Get Published

Being published adds to YOUR credibility. Understand the inside game and make it happen for YOU!

Download my successful tips sheet which includes a short explanation about:

1. Starting Small
2. Your Google-ability
3. Starting Local
4. Advertisers Schedules
5. Publisher's Guidelines
6. Editor's Lunch
7. Befriending Like Authors
8. Your Book Proposal

1. Writer's Guidelines: Magazines or blogs that elicit submissions will provide information for authors either on their website or by email, physical mail, telephone request. The general rule is to keep the number of words between 1,000 and 2,000. Take a look at the target magazine and count the words of several pieces.


2. Advertiser's Media Kit: Often overlooked is the most valuable source of information about the magazine. Within the media kit is information on the target audience (demographics), the size and format of artwork, and deadlines. Side notes:
   • If you want to add graphs to your article, fit within the smallest ad size.
   • Make sure your artwork looks good in black and white. Even though the magazine may print the article in color, the readers may photocopy or print the article...which will be in black and white.
   • For graphs...use .gif for picture use .jpg
   • Write the article for as wide as the demographic as possible. If the article is for project managers and most of the readers are males between the ages of 35-45...write your article with that audience in mind. Before submission, have people you know who fall within the demographic review and make suggestions.
   
   
3. Editorial Calendar: Magazines plan the theme of their issues a year in advance. Publishing has very tight deadlines. Find a theme that works for your article idea at least four months out. Submit your article (if it is not specified in the Writer's Guidelines) a month before the advertiser's artwork must be submitted.

Offer to be helpful to other authors (remember, your association affects your brand and reputation).

• Reviews: If you really believe in the work and the author offer to post POSITIVE reviews for anyone that publishes an article or book. For an article, submit a letter to the editor on how the article was useful and helpful. For books, post reviews on whichever distribution network the author's book is listed (ie: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieReader, etc.). If you have a digital footprint...offer to tweet, facebook, blog about the works.


• Feedback: If you hear someone is writing, offer to be a reviewer for the target demographic. Submit valid feedback in terms of what you liked first. Anything you didn't like phrase in the form of a positive suggestion or offer a different point of view. End always with a like of positive motivation. All author's need encouragement. Remember...this is NOT your project. It is the author's choice to take your advice. Offer suggestions once...don't insist.


• Testimonials: Whenever possible, offer to provide provide a testimonial for the author. Something that can be added to the work with your name (company if where you work permits). In the age of video, offer to submit a 1 to 2 minute video the author can use for his or her launch page.


• Contributor: Many books are a compilation of works of others. An author may have an idea and request a chapter (about 20 pages) to be included. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. If it is a self-published or traditionally published work doesn't really matter. Your contribution is something that can be used to convince traditional publishers that you've published! Your rights are limited. You will need to work within the guidelines defined by the author. Stick to the format, number of words, and demographics. Submit work that is already edited and reviewed by someone (or three) within the demographics. Offer to review other chapters for the author. Your efforts will be appreciated and remembered. See if your name can be listed on the chapter as a subheading. If possible, see if a picture can be submitted to be used on the back cover or under a description of the contributors.


• Co-Author: You will probably do most of the work. You will have to stick within the authors guidelines. BUT, your name will be listed on the cover and in the index of search engines. Your name will NOT be listed first. This honor is reserved for the person that arranged the contract with the publishing house.

It is getting more and more difficult to get published with a major publishing house. The word on the street is two requirements:

• The book must sell over 40,000 copies.
• Acquisition Editors will only talk to you through a Literary Agent.

Don't fret. You have options!

1. Hire a Literary Agent: a literary agent will help you tweak your book proposal for a specific publishing house. The more connections the literary agent has, the better. The strong connections will mean that he or she will know what the acquisition editor is looking for to fill out the publishers catalog.


2. Find out what is needed: Publishing houses, like magazines, have an editorial calendar of sorts. Every year the acquisition editors look for what is popular and what's missing in their catalog. Find out what they need and propose a book on that topic. Invite an Acquisition Editor to a NICE lunch.Find out what they need and by when.


3. Be Flexible: If a publisher is interested in your work, make life easier for the acquisition editor. If you are insistent on YOUR title and format, you will have a harder time getting a publisher to sign a contract. If your goal is to Get Published...go with the publishers recommendations.

This is one of the BEST interviews I've heard on the value of commercially publishing a book.

