tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post2329687983236128552..comments2024-01-01T18:42:01.363-08:00Comments on International Christian Fiction Writers: On taking care and being thankful - Jo-Anne BerthelsenLisa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-32757415320692406502014-12-13T12:43:03.287-08:002014-12-13T12:43:03.287-08:00Totally agree, LeAnne. In some instances, I think ...Totally agree, LeAnne. In some instances, I think the self-publishing, POD/e-book is a wise decision--but you definitely have to have that good network and platform in place for the promotion that follows, if you want more readers than just family and friends.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-87837098641469912872014-12-13T06:16:30.325-08:002014-12-13T06:16:30.325-08:00A writers group is essential,both to polish your w...A writers group is essential,both to polish your work before submission and to help steer you away from bad ideas. If you are able to do your own book design and prepare your own manuscript, POD or e-book is an inexpensive way to go, but it does take work (including comparing layout with professionally done books) and it doesn't help with promotion! LeAnne Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11433010038077925237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-84814238275890221752014-12-12T01:40:36.942-08:002014-12-12T01:40:36.942-08:00Good question, Narelle. And I think you're rig...Good question, Narelle. And I think you're right when you mention that stumbling block re not knowing what we don't know! Sometimes that works in our favour as maybe we wouldn't have the courage to take on something God wants us to do if we knew up front all the problems we would encounter! Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-50327856311113250962014-12-11T22:38:48.281-08:002014-12-11T22:38:48.281-08:00I'm sure she appreciated you generously sharin...I'm sure she appreciated you generously sharing your time and expertise. One stumbling block can be that 'we don't know what we don't know'. Writing groups can be incredibly helpful in pointing writers in the right direction to effectively research the publishing business. Publishing is a tough business. I do wonder if people would still write their first book, with a goal of publication, if they knew more about the nature of the publishing industry before they started writing? Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-45906928502467774952014-12-11T12:51:19.261-08:002014-12-11T12:51:19.261-08:00Oh wow--that must have been a scary experience for...Oh wow--that must have been a scary experience for you, Lisa--so good you avoided any trouble with that first contract, which could well have been the end of your writing, but for God! Yes, I agree there are many more options around now, but it takes time to explain all that to some people who have contacted me. It highlights the need for basic input on being published to be included at our Christian writers' conferences each year, for sure.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-37687351750457632522014-12-11T12:44:36.372-08:002014-12-11T12:44:36.372-08:00I had another lady contact me only last night, wan...I had another lady contact me only last night, wanting to know what to do with her novel. I don't have time to assess it for her but it took me well over an hour to think about how to help her and email her the websites etc of various people she could go to next. I just feel so sorry for people who put all this time into writing a book but don't seem to have the knowledge as to what to do next. I guess that is where we come in--and groups like this one!Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-8731390250600148192014-12-11T01:54:59.214-08:002014-12-11T01:54:59.214-08:00My very first contract turned out to be a very bad...My very first contract turned out to be a very bad deal that I--praise God--avoided. So bad, in fact, that several of the high up employees ended up in jail! It is so important to do your homework and fully understand what you are getting into. There are many options today as far as publishing, but that also means there are also many things that must be considered in the process as well. Good words of advice! Lisa Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-56322761424292136842014-12-11T01:11:51.716-08:002014-12-11T01:11:51.716-08:00Jo-Anne, well said. Too many writers have being ri...Jo-Anne, well said. Too many writers have being ripped off and suffered financially as a result of their unwise decisions. Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.com