions:

What is the driving force behind the character’s motives and actions?
How do the other characters view your main character?

7. Create realistic dialogue. Dialogue can set your story’s tone. It can also reveal several things about your character’s personality.

Note: To help you create a dynamic three dimensional character, fill out the character chart located at: http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html

Shelia M. Goss

Please help your fellow authors by sharing posts you find helpful.

Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over thirteen books in print and over seven books as ebooks. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” To learn more, visit her website: www.sheliagoss.com.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author will be used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author (eBook) for only $4.99 from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble or print copies for only $7.99 by using the Contact page of this website and tell Dee know how many copies you’d like and shipping address. She’ll email the ordering information.

Press Releases – Can You Write One?

Why would I want to write my own press release? You may be asking yourself this, especially if you hired a publicist.

There may come a time where you will need to send a press release; whether it’s because you can’t get a hold of your publicist, it’s beyond the scope of your contract with your publicist or having a publicist might not be in your budget, etc.

What is the purpose of a press release? A press release is an announcement. It should contain specific information. For example, you may write one to announce an event (such as book signings, participation in an expo, etc.) or a major achievement (such as your book making a bestsellers list, optioned as a movie, etc.).

Writing a press release isn’t hard.

What should the press release include? Make sure your press release has an eye-catching Title, contact information and include the five W’s:

Who (Identify yourself)
What (Your announcement)
Where (Location of the book signing or event)
When (Date and Time) and
Why (Because you’re the next best thing to sliced bread…just kidding, but you get the point…smile).

How should the press release look? To view an example of a few press releases, please go to one of the following links:

Title: Hollywood Deception Spreads Drama

http://sheliagoss.com/mediakit/hollywood-deception-spreads-drama-between-the-pages/

Title: Entertainment Writer Releases New Novel

http://sheliagoss.com/mediakit/prinvisiblehusband/

Where should I submit the press release? Press releases should be sent out to your target audience, which can include media outlets such as newspapers, TV, radio, magazines or book clubs, bookstores, etc.

Are there any online services I can use to distribute my press release? Yes, there are several. PRWeb (http://www.prweb.com/) is one that I would recommend.

Don’t limit yourselves to online services. Find out fax numbers and mailing addresses of your target audiences and send them out that way as well. Try not to send stuff out blindly though. Make sure you know exactly who you’re sending the press release to.

Now you’re ready to try your hand at writing your own press release. Remember to keep it simple. Keeping it simple, means being direct and specific.

Shelia M. Goss

Shelia M. Goss has over thirteen books in print and numerous of ebooks available. She writes in multiple genres. With unique storylines, her goal is to create “stories with a twist.” For more information, visit her website at www.sheliagoss.com.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author will be used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author (eBook) for only $4.99 from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble or print copies for only $7.99 by using the Contact page of this website and tell Dee know how many copies you’d like and shipping address. She’ll email the ordering information.

How To Do A Website On A Budget?

If you’re a published author, soon to be published or even thinking about being published writer, then you should have a website. No one thought the World Wide Web would be used in the capacity it’s being used now. Well, correction, some folks did (smile).

There’s no excuse for NOT having a website. If you’re unsure of how you want your website to look, I suggest surfing the net. Go to www.google.com and enter in a few authors names to get an idea.

If you’re unable to hire a web designer to create your home on the web, then do it yourself.

If creating a website scares you, then halt. Take a few deep breaths. Breathe. If you have yahoo, AOL or any one of the many other internet providers, then you have access to creating a website. Bravenet (http://www.bravehost.com/) and Webs (http://www.webs.com/) offer free or low costing web space with handy tutorials.

As an author, you need to choose a domain name. What is a domain name? It’s an identifier or the information you type in your web browser to pull up a website. For example, if you want to pull up the Shades of Romance website, you will enter the domain www.sormag.com. The most important thing to remember when deciding on a domain name (your new website address) is to choose something that is easy for your current and future readers to remember.

For example, if your name is Jane Doe, then use the domain www.janedoe.com. There will be instances where your name is already taken and you might have to add an initial or some other identifier. Some authors use there book title as their website address. This is fine if you plan on that being the only book you’ll publish or if you can have it forward to your main website (i.e., www.janedoe.com).

