Is There More Than One Way to Get Published?

That's a definite yes! The path to traditional publishing has almost disappeared for many writers. It was tough a few years ago, now it is almost impossible for new writers to break into the market.

Late in 2008, a round of firings hit the publishing world. Heads rolled and salaries were frozen. A climate of fear pervaded. In that climate, editors became super cautious, refusing to go out on a limb and fight for a book that wasn't a sure thing.

But there's good news/bad news here. Ebooks and audio book sales which had impacted sales so significantly actually offered a way forward for independent authors with sufficient savvy to publish their own work.

There is a way forward. Next time we'll discuss Createspace and Lulu versus other self-publishing options.

What's Happening With Ebooks?

The ebook market continues to grow, sales were at nearly $1 billion in 2010, and may reach 2.8 billion by 2015.

B&N reports that they are selling more ebooks online than printed books, and Amazon's sales are rocketing, too. In a few years, everyone will have a Kindle, a Nook or an iPad to read on. Does this mean the end of books as we know them? Probably not. It just gives readers more options.

It gives authors more options, too. Now writers can market their work directly to readers, at very little cost and with a minimum of hassle compared to traditional publishing.

The catch? Properly formatting, designing and editing the book so that it in no way seems amateurish. Not a job for the faint-of-heart.


Next, we'll discuss the first steps towards getting your book published after it's been written.

When Creativity Hits a Brick Wall

Many writers fight their own demons when blocked at some point in their work.

Most do work through them and move on. Yes, facing the challenges and complexities of the writing life can be quite frustrating. Finding time to write, mastering grammar, punctuation, plot, characterization, dialogue and setting are just the beginning.

Writers who want to see their work in print eventually face even bigger hurdles--querying agents, writing synopses or in some instances, submitting their work directly to publishers.

Sure, it's always been hard to get conventionally published but in 2011, it is almost impossible. But there is a way forward.

Stay tuned.