Please take the time to listen to this podcast and know HOW to use your accomplishments.

The Interviewer, Seth Kahan, is a management consultant who helps Fortune 100 organizations get change right. He writes regularly for top magazines and newspapers such as Washington Post and Fast Company,

The Interviewee, Alan Weiss, is THE consultant of consultants. He is one of those rare people who can say he is a consultant, speaker and author and mean it. His books are full of tactical advice to help anyone improve his or her chances of success.

Think of a book proposal as a business plan with a book outline.

1. Include a detailed outline, resume, sample PUBLISHED works.
2. Provide a demographic description of the target reader for both the digital and print market.(size of the readership, age, where they shop)
3. Explain how YOU plan to ADVERTISE and SELL your published (e)book!(trade shows, conferences, associations, teaching)

Book contracts are designed to make the publisher money. Your objective is to Get Published...use your published work as marketing material and to open doors to clients, speaking engagements, consulting assignments, and just something to be VERY proud of accomplishing! When you get your book contract with a publishing house, ask for the following items.

• Try to get 20 copies of your book. (Your mother wants an autographed copy!)
• Agree to the right of first refusal for your NEXT work. (This guarantees that a publisher will look at your next work.)
You will regain the rights to the book once the publisher decides not to run another printing. (You can always self-publish an updated version.)
• Two covers, flat. (An excellent piece of advice from my mother. Frame the cover. You will always have something to look at to inspire yourself to do anything.)
• Don't worry about the price to order more copies of your book. Use Ingram Books, a book wholesaler whose prices are always cheaper.

The Internet has opened the flood gates to publishing your own works yourself! The process is the same as with a traditional publishers. The difference is YOU are responsible for the entire book process. This includes:

1. Decide on the purpose of the book.
   • Is it a short story or a novel?
   • Is it to be in print or electronic form.
   • Are you using this for marketing purposes?
2. Decide on the style.
   • Is it small enough for staple (saddle) stitch?
   • Will it be landscaped?
   • Will you have clickable links?
3. Write the formal book proposal.
   • What is the demographics/target audience?
   • Where you will be able to get in front of your target audience?
   • How will you create word of mouth about your project?
4. Find and schedule the people that will help you through the effort.
   • Do you need a graphic designer for the cover or entire book?
   • Will you use a copywriter, copy editor, or ghost writer?
   • Do you need someone to create a website for the book?
5. Decide on the formats.
• Will you create a print version and electronic version?
• Will you create an audio or a vook (carefully orchestrated text, audio and video)?

A few words about ISBN's.

• ISBN is a number that is used by distributors (retailers) of your work.
• You order your own ISBNs (if the printer doesn't offer it as part of the package) from Bowker (I suggest you purchase at least 10)
• Physical products (books, audios, DVDs) that will be sold through retail outlets (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieReader) must have a bar code which is purchased at an additional price from Bowker.
• Digital products that will be sold through a retail format require an ISBN.
• You need a separate ISBN for every digital format (Kindle, eReader, iPad).
• If YOU are the only seller for YOUR product (physical or digital) you DO NOT need an ISBN. This is good for those whom are using this product solely as back-of-the-room sales or to give to clients or to sell yourself through your own website (squidoo is perfect for this).
• CreateSpace (a division of Amazon to create printed books) includes the ISBN into the price! So you do not have to buy your own ISBN.

It's important to stretch your reach. Readers don't just read...they listen and watch. Think about taking your typeset work and adding audio and video.

For Audio: Make sure the voice you choose is clear and has a pleasing sound. Avoid any monotone voices. For capture and maintain your listening audience, choose a voice with vocal variety. Vocal variety includes speed, tone, volume. Make sure something exciting...sounds exciting. Here is a webpage that describes the how to make an Audio book. Depending on the amount of money you wish to spend, you can create your own or go with this pages recommendations and hire sound engineers. If you wish to sell the audio book through any retailer, you will need a separate ISBN.

For Video: You do not have to act out your entire book (unless it is fiction). Think of adding a three minute conversation to introduce or conclude a segment or chapter in your book. The video can be a presentation speech format or an casual interview style presentation. It can even be testimonials from customers, clients or colleagues. If you do not have the presence for video, contact your local speakers bureau for someone to stand in for you. If you just need a little help, contact a Testimonial Coach to give you a few pointers.