Once you purchase your domain name, it’s yours for the allotted time. You can buy it yearly or whatever terms you and the provider set up. In the past, I’ve seen it for as low as $2.95. The price will depend on the web host site you choose.

There are so many sites that offer web services and it’s easy to get lost and frustrated while trying to find the one for you. Here’s a website that I hope will make it easier for you. The page identifies webhosting sites and prices: http://findwebhosting.com/.

Thank goodness there is software out there that doesn’t require you to know HTML. WordPress is one of them. I use it to set up my website at www.sheliagoss.com. The setup might take a little time but once its setup, the updates are a breeze. My host is Powweb but I use WordPress to create and keep my site updated.

What should you include on your web site once you’ve decided on your domain name and web server? At the minimum, make sure the following are included:

Book Information (Title, price, where to purchase your book, sample chapter, etc)
Bio
How to Contact You (Email or contact sheet)
Mailing List
Guest Book

I’ve been doing my own website for quite some time now. If I can do it, you can too. My website is www.sheliagoss.com. Take a look around and check out the headings. I used to have another site for my young adult books but I’m trying to consolidate and make sheliagoss.com a one stop shop 🙂

One day I’ll turn over the reign to someone else, but in the meantime, I’m always trying to come up with different looks. What you see today will probably be different six months from now.

Remember, having your own website doesn’t have to cost much, you just have to shop around.

Shelia M. Goss

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author will be used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author (eBook) for only $4.99 from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble or print copies for only $7.99 by using the Contact page of this website and tell Dee know how many copies you’d like and shipping address. She’ll email the ordering information.

Don’t Forget About Blogging

With social networks being real popular, more and more people are on the internet. I would suggest that even if you’re active on any of the social networking sits, that you also have an online outlet such as a blog.

What is a blog?
A blog is the equivalent to an online diary. You can use it to post personal information or useful information (such as this article). It can also be used to interact with other bloggers and if you’re an author, your readers.

Why would I want to blog?
Blogging is what you make of it. It’s a way to introduce your readers to a side of you that they cannot see from reading a bio on your website or on the back of your book cover. It also gives your reading audience a chance to leave you real-time comments and interact with not only you, but also other readers of your books.

How often should I blog?
Don’t look at blogging as a dreaded task placed on your “to do” list. Blogging should be fun. If you become an active blogger, you’ll look forward to posting as well as interacting with others. How often you post is up to you. You can post daily, every other day, weekly or whenever the whim hits. You’ll find the more responses you get on your blog posts, the more you’ll be inclined to post on somewhat of a schedule.

Is there Blog etiquette?
If you’ll be away for an extended period of time, just write a quick post, so your regular visitors won’t think you forgot about them. There are times that you may get some unwanted posts (yes, spammers have infiltrated the blog world), so don’t hesitate to either delete those posts or set up your blog so posters have to put in a password.

Should my blog have a theme?
Not necessarily, but it makes it fun. I have several blogs. Each blog has its own theme. For example:
1.My literary blog (www.sheliagoss.com/blog) is a place to discuss relationships, books, or whatever else is on your mind.
2.My entertainment site was a place where I showcased my interview excerpts, reviews and/or information on the world of entertainment: books, music, TV and film.

How do I come up with topics?
Keep your eyes and ears open. Life is filled with ideas. Some of my topics stem from what’s going on in the news or from conversations I’ve had or observed. Since my central theme on the Shelia Goss blog is about relationships and books, it’s hard to run out of something to discuss. Take a chance and see what works for you. Blogging shouldn’t be difficult. If it’s draining, maybe you need to step away from it for a while or come up with another topic. There may be some days you only feel like rambling and that’s okay, too.

Examples of blogs hosted by authors:

· http://www.conniecox.com/

· http://www.literarywonders.com/

· http://chew-the-fat-with-bettye.blogspot.com/

· http://www.kandiedelley.com/category/news

Now that I’ve decided to blog, how do I get started?
There are many blog services available to you. Below is a short list of blog websites:
•http://www.bloggers.com
•http://www.wordpress.com
•http://www.blogspot.com

Remember keep blogging fun and your readers will enjoy visiting and who knows, you might just get a book sale or two from it, too. Visit one of my blogs and leave me a message with your weblink. If you don’t have a blog, create one.

