Are You A First Time Author? Don't Do This!

Are You A First Time Author? Don't Do This!

by Donna Sozio

http://www.impublished.com/

Submitting but Not Expecting to Win

Hand over my heart, this is the most detrimental mistake a writer can make. You typically see this when writers say, “Yeah, I submitted but I don’t expect much. You know, they’re a big agency and...”

The truth in publishing is what you see is exactly what you get. If you can see yourself as a successful author with a literary agent and a book deal, you will have one. You only need to take the steps to get you there.

When it comes to getting published, your mindset determines your success just as much as your work itself. The good news about mindset is it’s totally within your control. A positive mindset is always working for you. It is always in your corner. And it does more work for you than you can imagine. No matter what your situation looks like a positive mindset will always pull you through.

If you play the publishing game without expecting to win, you won’t because expectation rules outcome. Simply by changing your expectations, you can change your results.

As writers, we all have our Achilles heel. When I feel myself slipping into self-doubt or not expecting to win, I put the brakes on those thoughts by thinking of the author who inspires me the most. I ask myself, “What would she do?” How would he handle this situation?

Imagine for a moment that it’s Super Bowl Sunday just minutes before the game. No team runs onto the field without properly psyching up first. Each player has to feel the win before they can perform to their highest ability.

This is your big game. The Literary Super Bowl. Ask yourself, “Will I allow myself to win?”

If the answer is a Yes! (I have a feeling it is) you’re ready for the next chapter where you’ll learn how to redefine the submission process and make it work for you.

An excerpt from Donna Sozio’s The Secret Rules of Publishing: What Every First Time Author Needs to Know To learn more visit: http://www.impublished.com/

Are There Bad Literary Agents?

Are There Bad Literary Agents?
By: Donna Sozio
http://www.impublished.com/


While getting submission packages ready to submit to literary agents a lingering question on most writers’ minds is, “Are there bad literary agents?”

The answer is yes and you should know about them.

Traditionally a literary agent represents a writer and makes money from the commission they receive from the sale and sales of your book. That’s it.

Beware of any agent who tries to sell you editorial, consulting or packaging services. If they do, that is the point when they stop being agents. Instead they have just become editors, consultants, or packagers who use the promise of publishing to sell their services.

Also be wary of agents sliding in fees such as a reading fee. Nominal photocopying fees are for the most part okay. Yet, start asking questions if any copying fee is over $50.00. Also, make sure you only have to pay after your book has been sold.

Sometimes first-time writers feel somewhat shy asking questions, especially, financial questions. You may feel like they are the mighty literary agent. And you are the lowly writer, which is – by the way - complete bunk.

It’s important to know this because the lowly first-time writer mentality is exactly the fodder unscrupulous agents feed on. If you are dealing with a legit agent you will never jeopardize your writing career by initiating an intelligent conversation about money. It will only help you gain esteem and impress your future agent with your business savvy.

It’s a rule of thumb that the unscrupulous go after the desperate. For which there is a simple solution. Don’t be desperate. Then no one can take advantage of you.

Yet, if you find yourself in a situation where: 1. You thought you submitted to a literary agency, 2. You get accepted or they want to work with you, 3. But you must first shell out a $2500 editorial fee to get you ready to submit to publishers. Don’t be afraid to: 1. Talk money, 2. Ask questions, 3. Ask for references.

This is why: Once an agent starts asking for money – instead of making you money – you are now a customer and they need to prove the worth of their products. Especially, since editing services don’t come cheap. Also, how do you measure results? Exactly when does “getting you ready” for publishing mean green light go?

In past literary agent searches, I have been offered a few editing services in lieu of representation. One of the offers didn’t even have my name at the top of their reply email. This was a sure tip-off that the email was computer generated. It read like one of those automated sales messages with important information left on my voice mail. Not to mention they also asked for a quick two grand.

If you are ever in doubt about what to do in this situation, remember that as an author, you’re The Catch. You are the one with the powerful saleable idea. They are lucky to have you. You shouldn’t feel lucky that you have them.

Ask yourself this question: Is this literary agent acting in my best interest or are they using my deep burning desire to get published to sell me editorial services? If the answer is the latter, then yes, they are a bad agent.

What do you do if you find yourself in this situation?

