Author of upcoming book Murder is Revealing

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Ramblings and Reflections

Draft2Digital to acquire Smashwords If you are involved in publishing, whether self or traditional, you have heard the announcement of Draft2Digital’s (D2D) acquisition of Smashwords. I was concerned how this would affect Murder Is Revealing’s May 2022 release. D2D and Smashwords held a joint conference—available on YouTube—discussing how the acquisition should affect authors. Smashwords has a long history of assisting self-published authors to present their manuscripts in a format similar to traditional publishing. Although newer, D2D entered the publishing field offering an accessible platform for burgeoning authors. I established accounts with both platforms months prior to this announcement. During the YouTube presentation, both D2D and Smashwords stated that many of the specifics affecting authors have yet to be worked out. However, if you are currently on both or either platform, they stated for now, things will continue as usual. Through the consolidation, D2D users will gain access to Smashwords’ book marketing tools, coupons and store merchandise. Smashwords users gain access to D2D’s Books2Read universal book links, automated end matter tools, print on demand paperbacks, and direct bank deposits. The unification of these platforms will provide self-published authors access to a larger market to sell their books. How author accounts from Smashwords will combine with D2D has not been decided, but they cautioned authors not to move their data. D2D will handle this once they complete the merger. You can sign up to receive email alerts through D2D and/or sign up for D2D’s YouTube channel notifications to stay informed. https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/draft2digital-has-acquired-smashwords/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX-TWtf8cy8
Assemble your Publishing Team Whether self-published or traditional, every author needs a team to achieve success. Recently, I listened to an ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) self-publishing podcast discussion on publishing teams. The speakers, Orna Ross and Dan Parsons, shared their experiences as authors and provided guidance for new and established authors. The moderators recommended all authors hire two professionals: a book cover designer and an editor. There are different types of editing: developmental, copy, or proofreading. Nothing disappoints a reader more than a book littered with grammatical errors. In addition, you don’t want to dissuade readers from opening your book because the book cover screams amateur. For my first novel, Murder Is Revealing, I employed a developmental editor, a copyeditor and proofreader to get the most eyes possible on my first foray into publishing. Although I used beta readers and critique groups, I did not want to rely solely on their input. The worst mistake an author can make is not employing any editor. Do not depend upon your spouse, mother or English classmate. Consider an editor a business investment. Cut costs somewhere else. You get what you pay for—or not if you settle for free services. I didn’t agree with everything my editors recommended, but their comments challenged me to reconsider my manuscript and gave a different perspective. Authors often want to hire a marketer or publicist. Review your budget. If you decide to employ a marketer, hire them well ahead of release day. I hired a marketer over nine months before I planned to publish Murder Is Revealing. Remember, marketing extends beyond the publishing date. In fact, marketing never ends and publishing evolves. Self-published authors become their own project managers. Start with a small team that grows as you gain confidence and experience. Do a self-assessment. What skills have you mastered that can help your writing career? Outsource difficult projects and focus on those aligned with your strengths. When hiring a professional, draft a contract, defining your expectations. Be flexible and not afraid to fail. Mistakes are part of the learning process. ALLi produced a guide to assist self-published authors in choosing the best services for their business. On their website, ALLi vets partner services to assist authors. Check the links below. I used Reedsy’s editorial services. The newsletter and website details the ALLi podcast schedule. Take a listen. https://selfpublishingadvice.org/publishing-team/https://selfpublishingadvice.org/books/choosing-the-best-services/
BISAC Codes Once the copyeditor returned my manuscript, I chose a self-publishing platform to distribute my book. During online registration, the form requested three BISAC codes for my book. BISAC codes? After a quick google search, I learned not only what the codes were but their importance for authors. The Book Industry Study Group, BISG, developed a system to categorize physical and digital products. Classification determines a book’s placement in stores and online databases. There is a BISAC Subject Headings 2020 edition (also called subject codes list) for purchase, but the information is also available online for free. Downloadable versions are accessible in Excel, PDF and Word formats. What BISAC code best suits your book? Choose the major heading most accurately describing your book. For example, my mystery novel, Murder Is Revealing, falls under fiction (FIC022000). The next sub-category is mystery & detective. Now comes the hard part. My novel qualifies for general, traditional, women and amateur sleuths sub-categories. Four separate BISAC codes. In addition, Murder Is Revealing fits under cozy. The cozy sub-category has several sub-sub-categories: cozy general, cats & dogs, crafts and culinary. From general to specific, BISAC codes allow for proper