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by Tara Allan Stewart

Created on: May 13, 2008

OLD-FASHIONED STILL BEST IN THE ELECTRONIC ERA

(Debate side Print)

My third book was just printed by an electronic press. There were some great positive points, for example, my book will never go out of print. I am the editor, so what I send to them is what comes back to me, unless they make one or two formatting mistakes. Corrections are easily made, even several months or even years down the road; however, since most electronic book publishers are vanity presses in pretty dresses, the costs go up and up and up. I actually received a call from my press's marketing department the same day I was told to look for the author's final review copy of the book. She only wanted $2,000 to market my book. Good grief, sometimes I really do feel like old Charlie getting the football kicked out from under me whenever I turn around.

So in this debate, I must honestly say I have chosen the side of "Print" publishers instead of "On line" publishers. "On-line" publishers still present you with a printed copy when the book is finished, as do "Print" publishers.

Let me paint you a picture. Charlie has three books published; however, his money is all gone, and he goes outside to visit his dog, who is happily writing his 3rd bestseller on the best material for the roofing of doghouses. Charlie keeps wandering until he comes to a sign that says, "The Doctor is In." Maybe she can make him feel better. Instead, she gives him a list of reasons why the way he is published is as important as being published.

This is her diatribe (disguised as kind and friendly assistance):

1. You paid your money and got your book, but you are still not bringing in a single royalty check. Your dog did better than you!
2. It's easy to get a real print publisher if you take your time and go through the steps, like knowing how to write.

"(sigh) What are the steps?"

1. Make sure your book is as good as it can be. Stupid topic ("How to Avoid Losing Your Kite in a Tree"), but if you think it will sell, go for it.
2. Edit your book. If you are ever satisfied, you are in trouble. After your book is written, most of the real enjoyment comes from editing and perfecting it. Eventually, before you lose much more hair, stop editing and start looking for a publisher.

"Okay. How?"

The doctor is OUT.

"Wait, okay, just please help me a little bit more. I love to write and I live to write!"

The doctor is IN.

1. Charlie, those are the words I've been waiting to hear. No one can help you unless you love to write and live to write.
2. Then you have to be happy with your book whether or not it gets published, because there are more books than there are publishers to handle them all not to mention trees!

Darn that kite again! Another tree!

3. When you are finished, find a listing of publishers who sell books similar to yours, like the new bestseller, "How to Avoid Having the Football Yanked Out from Under You." Look these up in the school library. The librarian can help you.
4. Then choose some to begin with and write what is called a "Query Letter." You have to make it personal, send it to the correct person, understand a little about the press, and keep it simple.

"Then what happens?"

5. You repeat the above steps over and over until you get a hit until you find a publisher who wants the book you have to offer. It may take years, but if you have the patience, it may or may not happen.
6. In the meantime, forget you have sent out a query and wait for the rejection letters to come in. They will. You can probably wallpaper a doghouse with them. But if you love what you do, you will know when the time comes that your book has sold because you have done your very best not because you paid cash up front.

"What do I do with these books that are electronic?"

7. Use the books you already have to help sell them up to a well-known or specialized publisher. In the meantime, market the books you have on your own. You'll be better off in the long-run, and you can take the whole baseball team out for ice-cream, Coach!

Well, I know what to do next. I'll market my books further. And while I am reading at local booksellers, I will be mailing out marketing packages to publishers and agents that work especially with my preferred genre. I own my rights, and my books are protected through Library of Congress and ISBN numbers, as well as copyright in my name. I have a great deal of work in front of me, but I spent years writing and perfecting the material for the books I have in my hand.

It was not a waste of time. My books are close to perfectly proofread and edited, ready to land in the hands of a friendly publisher who is looking for someone like me (looking for someone like the friendly publisher). What happens next is up to me. It can be magic, or my books can sit out on the coffee table garnering ooo's and ahhh's from visitors. I have a great deal of work ahead of me.

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