Publication - more Book Information

30 November 2011, Publication - more Book Information

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Author Central also allows you to enter more information on your novels.  I give an example from my novel Centurion, www.CenturionNovel.com.  You can add:

A Review
I have a couple of reviews up.
A Product Description
Hauntingly compelling, Centurion gives life to Abenadar, the man who was entrusted with the controversial and potentially explosive crucifixion of Christ. A longing heart. An unlikely friendship. Love...and the bitterest of betrayals. The son of a Galilean concubine-a Jewess-and a Roman ambassador, Abenadar suffered disapproving stares in the village of Natzeret, but so did the boy Yeshua, son of Yosef and Miryam. Perhaps it wasn't unusual the two became fast friends. As Abenadar rises through the ranks of the Roman Legion to assume the rank of Centurion, he finds love with Ruth, a woman he rescues from the streets of Jerusalem. She believes the prophet Jesus is the One-the Messiah-everyone has been waiting for. Abenadar is dubious. He's seen too many messiahs.and they all died on Roman crosses. But what if Jesus is telling the truth? As advisor to Procurator Pontius Pilate and a Roman, Abenadar has a duty to uphold...but it may cause him to lose everything.

From the Author
I was always intrigued by the statement of the centurion at the foot of the cross: "Surely this man was the son of God." Perhaps my interest was because I served in the military and felt that my life was something like that centurion's. In any case, I always wanted to know more about this military man and his statement. When I read Wallace's book, Ben Hur and Douglas's The Robe, I was left with more questions than answers. I wanted to delve deeply into the centurion's life and know exactly who he was.

I began research into the centurion in the 1990s. Already, I knew his name. In Christian legend, it is Abenadar. He was said to be a man of mixed Roman blood. In early 1995, I wrote a short story about Abenadar. The main character was the woman who lived with him and the setting was their house following the crucifixion. Already I had begun to flesh out Abenadar. I made him a man of mixed lineage: Roman and Jew--otherwise Pilate would not have given the job of the crucifixion to him. He had to speak the languages of the people--again, otherwise Pilate wouldn't have trusted him with the job. The woman who lived with him had to have been a woman of the streets--no other woman, other than a slave, would be able to associate with a Roman of mixed blood. He had to be competent. He had to be divided somewhat in his mind, but not his loyalties. The picture of Abenadar began to build. The picture of the woman he lived with began to come into focus. In the short story, I made both of them rougher than they ended up eventually, but that story was where the novel began.

I started writing the novel, Centurion, while I was flying in Europe in 1995. The first few chapters flowed. When you write a book about the life of a man, you need to start with his beginning, and the beginning of the centurion's life was fundamental to his character. To be a member of a Roman Legion, he had to have a Roman father. To know the languages of the people, he needed to have a Jewish mother. Since the Romans, at the time, were attached to Herod the Great's court in Jerusalem and there was a connection with Tiberius in Galilee, it was easy to build the character of both the centurion's mother and father. She became a local bride to the Roman ambassador. Her home town was one of the largest in Galilee, Nazareth. From that, it wasn't difficult to construct a possible interaction between Mary, the mother of Jesus and the mother of Abenadar.

The next step was the most difficult for me. I had to build the entire life of Abenadar. I chose to begin with his great step into the Legion. That was the real beginning of Abenadar as a military man. Years of research was poured lovingly into this portion of the book. It was a necessary and fulfilling step to build up the man who was to become the centurion at the foot of the cross. In the novel, the history about the Legions and about training, promotions, leadership, and structure is exact and exciting. At the same time, I laid the foundation for his loss of faith and his return to faith. He was, after all, a Jewish man in the Roman Legion.