• It's not a brochure.
• It's not a white paper.

It's a graphically designed mini-book in electronic form that provides VALUE to your customer/client base.

• It's not showing off your knowledge.
• It's not pushing (aka advertising) your product or services

It's SHARING your expertise and knowledge with the community.

You now need to consider:

• Font
• Spacing
• White Balance
• Color
• and more...and more...and more

Learn more by reading The eBook eBook by Jonathan Kranz and designed by Ciano Design.

Copy Editors and Copy Writers
Editing comes in two levels...micro (grammar and readability) and macro (flow of book). Some charge by page, some charge by project, some charge by word. Who ever you approach, ask them to send you a copy of one page edited. It is important that you work well together and that you understand each other. Here are just a few examples (in alphabetical order):

• Tom Bentley
• Lauren Durban
• Andrea Glass
• Jack Goldenberg
• Barbara Haislip
• Jodi Kaplan
• Nancy Passow
• Lynette M Smith
• Judy Vorfeld

Ghost Writer
When you have something to say...a story to tell...but really can't seem to write it in a way to formulate a book...hire a ghost writer. A Ghost Writer can help put your story in words, help research your topic, and some can actually help with the layout and graphics.

• Becky Blanton

Graphic Designers
You will find many graphic designers. Select one that has work with designing book covers. If you are creating a clickable ebook, make sure the person has experience in creating such a document and will create a format that is readable for ALL readers (PDF, Kindle, iPad, Sony, etc.):

• Dave Bricker
• Paul Durban
• Sally Fica
• Single Throw

Self Publishers
If you really know what you are doing, you can contact any printer to print your book. You will have more options if you use are creating smaller (saddle stitch) type books. If you are at all unsure...go with one a company that specifically deals with self-publishing. Other authors have recommended these self-publishing sites.

1. 48 Hour Books
2. Create Space (my current favorite)
3. IndieReader
4. Infinity Publishing
5. Lightning Source
6. LuLu
7. Smash Words

Publishing Customized and Personal Works
Instead of making a book for the masses, think about making a personal book for individuals. Add a special touch by creating masterpieces that get noticed. Here is a company that creates handcrafted book assembling and binding of your work.

• Papel

Audio Books
People listen to books in their car, at the gym, or any place they have their .mp3 player (iPod). You may reach a wider audience if you create an audio version of your book. Careful, you need a pleasing voice with vocal variety.

• Pat Ferdinandi (that's me) Hear a sample.
• Kevin Thompson

Coach and Mentors
You have a maze of options. Sometimes it may seem overwhelming. That's where a coach or mentor fits in. Pick someone that will inspire you as well as steer you through the publishing process. Pick someone that fits your personality and style. Most importantly...pick someone that has published...multiple times. Here are some individuals:

• Joel D Canfield
• Susan Daffron
• Pat Ferdinandi (that's me)
• IndieReader
• Gioya McRae
• Dr. Alan Weiss

Associations, Networks, Organizations to join and learn
Writers and publishers get together to network. You can join one or all of them to be around other authors, journalists, and editors. Here are some that I know about:

• Digital Book World
• Montclair Editors, & Writers
• Publishers Marketplace
• Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network

Helpful Software
If you wish to create an eBook all on your own, here are some helpful products:

• Page Flip takes a PDF and creates a book and the page flipping experience for a reader.
• Calibre is becoming the defacto standard (when used with Sigit) and it's free. (A special Thank You to Paul Edward Nowak for his recommendation)
• Sigil helps with characters.
• List of other conversion software for different eReader Devices

If you wish to create an Audio Book, Audacity is good free software.

If you wish to create a Video Book:

• Camtasia is easy to use and reasonably priced.
• Adobe InDesign is more sophisticated.

Writing an article or book seems more daunting than it really is. All you need is a little parrot on your shoulder to cheer you on and help you make personal decisions at different forks on your journey.

1. Need more detail about the 8 secrets?
2. Want a better understanding of the digital impact of blogs and ebooks?
3. Are you ready for the e-reader revolutions?
4. Do you want to know how to leverage your efforts into better opportunities?
5. When should you consider using a Literary Agent, Ghost Writer, Co-Author, Copy Editor (and what type), and Copy Writer?
6. What is the separation between free and for fee?
7. How do you put yourself on the path for success?
8. Do you need a pleasant voice for your audio book?

