Have you written a novel that you’re just letting collect virtual dust on your computer? Or maybe you have an idea for a book that you haven’t started on because you have no clue how you would ever get your book published once it’s complete.
If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, then the next See Jane Write panel discussion is one you don’t want to miss.
I Wrote a Book…Now What? is a panel discussion on the publishing world and is set for Tuesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. This free event will be held in the Arrington Auditorium of the Central Branch of the Birmingham Public Library. To register visit: http://sjwpublishingpanel.eventbrite.com.
Whether you have questions about landing a deal with a major publishing house, working with a small press, finding a literary agent or self-publishing, our panelists can help.
Irene Latham |
Birmingham poet and novelist Irene Latham is the author of Leaving Gee’s Bend, published by Putnam/Penguin in 2010. That book is set in Alabama during the Great Depression and was awarded Alabama Library Association’s 2011 Children’s Book Award. Her latest novel Don’t Feed the Boy (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, 2012) is about a boy who wants to escape his life at the zoo. Irene is also poetry editor for Birmingham Arts Journal and has authored two award-winning poetry collections, What Came Before (Negative Capability Press, 2007) and , The Color of Lost Rooms (Blue Rooster Press, 2010).
Kathryn Lang |
Self-published author Kathryn C. Lang was presented with the Nation’s first Tourism Fiction Awardfor her short story, “Digging Up Bones.” The short story will be featured in the third novel of her Big Springs novels. Kathryn’s books are published in paperback through CreateSpace (Amazon’s publishing wing) and online through Smashwords and Kindle.
TK Thorne |
Teresa (T.K.) Thorne is the executive director of CAP (City Action Partnership) and a retired captain from the Birmingham Police Department. Active in the community, she also moonlights as an author, and her debut novel, Noah’s Wife won ForeWord Reviews“Book of the Year” award for 2009. Her short stories and screenplays have garnered awards as well. A film from her screenplay, Six Blocks Wide, was based on her experiences in the Birmingham Police Department and has shown at juried film festivals in Alabama and Europe. Her next book, Last Chance for Justice: How Relentless Investigators Uncovered New Evidence Convicting the Birmingham Church Bombers is being published by Chicago Press Review and will be out September 1, 2013.
Our panel discussion will be moderated by Stephanie Naman. Stephanie is an advertising and editorial writer with fifteen years experience. Her first book, BarCode: Your Personal Pocket Decoder to the Modern Dating Scene, was turned into segments for a syndicated dating show called “The Single Life.” In addition to writing for advertising clients like Little Debbie and AT&T, she is working on the Chloe Carstairs mystery novel series written under the pseudonym Billie Thomas. The first novel in the series, Murder on the First Day of Christmas was released in December 2012. Stephanie is also the marketing director for Indie Visible, a collective of writers working to use social media and other resources to promote quality independent work.
Leave your questions for our panelists in the comments section of this post and don’t forget to spread the word about this event to all your writer pals!
(1) Do any of you know the advantages and disadvantages of writing under a pen name? What are both practical and legal factors?
(2) What are some must-dos for writing under a pen name?
(3) What is the average size budget for self-publishing?
(4) If you self-publish, what are the best ways to market your book?
(5) Where is the safest place to find reputable literary agents?
(6) What all does the publisher do? What are the publisher’s responsibilities?
(7) In a relationship with a publisher, what are the author’s responsibilities and what are the limitations?
(8) What are some tips for social media marketing?
(7)
1) Is it necessary to incorporate to self publish?
2) How do you protect yourself legally when self publishing?
3) What publisher duties should a self publisher not forget to do?
4) What are the best reasons to self publish rather than find a publishing house?
5) For a first time self publisher, which is better print or eBook?
6) How important is it to use a graphic designer for your cover when you self publish if you feel you are creative enough to get the job done?
7) What research do you think should be done before the choice is made to self publish? What should be considered when thinking about self publishing?
8) What are the biggest obstacles to success when self publishing?
9) When self publishing two different genres of work, should different author names [pen name(s)] be used? i.e. self help and fiction
10) Should you self publish in hopes of one day being picked up by a publishing house?
~S.W. Cannon
STFU4ABetterRelationship.WordPress.com
OK sorry~ I don’t read directions well 🙂 I sent you the list of questions instead of responding here~
Looking forward to the seminar. I have published three ways and still have questions.
I started a publishing co in 1997 to publish two books I wrote. I was hired to write for a Georgia publisher. (that book is no longer in print) and I have recently experimented with Print On Demand. So far I like POD the best.
I look forward to hearing the discussions by your panelists!
My 20 questions are re-listed below (in their entirety I might add ~ so lets say I have about 18 🙂
1. If using POD. Can you list the top 5 print on demand companies you recommend?
2. What is the best program/ method for setting up e books?
3. Have there ever been self published books to make it on the top 10 best sellers list?
4. What do publishers look for in bloggers that might make them attractive as a potential book deal candidate? Specifically.
5. What is the trend in topics for book series for kids? For business? For women?
6. What are current numbers for actual books vs e books purchased of the same title for books recently published?
7. Are most books being formatted both ways?
8. What is the average price/ split for e books and cost to set up one.
9. What are the new innovations in children’s books?
10. What time is it? (Hahaha. Ok I think I am out of questions ….)
11. Who has a birthday this week. Hint me… Do I get a prize?
12. What are publishers expectations for authors when they accept a book deal as far as promotion?
13. How many books were published POD in 2012 and how many non fiction. How many fiction the old fashioned way?
14. Are e books getting away from illustrations?
15. Is there a book illustrators organization in the area for all genre? Besides scbwi for children?
16. Are you sure you didn’t mean send 10?
17. Who is your favorite New York publisher?
18. Who is a well established southern publisher?
19. What is the average cost to publish a picture coffee table book?
20. Do you have recommendations for publishers for coffee table books, particularly black and white photos/ poetry?
Thanks!
Allison Adams
http://www.allisonpadams.com
1. What is the worst advice you’ve gotten, and why was it so bad?