Guest Speaker Quiniece Sheppard: Publishing

Today we have a guest speaker. Quiniece Sheppard. Quiniece is speaking about publishing and getting published. This is a great interview; great advice on the topic opf publishing. Read the interview below.

Dominique Watson (DW): What is your advice on getting started in publishing?
Quiniece Sheppard (QP): My advice on getting started in publishing is that you must first do the research on several self-publishing companies and find out which one best fits your needs. You also need to know what the royalty rates are, book distribution, meaning where your book will be available and you must set a financial budget. Know how much money you are willing to spend on editing the book and the actual publication of it as if you don't, you will be unprepared financially to take on such a huge task. Research, research, research is key.
DW: What are the different types of publishing?
QP: Different types of publishing are self-publishing, meaning you publish the book yourself or you have an agent who will find a major publisher for you. Also, you can publish poems, novels, books, cookbooks, almost anything can be published but not all publishers will accept everything. It must have substance and content and be worthwhile. A lot of self-publishers reject work because they fill it does not meet certain standards that they may have. It doesn't mean that your manuscript is not good, it may be it doesn't meet their guidelines. Do not give up if you are rejected. If you feel like you have a masterpiece, then someone will publish it. Make sure it is edited first before you submit your manuscript.
DW: Why do you think some writers decide to publish? Why do you think some decide not to?
QP: We decide to publish simply because we want others to read what we have to say. We have spent so much time and energy in writing our masterpiece, that we are proud of what we have done and want other people to read it and enjoy what we have writeen. Most of us don't write for ourselves, but for other people. Also, we publish because it gives us the ability to call ourselves authors. We want to see our names on our work and we want others to see it as well. We have worked hard on the masterpiece, so we deserve the title. Only those who publish can say that they are an author and it takes time, discipline, passion, drive and hard work to be called an author and that is complimentary. It's a great achievement. Some people decide not to publish for financial reasons. They simply can't afford to publish a book. Some may decide not to publish because they really don't want anyone else reading it. In other words, what they have written was therapetutic in that it helped them to get things off of their chest. It allows them to release things inside them that they are afraid to openly talk about, so they feel better and more comfortable in writing it down. In that way, they have gotten their thoughts, feelings, frustrations, anger, etc. off their chest without the worry of anyone else reading it.
DW: Is it important to consider finances when publishing? Why or why not?
QP: It is Absolutely important to consider finances before you publish. It is very important that you set a budget for yourself when you begin your publishing experience as you will be overwhelmed and stretched beyond your financial limitations. Be prepared to invest in yourself and know how much you are willing to invest in your project. For example, I am a new author. I spent about $1200.00 on my first book, including the editing. I found that you can save money by not using the publisher's editing team, but find you own editor. Also, I saved money on marketing and I currently market my own book. Yes, it is a little more challenging, but it saves you money that you really don't have. I had no idea how much publishing a book costs and I learned everything by trial and error. Now I know what to do and what to look for, my second book experience will be better than the first because I am a little more experienced. I have to say that withself-publishing companies, beware of those that you don't have to pay anything for the book. That means that you will get little or no royalties because they assume all the financial responsibility. People choose this option when they don't have the money for the book and the basic goal is just to put the book out. So, if all you want to do is just get it published, then companies like PublishAmerica will work for you because they don't require any money up front. On the other hand, if you want your book to be a success, then you have to put more money into it. You will get out exactly what you put in. It's all about what you are looking to get out of your publishing experience.
DW: What has been your personal experience in publishing?
QP: My first personal experience in publishing has been fairly good. I had a great publishing company who talked me through the whole publishing process. They understood what I wanted and they did everything to meet my needs. The most valuable lesson I learned is choose your editor wisely. I choose an editor who wasn't as great as she said she was and my finished product had a lot of errors in it. Even after the editor edits the work, you have to go back over it yourself to make sure it is correct or have someone else do it and that is the part I failed to do. I relied on her expertise so much that I didn't give the final manuscript a second look and in turn, had errors throughout my finished book.

My main advice is know your audience. In other words, who are you writing for. Another tip is know what type of book you are writing such as fiction and non-fiction or christian non-fiction. Also, set a financial budget, write down some marketing tips on how you can expose yourself and lastly get on social networking sites. They are very helpful and insightful and you learn so much from others who have experience in the writing process. Besides, social networking is a free tool that a lot of people use to market their books. I personally use this free service as it costs nothing to send an email. Some sites though are a waste of time and energy, so research to see which ones would be beneficial to you.

Getting info on Publishing is very important. You're never too experienced to know all there is to know about publishing. Be sure to do your research and take your time getting thr job done.

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Signing Off,
Dominique Watson