Tailored to meet your needs, my presentation style and contagious enthusiasm is ideal for someone like you who aspire to be a Published Author! I'm available for:

• Mentorship: Individualized and motivational support as YOU develop your writing project...customized to meet YOUR needs!


• Your burning questions answered: A one-hour conference call about your writing project and your tailored process.


• Come talk to your group: A 45 minute presentation.


• Come teach us: A half-day or full-day workshop.


• Be my voice: Read your book outloud to create a pleasing sounding audio book.

For more information, contact Pat Ferdinandi via email: PatF@SBDi-Consulting.com.

• First article submission turned out to be the magazine's cover story.
• A colleague and author offered me chapters in 3 of his books.
• Lunching with Editors' of major publishing houses gave me the inside scoop.
• One book lead to another (with and without the use of literary agents).
• Leading magazines provided raved book reviews.
• Self-published works are still being sold!
• Multiple blogs and ezines are read and retweeted regularly.
• I've adopted the new eBook format which leapfrogs me over others.
• All lead to easier access to Executives and more speaking and consulting opportunities.

Past clients have all expressed how my enthusiasm and inspiration motivated them to Get Published!

Contact me to help YOU.

Oh yeah. These excuses are not real. It is your fear that is really holding you from Getting Published!

1. I don't have time: Everyone has the same twenty-four hours. Everyone has commitments and responsibilities. I wrote my first book on the basic principle of writing 15 minutes a day. Other authors use a word count of 300 words a day. Whichever, make it a point to write EVERY DAY. You can always throw out what was written later. You can always edit later. However, if you don't write...you have nothing to throw out or edit. So...make it a priority. Find 15 minutes a day to write 300 words.


2. Grammar Illiterate: I still mix up when to use their and there. That hasn't stopped me. Don't let it stop you. You have the concept and the information for an article or book. Hire someone that will correct your spelling and grammar (beyond what Word will do). Heck, you can even hire a ghost writer to right your entire book! Don't let your writing ability hold you back. Experts exist that can help you create a great book.


3. It's not perfect: And it never will be. Heck, I've even found errors in traditionally published books. It happens. After I received the editor comments back on my first self-published works, I changed one word...and it was wrong! I didn't realize it until after I had 5,000 copies printed. It happens to everyone. If you wait for perfection, you will NEVER publish. It is better to publish and publish an updated version or release again later. Do the best you can, get reviews, edit, and get it published!


4. I'll get to it later when I have more time to dedicate to it: And when will that be? Once you decide to publish, set out a plan and a deadline. It's amazing how many things happen when you have a deadline attached to the task. Later never comes. Make it a priority today. Reread the "I don't have time" bullet above.


5. Can't get a publisher to buy the book: Then get a literary agent to push for you. A GOOD literary agent will help you with a proposal and have great contacts within the publishing industry. If you can't get a Literary agent...then...SELF PUBLISH! It's the future.


6. I don't know what to write about: Then ask a publisher, read the editorial calendars, ask friends for an idea. Just WRITE!


7. What if I get bad reviews: Amazon admits that every book gets at least one bad (zero or 1 star) and one good (five store) review. So what...you're published! My first solo traditional published book was reviewed highly by CIO Magazine. I received many 5 star reviews on Amazon and one bad review. My own brother, ignored all but the bad review. Don't let others rain on your parade! It's because he or she doesn't have a parade of their own or are jealous of your success. Be proud that YOU ARE PUBLISHED! That is your goal and what is important.

Here are some other great advice from those that have done it!

• By Jenny Blake Promotion checklist complete with an excel spreadsheet for you to use.
• By Simon Brock How to create an eBook format for free.
  
• By Chris Brogan An author's plan for social media.
• By Joel Canfield Have a system.
• By Pat Ferdinandi:
  • Finding 15 minutes a day.
  • Do you write?
  • Stop looking for obstacles.
• By Seth Godin:
  • Advice for authors.
  • Advice for authors 2.
• By Robin Good How to turn your course into a book.
• By Seth Kahan interviews Alan Weiss on how to use your published work.
• By Joe Konrath Results of testing the digital publishing market.
• By Jonathan Kranz The eBook eBook
• By Pace Smith How to self-publish a book.
• By Michel Stelzner: Use Social Media to Launch your Book.
• By Judi Vorfeld:
  • Communication Expressway.
  • Webgrammar's Food for Thought.