designation of your book to reach your desired audience. Tread carefully. The natural temptation is to use as many codes as possible to reach a larger market. Readers will expect your novel to meet the criteria the code specifies. I suggest not using a romance BISAC code simply because your novel has a romantic component. Romance novels carry certain expectations. Book reviewers will not hesitate to express their disappointment when the love interest is murdered, and most of the novel involves searching for a killer. Publishers allow a set number of BISAC codes per book, which again explains the importance of choosing an accurate code to represent your novel. Because I intend to have a long career as an author, I downloaded the BISAC codes onto an Excel spreadsheet. Since I am publishing widely, meaning I am using several platforms to self-publish my novel, each site has different requirements. Draft2Digital may have different requirements than Kobo. The BISG meets monthly and regularly updates the codes, so watch for any additions or deletions. In fact, you can suggest codes to the committee through their website. Check out the links below to increase your self-publishing education. https://bisg.org/page/BISACSubjectCodes
Audiobooks According to the Reedsy blog, in 2020, audiobooks surpassed eBooks, with sales exceeding $1 billion. Although audiobooks extend back to 1932 when they aided people with visual impairments, their popularity has increased. Once, audiobooks were entertainment for extended car rides or those intolerable congested traffic commutes. Now, however, audiobooks have gained momentum, and industry experts predict sales to increase. Today, audiobooks are an important medium for traditional and self-published authors. In the digital sphere, audiobooks have become less expensive to manufacture, distribute and acquire. Audiobook narrators are the new celebrities, with devoted readers following them to between book assignments. There are various mediums selling audiobooks. The two most popular are pay per download and subscription services. Amazon Prime offers an unlimited subscription service to members. In addition, Audible, Apple Books, Audiobooks.com, Scribd and Libby offer subscription programs. Self-published authors can provide audiobooks to readers. Audible provides a platform, ACX, that allows authors to access sound engineers and other audiobook professionals. Freelancers are also available. A full production and distribution team or freelance professional offer two separate avenues for audiobook production for the self-published author. ACX and Findaway Voices are two popular platforms. I chose Findaway Voices to produce the audiobook for Murder Is Revealing, my first mystery novel available in May 2022. The amount of royalties varies depending upon the option chosen. If upfront costs are prohibitive, authors can enter a royalty sharing agreement. Currently, the market is not as saturated with audiobooks as with eBooks. This provides an ideal opportunity for a self-published author to gain momentum and attention from the reading community. I recommend the articles below from Reedsy blog for further information. Audiobooks: Your Guide to the Fastest Growing Format https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/audiobooks/ How to Make a Great Audiobook as an Indie Author both published in August 2021 https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/audiobooks/
To ISBN or not, the first major step in publishing I hired a developmental editor and a designer for the book cover, but deciding whether to purchase my own ISBN felt more substantial, carrying important implications. Books are tracked through ISBNs, and how to obtain them requires reviewing the advantages and disadvantages. In countries like Canada and France, ISBNs free. Bowker, a private company, is the ISBN source for US distribution. An author can acquire an ISBN from a distributor. Ingram Sparks and Draft2Digital are distributors that provide free ISBNs to their users. When you accept a distributor’s ISBN, they become the publisher of record. If an author purchases their own ISBN, they are the publisher. In fact, Ingram Sparks offers a discount to authors purchasing ISBNs through their website at a charge of $85 each. Amazon maintains their own book number system for eBooks called the Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN), only applicable to Amazon. From Bowker, one ISBN costs $125 and ten cost $295. Buy one, right? Well… An author needs a separate ISBN for each format of their book. The eBook, paperback and hardcover each require an individual ISBN. Done? Not yet. Should I buy barcodes? You recall the barcode on the back of the book you purchased at your local bookstore? The barcode is a graphical representation of a book’s ISBN and assists with selling books through major retailers. There are rules associated with ISBNs and barcodes. For instance, substantial changes to a book require a new ISBN. However, a change in the cover design would not necessitate a different ISBN. You can assign a price to your barcode. I recommend against it. You can set the price at $0.00. Prices attached to a barcode cannot be changed, and you will adjust the price of your manuscript over your writing career. ALLi published a book, 150 Self-Publishing Questions Answered, that addresses ISBN questions. Owning an ISBN also helps when working with bookstores and libraries. I weighed the options and purchased ten ISBNs. The barcodes cost $25 for five. My first novel, Murder is Revealing, requires three separate ISBNs and barcodes. The manuscript is still undergoing edits, and my head is throbbing, accommodating all the information I learned. I conquered the ISBN hurdle. What’s next? I’m afraid to ask, but will share those experiences as they occur.
