YES, YOU CAN SELL A BOOK! – Part three

The famous director, Billy Wilder, was a featured speaker when my son was attending USC Cinema in California.

After the presentation, he asked if he could walk him to his car.

Chattering all the way, he finally blurted out, “What is your advice about my becoming a director?”

“Do you have a relative in the business?”

“No.”

“”Forget it.”

The days when eager, new English major graduates from Smith and Wellesley were hired by publishers to plow through piles of unsolicited manuscripts are over.

Publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. (Unless you have a relative in the business)

They only work with agents they know and trust will not waste their time. Agents who know what they can sell.

You have to find an agent to represent you. This is not easy but it can be done if you do your homework to find an agent who handles your topic.

Writers Digest is one place to start. It is published yearly and contains information on who accepts what and how to submit. You can also read this in the library.

Another source is the National Writer Union. This involves joining ($67.50 for six months if you are new) That will give you access to their web page and information on agents and everything you ever wanted to know about publishing. They also hold classes in different cities on contracts and negotiation. Worth while investment.

Zero in on several agents who handle books like yours and write them a dynamite query letter. Include your “platform” (read that “fans”) on how you can publicize your book. Mention your connections with groups, any speaking you have done and stats on a successful blog you author. Offer to send them a few chapters of your book.

Then wait. They do not answer quickly. Write a few more letters to other agents.

You will get rejections. Don’t be discouraged. It does not mean your book has no merit. It means they don’t have a customer for it. If anyone responds asking for a “reading fee,” ignore it. Reliable agents do not ask for money.

Be wary also of the Vanity Presses who will charge you a fortune, do nothing much to help you – and you will end up with 2500 unsold books in your basement.

The main reason you want a publisher to print your book is their DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - to get your book in stores. Most distributors will not be bothered if you have only one book.

You might also forget any fantasies about glamorous book tours. Unless you are someone like Wayne Dyer, publishers will spend little money on you. Forget the Carrie Bradshaw episodes from Sex and the City when she was promoting her book with fancy parties. By the way, her “platform” in that series was her newspaper column .

If your book is accepted by a publisher, they will expect you to do almost all your own publicity.

You may decide to publish your own book. There is something about the thrill of holding a book with your name on it. It is the greatest high.

There are many self publishing programs. Some of the good ones are Createspace, which is affiliated with Amazon, Lulu and Lightening Press.  A few of my author friends have used them with excellent results.  Shop around and see which appeals to you.  They are “print-on-demand” so you don’t have to put a lot of cash out.  You pay by the book.

The advantage is that you can have them print your book and order copies as you sell. Do your research on several of these and pay attention to the format they require to print your book.

The advantage of self-publishing is you keep the money you make and do not share it with an agent. The disadvantage is again, distribution.

The wave, in this age of instant gratification, is publishing your book as an E-book. It can be downloaded by consumers immediately and at a lesser cost than buying it in a store. If you have a successful blog, you may sell lots of copies to your readers. You may also be able to cooperate with other bloggers, offering a commission as affiliates, to promote your book.

I’m just a writer. These are all items that demand technical ability. That is not me as I have admitted often.

Unless you are a real techie, you might want to check with someone experienced in linking your book to Clickbank or other payment sites.

This is the last of this three part series. Thanks for listening.

Also, if you have a “relative in the business” you’d like to share with us, it would be much appreciated!

You can read part one here.

You can read part two here.

Please register your comments and suggestions to our fellow writers below. We can’t wait to hear from you.

PS.  Michelle is looking for some good guests for her radio show – Check this out if you have a book ready to go!