August Co-Hosts: Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, & Lee Lowery!
IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month. It's a great writer's resource that I'm sure you'll find well worth your time. Be sure to stop by and visit with other IWSG Members.
I'd like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh who launched IWSG on Sept. 7, 2011, offering writer's a place to seek and give support, encouragement, and advice to other writers. Our writing community has since grown by leaps & bounds. Many thanks to Alex and his awesome team!
Exciting News! The official theme of the IWSG Anthology
Together We Can!
The IWSG community has joined forces with WEP (Writing, Editing, Publishing) - an online writing community that posts to a theme every third Wednesday or every second month! For more info, check out Denise Covey's Blog. You can check out WEP's August theme below!
August IWSG Question: What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?
What a great question for the more experienced authors with several published books under their belt! I'm all ears - your advise is always priceless. I'm also interested in hearing from other writers who get up every day and take the next step in the long journey to first-time publication. What pitfalls are you facing, and how are you handling them?
As for me, while I consider myself fortunate to have some articles published, I'm still working toward publishing my first book. And while I haven't ventured deeply into the publishing process myself, I've watched and learned from other authors who have.
No doubt, there're several potentially disastrous pitfalls on the road to publication. Yet, when I read this question, I knew immediately what my advice would be. I'll keep it short and sweet - Avoid putting undue pressure on yourself (and those around you) by setting realistic deadlines - aka release dates. In today's publishing world, many authors are self-publishing and thus in charge of setting their own deadlines. So, you've finally finished your book? Great! And you want it published yesterday - I get it! However, it's highly unlikely you wrote your book in a day and unrealistic to expect to get it into the hands of readers immediately after writing "The End" . . . not and deliver your best work.
I believe the number one job of writers is to write. Having said that, it's also extremely important for authors to deliver their best work to readers each and every time. So, now that you've written your best book ever, don't shoot yourself in the foot by rushing through the steps necessary to ensure your book is reader-ready. Curtail your anxiousness to get it out there NOW, and set a release date that allows enough time for every step (and person involved) in the publication process. After all, word of mouth is one of the best (and least expensive) advertisements an author will ever have, and it can either make or break a book. As an avid reader, reviewer, and participant of several book club groups, I can tell you one of the fastest ways to an early book funeral is to publish a book full of errors. You'll be reading about it in every review from here on out. Good news is - this is one pitfall easily avoided by allowing needed time to get it right the first time! Make sure your book is reader-ready. When it's finally in the hands of enthusiastic readers sharing it with other readers, you'll be glad you did!
Life is hectic enough! Avoid unnecessary stress by setting realistic publication deadlines. Allow yourself time to get it right. Make sure your book is Reader-Ready. Your readers will thank you!
84 comments:
I agree, rushing to submit is a pitfall. Usually though I go to the other extreme, not ever being satisfied with I have written.
Thanks for co-hosting this month. Setting release dates is important. For me, I don't consider a release date until I start the professional editing phase. I also agree, it's important to avoid unnecessary stress.
You said it - give the readers your best.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Avoiding putting undue pressure on yourself means devising a scheduling plan that works for you. That calls for discipline and I find that I have to kick myself sometimes to stay with the plan.
Thank you so much for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Good advice. If you can't hire a copy editor, you need several pairs of eyes looking for typos.
So do I! I am guilty of editing a piece to death - agonizing over every single word. Too fast or too slow - both are potential pitfalls! Thanks for stopping by, Nita!
Sounds like you have a plan that works for you! That's the key, isn't it? Thanks for stopping in today!
Only your best will do! Thanks for all you do, Alex. It's much appreciated by all!
I also struggle with discipline and all the little things that kick my well-laid plans off kilter. That's life, I think, it happens. As long as we adjust and keep on, keeping on - all's good. Thanks for visiting today, Pat.
As both a reader and a writer, I can say nothing irritates me quicker than a book full of errors. I find it inexcusable with all of the resources available to writers today. Thanks for stopping in, Tamara!