First, always follow your instincts. If you smell a rat, you smell a rat. It’s that simple.
Yet, if you still want to inquire further, go ahead. You are under no obligation. You are free to email or call them to gather more information without making a commitment. Remember, at this point, they have become a seller of “services” and you are the valued customer.
In the end, make sure they are offering you representation for your book not preparation.

On a final note, I want to add that out of over 140 submissions to literary agents, I was offered only two editorial or “preparation” services when I submitted my work for representation. Yes, there are bad agents out there. But don’t let them give the thousands of wonderful hardworking literary agents out there a bad name.


To learn everything you need to know about reputable and not-so-reputable literary agents visit: http://www.impublished.com/.

The True Meaning of a Successful Writer

The True Meaning of a Successful Writer
By Donna Sozio
www.ImPublished.com


It amuses me how I’m always asked the same question, “So, when did you decide to become a writer?”

What strikes me as funny is the person asking the question assumes that I became a writer by choice. The reality is that becoming a writer felt more like something happened to me rather than something I decided to do. An unknown force -commonly referred to as an idea - woke me up in the middle of the night and changed my life forever.

Then came the inevitable question, “Do you have a literary agent?”

Back when the answer was no, I remember a strange look of hidden indignation and pity move across their faces that said, “Poor writer… all dream but no agent.” I looked forward to when I could proudly say, “I have a literary agent!” I thought it would vindicate me as a successful writer in other people’s eyes. And then I wouldn’t have to deal with The Look.

Well, now that I do have a literary agent, I’m still not a party pleaser. Inevitably, someone always asks, “Who is your agent?” When I say his name, most people shake their heads and say, “I've never heard of him.” Then comes The Look.

This made me ask myself two important questions. First, is my literary agent not a real agent just because someone I met hasn’t heard of him? No. Nor does having a literary agent make me a successful writer. What it means is that I should never look outside of myself for approval of my work. Literary agents (and prying busybodies) included.

The second question I asked myself is: Then what is the true meaning of a successful writer? It didn’t take long before I came to a few conclusions.

Few writers actually finish what they start. If you’ve made a commitment to your book to finish it and share it with the world then you are a successful writer. The true meaning of a successful writer is someone who follows through on the ideas they get in the middle of the night - or in the shower - and finishes them. When you’ve committed to making the leap from writing in the comfort and privacy of your home to sharing your talent with the world – you are a successful writer.

Once you begin to think of yourself as a successful writer… others will too. Including your future literary agent and publisher.


To learn more about how to get a literary agent and get published visit: http://www.impublished.com/.

Make Your Submission Package for Literary Agents Irresistible

Make Your Submission Package for Literary Agents Irresistible
By: Donna Sozio
www.ImPublished.com


While preparing to submit to literary agents most writers make the same mistakes following the typical submission advice, which always boils down to three same things:

1. Research
2. Submit
3. Wait

Yet, what you are really told to do is…

1. Read through hundreds of lengthy submission guidelines. 2. Surrender your work to someone you’ve never met before who may or may not even read what you’ve written. 3. Then wait for months to see if they like it.

Honestly, a squirrel might have better luck learning to ride a bicycle than first-time authors have getting a literary agent using the “typical” model for submissions. It almost seems cruel. You just poured your heart and soul into finishing your book. That in itself was a lot of hard work. But you’re not done.

Next, you’re supposed to just know how to put together the perfect submission package for literary agents. No wonder the phrase "frustrated writer" is cliché. Especially since there are hundreds of agencies to research and it seems like no one is accepting unsolicited submissions. I wasn’t surprised when a writer friend said that looking for a literary agent felt like her head was on a chopping block. I know when I first started; it felt like I was bushwhacking through a dense jungle. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated and lost.

Perhaps, that’s how you feel too. Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Lost?

The good news is that you don’t have to feel like Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution to get published. There are three simple ways to make your submission package for literary agents irresistible.

First, you must have a slam-dunk-sign-me-now intriguing concept embedded in your book title. Don’t think of your title solely as form because it is pure function. And its function is to sizzle.

Bestselling titles are evocative. They grab your readers’ attention. They serve as an immediate indicator to your reader what to expect in the story. Someone who is looking for a feel good fuzzy story isn’t going to reach for “M” is for Malice. They should also make a good sound bite. Your title doesn’t just name your book – it sets up your bestselling concept and acts as a selling piece to your future literary agent and publisher.

