tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5056932888364898127..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Guest Post by Alan TuckerJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1506589262211256862013-08-03T14:56:52.050-05:002013-08-03T14:56:52.050-05:00Sharon - High five right back. You're one of t...Sharon - High five right back. You're one of the most supportive people I know in this crazy business!<br /><br />McVickers - Thank you so much! That means a great deal to me. I'm glad you enjoyed it :-)<br /><br />Lucy - Congrats to you! Finding a balance is the toughest part, I think. So many things tug and pull for your attention, it can be difficult to manage. Hang in there and write that next book!Alan Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003811594552160836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3131405830057550342013-08-03T13:44:48.488-05:002013-08-03T13:44:48.488-05:00I self-published my first novel 4 days ago. All th...I self-published my first novel 4 days ago. All the social media that I SAID I wouldn't mind doing is already getting to me. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm doing fine on it. But this isn't in my heart! I miss writing! I belong in the writer's chair, not the marketer's chair. <br /><br />I'm going to go start my next book, dammit. My new series needs a little sister.Lucy Carolhttp://amzn.to/1aXzJa7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63559721827382352342013-08-03T13:09:28.582-05:002013-08-03T13:09:28.582-05:00Hi, Alan. I normally hate reading YA fantasies. Ma...Hi, Alan. I normally hate reading YA fantasies. Many of them are barf worthy and terribly written, even the bestsellers from trad pubs. The only YA book I could even finish was the Hunger Games. But your book was awesome, man. Read the first few lines and was hooked. You had me at tentacles.McVickersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46320740774284703412013-08-03T11:48:39.477-05:002013-08-03T11:48:39.477-05:00High fives for sharing your journey with us, Alan!...High fives for sharing your journey with us, Alan! Every author has his or her personal route and getting that first book written connects us all! Cheers!Sharon Ledwithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644863176118657689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42884528955291864742013-08-03T10:07:58.637-05:002013-08-03T10:07:58.637-05:00Colin - Thank you! I'm beginning to find my au...Colin - Thank you! I'm beginning to find my audience. My job now is to keep writing and improve my craft. More and better stories are the way forward.<br /><br />David - I fall into that trap occasionally too. There has to come a time though when it's "good enough" to let the work try its wings out in the world. Even if it's with a critique group or beta readers. You might feel it needs more work, but if they think it's ready, it might be time to let it fly and move on to the next project. :-)<br /><br />Mean Teacher - Congrats to you! Multiple defibrillators would have to be standing by for me to even attempt something like that! And I think the marathon analogy is particularly apt because Joe often talks about how this career path we've chosen is a marathon and not a sprint. If we can't commit to the long haul, then maybe it isn't for us. Thanks for your comment!<br /><br />Anon @9:29 - Thank you! Kobo and Apple currently allow you price a work for free. For Barnes & Noble, I distributed through Smashwords (which also allows for free books). Once all these are in place, Amazon will price match your book to free with a little prodding. There's a link on your kindle book page called "Tell Us About a Lower Price". Click it and submit the link of your book on those sites where it is free. Eventually, their system will comply.Alan Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003811594552160836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82455601748139202222013-08-03T09:29:52.507-05:002013-08-03T09:29:52.507-05:00Alan - Your writing is good. How did you make '...Alan - Your writing is good. How did you make 'A Measure Of Time" permanently free??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37149679388776422812013-08-03T09:00:05.221-05:002013-08-03T09:00:05.221-05:00I like the marathon analogy, but want to add to it...I like the marathon analogy, but want to add to it. As someone who has run 9 marathons and ultras (races that are over 26.2 miles), I can say in my experience it's not just about finishing. Ok, maybe the first one is, but it's about getting better over time. Setting goals for one's self, putting in the time everyday to get there, and taking a long hard look when something needs to change. Pushing yourself harder than you think you can go. Realizing that pain is "weakness leaving the body".<br /><br />I am attempting to apply the lessons I have learned from running to my writing. Is it easy? No. Fun? Not always. But I am doing it.<br /><br />Best of luck, Alan! You've got a great attitude.Mean Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02635990619960490383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52240111174054218012013-08-03T04:21:11.288-05:002013-08-03T04:21:11.288-05:00A good post, Alan. :)
I picked up Measure of Diso...A good post, Alan. :)<br /><br />I picked up Measure of Disorder a few days ago, and I'll get around to reading it eventually.<br /><br />I also appreciate the post from someone who's not raking it in. I've got two short stories out at the minute and I'm the kind who takes my time with writing. Barely any sales, which isn't surprising really, with short stories, but I've had good ratings. I'm trying to get at least a novelette out, but it's taking much longer than I thought it would. Being a perfectionist is sometimes quite troublesome. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14326224688826179127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80590975829836962632013-08-02T22:26:52.704-05:002013-08-02T22:26:52.704-05:00Hi Alan,
Thanks for sharing your story. I love he...Hi Alan,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your story. I love hearing of others successes. Anyone with reviews like that is going to do well. It may be a matter of time and more titles but I have no doubt that all your personal measures of success will continue to be met. I look forward to reading your books and watching you prosper. Thanks.<br /><br /><br /><br />Colin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511279879308565952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62976017282358965362013-08-02T21:32:07.567-05:002013-08-02T21:32:07.567-05:00Thank you Lyn, Elyse, and CR!
