Hello Everyone,
This is a guest post by Pandara Poikilos, the renowned author, speaking from here heart about publishing, publishing success and giving out a useful tip / two.
--x--
Let's Set the World
on Fire
What and who are the
true measures of Indie publishing success?
By Pandora Poikilos
Deep within each of us,
there is a burning desire to leave an immortal mark of ourselves for
future generations. Writers are no different. Most of us look forward
to the day when our books will outlive us and 1000 or 1 million, if
someone in 2055 is reading our books, then our work is done.
So, writing isn't all
about the money. But let's be honest, we all want to be paid writers.
We don't want to slog at one job when our heart and soul is set on
writing. But can it be as successful as some people say it is?
Newsflash - you're the only person who can answer that question.
First, how badly do
you want it?
As a teenager, I knew I
wanted to write, all my life. I got a scholarship for my degree,
worked part time all through university and then applied for the
journalism internship of a lifetime. But I got sidetracked. Life
stepped in. I was diagnosed with IIH (Intracrannial Hypertension).
Medical bills piled up, writing took a backseat. Then in 2010, I had
my VP shunt surgery. I felt alone, and caved in so I picked up a pen.
The words came and so did the books.
Bottomline -
don't wait for things to go your way so you can write. Write now, and
keep writing. One hour a day, 30 minutes a day. Something is better
than nothing. If you want something badly enough, you will find a
way. Yes, I've sold close 120,000 books but I've also worked as a
cashier, a typist, a proofreader and sold handmade jewellery at a
flea market among other things to get to where I am. Frequent
Traveller was finished with me dictating and Peas writing for me. He
was my eyes when I couldn’t see. If I can do it, so can you.
Success is the destination you reach when you know where you're
going. But it's your journey so guess who has the answer about your
success?
Build bridges, don't
burn them
A few weeks ago, fellow
author Paul Rega was doing a promo for his book, he asked if I could
help him send out some tweets. I did. Last week when Peas and I
launched our recipe book, he returned the favour. He is one of the
many authors I know who has helped me on my journey.
Bottomline -
Don't harass people into buying or reading your book. Don't expect
your book to sell because you purchased one advertising campaign. A
fruit tree doesn't grow and yield fruit overnight. Plan, work, tweak,
adjust, talk to other writers, connect, build relationships ... books
are forever. Learn what works for you. It'll take time and patience
but again how badly do you want this to work?
Stay away from
negativity
As readers or writers,
it is extremely easy to be negative about someone else's work. "This
is how it should be" and "that is how it shouldn't be"
Yes, for spelling, grammar and punctuation, there are only so many
acceptable variations but ideas ... these are the very essence that
signifies who a person is. In all my more than 30 years, I have slept
through every Star Wars movie I have ever seen. I cannot name ten
differences between Star Trek and Star Wars because it almost feels
the same to me. How I can hear the gasps of shock. But yes, neither
appealed to me. I had an elder brother who tried to educate me, and
many friends and at least one ex-boyfriend who failed miserably. It
just never sank in. Imagine me telling George Lucas or George
Roddenberry that their shows were the worst thing ever.
Bottomline -
Just because you don't like an idea, that doesn't make it the worst
book written. If you can't say something nice, then don't say
anything at all. Strangely enough, negativity has a way of coming
back to you one way or another. If you must point out flaws then be
constructive, not negative. On the other end, when you have received
a negative review, don't get your knickers in a twist. Some people
think it is essential to throw pebbles in your shoes. Ask yourself
three questions - Did you give it your all? Did you give it your
best? How could you have done it differently? Not all of us write to
be loved, sometimes a story needs to be and told it shall be.
But my publisher
said ...
As the process of
self-publishing becomes more accessible, numerous people are seen to
take advantage of this situation and not in a good way. Take for
example Publisher X. A few weeks ago this publisher swapped Author
A's book on Amazon. Publisher X used the same cover and author’s
name but changed the synopsis to erotic content. Overnight, reviewers
found themselves linked to a book they had never reviewed and
wouldn’t want to review. The author was bad-mouthed and all
promotional work for her book seemed to be flushed down the toilet.
Drama nobody needed. This was the same publisher that publicly shamed
one of his authors over the Thanksgiving holiday to the point she
filed a restraining order against him. There are also numerous
'independent' publishers who use this status to sidetrack royalty
issues and treat an author's book like it's the least important thing
in the world. Their excuses are endless - not enough funds, not
enough manpower, they know the industry better. But again, it’s
your book and it’s your story. How do you want it to be remembered?
Bottomline -
Yes, it isn't easy to do book cover design, editing, formatting and
marketing on your own. Most times, it is impossible. But publishers
aren't the only people who can help you. There are numerous
freelancers who are good at what they do. Do a bit of research. Join
some writing groups. Ask around. Yes, it'll take time and yes, it'll
cost you money. But put some cash aside, do it step by step. A little
hardship in the beginning saves you from a lot of unnecessary drama
later on.
Be creative
When I was a freelance
reporter, my interview request for one particular personality was
repeatedly rejected. I was distraught. A quote from him was crucial
to add credibility to the article. My editor wasn’t at all
sympathetic and only told me that there's more than one way to skin a
cat. So I kept trying, and he finally agreed to meet me at the
airport before a flight to South Africa. I had 30 minutes to ask
him at least 10 questions.
Bottomline -
things aren't going to fall from the sky and into your lap. Sales
will slow down. Things can and will go wrong. Be creative. There's
always one more road to take. Writing is a journey, no one said it'll
be an easy, straight road. Sales are low? Organise a book tour,
put together a twitter campaign, work on book store appearances, look
at sites like eReader News and Kindle Nation. Possibilities are
endless and there are people who can help you. So, again how badly do
you want this to work?
I wish you success and
perseverance. You and I separately are just one different book but
together and in the words of the band Fun, "Let's set the
world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun.
--x--
Hope all this rings bells. What do you feel about the same? Do let me know!!
with warm regards
Abhishek Boinapalli
sometimes even completely outline it
– and then I get into the story and the characters begin to drive
the car. I thought I was in control, but it was all a ruse.
Friends
and family are quick to point out all I’ve accomplished, but like a
character in my books – each of those moments did not grow out of
the previous – it was a twist or a turn that took me to a
completely different place. If one were to analyze that for a moment,
they would probably deduct that I was not in control for any of it.
Control allows us to believe we are viewing the options and making a
decision. Though sometimes, it’s the decisions we make that cause
the most agita. Actually doing it isn’t so hard, it’s convincing
ourselves that we’re making the best possible choice for that
particular moment in our lives.