Abenadar moved up the ranks to finally reach the position from which he would be called to play his greatest role in history. He wasn't a man divided. He wasn't incompetent. He wasn't weak or foolish. He was one of Pilate's favorites and yet a man of mixed lineage. I had not given up on his wife, or rather the woman who lived with him. The why of her existence was coupled with his. It had to intertwine. She had to be Jewish too, but able to live with a Roman Centurion. She had to be a woman of the streets. I chose to make her a woman who desired nothing but a home and stability. She had not lost her innocence in spite of her forced harlotry. She became a much less rough character than I first envisioned. She became the Centurion's link to Jesus the prophet, the man he must eventually crucify.

So, in a nutshell, there is a part of the journey I made to write Centurion. It took a while and it was difficult, but when the manuscript was finished, it was whole and the men and women in it were whole. It let me understand just who was this man, Abenadar, the man who crucified Christ and who stated "This man was surely the son of God."

From the Inside Flap

From the Back Cover
He was the son of a Galilean concubine--a Jewess
and a Roman ambassador...

Step into the first-century life of Abenadar, who grew up among the people of Natzeret. He and the boy Yeshua, son of Yosef and Miryam, live in different realms, but both feel out of place. Perhaps that's why they defended each other ...and later became friends.

Follow Abenadar's rise through the ranks and units of the Roman Legion in Palestine until he becomes one of the lead Centurions in Jerusalem. When he accidentally rescues Ruth, a prostitute, and redeems her for himself, he becomes connected to the rumored prophet, Jesus. Ruth believes Jesus is the Messiah they've been waiting for. Abenadar is dubious. Yet, as part of the Roman Legion, he must follow the orders of Pilate--to crucify the prophet. If he does, will he lose Ruth's love?
And what if Jesus is telling the truth?

About the Author
The about the author is the same as my usual bio, so I won't bore you with that.

These show up on the product page for your book.  Fill these in and make sure you get the word out about your book.

I'll give you more about Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Reviews

29 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Reviews

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Author Central also has a tab for Customer Reviews.  You can see all the reviews that people have posed on your books.  You can also see the reviews at your books sites on Amazon, but this puts all of the reviews conveniently in one place. 

It's a good idea to seek reviews for your books and to check on the reviews.  Don't get too hung up on reviews good or bad.  The fact that a reader took the time to review your novel is a good sign.  The details that those readers note in your books are also great information.  Seek reviews by asking your readers to write them for you.  There are other places to get reviews, but I'll save that for a later post.

I'll give you more about Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Sales

28 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Sales

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Author Central will also give you information on your book sales.  This is its own tab.  I'm certain that over time, this section information will improve and increase.  Generally, you can see where your books are selling and how well they are selling.  I'm not sure how this information can help you develop your sales, but it does give you feedback on the sales themselves.  In other words, it is metrics for how well your advertisements and promotional work are doing.

I'll give you more about Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, others' Rights

27 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, others' Rights

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

I wrote yesterday about protecting your rights.  Let's move over to protecting the rights of other artists.  Just as you have a copyright and the rights to the works you create--other writers and artists also own the rights to their works.  As artists, our job is to not infringing on their rights.  The point here is that every artist has the right to control and make a profit on their own works.  We all need to do everything in our power to protect those rights. 

Therefore, unless you ask permission or have purchased the rights from an author, painter, photographer, etc., don't use their works on your websites, in your books, or anywhere else.  You may take quotes from others books without permission.  There is a legal limitation as to how much you can quote.  Teachers can print up to a chapter from a book for their students.  These are just some of the copyright laws I remember off the top of my head.

In every case, you must give attribution to the author and the work.  In other words, don't just copy some one's writing without footnoting their name and the work that the quote came from.  You can footnote in the text for a novel.  If you don't footnote, you can be accused of plagiarism.

I just thought this was the right time to bring up this topic.  I'll give you more about Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Rights

26 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Rights

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Let's discuss rights in general.  By producing a work of art (novel) you have an implicit claim to it under law.  You don't need a copyright to make this claim.  You do need to keep proof of the fact that you developed and produced the work.  I save my notes for writing my novels.  In the past, I kept everything on paper.  Now, I keep it in the computer.  To make my claims clearer, I keep track of the dates when I start a work.  When I print out a copy (I save the paper).  I make pdfs of my completed documents.

