January 31, 2007

Bookcraft 2.0: 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:46 am

Write a Book, Then Build a House?

books

It’s a typical conversation. I’ve had it with many authors. They work really hard on a manuscript only to find out that it doesn’t work as a book. The conversation goes something like this:

AUTHOR: [confused, frustrated] I don’t understand why this doesn’t work. I’m an intelligent person. I should be able to do this. Why am I so stupid about this?

ME: First, stop the self-torture. I’m better at it than you are. Your intelligence shows everywhere. You’ve just never done this before.

VP: [disappointed] But I read. I’ve written two dissertations. I’ve managed policy documents for entire organizations.

ME: Yep. That experience helps, for sure. But think about this. I’ve lived in a house. I wear shoes, drive a car, and have 1.5 million miles on airplanes. I can’t build any of them.

VP: [cheerfully sardonic] And your point is?

That is the moment at which I get their attention.

12 Cold Truths about Publishing

I understand an author’s feelings of confusion, disappointment, and frustration. Something about using books all of our lives, gives us an intimate relationship with them. Well, we think the relationship is with the book, but really it’s with the content. That’s where the misconceptions start. Here are some cold truths publishers wish every author realized.

  1. “Great” content doesn’t mean much, if no one reads it. Great content has to be written and presented well. Then it has to sell.

  2. The value of a book is not in the idea. The value is in the execution.

  3. If an author doesn’t care enough to prepare a manuscript according to industry standards, a publisher has no reason to think the author would care more after work has really started.

  4. The content has to fit into a book-size container that can be efficiently manufactured. Manuscript that won’t do this doesn’t stand a chance of getting read.

  5. Published books are more rigorously organized and more literally consistent than most self-published documents produced for a small, homogenous group.

  6. Anyone who knows you has no credibility as a critic.

  7. Placing a book with a publisher is a business deal in which the book is the product/work.

  8. A book manuscript should be offered to a publisher that is already selling books to the manuscript’s target market.

  9. Design and editorial choices are made to serve a national or international market. Editors and designers are paid to make such choices.

  10. People do judge a book by its cover. A great cover and design will sell the first book faster than the most compelling content. Fine writing and solid content gets the repeat sales, evangelists, and loyal fans.

  11. Don’t leave messages for a publisher who doesn’t know you. Don’t send registered packages. Don’t think a FedEx will impress. All of these are 3-D world spam.

  12. Publishers dream about authors who do their homework, know the competition for their idea, and come to the process ready to join a working relationship.

Publishing is a business.

The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants

So what does it take to get published?
You can overcome these cold truths with two proofs.

  1. Prove that you can write a professional manuscript readers will want to buy.
  2. Prove that you’re an author, who is a pleasure to work with and brings value to the process.

Want to get published? Are you willing to prove it?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you’d like Liz to help you make a plan to meet your goals, click on the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Related articles
10 Ways to Start a Blog Post — 01-29-07
Bookcraft 2.0: Find a Book in Your Archives the Way a Publisher Would
Bookcraft 2.0 Why Read the Date Archives Not the Categories?
Bookcraft 2.0: How Many Words Does It Take to Make a Book?


Filed under Business Book, Successful Blog |



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13 Comments to “Bookcraft 2.0: 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants”

  1. January 31st, 2007 at 11:20 am
    Scot Herrick said

    Hi Liz,

    This is an interesting list. Most lists, found in most publishing articles, are about the specifics. This list is more about the approach and reasoning behind all those specifics. Rarely seen.

    Well thought out. Thanks…

  2. January 31st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scot!
    Thanks for the comment! I was really going for sharing the publisher’s point of view more than just what they ask for from a writer. It sounds like I might have gotten that across. :)

  3. January 31st, 2007 at 10:06 pm
    Wendy Piersall said

    Wow - I’ve only just had seed thoughts of writing a book - and thanks to this list, I’ve gotten the best info before I ever needed it. What an insightful post - thank you, Dear Liz! :)

  4. January 31st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Wendy!
    Way cool. I’m feeling lucky if that’s what this post did! :)

  5. January 31st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
    Kian Ann said

    Wow Liz, thanks for the insights - I think every author-wannabe needs to read this!

  6. January 31st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Kian Ann!
    They’re yours for the taking. :)
    You’re welcome.

  7. February 1st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
    Jonathan said

    This is going to be a very popular article, I can feel it. You just published this yesterday? I got here via StumbleUpon.

    So, down to business: where can I learn how to be a good author, one who’s educated in writing a “professional manuscript” and who “brings value to the process”? Basically, where do I start?

    ~Jonathan

  8. February 1st, 2007 at 7:35 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jonathan!
    Welcome! Thank you, for your support. :)

    Go to my work with Liz page. Email me or call me up. We’ll decide what you need and who might best provide for you. How’s that?

  9. February 20th, 2007 at 4:59 am
    QuickLinks for February (aka: I’ve been a lazy sob) | ePublishingDaily.com said

    [...] 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants (Successful Blog) [...]

  10. April 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
    Cold truths about getting published said

    [...] a good starting point. Monday April 2nd, 2007 | Categories: Authors; Books; Writing Hints » Leave a comment   [...]

  11. June 20th, 2007 at 10:23 am
    Bookcraft 2.0: 7 Reasons eBooks Are Losing Readers - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    [...] articles Bookcraft 2.0: 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants Bookcraft 2.0: How Many Words Does It Take to Make a Book? Bookcraft 2.0: Find a Book in Your [...]

  12. September 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
    Tumblemoose said

    Hey, thanks for putting this all together.

    I’ve seen quite a few blogs/websites/writer’s forums who could benefit from this advice. I hope they don’t see this article because the kind of things those writers are doing just create less competition for those who have somewhat of a grip (thanks to blogs like this) about how to get accomplished what really matters to us. :-)

    Thanks again.

    George

  13. November 26th, 2008 at 8:07 am
    In Case You Missed It: Writing 06-13-07 - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    [...] Bookcraft 2.0: 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and The 2 Proofs Every Publisher Wants [...]

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