| Many aspiring novelists, begin the writing process | | | | difference between the two is that with |
| without really thinking about what his/her | | | | independent publishing you, the author, have all the |
| publishing objectives are. They don't think about | | | | financial risk but if your book is successful, you will |
| questions such as: Why do I want to write a | | | | reap the financial rewards. |
| book in the first place? How will this book be | | | | If your goal is to earn your living as a published |
| published? For whom am I writing this book? Who | | | | author it is extremely important to treat your |
| is my target market? How am I going to market | | | | writing as a job. Life happens and it's easy to fill |
| my book? | | | | your time with things that will keep you busy. |
| These are questions that should be answered | | | | Don't let that happen. Schedule time to write. |
| prior to writing your book. Here are a few things | | | | Then when it's time to write, write! |
| to consider: | | | | Treat your writing as a business |
| What are your goals and objectives? | | | | - As an author you are an entrepreneur. |
| - Why do you want to publish a book? (What is | | | | - As an entrepreneur you need to treat your |
| your Big "Why"?) | | | | writing as a business. |
| - Is this a hobby or do you want to earn a living | | | | - As a business, have you written your mission |
| as a writer? | | | | statement and vision statement? |
| - Are you going to print just a few copies for | | | | There has never been a better time to be a |
| friends and family or do you want worldwide | | | | writer. The internet makes it easy to connect |
| distribution? | | | | with your fans anywhere in the world. The world |
| - Do you want to become a household name? | | | | of publishing is changing and this change has |
| - Who is your target market? | | | | resulted in a tremendous opportunity for writers |
| - Are you passionate about your writing? | | | | that take control of their careers. |
| How do you envision your writing career? | | | | I'm going to end with a quote about the future of |
| - Hobby - A favorite leisure time activity or | | | | publishing: |
| occupation. | | | | "Let's be clear. Everybody who writes is going to |
| - Job - A paid or unpaid position of employment. | | | | publish what they write. This is not one of those |
| - Career - A life's work or journey. | | | | things that is debatable anymore...And it doesn't |
| The way you view your writing career will guide | | | | really matter whether you think this is a good |
| you as you define your publishing objective. If | | | | thing or a bad thing for the world of books and |
| writing is just a hobby then traditional publishing is | | | | publishing - it is going to happen regardless of |
| probably not for you. An inexpensive | | | | what any of us thinks" |
| self-publishing method is probably best. If your | | | | - The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing - p. 27- |
| goal is to make a living as an author great care | | | | quoting John Feldcamp, Pres. of Xlibris Corp. |
| needs to be taken with your work. Developing a | | | | The process of getting published is time |
| strong marketing plan will be vital to your success. | | | | consuming and often frustrating as well as |
| Go after traditional publishing if you can. If that | | | | extremely exciting. Defining your publishing |
| method doesn't work then independently publish | | | | objectives from the start will give you guidance |
| your book. Take your book through the same | | | | as you write and publish your book. Your fans are |
| steps a traditional publisher would. The biggest | | | | waiting. |