I make all of these so I have an explicit claim on my writing.  In general, there is little you can do to prove someone lifted your ideas, but there is a lot you can do to protect your competed works or parts of them. 

In my own experience, I was shopping Aegypt around to many publishers in the early 1990s.  Isn't it funny that not many years latter, a movie called the Mummy came out that has a close plot to my novel--and the main character is a French Legionnaire.  I'm not sure if my ideas were borrowed--it really doesn't matter.  My novel is published and it's a much better plot and theme than the Mummy.  As I wrote, you can't protect your ideas, but you can protect your work.

I'll give you more about this topic and then Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Photo Rights

25 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Photo Rights

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Let's talk about photo rights.  Just because the photo is of you, and just because you paid for it, doesn't mean you own the rights to it.  If you don't own the rights to a photo, you have no right to publish it anywhere.  You don't have the right to give it to your publisher, post it on a website, etc. etc.

If you want to be able to use the photo in any way you wish, you need to own the rights to the photos.  This is what I do.  When I contract with a photographer, I also contract for the rights to the photos.  I tell the photographer that I will post his/her name with the photo and give them the full attribution, but that I want the rights.  Usually a professional photographer will work out a deal with you.  They will usually sell you the digital photos and the rights for a set fee, including the sitting.  Once you have this worked out, you don't have to worry about the use of the photos--just make sure you give an attribution.

I'll give you more on Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Photos

24 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Photos

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Your photo is very important.  Almost every site you need to put data on--including your own websites need a photograph of you.  This means you need a great photograph to put up at Author Central, your own websites, wherever you happen to put up information (like your blogs), and for your publisher. 

Your publisher will ask right away for a photo to put in your book, for press releases, to place on their website, etc.  This means you need a really great professionally taken picture.  Self portraits or the ones taken by your brother-in-law (unless he is a professional photographer) won't do. 

You don't want a whimsical shot (unless you are a comedy writer).  One of my good author friends, is indeed a writer of comedy novels.  He pasted a fake mustache on his picture and that was great--for the rest of us, a clearly professionally taken photo (sans mustache) is necessary.

If you don't have one already, get on a professional photographer's schedule and have one taken.

There is much more you need to know about photos.  I'll get to that tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Profile

23 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Profile

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

The Profile tab in Author Central allows you to manage: your biography, blogs, events, photos, videos, and twitter.

Go into Author Central and input a biography--you already have the information, that is, if you have been following along and produced the marketing information I suggested. 

Link the RSS feeds from your blogs to Author Central.  If you don't know what an RSS feed is, then make a help search for RSS feed on your blog site.  It will tell you the URL of the RSS feed.

When you have author events list them on Author Central--there is a place just for that under the profile tab.

Put up your publicity photo.  If you don't have a publicity photo, shame on you--get one.

If you have videos or trailers, you can upload them here too.

Put in your twitter information--the system will automatically take the twitter feed based on the account information you input.  If you don't have a twitter account, you need one.

There are many more things you can do at Author Central.  I'll write more about that and about photos tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Book Sales

22 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Book Sales
Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Amazon's Author Central allows you to check on your book sales--among other things.  You need to identify your books through their system.  Once you identify your books and the system acknowledges you, you can see the sales, see reviews, check information, add information, and etc.

You will want to explore all the features of Author Central.

There are many more things you can do at Author Central.  I'll write more about that tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, More

21 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, More

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Amazon's Author Central isn't the only place or the only book seller where you can update and expand information about your books--it's just the most common and the biggest.  I'll write about other opportunities later.

Author Central is definitely the place to expand the information on your novels.  Does it help sales?  I don't know, but it can't hurt.  At Author Central, you can make RSS feeds from your blog to feed your Author Central blog.  You can make and update your author page.  You can update more detailed information on your book.  There is a lot you can do at Author Central.  If you haven't explored it and you have a published novel, you need to check it out.  Make and update all the information you can, and visit every now and then to check out new features and information.