Good morning! Thanks so much for co-hosting this month :)
Great advice. It's always important to go through the editing process and letting others you trust read your work and give you good, solid feedback. If you have to hire an editor, do it, even if you're going to submit to traditional publishers.
My advice would be to stay consistent. Write everyday, even if it's just a few words. As long as I'm writing, I don't have time to listen to the negative comments that crop up in my head like, "Why are you even bothering?" "Shouldn't you be published by now?" "Are you STILL working on that book?" Those things don't matter and they start to drift into silence as long as I continue to write.
Happy Wednesday!
Jen
Yup, it's very important that your book been as clean and well edited as possible.
I'm right there with you! Nothing makes me put a book down faster than slogging through a bunch of errors that should have been caught in editing/proofreading. Just had "taught" for "taut" and "wheeled" for "wield." Seriously? And I can't unread it! :-) Thanks for co-hosting today.
Consistency is the key! I'll admit I struggle with it. And after a few days or weeks of not writing, those old self-doubts creep back in. Great advice, Jen! Thanks for stopping by!
Every book published should be clean & lean! Happy readers makes for happy authors! Have a great week!
Those type errors drive me up the wall! Definitely should be caught in the editing process. Thanks for stopping in, Lee!
This. Is. The BEST advice.
Thanks for hosting, Sandra!
Thanks for co-hosting and thanks for your suggestions. I couldn't agree with you more about proofing our self published books. We HAVE to get it right! Nothing gets in the way quicker than bungled words and phrases. Yesterday I ran into this in a published book: "He was so exhausted he lied in his bed..." Seriously! I also ran into "manner" instead of "manor," "weary" instead of "wary," "appraise" instead of "apprise," "causalities" instead of casualties." It takes the reader right out of the book and is so avoidable.
I know that no one is perfect but...
Yeah, having a book full of errors will bite you quick! The trickier issues are those that aren't easy to detect without experience, like pacing and tension. But stuff like spelling and grammar, definitely get those checked out!
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Hi Sandra,
I totally agree with you about getting it right before shipping it out for public consumption. I mentally compose my story in present tense. I write in past tense. When I speak, the tenses are perfect. When I write, I frequently mix the tenses. Drives everyone nuts.
Thank you for your excellent advice. You are closer than you think to getting your first book released.
Thanks very much for hosting this months IWSG blog hop.
Setting yourself up for publication is great advice. I wish I had done that. Thanks for being a host this month. Without writers like you, IWSG couldn't be so successful.
So true about publishing a poorly edited book. You can't spend enough time or money on editing. No one wants to see reviews about spelling and punctuation. Thanks for hosting.
I try not to pressure myself too much as stress is not good and I end up feeling worse when I place undue stress on my life. Hopefully one day I'll actually see a book through to its very end even if it doesn't get published. Of late my writing has focused on songs, a writing form that I've been enjoying since high school. It would be nice to get a song published--or at least recognized by a larger audience than just close friends and family.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks for stopping by today, CV! Have a great week!
I wish more writers would heed your advice! Lately, I've read a number of indie-published novels whose authors clearly skipped some crucial steps on the way to publication. (sigh) Wishing you happy writing in August--
Blatant misuse of words such as in your examples is one of the fastest routes to the dnf file. Readers deserve our best, and all it takes is time... and maybe another set of eyes to get it right! Edit. Edit. Edit.
Thanks for stopping in, E.A. Have a great week!
Perfect advise! I can understand that whenever a writer (finally) finishes her book, she wants it out there ASAP. But, on the other hand, most of us are perfectionists, so we have to make sure to stop revising (and be happy about the end product) at some point. :-)
Just like you, I am working towards my first ever book (a memoir), and I'm surprised it all takes so long. Yet, I do want it to be reader-ready before it gets out there. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Great advice! And all true - every bit of it ;-) Editors have everything to do with reader-readiness.
