Comments on: Continuing on One-Sheets

By: Camille

Camille — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:27:46 +0000

I may have already mentioned this… if I did, sorry. But at a recent conference I found it helped to talk about the novel to other writers at meals or chat times before I talked to editors. I actually had one cool writer lady offer to let me practice on her. She just smiled when I stumbled and stammered. I’m glad I did that BEFORE I tried to talk to an editor. That helped. If you can find someone who you are comfortable practicing on who doesn’t know what your book is about, it might help. Dunno. Just a suggestion.

The funny thing is, while talking to live people, I discovered what part of the story I needed to get to in order to pique their interest… and it wasn’t what I had on my one-sheet or my summary. It was actually something I never covered in those items. Then of course they ALL said they would buy the book when it came out, but I suspect that’s the standard, safe response. In fact, I think that was the topic of one of the workshops offered at that conference: Preventing A Manical New Writer From Turning Suicidal When No One Gets Their Work.

By: Lynnette

Lynnette — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:24:37 +0000

I think that’s a great idea, Camille! (Now all my friends are going to start running when they see me coming. LOL. “Oh no! Here comes Lynnette! Run! She’s going to want to practice a pitch on us!” )

By: Elizabeth, Writer Unscripted

Elizabeth, Writer Unscripted — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:13:56 +0000

again…great info!

By: Ann Isik

Ann Isik — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:51:04 +0000

Yes, it occurred to me after reading all that’s been written so far on this, that practising one’s pitch with other people in advance, would be a good idea, would be of the same benefit as reading one’s work out loud. Actually, pitching is also one’s writing, is it not? I read to my husband and we often end up rolling about laughing, so it’s good fun too! It’s probably better to find some people to practice on who won’t pull the punches on it, though, like a stranger on the street! (Joking on that last bit)!

Ann Isik

By: Lynn Squire

Lynn Squire — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:28:20 +0000

The last conference I was at I was petrified before I arrived, but when I got there everyone was so friendly and willingly to listen to what I was doing that the shackles of fear fell away. All the editors and literary agents were very approachable and very helpful. Once I realized that they were humans too and actually there to meet me as well, I found I relaxed.

When it came time for one on one’s I just kept in mind that I was laying myself down before God as an instrument. If He chose to pick me up through an editor or agent, then I was there, otherwise I’d wait on Him. The decision was His, and He is the master craftsman. This helped me.

After the first full day of the conference, I was blown away by how “easy” it was to gain interest and momentum - but I believe that was not because of what I did. God was the one who “gave the increase”.

With respect to self-publishing. I have done this, had a platform, and successfully sold all the books I ordered. Recently I’ve went this route again for a very specific purpose, a very specific event, and for a project that needed to be done quickly.

I used a POD. With the POD I didn’t have to worry about the books stored in boxes. I get paid royalties on what is ordered, and I put out substantially less than $100 to get it done (not including paying for an editor @ $.01 cents per word). The book I published is a ministry, written for the express purpose of sharing the Gospel, and it is unique. I’ve only had it “released” for a week, and I’ve already earned enough royalties to more than cover the production costs — and this is before the original intended events have taken place.

I’m sure POD is not for everyone. I can’t imagine trying to promote this without having specific channels in mind before it went to print. However, I think some POD companies can give you a terrific, fast, inexpensive way to meet a specific need.

I’ve also done e-books. Again, you need to have the platform, and you can’t ignore the benefits of marketing off-line. E-books are unique, new, and a difficult sale, in my opinion. Your topic has to be very specific, unique, and desirable, and you need to communicate to individuals why they would want to risk paying money over the Internet, risk downloading something, and be willing to spend long hours reading off a screen or the additional cost of printing it out (even if it is on their own printer).

These are just my experiences. I wish that Randy had done this series on One Sheets before the last conference, but I managed - by the way I did have one editor ask if I had one. When I said I didn’t, she just asked me to email a one page synopsis.

By: Karla Akins

Karla Akins — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:22:51 +0000

I have many friends who self-publish in the homeschool market. Like Randy says, if you have a platform, a hefty speaking schedule, and a way to edit your work professionally, I think it would work fine. My friends travel to homeschool conferences, have blogs, podcasts, and do all the marketing and distributing themselves. They use their garages as warehouses. It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot more work than I feel I am able to do, which is why I would like to one day be published by a publishing house. I would rather be writing than anything.

However, I think there is money to be made if you can find an ebook niche that fills a need. I buy ebooks all the time for my cottage school. But it usually isn’t fiction.

By: Kristi Holl

Kristi Holl — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:48:38 +0000

I just wanted to mention that I used Meredith’s e-book Writers Conference Survival Guide before I went to Mt. Hermon, and it was soooo helpful. I highly recommend it.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:54:51 +0000

Randy you said: “POD is not the same as a vanity publisher” point taken. But…errr…what exactly IS a vanity publisher?

Thanks in advance,

Karen

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:47:30 +0000

Just a note about the comment that most publishers don’t like to republish novels that have been previously published elsewhere. Here at Harvest House, I think we average at least one or two books a year that were successfully self-published by the author. A good example is our upcoming release of Linore Rose Burkard’s excellent Regency novel “Before the Season Ends.” I came across it and took it immediately to our committee and they also saw the value in it. So, yes, some publishers may not want to take on self-published books, but it’s not universally so. We’re quite open to good self-published novels that have proven they can sell.

Also, we’ve recently taken on a few OP novels from already published authors at other publishing houses. We think those books can find a new audience with our readers, especially as we give them a fresh treatment with new covers and, when warranted, better titles.