Foundational characteristics of Indie Authors In the past three years, since I explored publishing my writing, many resources guided my path. When I committed to self-publishing, one resource that provided—and continues to provide—valuable information is ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. I am not an affiliate trying to make a sale. In fact, much of their information is available to non-members, though I encourage you to join. Recently I listened to a podcast that aired on January 22, 2021, titled Nine Characteristics of Successful Self-Publishing Mindset by Sacha Black and Orna Ross. While listening to the podcast, I reviewed the traits they discussed and measured them against my personality.
• Independence• Creativity• Vision• Entrepreneur• Optimism• Resilience• Resourceful• Generosity• Lifelong learner As they spoke, I scribbled ideas that would assist me in building a successful publishing business. A self-published author becomes the publisher of their novels. Creating an individual path for publishing my novels is the most stimulating benefit of the journey. Incorporating any idea imaginable, everything is your decision. Self-published authors must develop their publishing muscle, probably the scariest step for most authors. However, I enjoy learning new things. I have launched into publishing, thrilled by a challenge. Develop a roadmap and invest in yourself. For me, planning a vacation is more exciting than the actual trip. But investing in myself is still difficult, but important in growing a sustainable business. Disappointment is inevitable. I have experienced personal, business, and academic failures. Whether called grit or resilience, a writer must push forward despite setbacks. The indie community can answer questions and offer guidance when necessary. Reach out. People cannot help if you don’t ask. The community will return the support it receives. The final reason I chose self-publishing is to leave a legacy for my son, family, and community. In order to succeed, you have to be a net giver. Learn from mistakes and unpleasant experiences. Lifelong learning blossoms through adversity. This newsletter is my way of growing my tribe, and includes people in my critique group, family, work, clubs, who support my efforts. Who do you have? Build a community. Join ALLi, Authors Guild, a writing group. Go forward and publish. People cannot experience your work unless you release it into the world. https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/askalli-podcast/https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/about-the-alliance-of-independent-authors/
See one, Teach one Before I decided to pursue a second career as a professional author, I reflected upon my desire as a young child to become a physician. I had no role models. My exposure to medicine had been limited to vaccinations and obligatory school physicals. In medical school, I learned the aphorism, ‘see one, do one, teach one’. I observed my supervising physicians, duplicated their actions, and subsequently taught other medical professionals the same techniques. After receiving an invitation from author Kellye Garrett to join Crime Writers of Color, I chose to model her behavior and become an active participant in our writing community. When Sisters in Crime requested volunteers, I joined the Education Committee. Following a tutorial from Lisa Malice and Chris Goff, I hosted my first webinar. It did not go well, but my fellow Sisters in Crime members supported and encouraged me to continue. Through volunteering, I learned about the writing process, met interesting authors and made friends. Later this year I will circulate my own newsletter. In spring 2022, I will self-publish my first mystery novel. In the not too distant future, I will share my experiences with other aspiring authors. Only you can define success, but it cannot be obtained in isolation. I encourage you to find your community. By supporting them you benefit. Take advantage of any opportunity you have to volunteer. Through the examples of our predecessors we grow, gain mastery and flourish. On my journey, I utilize the resources of my community to make straight the precarious path I trod. Capitol Crimes encompasses people from a variety of backgrounds, educational levels and cultures. Reach out to your fellow readers, writers and authors. Move beyond fear and attain your publishing goals. There are different mediums available from traditional publishing, self-publishing or serial publishing on platforms like Substack and Patreon. No one can write your story. Add your voice to the kaleidoscope of published stories and enjoy the fellowship. Published in the July 2021 Capitol Crimes Newsletter.