The title of your book is one of the first things your future agent will see. An engaging seductive title will be enough to make any literary agent at least read the first page of your proposal or query letter. And if you’ve done your job, they’ll keep on reading until they get you on the phone and make you an offer!

The second way to make a submission package for literary agents irresistible is to clearly define the universal bestselling concept in your book.

When someone asks you what your book is about, what do you say? Do you have a clear, concise and engaging two or three sentence description? Or does it take ten minutes to describe “Well, there’s this guy and he just lost his house because…and then there’s this woman who works at the diner… and they… Oh wait, I forgot about the guy’s brother who…”

Every writer needs a clearly defined concept that not only explains but also sells your book in a millisecond. To get a literary agent, you must hook their attention in the first sentence of your query letter. Or you’re cooked.

The third way to woo and wow a literary agent is to present a strong author platform. Although platforms previously only applied to non-fiction, today they can work for fiction writers as well. This is because authors are responsible for attracting readers just as much (or more so) than your publishing house.

So, what is a platform? Your author platform is network of support and supporters you have already built that will translate into book sales. Your platform tells literary agents just how you plan to sell your book in concrete terms. Do you already have a built-in following? Are you already in the public eye? What press have you already generated for yourself and your book? Do you already have a substantial email list? What celebrity status in your field have you already achieved?

Whether you are writing nonfiction or fiction the powerful combination of a seductive selling title, universal bestselling concept, and a powerful author platform can be enough to get any literary agent to at least ask to read your manuscript, if not offer you representation, on your first try!


To learn everything you need to know how to make a submission package for literary agents irresistible visit: http://www.impublished.com/.

3 Simple Secrets to Create an Instant Bestseller

3 Simple Secrets to Create an Instant Bestseller
By: Donna Sozio
www.ImPublished.com

Before you even begin writing your book there are three steps you must take if you want your book to hit the literary scene as The Next Big Thing.

The First Step to create an instant bestseller is to ask yourself: Does my book hit a universal nerve? If the answer is yes, you must be able to define exactly what that universal nerve is. Then your book should provide either a solution or at least a temporary escape from the universal nerve you just stepped on. That way you not only identify your book's audience but also demonstrate your connection to them. Which gives your future publisher a very strong reason to buy your book.

Although there is something inherently romantic about obscurity, there must be an element in your book that connects with at least half of humanity for you to create an instant bestseller. I’m not kidding. Take The Da Vinci Code, for example. This book was about an incredibly obscure sect within the Roman Catholic Church. Yet, the Da Vinci Code sold over 60 million copies.

The Da Vinci Code’s success wasn’t due to its award winning writing. This book became an instant bestseller because it hit a universal nerve. The story appealed to every person on the face of the earth who has ever questioned religion. The author, Dan Brown, would have made a huge mistake if he positioned his book to appeal only to the group about whom he was actually writing. Which is to say the potential audience of your book is much wider than just your subject.

If in doubt, think of it this way. The larger your audience, the larger your book advance. Even if your book is about something obscure, you must position its appeal as universal. Only then will literary agents and publishers recognize it as instant bestseller material.

If your book doesn’t hit a universal nerve, don’t write another sentence until you follow this Second Step to instant bestseller success. Ask yourself this question: Why am I writing my book? The answer will help you discover your audience and assist you in discovering which universal nerve you will hit.

Most people write books for one of two reasons. Either they are processing something in their inner world through the situations and the characters they dream up in the context of their book. Or they are have a burning desire to tell the outside world all the wonderful insights they have gained after successfully processing their inner world.

Both impetuses are equally fabulous and you can create instant bestseller material using either approach. You only need to successfully match the universal nerve you hit to the demographic that it will impact. Once you learn how to do this, you have just learned how to create an instant bestseller!

The Third Step is to boil down all of this information in a succinct and engaging query letter to successfully woo, wow, and entertain a literary agent so they can recognize immediately that your book is an instant bestseller. This is done by distilling your bestselling concept into a slam-dunk-sign-me-now pitch that entertains instead of explains.

For a literary agent to recognize your book as instant bestseller material, your query letter must be a mini-me of your book. For example, if you’re writing humor, a literary agent should be laughing after the first line. Or if you wrote a wistful memoir about unrequited love, it’s your job to romance your future literary agent and put them in the mood to read your manuscript.