Mario - Congrats to...Thank you Lyn, Elyse, and CR!<br /><br />Mario - Congrats to you and thank you as well. May there be many more after your second :-)<br /><br />Jill - You are very welcome and I'm so glad the words were of some help to you. Please remove the nail. I can't imagine that's very conducive to writing — or anything else for that matter! ;-) Go finish that book!Alan Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003811594552160836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66364761237454673792013-08-02T21:18:38.099-05:002013-08-02T21:18:38.099-05:00Thank you Alan and Joe. I so needed this post righ...Thank you Alan and Joe. I so needed this post right now. You hit the nail on the head. Fortunately, the nail was in my head. LOL I've been so busy trying to be an author I forgot to be a writer. Right now I feel unsuccessful and I didn't know why. Now I do. I promised myself that my next book would be out this past spring and it is still not done. I'm not being successful doing this writing thing and all the sales in the world wouldn't change that. So I will write until the story is done, pull the nail out of my head, give myself a pat on the head, and move forward. Thanks, guys!Jill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754506629717417267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-87517550196253190972013-08-02T21:05:09.470-05:002013-08-02T21:05:09.470-05:00Great post, Alan! Each one of us has our definitio...Great post, Alan! Each one of us has our definition of success. I'm glad you are achieving yours. I hope your success continues.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05415910063585253367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50674131951653940652013-08-02T21:00:21.942-05:002013-08-02T21:00:21.942-05:00Great post! Thank you. I love your four points--...Great post! Thank you. I love your four points--good advice.<br /><br />I just finished writing my second book recently, when I wrote "The End" it was very satisfying.<br /><br />Good luck to you!Mario Jannatpourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995215694457237845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-67622767057329780522013-08-02T20:39:55.789-05:002013-08-02T20:39:55.789-05:00What a great post. I consider the moment that you ...What a great post. I consider the moment that you got your first book purchase to be the moment you became a successful author. We may not make the millions out there, but honestly, to be able to finish writing a book? Amazing accomplishment. Elyse Salpeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09857264377836261431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2353730593466851242013-08-02T20:38:24.223-05:002013-08-02T20:38:24.223-05:00What an inspiring post, Alan!
I decided to look ...What an inspiring post, Alan! <br /><br />I decided to look into self-pubbing after reading that famous conversation between Joe and Barry! I'm so glad I read that and chose the self-pub route!LynNerdKelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167392990015741278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-9486613365383145392013-08-02T20:26:24.383-05:002013-08-02T20:26:24.383-05:00Thanks for that suggestion.
