Writing and Editing
By Jerry D. Simmons | April 2nd, 2010 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Have you ever wondered why we write? I’ve never considered myself a writer, but I do get enjoyment out of putting words on paper. I’ve written one book with plans for updating and revising, and am penning a new one. The work is daunting and I struggle with words. Thankfully I have a friend who helps with my editing.
I’ve spent my entire working life in publishing and it wasn’t until I started writing that I realized the importance of a good editor. I’m fortunate in that I have worked with many great editors in New York. But I never quite realized how important they were to the success of publishing in general. I hate to say that they were often taken for granted.
Without editors and their objective yet caring and professional set of eyes, I’m afraid many words and sentences just wouldn’t be as clear as they become after the work of a great editor. I’m partial to editors, because their skills and ability clear up my own words. If you have a good editor, then thank them, if you don’t, then find one. Writing and editing go hand-in-hand. For those who believe editors change the meaning of your writing, then all I can say is, you aren’t working with the right editor.
Know Your Reader
By Jerry D. Simmons | June 19th, 2009 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
I received some questions from a reader about a blog I wrote two weeks ago entitled Know Your Reader. The questions were: How do I know my reader? Does it mean who I’m writing to, or the group I would like to read my book, or whom I think would buy it? Great questions Kim, thank you for sharing with other writers.
Writing instructors will tell you to write in your own voice. Never try to mimic another writer, try to write to fit a style, or match a hot cateogry that seems to be selling books. Your story and writing are unique because of who you are and how you write. Know your reader does not mean write to fit what you think is your audience. Know your reader equates to knowing your market, knowing your audience, knowing who are the likely consumers.
If you visit bookstores on a regular basis, and if you read authors in the genre in which you are writing, and you read books similar to the one you are writing, you should begin to get a clear idea of your market, and in turn who your reader will be. Your reader defines your audience, the consumer who buys books like the one you are writing.
For example, if you were writing a manuscript with spiritual overtones, the questions about knowing your market would be: Spiritual in terms of religious, or spiritual in terms of the supernatural? The answer would help to define your reader, your audience, the end consumer. It tells your publisher how to focus their marketing. The importance in knowing your reader is related to the marketing of your book, not the writing.
Know the Questions Before you Make Publishing Decisions
By Jerry D. Simmons | June 25th, 2008 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
I’m on a crusade this week, I’m tired of the self described experts taking hard earned money from the pockets of unsuspecting writers who are buying products and services that are worthless. There are more vultures in this business that I ever imagined and their ability to slice and dice loads of bull is beyond my comprehension.
I’ve written on this before and I have to speak out again–do not, let me repeat DO NOT purchase anything–book, product or service, marketing plan, distribution package, CD, book trailer, ticket to a workshop or seminar–before you check the source. Don’t fall for those who call themselves experts unless they list their credentials, background and experience. If they don’t provide a bio, walk away. And just because they happen to have written a bestselling book doesn’t make them an expert. Bestselling authors are seldom privy to the secrets of book marketing.
For the self described experts that claim to have answers to gaining distribution into the traditional marketplace, your question should be: How? Explain the program in detail. Just because someone writes about something doesn’t make it factual. I’m willing to put my experience up against anyone selling “secrets” to any part of publishing, marketing, distribution, or selling books.
The latest most outrageous claim, by one of the experts, is to sell the entire New York Times list of bestseller reporting bookstores. This is analogous to buying a 2008 calendar where each month is January 2005, or February 2004, or who knows. This list changes on a rotating and constant basis. The only true source for such a list would be one of the big six publishers or the Times themselves.
Problem with this supposed list, is that once you purchase, you can never know exactly what you are buying. The list you purchase might not even be current, let alone creditable, there is no way to tell. Please, I urge you, check your source before you buy anything that claims to help you sell your book(s). Don’t let those so-called experts fool you into believing they have answers to the problem of marketing and selling more books.
Some of the best information is free, take advantage and do your homework first, before you buy!
If you have questions or would like a free 20-minute consultation, just send me an email.
This blog is unedited, please disregard mistakes in spelling and grammar.