I’m also accepting guest bloggers on my site, so if you’re interested, feel free to contact me via email sheliagoss@aol.com and put “guest blogger” in the subject header.

Shelia M Goss

http://www.sheliagoss.com/ or http://www.thelipglosschronicles.com/

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The Flipside of Social Networking for Writers

Due to the Internet and the various forms of social media, readers have easier access to their favorite authors. This can be a good thing, however beware of the flipside.

Blogging, Tweeting or being on Facebook can be a good way to express your thoughts on newsworthy items, let others know about your books, talk about controversial topics, etc. When you’re voicing your views online, everyone is not going to agree with your point of view. You might gain some readers using some of the social networks but you may also alienate a few people as well.

I’m not saying don’t say what you want to say, but beware that whatever you say on your own page or in the comment fields is subject to criticism. Should writers care about what they post online? How should an author respond to comments, especially those that are directed at them? I say use your best judgment. Some things can’t go left unsaid, while other comments need to be simply ignored.

Several of my favorite bloggers no longer blog on a regular basis because of fall out due to some of their blog posts. Some people took what they said on their blogs personal and there was a big “backlash” in the blogsphere from it. Personally, I feel like they should have kept blogging, but professionally, I can see why they stopped.

Some folks find it hard to separate the author from their books so if they don’t like their online persona, they won’t purchase their books. It’s unfortunate but that’s just how it is. The online social networks can be another promotional tool but beware of the thin line. On the flip-side don’t let the thin line stop you from having your say—just beware that what mama said about “never say something you don’t want repeated” is not just true for your offline world, but it’s true for when you’re on any of the social networks too.

What’s your opinion about using online social media? Have you ever crossed the line and if so, what was the backlash? Do you ever use the anonymous key when posting? If so, why?

Shelia M Goss

Self-Publishing – Is it for you?

I’m an author who has experience being with a traditional publisher and as a self-published author. In fact, right now, I do both. For my full length novels, I continue to go the traditional route, but with my short stories or novellas, I self-publish those. As a writer, you may be asking yourself what route you should go. The beauty of being a writer right now is that you do have options.

I will be using HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH & MARKET YOUR OWN BOOKS by Mack E Smith and Sara Freeman Smith as a reference in today’s post. If you don’t have the book now, this is one book to add to your MUST BUY list. It has been helpful in more ways than one.

Writing to most of us is fun. Somewhere along the way, we decided we wanted to share our thoughts with the public. Where do we begin? Some of us pursue the traditional publishing route of trying to find an agent and/or publisher. Others may decide to self publish outright. Either way, we all have one common goal: To see our book IN PRINT.

Before we go any further, realize SELF PUBLISHING IS A BUSINESS. Besides writing the manuscript, you will need stamina to handle the “business side” as well.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Am I ready to be a sales rep, an accountant, a publicist, an inventory analyst…etc?
Am I prepared to do research and determine who’s the best editor, graphic designer, printer, distributor, etc for me?
Am I prepared to promote, promote and PROMOTE my book (s)?
And last but not least, am I willing to learn as much as possible about the publishing industry?

Keep in mind a lot of today’s best selling authors may have started off self-published. Self-publishing is another way to get agents and major publishers to notice you. I don’t know if you’ve read the books, MY BROTHER’S KEEPER by Reshonda Tate Billingsly or Momma’s Baby Daddy’s Maybe by Jamise Dames. Well, they both started off self-published and are now with major publishers. I remember seeing MOMMA’S BABY, DADDY’S MAYBE as an Essence Bestseller for several months prior to it being picked up by a major publisher.

I mention those two books to show you that although you may self-publish, you don’t have to give up hopes of being with a major publisher. There’s a popular author who has several books out with a major publisher, but they also self publish other titles. So in actuality you can do both.

WHAT IS SELF-PUBLISHING AGAIN?

To self-publish means that you deal directly with editors, graphic designers, printers, and handle the marketing and distribution of your book.

