Insecure Writers Support Group: Do Readers Care?

The first Wednesday of the month means it's time for a post from all the folks in the Insecure Writers Support Group. (IWSG) 

What is IWSG? Founder of IWSG and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

After visiting here, please take time to hop over to other blogs and hear their voices. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page.  

Check out the new IWSG Website for great writing tips.  

Do Readers Care if a Book is Self-Pubbed or Traditionally Published?

by J.Q. Rose

So much controversy about the value of a self-pubbed book compared to the traditionally published books. I get bored with it. I don't think readers really care if the book comes from a huge New York publisher, a small press, or from the pen of a writer in middle America.

Readers want to read engaging stories with multi-layered characters facing a dilemma and discovering the way to get out of it.. They want to be taken away from their everyday lives and escape for awhile in the pages of an entertaining read. (I don't think it matters much anymore if the pages are in a print or electronic book, but that's another discussion.)

Non-fiction books include information on how-to's or quick guides or 12 steps to such and such. Whether self-pubbed ( I believe the correct term is "indie") or traditionally published, the reader wants the information in a clear, organized way that makes sense and helps him with the latest interests in his life. 

What do you think? Are readers aware or do they even care how a book is published? What is your experience?

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Thanks for stopping by today. 

If you are gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July, I'm wishing you a fun and safe holiday!

Happy Birthday USA!

Self-publishing or Traditional Publishing--It's Your Business.

BREAKING NEWS! Publishing your book is a business!

Whether you are submitting to traditional publishers (who take on all the cost of producing your book) or self-publishing (where you are responsible for ALL the costs), getting your book into the hands of readers is a business. You are the entrepreneur trying to sell your wares to the public.

A business person can set up a booth at a market, rent a downtown storefront, or even set up a lemonade stand in order to sell their wares. You, like the ancient marketers of old, are providing a product to a consumer when you write a story and have it published. 

I know it is difficult to wrap your brain around the fact that you are a business person no matter how your book is published. Even if your book is released by a traditional publisher, the advancement of book sales is squarely on how good you are at selling and distributing your story. You will have to market your stories to readers and that will create expenses which are considered the cost of doing business. You will have to keep records on revenue. Like it or not, you will be a business person in the publishing industry. 

My husband and I owned a floral shop and greenhouse business. We spent money to create the corporation and invested our lives, our fortune, our talents into making it a profitable venture for our family. 

That scenario is no different if a writer wants to open a business, hang out her shingle so-to-speak, and take on all the risks, the worries, and the JOY of publishing her own work.

Just as we learned the ins and outs as retailers in the floral industry, you will learn many lessons in the publishing world by joining in and experiencing it for yourself. IF you have the money to invest in the venture, then what is holding you back? You'll never know until you try. But first, do your home work just as if you were putting your nest egg into an actual storefront. Don't go in with stars in your eyes and pockets open to every scammer in the business. Be sure to publish your BEST effort for your readers.

So are you ready? Perhaps you will one day add author and entrepreneur to your resume. Best wishes!