Everything Publishing Podcast
By Everything Publishing Podcast
Everything Publishing PodcastMay 02, 2024
Beta and Sensitivity Readers
Join Melanie and Kendall in this in-depth, hour-long conversation as we unravel the invaluable roles of beta readers and sensitivity readers in the book publishing process. Whether you're a seasoned author or just embarking on your writing journey, understanding when and how to engage with these critical resources can significantly impact the success of your manuscript. What We Cover: Beta Readers Uncovered: Discover the optimal time to bring in a beta reader to polish your manuscript. We delve into the debate of enlisting friends or family versus hiring a professional, offering insights to help you make the best choice for your work. Incorporating Feedback: Learn the art of integrating beta reader feedback into your manuscript effectively, transforming good stories into great ones. The Role of Sensitivity Readers: Gain clarity on what sensitivity readers do, why they're essential, and when to include them in your editing process to ensure your book resonates with readers and respects cultural and social nuances. Finding the Right Fit: Navigating the process of finding a sensitivity reader can be daunting. We share practical tips and resources to help you connect with the right person to enhance your manuscript's authenticity and inclusivity. Approaching Sensitivity Reading: Feel weird about hiring a sensitivity reader? We discuss how to embrace this step as a crucial part of your publishing journey, ensuring your book is accessible and respectful to all audiences.
Red Flags and Green Flags in Publishing Partners
Self-publishing is a complicated business. For new authors looking to get into the indie publishing world are often overwhelmed by all the things they don't know. In this video, Melanie and Kendall from Self-Publishing Services cover what you should expect in the publishing process. This is a flyby overview of the biggest steps of publishing. We cover the questions we get frequently about when to do it yourself and when to hire someone else. What part of self-publishing should really be done by yourself? What should you pay for? (Hint: you can DIY a lot of things. You probably shouldn’t DIY a cover and editing.) We focus on the pros and cons so you can decide where you want to invest your resources. How do you find the people to who can help you? We take a deeper dive into publishing partners. What are some red flags? (Anyone who guarantees bestseller status, anyone who refuses to provide references or examples, and anyone who puts on the high pressure sales.) How do you know you’re choosing the right editor? What should you ask an editor before you hire them? How do you find the right cover designer? How much should editors cost? How much should cover designers cost? What other services can you outsource as a self-published author? What should you expect from a marketing partner? How do rights and royalties work when you’re partnering with someone to publish a book? Should you ever give up your rights? (No, unless you're working with an actual traditional publisher. However, there may be some scenarios where a royalty share makes sense.) The bottom line is to take your time, do your research, and don't be afraid to ask questions of your potential publishing partners.
Our website: selfpublishingservices.com
Content is Content
The importance (and struggle) of categorizing your book
You’re a complex, multi-passionate writer! You don’t fit into a single category, and neither does your book. Yet, the way your book is categorized is crucial to it finding its way to the right readers. Mel and Danica from SPS will help you reframe the categorization of your book using tags, categories, genres, BISAC codes, keywords, and metadata.
“It doesn’t matter how good your story is,
it doesn’t matter how good your editing is,
it doesn’t matter how good your cover looks,
none of that is as important as your BISAC codes and your categories.”
Danica Winters
Procrastination
10 years into your writing project? If so, you're certainly not alone. In this episode, Mel, Danica, and Clare get real in a conversation about procrastination. They cover how procrastination has affected their writing and their lives, and they share some of their best strategies for moving past it.
Sometimes procrastination is the result of more than just tough circumstances. If you're having suicidal thoughts, please seek help. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Pitching in a Pandemic
If you're thinking of pitching your book to agents and editors, you're in luck. Publishers are more accessible through social media than ever before. Danica, Mel, and Clare talk about how to prepare yourself to pitch during the pandemic by putting yourself out there on social media, determining what your business plan is as an author, how and where to find out what sort of deals authors in your genre are getting, and more.
To get in touch with SPS, check out our free resources, or book a free consultation, visit us at selfpublishingservices.com
Multi-media Collaboration with Special Guest Musician Nick Morgan
Author Danica Winters had a big idea that turned into something beautiful: she reached out to a musician on instagram with the idea of creating a song based upon her short story. Like magic, Nick wrote a moving song that captures the feeling of the story. The collaboration is a golden marketing opportunity for both the author and the musician to reach each other's parallel but disconnected audiences, while at the same time just being a really fun and unconventional project. Listen and be inspired to think outside of the box!
You can find Nick Morgan online through his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelandstrings
The Summer Vibes Romance Anthology is available here: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/summer-vibes-romance-anthology-short-stories-by-new-york-times-and-usa-today-bestselling-authors
Publishing an Anthology
Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters discuss the ins and outs of publishing an anthology. Learn why it makes sense to self-publish your anthology, how it's a great way to connect and collaborate with other authors, and so much more.
Predatory Agents
After hearing a jaw-dropping story from an author about a highly questionable agent, Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters have a conversation about what an ideal agent-author relationship looks like, and what are some red flags you should look for when trying to avoid predatory agents.
Leveling the Publishing Playing Field
Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk about how self-publishing is creating a more inclusive publishing world, acknowledging how traditional publishing has disadvantaged many, and how self-publishing can help you make money and reach readers in ways that traditional publishing cannot.
Breaking: State of the Industry
Who are we, anyway?
Character Growth
Danica Winters, Melissa Tenley, and Clare Wood talk character growth: what makes a good character arc and what does not? If there's one thing everyone at SPS agrees on, it's that the best characters are flawed.
Book Cover Design
Clare Wood, Danica Winters, and Melissa Tenley get into conversation about things you should consider when you're ready to put a book cover on your hard work.
Pitching Your Book to Editors
Authors Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk about how you should (and how you shouldn't) pitch your idea to editors. Hint: They know from experience.
Self Care for Writers
Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters aren't afraid to get personal in this conversation about their struggles and successes with self care as writers.
Networking
Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters talk networking and conferences.
Making Authentic Connections at Conferences
Melanie Calahan and Danica Winters continue their conversation about networking at conferences.
What are your writing goals?