I'll write more about Author Central information features tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Inside the Book

20 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Inside the Book

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

One of the main features on Amazon (and some other sellers) is "inside the book."  This is the feature that allows prospective buyers to look through the first chapter or so of your book.  Most don't realize that you must actually produce these for the seller.  Your publisher usually doesn't have the time to produce this feature. 

First, you have to establish that you are the author.  You need to sign up through Amazon's Author Central.  In the process, your publisher acknowledges you are who you are.  This allows you to update information about your books and track sales etc.  This also allows you to produce an "inside the book" for your books.  The "inside the book" feature, like other products for sellers, must follow the specific requirements from the seller.  You need to ask the seller for the details. 

Basically, you need to put together a pdf of the novel with a cover at the front.  The Amazon people will correctly format and cut the information properly for the "inside the book" feature.  That's pretty much all there is to it.  It really is more difficult that I describe it, but that's in the details.

I'll write more about Author Central features tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Seller Connections

19 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Connections with book sellers is a critical element in marketing your novel after publication.  Your publisher keeps the main connections, but they can't do everything.  In today's world, the major connections with book sellers is through the Internet.  Your publisher will have to manage the large connections with wood and brick stores (except for local merchants).  You will find that once connections have been made by your publisher to any seller, you will have to maintain and nurture those connections. 

The major Internet book seller is Amazon.  Your publisher will make the initial connections with them.  They will provide basic information, teasers, copy, and a cover shot.  Your novel will appear magically on Amazon with the proper information slowly trickling in.  The cover usually takes a while to appear.  When everything is set, now your job begins.

I'll write about "inside the book" tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Author Connections

18 November 2011, Publication - Author Connections

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Your publisher will have a list of opportunities for you to chase.  You need to start chasing them, and you need to connect with other authors to pick their brains on techniques and approaches that work for them.  Your publisher will usually have a forum of some kind for authors to connect.  You need to connect.  There are many other opportunities to connect with fellow authors as well as readers through websites and book forums.

One of the first and most important items on your list of things to do is to go to each of the major book sellers and populate the information you can on your book.

I'll write about that tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - more Trailers

17 November 2011, Publication - more Trailers

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

I wrote in detail about how to make a book trailer yesterday.  Today, I'll give you some ideas about what to put in your script.  Here is the script I used for Aegypt.  I should put one together for Aksinya.  Perhaps I will and share it with you later. 

This script gives the basic information about the novel plus a little on why it is a special book.

In the Tomb of Darkness and Light

Research:

I study an era by reading every primary source document I can find from the time period.  Then I begin researching strong scholarly works on the subject.  I studied about a year before I began to write Aegypt. 

The Question: 

When the world was young, people believed in all kinds of gods and goddesses.  In the novel Aegypt, I ask the question what would happen if modern people came face to face with a real goddess.

The Characters: 

The characters grew out of this question.  You have the pragmatist, Paul Bolang.  He is a military man, a no nonsense leader.  He believes what he sees and knows it for what it is.  You have the archeologists Mr. Audrey, Monsieur. Perrain, and Mr. Williams.  Audrey is a modern scientist, he doesn’t believe in anything he can’t understand.  Perrain is a secular politician.  He follows to the letter the current agreement of general human thought.  And Williams is driven by the work.  If it isn’t a normal part of his work it can’t be real.

The Theme: 

So these are the men who open an ancient Egyptian tomb and find a mystery over 4000 years old—the goddess of light and her sister, the goddess of darkness.  Paul Bolang believes.  He finds the goddess of light who was released from the first tomb when it was opened.  She is gentle and beautiful, but also powerful.  Now he must stop the archeologists who want to open the second tomb—the tomb of the goddess of darkness.  The goddess of darkness is malevolent.  She is driven by a desire for power and to control the lives of others.  

