Books on Writing and Self-Publishing

I'm often asked about how to become a writer and get started publishing. I believe the old ways - write a book in solitude, send out hundreds of agent queries via snail mail, maybe get an agent and then wait while dozens of editors take eons to mull over your creation - are long over. You can still do it that way, or attempt to, but really your best bet at building a career in writing once you have a polished and edited manuscript is to simply publish it yourself.

While that may sound easy, the reality is that becoming a successful writer - someone who can make a living at it and maybe then some - takes long hours. Others can point out the steps to publishing or provide advice, but it's up to each writer to put in the time and increase their chances of reaching readers.

So to help out those who've asked me and those who are wondering just how you do it, I'd like to share a list of books that I've found helpful. Before I do that, though, I need to mention once again that the best place on the internet for writes to learn about the digital publishing world is the Writers' Cafe at www.kboards.com.

Totally new to publishing and don't have time to sift through all the threads at Kboards? I suggest starting with David Gaughran's books: Let's Get Digital and Let's Get Visible.

Writing the Novel
They Can't Put Down

A wonderful guide to how to create fiction, from plotting to pacing.

" Why do some novels become spectacular bestsellers while others fall flat? In this concise (31,000 words) guidebook, bestselling author Patricia Ryan reveals the key elements of those page-turners that earn a place of honor on our keeper shelves. Learn how to avoid pitfalls like obscurity and over-writing while utilizing story questions, empathy, and more, to keep your readers enthralled."

2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love

While not about publishing, this is a great tool to help boost your productivity. I was stumbling along this past year when I read this one and learned that a huge part of my problem was that I wasn't thinking things through before I wrote them. Once I started doing that, the floodgates were flung wide.

"In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular 2k to 10k writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write their own stories, practical plot structure, and learning to love your daily writing."

 

How To Be A Writer In The E-Age - And Keep Your E-Sanity!

This is from one of my favorite novelists, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and blogger Anne R. Allen. This one takes you through all the stages of becoming a writer in the current market, from where to find critique partners and how to set up a blog to more advanced questions like how to deal with criticism and what to do after publication.

 

 

 

The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing

One word: Inspirational.  No matter where you are in your self-publishing journey, READ THIS BOOK! It contains advice and stories from several highly successful indie and hybrid authors, like Liliana Hart, Jacinda Wilder and Theresa Ragan, all of whom work incredibly hard. Reading this book made me realize that we really do make our own luck.

 

That should keep everyone busy reading for a while!

Until later,

Gemi