I will give that a sh...Thanks for that suggestion.<br /><br />I will give that a shot. I had some pre-mades for a venture that didn't go forward. I could just touch them up and I'd be ready to go.<br /><br />Gotta finish up some other freelance work this week, but I could have something put together pretty quickly.Sheffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906854636987712971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20479623426136060952013-08-02T20:04:27.263-05:002013-08-02T20:04:27.263-05:00"I've thought about it. I would be open t..."I've thought about it. I would be open to doing it, but so far no one I know has approached me for a cover."<br /><br />Sheff<br /><br />Put together a portfolio, maybe do some pre-mades as samples and post a thread on Kindleboards announcing your availability.<br /><br />Like I said, LOTS of freelancers are chasing indies now and avg. prices have gone down from when I started following the indieverse. If you advertised $150-300 for a basic stock with manip and fonts (common not that long ago) you would hear crickets now. BTW, I'm what some would call a "cover junkie". <br /><br />But I think you're definitely good enough to get some extra business. <br /><br />And indie-vet Alan agrees ;)David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43218015746922008732013-08-02T19:51:06.089-05:002013-08-02T19:51:06.089-05:00Sheff - Congrats on your book and I agree with Dav...Sheff - Congrats on your book and I agree with David, your artwork looks stunning! I've never had a talent for drawing/painting people and I envy your skill :-) I wish you all the best in either endeavor - writing or art! Enjoy those burritos!<br /><br />Lesley - Thank you so much and I agree, raising daughters without loss of life or limb is a great success! My youngest will be a Senior in high school this year and I shudder at the thought!<br /><br />Alan Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003811594552160836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75643155460290140652013-08-02T19:27:09.600-05:002013-08-02T19:27:09.600-05:00Hey Alan, thanks for your post. I very much enjoye...Hey Alan, thanks for your post. I very much enjoyed the quotations!<br /><br />I have successfully raised two daughters and a third is ending her teen years, could totally relate to the tone and even visualised the "look".<br /><br />Definition of success...they are still alive and so am I (LOL). <br /><br />I love to write but to dedicate the necessary time to make it a career I need to see there is a reasonable probability that effort = financial sustainability. <br /><br /> Lesleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63381559152687627702013-08-02T18:46:08.442-05:002013-08-02T18:46:08.442-05:00@David
I've thought about it. I would be ope...@David<br /><br />I've thought about it. I would be open to doing it, but so far no one I know has approached me for a cover.<br /><br />If you(or anyone else) are interested in my work, check my art site http://sheff.com<br /><br />I'm going to have some availability opening up shortly.Sheffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906854636987712971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32544383522913033942013-08-02T18:36:42.807-05:002013-08-02T18:36:42.807-05:00Sheff
The cover for your release looked really go...Sheff<br /><br />The cover for your release looked really good. Have you considered doing freelance covers? Pretty big market for it now. Lots of competition that's been driving prices down but the really talented people can still charge a premium. If you're a real illustrator and not just a stock-manip guy (no offense to anyone) you can definitely garner some interest. Just a thought.David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89454468336656473452013-08-02T18:33:12.321-05:002013-08-02T18:33:12.321-05:00Great post Alan! Very encouraging! Thanks!Great post Alan! Very encouraging! Thanks!Lisa Jey Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11418743455432887436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24852824118609408702013-08-02T18:02:04.437-05:002013-08-02T18:02:04.437-05:00Alan - I'm struck by how similar your story is...Alan - I'm struck by how similar your story is to mine. I too am an artist and designer. I was teaching up until 2011 when I got laid off. The idea of trying to rebuild a freelance career at that time was daunting and it still is. I had an itch to do something else, so I wrote my first novel. I had a technical writer friend from high school do my editing. I designed my own cover and released it on Amazon last month. I haven't garnered too many digital sales yet, but my wife and biggest cheerleader has been selling them like hotcakes at her office. And it's incredibly satisfying. Big painting commissions/design jobs are few and far between, but book sales happen pretty easily. The other day, I had a big nasty burrito with some of the money my wife collected and it was one of the best tasting burritos I ever had.Sheffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906854636987712971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17128584178136402442013-08-02T17:01:25.661-05:002013-08-02T17:01:25.661-05:00Just spent 18.6 copies of
COLT at the grocery sto...<i>Just spent 18.6 copies of <br />COLT at the grocery store.<br /><br />Which means I get to eat for a few more days, which means I get to write for a few more days.<br /><br />#success</i><br />LOL!<br /><br /><i>You're working as an animator in L.A. hey--in my mind you are a massive success too. Cool job!</i><br /><br />Thanks! But you're a lawyer which means you worked a lot harder than me to get where you are.Chuckles Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311767689862977136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76989772825187721102013-08-02T16:51:51.841-05:002013-08-02T16:51:51.841-05:00Money is not WHY I write. I write because I have ...Money is not WHY I write. I write because I have stories to tell and I'm driven to write them. Money is an ingredient along with a computer and time that allows e to write. The more money I make the more time I have to write. But I would write even if I didn't make money (and I'm not yet making enough to cover my Starbucks bill.) <br /><br />But success is a tricky word. There is the implication that when you reach tat pinnacle you will be able to quit and rest upon your laurels. But I can't conceive of a time when I would say, there, I've reached my goals, and ave succeeded. Time to stop writing and move on. That's been my viewpoint with other things, but not writing. <br /><br /> Writing rewards me whether I sell a thing, or even if no ne reads it. I've written stories since I was 5. I plan to still be writing when I'm a 105. Success is an invalid measuring tool for what you're you're passionate about. (Maybe it's the difference between scoring with someone you lust after, and a lifelong marriage...)L. J. Breedlovehttp://ljbreedlove.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com