What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

[Bill Frank]

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

[albertasequeira]

Bill, I really need some help in directions. I've spoken about my book I'm writing on losing my husband (1985) at 45 years old from alcoholism. It's at the editing stage. The sequel is about the loss of my daughter (2006) at 39 years old from the same. It's completed and needs editing.

I've started talking at private speaking engagements at AA locations about my life and up-coming book. Everyone wants it. When I book sign with my first book (another memoir published in 2006) and they hear about my book that is coming out, people can't wait for it...because they have someone in the family who drinks or has died from it.

I want the book ASAP so I can schedule more speaking engagements at AA locations, schools, Christian Organization, businesses, etc. There are always advantages and disadvantages with which way you go.

Do I:
Self-publish and get it out in 3 months after the editing is done, send it to an agent, or to traditional publishers?
I could go back to my first publisher, PublishAmerica, but they wouldn't work with International distributors and bookstores didn't want my book once they saw it was from them.
A traditional publisher gets books on the shelves faster but takes 1-2 years to publish it the same with an agent.

I'm holding back from scheduling more engagements because there is no book to present. At the other engagements, everyone asked for the book. If it takes two years to publish, the people will forget about my book.

What would you do?

Thanks

[Bill Frank]

My suggestion is to self-publish. There is no downside. You can get the book to market faster by self-publishing. And, since speed to market is one of your concerns, self-publishing is your best choice. Self-publishing doesn't preclude finding a traditional publisher. In fact, it may help sell your book to an agent and/or publisher. Self-published books have an audience and a sales history; both traits are desirable to a traditional publisher. No publisher interested in making money from a book will turn down a book with a positive sales history simply because it was self-published. The traditional publisher will want to re-edit and re-package the book.

It it was me, this is what I'd do.

[Hazel]

The biggest challenge is writing my thoughts down on paper, and formulating my vision, how the book will and how I want to give a message out to others.

The fir st phase it wanting to write the book, and in asking people at meeting, they in turn saying write about it, it will help others, so now I am moving towards this. This book will be about me and not someone asking me to help them write a book, because the information and research in within me to come out.

[albertasequeira]

Hazel,

Everyone has a story to tell. Start by naming your book in a document (it can be changed) and write what every event comes to mind. You can always change things. Don't worry if the events jump all over the place. Computers are our friends; deleting, editing, adding and getting info off the internet (cut and copy). Once you get them down (could take months) go back and fill in the complete details on the event. You will find later that you'll be adding more.

I teach Writer's Workshops and offer my binders that cover my whole class on my website; www.ahealingheart.net. It's close to 50 pages and takes you from your thought of a story, to editing, what to be aware of, self-publishing or traditional publishers, agents, promoting and marketing and how to buy books cheaper. I try once a week (usually a Sunday) to add topics on my site from my class.

You just need to start typing. Take a half hour a day to write, and before you know it, your book will come alive.

I hope it helps you.

[Dr. Marlena Corcoran]

I just wanted to send a note of encouragement to you, Hazel. The important thing, as Alberta says, is to put words on the page. Then you will have something concrete to do every day. So much of being a writer is less about being and more about doing. Write, dear Hazel. It is a great antidote to fear and worry. Just put words on the page.

[Fata Alic]

Hello,
MY biggest challenge seems to be that I went with a POD Publisher and wherever I go to market it I get simply ignored. And I am a new author, unknown, so no one seems to be interested in what I have writtne about. Plus, I have a foreign name, an accent, so maybe that is a little turn off as well. :(

[Bill Frank]

Fata—
What is the subject of your book? These days, there are so many different potential readers interested in such a wide variety of subjects, it's hard to imagine that no readers are interested in your book. To whom are you trying to sell your book? Directly to readers? To distributors? To traditional publishers? To Amazon?

There is room in the marketplace for so many books (part of Chris Anderson's Long Tail theory, from the book of the same name). Keep looking. You'll find your audience.

[Dr. Marlena Corcoran]

Oh, I think that your name and accent may be an advantage! Many readers today are looking to expand their understanding of the world through stories. Writers speak directly to the hearts of their readers, and teach us things we might never learn even from people we know the best--because they are not talking. Writers write.

[Oak Tree Press]

Fata...POD is a print technology, and as such may not be the biggest hurdle facing your book marketing. Here are some things to consider: Is the suggested retail price of your book in the same range as similar books? Does the price/value ratio seem right? (A 200 page romance novel retailing for $35.95 is WAY out of the mainstream!) Are the terms of sale for your book consistent with the book industry standards? Are quantity discounts offered? Is it returnable? Is your book offered through a wholesaler such as Ingram or Baker/Taylor?

[Fata Alic]

Hello,
Thank you Bill, Marlena and Oak Tree Press for responding to my comment.

I did not mean to talk bad about my publisher, far from it. I have nothing to complain, except that the way that the POD publishers are viewed by press and some bookstores was a little discouraging. The did not charge me anything for publishing it, and the book is available through all the major online bookstores.
The price of the book is $24.95, until recently it was $19.95 but, and also offered for sales for $16.95.
Amazon and other online bookstores sell it for $19.95.
I am happy I got my first book published and I am writing more. It is just that I have not had much luck when trying to get a book signing. The only book signing I managed to get scheduled was canceled due to the book not being apropriate to be sold at the middle school.
I was going to help the fund raiser for the educational trip to France and Spain and was going to give all the profit to the school. Unfortunately, that was canceled.
The book is a sweet romance about two people trying to adopt a young orphaned boy. They are nice and chaste people who did not even kiss until they got married. How was that unapropriate...I don't know.
Besides the book was supposed to be sold to the parents at the school fall festival, not the students. Anyway, it did not happen.

By the way, the book is called Because Of Her Nephew.
It is sold through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and almost every other online bookstore, but it is not in the regular book stores.

[carol stanley]

As I struggle each day to keep the energy up for marketing...it is really the way it goes. Do things everyday..Somedays bring something good, and some days feel like a waste...But remember everything you do is reaching someone..and you never know what exciting thing could happen..

[Fata Alic]

You guys are right. But, I guess my shyness does not work in my favor, lol. :)
I am trying, anyway.
Thanks for yours all support and reassurance.
and good luck to you all in your marketing.