Creating an instant bestseller can be simple. You only need to know what to do and how to do it. By following the first three steps above, you are well on your way to instant bestseller success. Most writers write without knowing why they are writing. Then they submit without knowing what they are submitting. But not you. The three steps above help get you clear on the potential of your book. Which means the message will be clear that your book is an instant bestseller to your future literary agent and publisher as well.

To learn more about how to create an instant bestseller visit: http://www.impublished.com/.

Guiltless Editing - Really!

Guiltless Editing

1. For every manuscript create a separate "TIDBIT" file.

2. While writing or editing, instead of deleting text, simply move what needs to go to your TIDBIT file for later use.

It's a useful mind trick.
When you aren't afraid to "lose" anything, you can dump the junk.
This gets you closer to your final draft and a publication date!

If You're a First-Time Author - Don't Do This!

The 3 Most Common Mistakes
First-Time Authors Make without Even Realizing It

www.ImPublished.com

1. Not Connecting With a Large Audience

Although there is something inherently romantic about obscurity, there must be an element in your book that connects with at least half of humanity for it to be successful. I’m not kidding. Take The Da Vinci Code, for example. This book was about an incredibly obscure sect within the Roman Catholic Church. Yet, the Da Vinci Code has sold over 60 million copies.

Its success wasn’t due to its award winning writing. This book became wildly popular because it hit a universal nerve. Its story appealed to every person on the face of the earth who has ever questioned religious doctrine. Although hitting this universal nerve made it commercial fiction, the book was just as compelling as it was thought provoking.

Dan Brown would have made a huge mistake when looking for an agent if he positioned his book to appeal only to the group about whom he was actually writing about. Which is to say that the potential audience of your book is wider than just your subject. When you unearth your book’s universal elements… especially those that hit an universal nerve, you’ve got a potential bestseller.

If in doubt, think of it this way. The larger your audience, the larger your book advance. Even if your book is about something obscure, you must position its appeal as universal in your submission.



2. An Expectation That the Publishing Industry Owe Us Something

Literary agents and publishers ask a lot of us. They want us to do the work up front without even the promise of a penny. They expect an idea that is fully cooked, in a book that is already written, edited and ready to roll. On top of that, they want a well thought out typo-free book proposal and/or query letter. These days, it may feel like you have to attach a Hollywood star to your book to get signed by an agent. (Which, by the way, isn’t a half bad idea.)

Well, that’s just what I call “The Deal,” even if it seems like a raw one. Agents expect your best work up front and on spec because it’s the only way they can judge the quality of your work.

Say you’re developing some prime real estate property. Would you hire a contractor to build your house just because he had some great ideas? I hope not. Most likely, you’d want to see an example of his finished work before you signed a contract. Perhaps, you also want a list of references.

The same goes for literary agents and writers. An agent or publishers needs to see your finished product before they sign you. Simply to see what you can build. Once you have a successful track record, the rules change. Then if you play your cards right, you won’t write on spec anymore.



3. Hiding Your Book’s Bestelling Concept

Many writers have the goods but they hide their own mega blockbuster idea. They inadvertently down play it down under too much confusing background information. Or they don’t express it in a succinct to the point engaging way.

When a proposal is foggy, it’s hard for an agent to see what is in front of him. Although literary agents and editors may enjoy collecting old books, they aren’t archeologists. They don’t excavate your query letter or book proposal looking for treasure. If your bestselling concept doesn’t pop out and bite them on the nose, the fate of your submission is doomed to join the Slush Pile.

It’s safe to assume that literary agents and editors have very poor vision. In fact, their vision is so bad that it’s your job to make them see the value of your work. You can’t count on an agent to just know that your book is a bestseller without at least a little illumination.

Humility may be a virtue but not when you’re selling your book. Don’t be humble about your saleable concept that connects with half of humanity. Don’t explain when you can entertain. Instead, take what I call the Newly Engaged approach. Turn the spotlight on your diamond. Only then can you expect a crowd of admirers.


*** The above was an excerpt from Donna Sozio's eCourse The Secret Rules of Publishing: What Every First-Time Author Needs to Know. All Rights Reserved.*** www.DonnaSozio.com/Publisher