Post #71 – Women’s Memoirs, Book Business – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve been working on your memoir for a year or more and you’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your story has come together, you’ve settled on a powerful opening paragraph, you have an organization that works. Your narrative arc is strong. And your conclusion…well you certainly didn’t let the air out of the tires. Congratulations.
You’ve finally reached the point where it’s time to wrap things up. You’ve got a memoir to sell. It’s time to find an agent with the connections and talent to put your work in front of a publisher.
You put together a great cover letter and synopsis. You have your chapter summaries and a full proposal. You go to writing events and even find an agent. She promises you that she’ll have your memoir in front of six publishers by noon tomorrow and that within a week you’ll be weighing at least three offers.
And now it’s four months later. Nothing. You curse them all for not recognizing genius and decide to self publish.
Or, maybe writing your memoir took everything out of you, and the last thing you want to do is write a 30-page book proposal.
Either scenario, you end up in the same place: Self-Publishing. You decide to go to Lulu or Author House and pay to have your book published.
Stop. I think there’s a better way:
Forget the Agent: Yes, I know that sounds like heresy, and I know there are good agents out there. But I also think the world of publishing is changing. Besides, if you follow the path I’m going to lay out for you, you won’t ever need an agent again. So don’t waste months looking for an agent for your first memoir. I, frankly, see it as a waste of time. Most small publishers do not require you to contact them through an agent.
Spring for a Good Editor, Instead: Yes, even a good writer benefits from working with an editor. The Story Circle Editorial Service is one place you might look. Matilda and I manage this program for Story Circle Network. There are 15 professional editors in this program…women with years of experience and solid expertise.
Write Your Book Proposal: A good book proposal is more than a rite of passage. It’s a plan or blueprint for your new business. Writing the proposal will make you think about the business of marketing and selling your book. So make it fabulous. Create a cover letter that compels a publisher to want to read your story synopsis. Know, too, about all the other books in your field. Some of their authors might have blogs where you can start leaving comments and attracting a little interest in your point of view. Include a full marketing plan. And I’m going to pray that you have already begun to execute that plan. It’s essential that you get an early start because it takes a good six months to get established online. You should already be communing on social networking sites…building a following on SheWrites, discussing your subject on your Facebook Fan Page (not your Profile Page), starting to tweet about your topic and finding like-minded fans, followers and friends. You want to get an early start on your market outreach.
(Here’s a little secret: Publishing is a business. If you can show a strong following online, you’ll have a much easier time getting a publisher.)
Find Your Own Publisher: Now make a list of all the small, independent publishers that seem to be a good fit for your memoir. Go to bookstores, Amazon or your local library to find other books in your category then check to see who published them. Typically, these will be publishers that put out a lot of memoirs or specialize in your field. Today there are several thousand indies. My blog post, “The Word(s) Is Independent Publisher,” will help you get started finding the independent publisher that’s right for you. And remember, a legitimate indie publisher will not charge you to publish. They’ll give you a contract that outlines the relationship and sets up your royalty schedule.
I do, however, suggest you show this to an attorney who knows publishing and intellectual property law.
(Here’s another secret: Readers don’t really care about the publisher. Authors find bragging rights in naming a big publisher; readers just want a good book. Think about it; when was the last time you wandered into Barnes and Noble and screamed with glee, “Look, it’s the latest from Random House?” Yes, it’s prestigious to say that HarperCollins or Simon & Schuster is your publisher. But they’re not going to sell many more books for you. Get yourself a small publisher and get on with the marketing and selling.)
Pay Attention to the Process: An advantage of being with a small publisher is that you can see more of the process that goes into turning your manuscript into a book. You have a chance to learn more about ISBNs, the use of Advanced Review Copies (called ARCs), what goes into layout and cover design, how to write back cover copy that sells, and even how (and when) to get to reviewers and enter contests. Learn everything you can because before your next book comes out you should…
Become Your Own Publisher: Now that your memoir is out and your marketing is in full flower, you may be starting to think about that next book. It’s time for you to jump in and start your own small, independent publishing company. Create your own imprint. Find a print on demand printer who has distribution arrangements. You want a company like Lightning Source. And you’re going to want to learn about ebook publishing as well.
We’ll be writing more about what it takes to get published and have your own publishing company in the future. In the meantime, I came across a free webinar you might find interesting. It’s called “Learn From Wiley’s Legacy and Leadership” and sponsored by Book Business magazine. John Wiley & Sons has a long and venerable history. This free webinar is being promoted as an opportunity to learn from the best. So if you have any aspirations to publish your own books and maybe even other people’s books, then this may be a good place to start. Hope to “see” you there…online, of course.
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