This article appeared in KevinMD, a leading platform for physicians and other medical professionals to share insights and stories founded in 2004. I Know How to Write I can write. Four years at the University of California, similarly at medical school, and three in residency taught me how to master the skill. Divorced with limited education and fewer resources, my mom struggled to raise six kids. She told me the most important thing she ever did was teaching me to read. It became my passion. As a child, I spent afternoons immersed in Perry Mason, Sidney Sheldon, Jackie Collins, and Ellery Queen books—anything I could find. But I didn’t imagine becoming a professional author. Writers were hermits who lived in seclusion, leaving their fortresses of aloofness only to bring forth glorious pieces of literature. It was a fantasy. In school, I devoured history and math, struggling to understand how to support myself with the former and master the latter. Despite my meager finances, I recognized medicine was my destiny. Decades as a physician, however, choked the creativity inside my core. From HEDIS metrics to patient scores, that gifted imagination waned. According to Merriam-Webster, a writer is an author, and an author is one that originates or creates something. Twenty-five years later, fantasy morphed into reality. The internet became indispensable for my education. Resources like Authors Guild, Sisters in Crimes Guppy Chapter and Alliance of Independent Authors replaced the American Academy of Pediatrics and Medscape as invaluable sources of information for this new career. I volunteered to host webinars for writing groups and in return gained knowledge about the business. First step, decide if writing should be a profession or recreation. If I wanted this venture to replace my primary income, it would need a professional approach. As in medicine, I studied not anatomy, pharmacology or physiology but grammar checking software, literary agents, and publishing. Writing would become my second career. Medium, Mailchimp’s Tinyletter and Patreon are examples of platforms where authors can publish articles. However, I preferred the novel format, and after two years of planning in May 2022 my debut mystery, Murder is Revealing will premier. Though I intend to pursue traditional avenues in the future, right now self-publishing aligns with my ambitions. This dream required time to blossom, influenced by my medical experiences and providing my craft with a distinct voice. By incorporating your particular life journey into writing, the reader experiences a unique individual perspective. Determine your writing desires, conduct research, and bring your story to fruition. Whether a hobby or occupation, it can be a rewarding exercise providing insight and adventure, an outlet to release frustration or escape grim realities. Write, the possibilities are many.
In the Summer of 2018 In the summer of 2018, I left a lucrative job in clinical medicine. My departure had been a precipitous, unplanned escape from a toxic environment. Without the burden of a demanding job, I relaxed and reflected, writing more in six months than ever before in that time. Before the year ended, I completed a novel over 100K pages. My knowledge about publishing was minimal. A friend bought me a book on how to get published, directed primarily toward traditional publishing. One afternoon CapRadio aired an episode of Marketplace regarding social media, e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Afterward, I read posts on writing blogs and sites like Reedsy about social media for authors. After weighing the different sites, I set up an account with Twitter and reviewed posts from writers, agents and publishing companies. They agreed a social media presence was important for authors, and each platform had individual strengths. Though Twitter posts can be inflammatory, I find it easy to manage and less stalking than Facebook. Whatever social media site you choose, establish an online presence to connect with authors and readers. Resist the temptation to set up a presence on multiple sites. Consistency is important, and life is unpredictable. Do not commit to more than necessary. Set high but reasonable expectations. Stress inhibits creativity. Whether self-publishing, traditionally or serially on platforms like Patreon, deliver a consistent product to satisfy your audience. Writers coordinate with editors, book cover designers and marketers—to name a few. Weigh the added responsibility of social media, and remember to respect your brand. What you post on social media remains part of the internet stratosphere. Give a second thought to everything you post before hitting send. Published in Capitol Crimes August 2021 newsletter.