Here are a few advantages of self-publishing:

You are in total control of the input (your manuscript) and the output (the finished product–YOUR BOOK).
After expenses and distributor and book store discounts, you get to keep the profits. You don’t have to give the publisher and agent anything, because YOU’RE THE PUBLISHER.
You determine when you want your book released. If you want the date of your release to be your birthday, then that’s the date you can release your book. With a traditional publisher, they TELL YOU when it’ll be released.

There can be other advantages, but those are the main ones.

Now to some of the disadvantages:

Limited resources can be a hindrance. However, don’t fret, because if you don’t have the finances to outright self-publish, you do have options – Print on Demand (POD).
A limited distribution channel is another challenge self-publishers face. Thanks to the Internet and the success of those who came before us, you now have more options.

What is Print on Demand (POD)?

This is printing small quantities of books upon request within a short period of time using digital technology and minimum upfront costs.

If you choose the POD route, I advise you to read the fine print and use the one that best fits your needs. I also caution when using some of their services. The link I’m about to provide is the best resource I’ve seen on the subject. http://www.sfwa.org/beware/printondemand.html.

Hopefully, this post gives you a better view on the pros and cons of self publishing or at least sparks your interest to find out more about it.

Is your head spinning yet? Smile. Feel free to jump right on in and start asking questions, if you haven’t already.

Shelia M Goss
http://www.sheliagoss.com/

Shelia is giving away a copy of her “Query EBook Workshop.” For your chance at this excellent workshop, you have to leave a comment here or on her What’s In A Synopsis post between now and Sunday Oct. 9, 2011. I’m (Deatri) also giving away a copy of Become A Successful Author to someone who comments on any of the site’s posts between now and Sunday Oct. 9. 2011. Winners are announced on the Winners page of this website.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for? Become A Successful Author covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author (eBook) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

What’s in a Synopsis?

A synopsis is a condensed version of your full length novel. A synopsis is normally anywhere from two to five pages long. Although books and articles give different lengths, I’ve been told by industry professionals that a two page synopsis is sufficient so for the sake of this blog post this will be my focus.

A lot of agents and publishers request not only a query letter, but a synopsis during your first initial contact. The synopsis tells the reader exactly what your book is about. It should capture the essence of your novel from chapter one to the end. Keep in mind that you should not leave questions unanswered in your synopsis. I know when writing book reviews, you don’t tell the whole story out of fear of spoiling the story for the reader. But for the synopsis, please tell the reader what happened. Don’t leave the reader guessing. Stick to key points that will entice the reader to keep reading the synopsis until the only option they feel like they have is to read your manuscript.

Key things to remember when writing your synopsis:

Your synopsis should mirror your novel. The person reading should be able to tell your writing style by reading your synopsis.
Write in present tense.
Write in third person.
Your opening paragraph or the last sentence of the opening paragraph should have a hook.
Introduce your main characters. Show the internal and external conflicts they face in your story. Your synopsis is not the place to mention all of your minor characters unless the minor character causes a major conflict with your main character and is an integral part of your story.
Make sure you add transitional sentences so that the synopsis flows from paragraph to paragraph
Only include the major scenes or high points of your novel in your synopsis.
Edit your synopsis before submitting it.

Shelia M Goss
http://www.sheliagoss.com

Shelia is giving away a copy of her “Query EBook Workshop.” For your chance at this excellent workshop, you have to leave a comment here or on her Self-Publishing-Is It For You? post between now and Sunday Oct. 9, 2011. I’m (Deatri) also giving away a copy of Become A Successful Author to someone who comments on any of the site’s posts between now and Sunday Oct. 9. 2011. Winners are announced on the Winners page of this website.

The Writer’s Love Affair

: Shelia M. Goss

The relationship between a writer and a reader can equate to a love affair. First it’s the courting period. Before the first date, the writer must introduce themselves and their book title. The title should be catchy; something easy for the reader to remember. Don’t be shy. Tease the reader with a short synopsis about your book.

If you’re feeling risqué, now would be the time to flirt a little by allowing the reader a sneak peek of the book by offering a chapter excerpt on your website.

