Do I need to be a 'professional' to finish a non-fiction book?

Discussion in 'Non-Fiction' started by The95Writer, Apr 10, 2014.

  1. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    I agree with this advice. Ask how the publisher is going to market and advertise your work. When will it be available in Barnes and Nobles? How long until it is in Hastings? If they don't get back to you...
     
  2. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    Now you know I am an not going to go into detail about any of that...:)
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    why not?... there's no good reason not to, y'know... unless there isn't any publisher and you haven't any book... ;)
     
    shadowwalker likes this.
  4. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    Haha, don't get too excited. There IS a book, and there IS a publisher.
     
  5. MLM

    MLM Banned for trolling

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2013
    Messages:
    548
    Likes Received:
    172
    Location:
    Kansas City
    Is it a vanity press?
     
  6. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    Nope. According to my direct contact, it is a newly set-up company.
     
  7. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    Messages:
    3,258
    Likes Received:
    847
    I hope you check out the credentials of the people running it before signing anything. A whole lot of folks who think they know publishing (because, ya know, they've self-published their own book) are setting up new publishing companies. And make sure you've got quick and clear recovery of rights if they go under.
     
  8. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    If a publisher agreed to publish your first time book without reading it, red flags should be going up.

    They are staking their brand new reputation on the quality of your work and the work of others. A reputation you don't *have* yet. Seems like a bit of a roll of the dice; doesn't it?

    Is the publisher a friend of yours? Did you contact them or did they contact you? How did they know you were writing?
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    i also sense some red flags there... what's the name of this new publishing venue?...

    i have to wonder why you won't mention it, or the subject of your book...
     
    JetBlackGT likes this.
  10. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    The manuscript has to be sent over before publishing obviously. I have known this individual for a while - originally through music, but this person works in many areas.
     
  11. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    And how well do they know the start up person?
    Are they buying their own printing presses to make books?
    Why did they offer to publish you?
    Have you met or spoken to the publisher?
    Are they an agent or a publisher?

    Keep in mind we are not trying to pee in your ear or on your parade :) We are concerned that someone said someone else will publish you in a way that publishers do NOT do things.

    It sounds highly sketchy :meh: If it works out? High fives for everyone! But this sounds kind of scammy so "Shields up Mr. Sulu. Phasers on standby. All ahead slow."

    "Direct contact" sounds just like "agent". In the entertainment world "into a lot of things" is another way of saying "unemployed". Is he an agent? A promoter? A musician? A scout? If he is *all* of those things... He is none of them. Pick a career and be amazing. Don't "dabble" or you'll be a poorly dressed, name-dropping chain smoker hoping to cling on to someone's fame... someday.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2014
  12. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    On Seinfeld.

    Jerry and Elaine had careers and were established.

    Kramer and George? Dabblers, right? Into a lot of things. Have their fingers in a lot of pies. Which one would you trust your amazing years of hard work with? Would you hand anything to either of those unemployed clowns?

    Be more than careful with this. If your book is half as amazing as you believe, publish it with a publishing company. :)
     
  13. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    Messages:
    3,258
    Likes Received:
    847
    The thing is, people get so caught up in getting published that they grab the first offer that comes along. Writing a book is one thing - but when you get to the publishing stage, you have to leave the book on the shelf and start thinking hard business. Due diligence - find out who these people are, what their experience is, how well known are they in the publishing world, what's their reputation - in other words, can they actually deliver the goods? Like any other start-up businesses, most new publishing companies fail. If you go this route, choose one that has the best chance of actually surviving.

    You've worked your butt off on your book. Don't throw it away. Do your homework before signing anything. And that goes for any publishing company you look at.
     
    JetBlackGT likes this.
  14. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    That is exactly what I am doing. And this contact is actually one of the individuals involved in setting up this new company. Otherwise, he would not have mentioned anything about publishing it.
     
  15. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    Messages:
    3,258
    Likes Received:
    847
    And his publishing credentials are... ?

    I'd really like to know what company this is. I mean, seriously, why not just tell us who it is instead of all this "mystery"?
     
  16. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    ditto that...
     
  17. JetBlackGT

    JetBlackGT Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    158
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    This publishing thing sounds like it isn't going anywhere.
     
  18. The95Writer

    The95Writer Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    10
    Touche...

    Haha
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice