Hybrid Publishing for Author-Entrepreneurs

Traditionally, authors had one path to publication if they wanted a book deal: traditional publishing. Self-publishing crept in, at the start for those who were unable to get a traditional book deal. Self-publishing was most certainly “plan B.” As time went on, self-publishing became a legitimate publishing model, and it is, frankly, “plan A” for business owners especially, due to the control over the process that self-publishing affords.

The hybrid publishing model incorporates elements of traditional publishing and self-publishing. (Did the word hybrid give it away?) Like self-publishing, the model is author-subsidized, whereas in traditional publishing the author receives money in the form of an advance before the book is published. The tradeoff is that the hybrid model includes traditional book publishing services. Those services include editing, design (book cover interior), marketing, rights management, and distribution.

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerJune 2, 2021Path to Publication, Publication Plan, The Business of PublishingComment

Editorial Feedback for Your Book

During the editing phase of book production, at some point authors receive feedback in the form of an editorial letter, or an edit memo. (Different editors use different terminology.) For the author, this can be nerve-wracking. What if the editor hated it? What if they point out a million ways the book needs to be changed, fixed, and more? What if the book isn’t ready to be published like they thought it was? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First and foremost, remember that the editor’s goal is to help the book accomplish its mission — however the author has defined that. The feedback is meant to help authors. Depending on the type of editing, feedback looks different. Let’s break it down that way so the difference is clear. (And remember: Every editor works differently, so you’ll see general information here in addition to my own work style.)

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerMay 19, 2021Comment

Phases of Feedback on Your Book

As an entrepreneur, validating an idea isn’t a new concept to you. You’ve gone through the validating process when you’ve launched courses, products, services, and the like. The concept is the same when it comes to a book: Ask the people who are your ideal clients (and thus likely your ideal readers) for feedback.

writingAllieDanae WalkerMay 5, 2021book writing, Publishing, Book MarketingComment

5 Tips for Promoting Your Book during a Pandemic

No industry has remained unchanged from the coronavirus pandemic. Book publishing is no exception. Certainly in-person events will be slow to return, but the news hasn’t been all bad. Consider this: Fewer travel expenses means budget redirected to swap or advertising. Less travel translates into more time at home with our families. And have you heard of the “business mullet” (professional top/sweater coupled with yoga pants)? This is not to make light of what we’ve all been through, but rather to simply point out that book marketing and promotion are certainly still possible.

Book MarketingAllieDanae WalkerApril 20, 2021Publication PlanComment

Nonfiction vs. Fiction Book Marketing

All book marketing is not created equal — nor should it be, particularly when it comes to nonfiction books written to serve your business. (Note I’m talking specifically about business and personal development books in this post, not creative nonfiction and memoirs. There is more overlap with fiction in those genres.) I’ve had clients tell me they tried a book marketing technique they read about but did not have success with it, and often the reason is that the tip was a general marketing technique, versus something targeted to business owners writing a book to serve their business. Let’s look at three key differences.

Book MarketingAllieDanae WalkerApril 7, 2021Book Marketing, Author PlatformComment

Time Line for Launching a Book

When you finish writing and revising your book manuscript, it moves from writing into production. For you, that means copy editing and typesetting. It could also include cover design, though that can be done while you’re writing. (That will depend, in part, on whether your cover designer and typesetter are the same person.) It also means getting serious about your launch and marketing plan.

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerMarch 17, 2021Book Marketing, Self-PublishingComment

When Is Your Book Ready for Publication?

One of the benefits to business owners of self-publishing is the control over the process, including the time line. One of the decisions traditional book publishing houses make for their titles is pub date — AKA launch date. Oftentimes business owners writing a book don’t have a particular time they want or need to launch. The pub date gets pushed further and further because “the book isn’t ready.” (There are exceptions, of course. An entrepreneur writing a book on organization and planning might target an October launch, for example, because that’s when their audience is looking for resources.) Without the external pressure of a deadline, it’s easy to let the book writing and publishing process drag on.

Only you, as the author, can declare a book ready. As a book coach, though, I can offer some signs to help you decide whether your book truly isn’t ready or whether you have more work to do (which may or may not include some mindset work). These lists are not exhaustive, of course, but they should give you some idea of where you are.

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerMarch 3, 2021Publication Plan, Self-Publishing, The Business of PublishingComment

Copyright and Permissions for Author-Entrepreneurs

As an author, you are expected to obey copyright law and obtain permissions as needed for your book. What does that mean, exactly? Just as you hold the copyright to your work, others hold their copyright. The exception to this is when a work is in the public domain, meaning most likely that the author of the work has died and copyright has expired. The term of copyright is defined as the life of the author plus 70 years. What do you need to know to keep yourself on the right side of copyright law?

WritingAllieDanae WalkerFebruary 17, 2021Book Writing, Writing Tips, Writing ProcessComment

Pub Team Assemble!

Perhaps you’re familiar with the Avengers franchise rallying cry “Avengers assemble!” (Surely I’m not the only one who’s spent countless hours (and dollars) in movie theaters with teen nephews and nieces over the years?) The phrase often comes to mind with author-entrepreneurs who try to “go it alone” when writing and publishing their books. Writing can be a solitary act, but for business owners especially, getting a team in place is a smart way to go about publishing a book. As you build your book team, look for people who are experts at what they do. To keep the Avengers analogy going for a bit longer: If you wanted to find the strongest Avenger, you’d look to Hulk. If you wanted the fastest, Quicksilver. Similarly, look for the people who can complete the task(s) you need. Here are just a few service providers you should consider…

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerFebruary 3, 2021Publication Plan, The Business of Publishing, Editing, Book Design, Self-PublishingComment

Does a Publishing Imprint Make Sense for You?

One of the main reasons business owners choose self-publishing as their publishing model is because they enjoy the control the process offers. When self-publishing, an author-entrepreneur is both author and publisher. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that. A business owner writes and publishes a book, uses their name as the publisher, and calls it a day. Other times, though, business owners might want to consider starting a publishing company (or imprint, as we call it in the book publishing industry). When would this make sense? Often it’s when a business owner plans to write more than just one book (or even is open to the possibility, since ISBNs are cheaper to buy in bulk).

PublishingAllieDanae WalkerJanuary 21, 2021Self-Publishing, Publication PlanComment

Plan Now to Write a Book in 2021

As business owners think about their “big rocks” for a year or a quarter, writing a book often comes up. This makes sense, as writing a book isn’t a small goal that can be completed as quickly as, say, planning a webinar or crafting a quarterly content plan. If writing a book to serve your business this year is on your radar, here are your first steps

WritingAllieDanae WalkerJanuary 6, 2021Book Writing, Writing Process, Publication PlanComment

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