Teaser:

Aegypt opens up the ancient world for your observation.  Will you be a realist like Paul Bolang or will the Goddess of Darkness catch you unawares. 

You can see this in the secrets page for Aegypt at http://www.aegyptnovel.com/.
I'll give you more details on marketing tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Trailers

16 November 2011, Publication - Trailers

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

With the publication of your novel, you have become a marketeer (even if you didn't want to be).  I'd rather write--I really don't have the time to market my books, but this is a responsibility that comes with the territory.  You need to be ready to toot your horn and sell your books.  That's just the way it is.

Your publisher will send a list of recommended and required actions.  One of them is likely a video trailer for your novel.  I have two video trailers out there--they aren't that great.  I made them myself.  I really need to make trailers for my other three science fiction works.  Trailers are kind of painful to make.  Let me tell you how. 

You could hire someone to make them for you--that costs money and usually results in a quality product.  You can do almost the same yourself.  Here's how.
1.  Buy or borrow an inexpensive modern digital camera--they almost all have a video recording capability.
2.  Write a script that lasts 2.5 to 3 minutes that talks about why you wrote your novel, it's plot and theme, and what makes it unique.  You might get a little into the characters.  You want to present it as a short introduction to your work.  Put the script on a PowerPoint presentation you can control with a mouse on a computer or laptop.
3.  Put on some nice clothing (that matches the feel of your novel) and select a good background (that does the same).  For Aegypt I wore a white coat and chose an unfinished part of my basement.  I also used a lighted lantern.
4.  Put the camera on a tripod and the computer/laptop in front of the tripod where you can see it at near eye height.
5.  Practice a couple of times reading your script from the laptop/computer.  Try to act excited etc.
6.  Turn on the computer and record yourself giving the script about your novel.
7.  Now you can make it as professional as you wish through editing.  Microsoft as well as many other companies have video editors.  Use these to put in music, pictures of your novel, graphics, titles, pictures, etc. to make your presentation more exciting.  Keep it to 2.5 to 3 minutes long.
8.  Upload it to You Tube or another Internet video site and email it to your publisher.

That's all there is to making a trailer for your book.  You can get as fancy as you wish.  You can see my trailers at http://www.oaktara.com/.  Go to the author tab and select "A" then "LD Alford."

I'll give you more details on marketing tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - more Marketeer

15 November 2011, Publication - more Marketeer

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

With the publication of your book, you turn from a writer to a marketeer.  If you have followed my example, you can handle this smoothly because you have all the basic marketing materials ready to go.  You publisher will have other ideas for you.  One of them will likely be the recommendation to start a blog :-D.  Did you notice, I have a blog.  Isn't it a great thing that I like to write?

This is the reason I gave you one of my books (with commentary).  I am genuinely interesting in helping you become a better writer (and helping me become a better writer).  I am also trying to show you how skilled my fiction is and how the process of publishing and writing works (at least from my experience).

I'd do it anyway, but blogging is one of my publisher's recommendations.  For grins, I'll let you know a little about my life.  I work full time as a test pilot and engineer.  I am keeping up three daily blogs, an event driven blog, and a special article area at http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/.  I am writing another novel (number 22) and editing others as time allows.  I'm a busy person.

I'll give you more details on marketing tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Marketeer

14 November 2011, Publication - Marketeer

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

When your book goes to print (either electronic or physical) you turn from an author to a marketer--okay not totally, but this is exactly what happens.  I already wrote about this, but after you write a sellable novel, you become move into the world of marketing.  You market to publishers.  That's the point of all those marketing materials I walked you through before.  Now, you begin marketing to readers.

Your publisher likely has a program already setup to help you with this marketing.  Although your publisher has taken the risk by publishing your work, they only bear part of the responsibility for marketing.  You have to follow their directions and instructions--this may or may not be in your contract.  You need to make it part of your own writing experience. 

Do you remember all those marketing materials I showed you?  You convert them from marketing to publishers to marketing to readers.