Once you get the reader’s attention, put your best foot forward and make sure on one of your dates you show them an eye-appealing book cover for your new book. If you don’t have a book cover yet; don’t fret; the reader is not going to turn you down just because you don’t have the cover yet. In fact, with a catchy title and unique premise, readers will be salivating at the mouth to see you unveil your cover.

While building up a solid relationship with the reader, make sure you keep communication open. Communicate your release dates and where your books will be sold.

Readers, just like lovers, like gifts. Don’t hesitate to offer prizes for purchasing your book. Don’t forget about your faithful mailing list subscribers either. I know it may be hard when you have so many potential lovers, but you must treat each one as if they are special.

Also remember just like you, readers love others; so there’s no need to hate. There’s enough love to go around. Cross-promote with other writers and reach more book lovers. When the “release” date finally arrives, don’t be shy.

After courting the reader, the reader decides if they will take you up on an exclusive relationship for X amount of hours by purchasing and reading your book. When the reader picks up your book, they are expecting to be taken on a journey. Let the journey be enticing and enthralling so that your book lover won’t hesitate to tell their friends about the great love they’ve found in your book. In the book love fest, the more the merrier and the pleasure you’ll get from hearing about a book club selecting your book is immeasurable.

If you build a solid relationship with your readers, they will look forward to your next release. Continue to learn ways to improve your techniques and hopefully with each book release, you will gain more book lovers.

Shelia M. Goss
www.sheliagoss.com or www.thelipglosschronicles.com

Note: The first time you comment on this website, the comment must be approved before it shows. After it’s approved, your subsequent comments will post automatically.

To celebrate the official launch of this Website, I’ll be giving away a few advance review copies of the print version of Become A Successful Author, which is due for release February 2012. Be one of the first to hold a copy in your hot little hands. I will also be giving away a copy of Guide to Writing & Publishing Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror by Rob Shelsky and a copy of Book Marketing & Promotions on a Budget: Quick Tips by Shelia Goss . All you have to do to be eligible is comment on the blog posts Sept. 8 – 12, 2011. The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning a copy. Shy, don’t want to comment? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Besides notices of the articles, you’ll receive goodies like a chance to receive an advance review copy of Become A Successful Author.

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Become A Successful Author Table of Contents
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5 Things to Consider When Writing a Novel

: Shelia M. Goss

Main Character(s) – Who is your main character or characters? Determine whose point of view the story will be told from. Will the story be told from one character’s point of view or several? Remember the more point of views told, the more confusing it will be to the reader. I suggest no more than two points of views. Although there are three main characters in my young adult series the Lip Gloss Chronicles, each book is told from one main character’s point of view.

• The Ultimate Test – Britney Franklin’s point of view
• Splitsville – Jasmine McNeil’s point of view
• Paper Thin – Sierra Sanchez’s point of view

Setting – Where will your story take place? When will it take place (now, 1800’s, 1960’s)?

The Ultimate Test takes place in Plano, TX, the suburbs of Dallas, TX in modern day times.

Plot or Theme – What is your story about? What message are you trying to get across to your readers? Your plot determines what’s going to happen; when it’s going to happen and who it’s going to happen to.

The Ultimate Test is about best friends who deal with growing up. Trust and friendship is tested.

Conflict (internal & external) – What type of crisis is your character dealing with? Is the character dealing with their own insecurities or something from their past (or present)? What or who is standing in the way of your character getting what they want? Conflict is drama. Drama makes the readers turn the pages.

In The Ultimate Test – D.J. is an external conflict that causes friction between the friends.
Some internal conflicts: Sierra is dealing with weight gain. Jasmine is dealing with jealousy. Britney feels she is the glue to keeping the friendship together. Will these young ladies be able to grow up and stay together or will the tests they face tear them apart?

The End – How will your story end? Will all of your characters’ problems be resolved? Can readers see a difference in the character’s attitude or situation? Knowing the end of the story makes it easier to write. You will be writing with a purpose—to get to the end.

Shelia M. Goss
www.sheliagoss.com or www.thelipglosschronicles.com

Note: The first time you comment on this website, the comment must be approved before it shows. After it’s approved, your subsequent comments will post automatically.