Great post, Sandra and SO true. I always find myself rushing that last stage and then regretting it. I always say I'll allow more time to get everything just right . . . then it comes down to the last minute scramble of changes, edits and unexpected surprises. But yes, writers owe their readers the best possible book each and every time. Thankfully, we have enthusiastic helpers behind the scene (thank you, helper!!!). Thanks for being co-host this month and Write On!
So true, Loni. I think pacing & tension come with experience. So important to get it right! Thanks for stopping in today!
Thanks, Lynn! Interesting that you compose & write in two different tenses. And by the way...avoid those scorpions! haha Have a great week!
Thank you so much! I love IWSG! It's done so much for my confidence, and the info from fellow writers like yourself is just priceless! Have a good week!
I agree. Our readers deserve the best we have to offer. Thanks for your visit! Have a good one!
Keep going forward, Arlee! A writer's #1 job is to write! I hope you have your book and songs published! Have a great week!
Thanks, Rhonda. I think it's crucial that writers take needed time to make sure they're putting their best foot (& book!) forward. The best book in the world is less when it's not clean & lean! Have a great day!
Thanks, Liesbet! I think all first-time authors want their book published yesterday! lol But we also need to make a good impression on readers so edit. edit. edit. And yes, know when it's good enough & let it go. Best of luck on your first book!
A good editor is worth their weight in gold! lol Seriously, even if a professional editor isn't in the budget, writers need to take time & ask for help if needed. It'll pay off in the end! Thanks for stopping by, Diedre!
"Don't rush to publish" seems to be a theme in the responses to this month's prompt. Thanks for the post, and for hosting this month's prompt! Happy writing to you. :)
Oh yes...the last minute RUSH! The term "chicken with its head cut off" comes to mind! lol In the end, I say do whatever it takes (including taking more time) to deliver a reader-ready book. Thanks, as always, for your support & encouragement, Nancy. Have a great week...and release of Prince of Dreams in Oct.!
There must be a reason for that! lol Seriously, it's all about taking time to deliver your best each & every time. Some get there fast, others (like me) take more time. Either way, it's about making sure readers get the best of us! Thanks, Kathy, and have a great week!
Yes! Excellent advice. I've seen too many authors rush to put a book out and it shows. Take the time your story needs no matter how anxious you are to get it out there. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Thanks, Christine! It's easy to get overanxious & rush a book out. We all want to publish NOW! But it's a pitfall that we have control over so I say exercise the control & make sure your book is reader-ready before publishing. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!
I agree. No pressure. I had to take the deadline off myself and when I did, my writing bug bit me again and my book was so much more fun to write and publish. Great advice! Thank you for co-hosting!
Elsie
Golden advice to new writers. Yes, we always want a book published yesterday. Thanks for co-hosting. Love the look of your blog!
JQ Rose
Good advice, and I know it, even though patience is a virtue I've had trouble cultivating. LOl! Thank you for co-hosting this month.
Some deadlines are unavoidable, I think. But we put unnecessary stress on ourselves when we set unrealistic deadlines. Happy to hear the writing bug has struck you again! Wishing you much success in the future!
Thank you, J Q! I've enjoyed co-hosting immensely! I hope you have a great week!
Co-hosting has been a blast, S.E.! And I'm betting we could all use a healthy dose of "patience"! lol Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for co-hosting. Your advice is spot on. Rushing is probably the worst thing a writer can do.
Make your book reader-ready - I so agree!! Thank you for co-hosting!
Thanks, Diane! It's so tempting to rush once the book is written, isn't it?! And there's not much I hate worse than an error-laden book! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Lori! It's been a lot of fun!
I am definitely putting a lot of pressure on myself to finish revising my current project. I need a break! I didn't realize IWSG had been going on since 2011. Wow!
Realistic deadlines are very important. It goes part and parcel with not rushing, which I saw on another blog. Making it good is more important than making it fast. Thanks for co-hosting!
