Read the fine print

 

 

It's all in the way you read it...

 

For some this will be an eye-rolling, do-we-really-have-to-listen read. This post is about--perception.

 

What is the perception vs. the reality of being a published author? 

 

I'm sure most of us have been bombarded with the 'what they think I do' pictures that well meaning family and friends send us when we let them know we're writers. On one hand, they're very funny. On the other, they're insulting, not recognizing the vast amount of research and work that goes into any good body of writing. Thanks to Hollywood and biographers of those considered great writers, the picture of a writer is not a very pretty one. Unfortunately, because of these glamour moguls, most people including the writers have a warped sense of the business of writing.

 

Perception

You write a book that is so unique and different, every agent and publishing house on the planet is banging on your door to get you to sign with them. When you do, they take one look at your manuscript and realize it is perfect and not a word will be touched. The manuscript is rushed to printing and hits the New York Times best seller list at #1 on the first day it's released. You don't worry about anything else because now you have -- people.

 

Reality





You work and slave over the book that seemed as if it was going to fly from your brain onto the pages of your computer. You've become a hermit to meet your self-imposed deadline and just barely make the date.

Now comes the shocker. You've sent your masterpiece to over one hundred agents and publishing houses, big and small, and no one--NO ONE--is interested. They keep telling you, if you hear from them at all, it's just not what they're looking for. The manuscript is put into a box and begins life on the shelf in your closet.

Perception
You've had a good pout and decided to pick yourself up and make a go of getting your manuscript published. Say, isn't it easier to get a contract from an online publisher? Sending your work of art to every online publisher that looks as though they might take it, you dust off your hands and wait for the calls and emails to start rolling in. They will. After all, didn't your mother tell you how amazing you were as a writer? She wouldn't lie.

Reality
Same story as you get from the brick and mortar publishers except for one. They've told you to send in your manuscript for consideration.

Perception
Book is picked up by online publisher and you are on your way. They are going to clean it up, make it read like a classic, create a cover so enchanting no one can look away, and take out billboards along the country's biggest highways advertising your genius. They're also going to advertise on television for you. All you have to do is show up at the book signings and scribble your autograph. You have been practicing, haven't you?

Reality
Your manuscript is contracted by an online publisher. This is where any semblance to the brick and mortar book publishers ends.

From the experience of an author who dealt with the big publishing houses comes the following eye opener for most writers:

When your book is contracted, the PUBLISHER now owns it for the time set up in the contract. You, as the writer, have now been delegated to completing, changing, editing, rewriting your work in whatever way the publisher deems necessary. If they decide your characters are interesting but would be better if brought from the 19th century to the 21st century, you'll be scrambling to make the changes or lose your contract.

You won't have any say so on what the cover looks like. They'll have you write a log line so they can get a taste of the 'flavor' of your book and give the graphic artist free rein. Once you've been contracted, if the publishing company so deems, they can throw the entire story away and have a ghost writer come up with something because they like the title of your book. You are still expected to blog and market in every venue you can. They may set up one or two book signings but if your sales are lackluster, your books will be shredded. The truth of the matter is a new book from a new author has six (6) weeks, count them six, to make a good showing or the author will be back on the internet pounding the electronic sidewalk.

With the online publisher, there are some major differences. The editor, proofer, and graphic artist will do their best to work with the author and most times the results are pleasing to all.

However, that being said, there is a misperception about the amount of leeway the writer has.

When the proof is sent to the author, an error list is expected to make sure the product given to the public is in the best shape possible. It is NOT an opportunity to rewrite the manuscript. The author gets ONE time to catch the mistakes--it is not a continuing process. ONCE, that's all.

The graphic artist face the same obstacles. They do their best to try and capture the image the writer has in their mind but sometimes the author doesn't convey in a manner that is understandable to graphic artist and writer what is needed.

The truth of the matter is once you have signed on the dotted line, the publisher has the rights to your work until the time agreed upon has ended. Read the fine print.