I'll give you more details tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Printing and Waiting

13 November 2011, Publication - Printing and Waiting

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

When your publisher tells you the novel has gone to print, now is the time to wait and for the magic to happen.  It really does take a while.  If the book is electronically published, the first indication will be that it will show up on amazon one day.  Amazon isn't necessarily the first place your novel will show up, so check the other big sellers.  Usually, the novel will appear without a cover.  Sometimes it takes a while for the writeup on the novel to show.  I'm not sure why this takes time, but it does.  Slowly, everything gets populated. 

The moment your book appears, it is time to get to work.  First, you need to go to the "author central" for each large book seller and begin to populate the information about your novel.  You need to repost your blogs on the "author central" sites.  You need to make connections through online book groups and market your novel.

There are many other steps you can do.  I'll get to that tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript Final Round

12 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript Final Round

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Eventually, you will get to the final round.  The number of rounds you go through depends on a lot of things.  First, how clean your manuscript is in the first place.  Second, on how well you answer your publishers questions and correct the issues they find in the manuscript.  Third, when you are ready to say the manuscript is ready for final print.  This is really a joint decision.  You basically tell your publisher that you are satisfied with the document and your publisher concedes that they are also satisfied with the document.  That means you are both ready to publish the novel.  You are now in the final round.

As long as you keep sending edits, your publisher will respond with a formatted document.  The final complete document is the one that will go to publishing.  Go to publishing means basically three things today.  For a standard publisher, it means the time to make a print run.  To a publish on demand (POD) publisher, it means the final setup and check out of the novel.  To an electronic publisher, it means to convert and make the novel available electronically.

My publisher is POD and electronic.  Your publisher will tell you when your work goes to the printer.  The next bit of excitement is about to begin.
 
Tomorrow, after the final round.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript Next Round

11 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript Next Round

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

When you send your comments to your publisher on the manuscript, after about a week or two, your publisher will send you a new formatted manuscript.  That manuscript may or may not include embedded questions (it likely will).  My publisher and I went round and round on a question in The Fox's Honor about money a character had in their pocket as opposed to money in credit.  This was a small issue the editor caught, but that took a little while to clarify.  These are exactly the kinds of issues your publisher should catch.  They are small, but their resolution improves your novel.  It keeps the question of reality in the work. 

The main kinds of things that must get caught in editing is these different readings and inconsistencies.  You have likely read something before or written something and had a reader give a completely incorrect understanding of what you wrote.  This happens all the time.  These are hard to catch, but a good editor or prepublication reader will catch them.  You rarely will--everything we write fits in our preconceived notions. 

So, your publisher will send a new formatted manuscript.  You need to look through it and edit it again.  I don't send it to my prepublication readers.  I definitely do a reading out loud of the document.  I answer the questions and fix the problems I find.
 
Tomorrow, after the second round.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript even more in depth editing

10 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript even more in depth editing

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Prepublication readers will save you.  If you don't already, you need to get some prepublication readers.  It is best to recruit people who are not enamoured with your writing.  You don't need an echo chamber.  For real editing, you need people who will tell you the truth and not blow smoke.  People like that are difficult to find.  You need to bribe them with copy--that is promise them a copy of your book and mention them in thanks in the book.  I already went over where to put those kinds of acknowledgements.

The moment you get your manuscript from you publisher, email it to your prepublication readers and give them about two weeks to get back with their comments.  You need to tell them the best way to give their comments to you.

Once you get your prepublication readers' comments back, address every single one of them.  Don't ever ignore any comment from a prepublication reader.  Even if you don't agree with a comment, you must address it.  What I mean is this.  If one of your readers indicates that they don't understand something, rewrite the scene, sentence, or paragraph to make it more understandable.  If a reader indicates that they don't agree with the action of a character--make the reasons clearer.  Show don't tell.  For example, on The Fox's Honor one of my readers said she didn't buy the Lady Tamar falling in love with Devon Rathenberg as quickly as she did.  I rewrote the novel to make her interest in Devon Rathenberg happen a little more slowly.  This was a wonderful comment and didn't require a huge rewrite. 

