The Final Chapter Is Just the Beginning
The last chapter of my third novel, "The Hanging House on Partridge Lane" is finished. The final chapter of a novel is just the beginning. The next step is editing the entire manuscript for grammatical errors, errors in fact or chronological time, punctuation and of course, typos. Writers can have professional proof readers edit their manuscripts. This is actually the best way to insure the manuscript is publisher/editor ready. Don't rely solely on grammar, spelling or punctuation checkers to do the editing. Homonyms like to, too and two are rarely caught.
Step Two - Submitting the Manuscript
Many new writers discover today's world of publishing means writers, not agents or publishers, will do all of their own marketing and self-marketing. This may be difficult for some writers who are also tech, ghost, copy and content writers who earn the major share of their income from these types of freelance jobs. The smart writer creates their literary persona and builds their literary resume based mostly on an enormous amount of self-confidence in their writing skills. No writer can afford the luxury of second-guessing their writing skills. If your writing elicits responses or reactions, make sure you keep a record of these. Keep your own literary "Me" file. Fill it with accolades from individuals willing to be mentioned in your literary profile.
Selecting the Correct Publishing Medium
The "Last Chapter Blues" includes angst over which publishing medium will be most likely to exact the desire result: to have your book published. Fortunately, self-publishing today is as close to traditional publishing as it has never been before. The reason is simple: The writer will do the lion's share of the marketing in either venue. Writers can choose self-publishing, traditional publishing or small press publishing. Remember, you can be a much bigger fish in a smaller sea than a minnow in an ocean.
Do Book Reviews Matter?
If book reviews are important to your self-marketing program, choose those that offer video interviews first. Don't be afraid to approach local TV and radio stations about giving you an opportunity to discuss your book. If you wrote it, you have the right to publicize it.
The Value of Literary Lawyers
At some point in the discussion of a contract between writer and publisher, a literary lawyer may become necessary. If the publisher is really interested in your work, the cost of the advice of a literary lawyer may be absorbed by the publisher. Choose a literary lawyer with a successful track record of experience.
The Traditional Publishing Conundrum
For writers who love the suspense, sci-fi and other fiction genres, attracting the attention of celebrity hungry publishers is a difficult nut to crack. The best advice is a trial run on any of the most popular social media sites that allow you publish your work. This works to reinforce your literary persona and keeps your author's status fresh in mind.
Persistence Pays Off
Like any sport of kings, persistence pays off when winning is the main goal. Becoming an author and being a recognized author takes time and daily effort. Snap up every opportunity to publicize your work even in casual social media conversations. Don't forget to check out the numerous venues that offer free publicity at local events. When your own local readership recognizes you, half of the battle to move ahead is won. Make sure your local library carries copies of your books. Offer free copies whenever possible. This is all part of your marketing strategy.
"The Hanging House on Partridge Lane" is completed. The editing is nearly there. It's a suspense novel that builds upon, but isn't a sequel to, "Barrow House" and "The House at the End of Langdon Road." I like the idea of using a single, less prominent character from the two previously published "House" books. Houses and the people who live in them fascinate me. "The Hanging House on Partridge Lane" is yet another example how a house isn't just a home when a murderess has spent years plotting and scheming, compromising even the wealth she managed to acquire, to hide her part in several deaths in her mysterious past.
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