It's all about taking time to make it right! Thanks for stopping in, Kim. Hope you have a great week!
Yes, it has! Thanks to our founder & awesome leader, Alex! Don't put too much pressure on yourself - just be sure to allow enough time for every step of the process! Have a good week!
Great tip! A good story takes time, and rushing will be evident.
So true! It's a marathon, not a sprint. Great post. Thanks for co-hosting!
I made that mistake in the beginning because I was so eager to get the book out. I couldn't afford an editor either, but looking back there was a lot I could have done to make sure it was better edited. I've since had it edited professionally and fixed it up. :-D
Your answer to this month's question is just what I needed. I have finished my first book, and am in a kind of frenzy trying to get everything done. I have sleepless nights thinking of the long list of things I need to do before publishing. Am trying to slow down. I have already waited 8 months, so can wait a few more. I want to make sure there isn't a single error in the text.
Wonderful advice! It's always best to take your time and do things right the first time. Thanks for sharing and co-hosting.
Great advice, Sandra. Doing things in a hurry often leads to unnecessary mistakes and lots of stress.
Always, Jennifer! Have a great day!
Nice way to put it - marathon! We're in for the long haul! Thanks for stopping in.
Great idea to go back & fix the issues, Renee! It's never too late to do it right. Thanks for visiting.
Take a deep breath and one day at a time, Nita! It'll all come together, and you'll be glad you took time to get it right! Wishing you much success!
Thanks, Melanie! I've enjoyed co-hosting & meeting a lot of fellow writers. Thanks for stopping by.
It truly does...I've often wished for a do-over! Have a great week!
Thanks for co-hosting this month! That's great advice in not rushing to be published NOW. And I agree with you about word of mouth being one of the best and least expensive ways to advertise/promote your work.
Too right! Your advice is right on the money. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Making it reader ready is something a lot of people seem to be skipping these days. Good advice!
Word of Mouth advertising in today's book world is crucial, imo. It makes sense to take time to put your best into the hands of readers. Thanks for stopping in, Lidy!
I've enjoyed co-hosting, Lisa! Have a great weekend!
I think it's a result of so many self-publishing for the first time and skipping some important steps in the publishing process. It's too bad as it can make or break an author. Have a great weekend, Shannon!
Hi Sandra, I love your advice about setting realistic deadlines. I always try to have by blog posts done a month in advance. When publishing my most recent book, it was essential to set a firm deadline. Even though I could have changed it, I wanted to make that commitment and stick to it. SO, I announced my deadline on my blog. There's nothing like a little accountability. I felt just enough pressure to kick it into high gear. I think I should do that more often. :)
Great tips. Thanks for co-hosting.
Announcing deadlines is a good tactic for holding one's self accountable, Heather! We just need to make sure we're allowing enough time to be reader-ready! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Juneta! I enjoyed co-hosting! Have a good week!
Glad I found this site from following you on Goodreads. I am anonymous because I don't have a google account yet but I wanted to achieve one of my goals, which was to post something about writing online. I'm gearing up for my online involvement. This is Linda R. from Goodreads.
Hi Linda! So glad you found me here! Stop by anytime!
I'm 100% with you on avoiding stress. I find the only times I deal with writers block is when I'm putting too much pressure on myself.
No one puts more stress on me than me! Let's face it - we all have too much to do. We need to take control of the things that will help relieve the stress...like setting unrealistic deadlines. Thanks for stopping by, Crystal!
I'm a bit late to this party...
Yes, avoid putting undue pressure on yourself. Do not rush to publish. Everything in good time.
Writers need to remember that every journey is unique, so stop comparing yourself to Joe, John and Jack who have published multiple books.
Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG blog hop this month!
Great advice, Sandra. Sometimes I'm tempted to rush the writing, but I know doing so would only do my readers a disservice. And I would never, EVER publish anything without an editor.
Good luck on your journey to publication, and thanks for visiting my blog this month.
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