There is another important point about prepublication readers.  Prior to having your works accepted by a publisher, these kinds of readers will help grow your writing.  As I've written before, your prepublication readers can show you what to improve--as long as you listen to them.
 
Tomorrow, after the first round.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript more in depth editing

9 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript more in depth editing

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

You have the formatted manuscript in hand from your publisher and now you are going to make the in-depth editing as the final step to publication.

The first point is you know you have a good if not great novel.  You know this because someone is actually willing to take a risk on the publication of your novel.  If it wasn't good, no one would have taken a chance on publishing it.  Good, that's out of the way.

Second, it needs work.  Your publisher wouldn't send it back to you (except for a final check) if there weren't editorial questions.

Third, all novels can be improved.  There isn't a novel around that could not use a better turn of phrase, better description, clearer writing, etc.  You can't fix every problem in you novel, and after the novel is released in print, you will no longer have an opportunity to tweek it.

Fourth, there is every reason to keep changes to a minimum.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  On the other hand, you want it to be the best you can.  If you are making the writing less wordy, less long, and less confusing, then you are allowed to make all the changes you wish.  If you are adding clarity without revealing too much--go ahead.  If it sounds better, then make the change.  Just keep the changes to a minimum.

In editing A Season of Honor, I was on a roll from The End of Honor and The Fox's Honor.  The novels are a series that are stand alone works, but editing one after the other allowed me to tune the connections between the novels.  My publisher is very good about edits, so there wasn't any problems, but I did have a few changes.  I tried to keep them to a minimum. 

Your prepublication readers are a chief source of help for editing.
 
Tomorrow, more editing in depth.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript in depth editing

8 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript in depth editing

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

I'll just make a slight sideline today because I think this is important.  When I read about new novels especially new indie novels, I like to take a look at them--just to see, professional courtesy, if you like.  I'm no longer an indie author, but I want to encourage the indie marketplace--such is the place authors grow.

The author described their book as a bargain at 360,000 words.  I was intrigued because 360,000 words is enough words for 3 normal novels.  My first thought was, they would have to be a great writer to keep a novel going for that many words.  So, I jumped to the Amazon site to see if there was an example of the writing.  I'll be as kind as possible--such a novel would not hold anyone's interest for 100,000 words much less 360,000 words.  It is 310,000 words too long. 

There is a strong reason this novel is not going to ever attract a regular publisher.  The novel begins with a long pedantic prologue.  It tells you everything that went on in history from the 20th century until the beginning of the novel--boring.  Dump the prologue.  If you are going to have any prologue--short sweet, to the point, witty, and breezy.  Otherwise, no prologue.

Second, the beginning had no action.  It was a long description of a place and a person with some conversation thrown in.  For goodness sakes, if I'm going to invest hours to read a 360,000 word novel, it better move quickly and be full of action and excitement.  Whose going to put in the effort, even if the novel is free, to read 360,000 unexciting words.

I didn't read any further--I checked my check and now made my point.  The good thing is that this kind of writing will not attract any publisher.  The bad thing is that this author, by producing this work has no idea why their novel is unsellable.  You won't be at this stage when editing your about to be published novel.  I just wanted to point out, while it was fresh on my mind, why some novels are unsellable.  It all goes back to what I wrote before.
 
Tomorrow, more editing in depth.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript editing

7 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript editing

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

When you are editing the final manuscript from your publisher, your editing at this level needs to be focused on the plot, theme, and story.  When doesn't it?  The grammar, spelling, and structure in English should be very good.  Your point is readability.  That's why I read it out loud.  If something sounds strange or the reading isn't smooth, you need to correct it.  You can make this kind of edit at any time, but this is the key time to make certain of this characteristic of readability of your novel.

I've read many novels and manuscripts that are not very readable.  You can tell right at the beginning.  Remember how I harped on the quality of the beginning.  It is really too late to fix that (the fact a publisher will take a risk on your novel ensures to a degree you have discovered this truth).  It is not too late to make certain the words you use drag in your readers and that the words don't kick your readers out of their suspension of reality.  There are other ways to say this.  I'll try to be clear.  When you read a novel, you expect to be immersed in the world of the novel.  As a reader and as a writer, you don't want anything to kick the reader out of this suspension of reality.  That's why readability is critical.  This is why all those irritating ways of writing (too many adverbs, to use of weak verbs, too many adjectives, present participle constructions, misuse of words, repetition of words)--all of these need to be taken care of and this is your last chance.

Note especially, that most readers today will have an opportunity to read the first chapter of your work before they purchase your novel.  The whole novel should be well constructed along these principles, but you must make the first chapter sing.  Your prepublication readers are one means to ensure the strength of your writing.
 
Tomorrow, more editing in depth.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - even more Manuscript

6 November 2011, Publication - even more Manuscript

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

The prepared manuscript is in front of you.  It looks beautiful, just like a published book.  Embedded in it are all kinds of questions and corrections.  Now, you have to edit it for publication.

The first thing I do (after looking through the manuscript to see generally the publisher's questions), is I fire it off to my prepublication readers.  I have about four readers I can trust.  I give them two weeks to get back to me with comments.  While my readers and going over the manuscript, I begin the first edit. 

On the first edit, I usually make a run through of the work to see exactly what the publisher wants to have fixed.  I don't worry about their edits.  On this run through, I'll make corrections that I note.  The second run through is more in depth.  I send it back to the publisher at this point. 

By the time my publisher gets back with the manuscript, my prepub readers have finished their reviews.  This is when I insert their corrections and I make an edit where I read the manuscript out loud.  This is my final run through.  When I am done.  I send these corrections to the publisher.

When I get the last (hopefully) manuscript, I make one last spelling check of the entire novel.  You cut the entire pdf into word or you can also try to open it in word (some versions might do it).  If I don't find any spelling errors or grammar errors, I give the publisher the go ahead to publish.
 
Tomorrow, editing in depth.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - more Manuscript

5 November 2011, Publication - more Manuscript

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

You get the prepared manuscript from your publisher.  It usually comes to you as a pdf.  Your publisher will usually not give you an editable file.  This is purposeful.  Once the manuscript is prepared in this fashion, your publisher wants to reduce the changes.  The way they reduce changes is by making those changes difficult for you.  By this time, the manuscript should be near publication ready--so you shouldn't need to make too many changes.  You need to have a method of communicating any changes to the manuscript with your publisher. 

I suggest that you use a word processor to cut and paste from the pdf.  Use bold to indicate changes and <> for notes and comments.  You can make extensive changes and comments this way.  You will definitely need to make notes and comments--your publisher will have many changes and questions for you in the manuscript.  Until you answer your publisher's questions your manuscript won't get published.
 
Tomorrow, more editing.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - Manuscript

4 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

If the cover is a sign your book is moving along in the publication process.  Receiving the manuscript of your book prepared for publication is where the rubber really hits the road.

Your publisher will take your manuscript, with all the information requested, and put it together into an electronic copy of the printed novel.  This file will usually be a pdf, and it will have questions and corrections in the text.  There is really no need to know or mess with editorial changes your publisher has made to your document in this form--that is unless you find something that is really wrong.  For example, if your publisher tries to fix one of your poorly written sentences and accidentally messes up a plot point, that is definitely a correction you need to recorrect.  Don't go back to your original language--fix the whole thing so it makes sense.

In general, your publisher will fix grammar, misspellings, overused words, etc.  They will leave in questions where they are not clear or where the plot doesn't make sense.  Your job is to edit the manuscript.
 
Tomorrow, editing.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.