July Newsletter - What aspiring authors should know about books, critique and reviews.

Julie maand het baie vinnig in ‘n besige maand verander met heelwat uitdagings. Die rede dat ek nou eers kans kry om te skryf. Iets wat vir my nogal baie uitstaan op al die groepe die afgelope tyd is kritiek. Daarom my bietjie meer formele Nuusbrief vandag.

Om die breër skrywersmark te bereik het ek goed gedink om dit in Engels te skryf.'

How to handle critique as a writer.

Critique remains an extremely controversial subject to talk about. The mere suggestion of an analysis of your work causes much debate, and every person’s interpretation differs.

This letter is not a lashing but rather help any aspiring author coping with the effects.

Critique is valuable in essence. It either influences us to become better or derail us. Many people cannot detach themselves from it and personalize it. Then, as a protection mechanism, they will attack first. The reason for my writing is to address the issue so that you can be aware of the advantages of a good critique and how to view it. Putting you back on the track.

With my first book, I was unaware of many of the hurdles. Hurdles that had almost thrown me completely. I was naïve and unfamiliar about the proper book cover, beta readers, proof-readers or editors and everything in between. Back then there were very few groups on Facebook and in South Africa, there was none that I could find. In stupidity, I published my first book, as a free read and was shot down immediately. I had two one-star reviews within a few hours and deleted the book immediately from the website. I was in total shock, not prepared for the critique I had received. I was devastated, for sure. Heartbroken and brought down a peg. That feeling lasted about two days. I realized that there is much more involved than just writing a book.  At that stage, I was in no financial position to pay someone and had to rely on the Internet and the resources I could find.

It took me another year of asking questions and learning to publish the book again. This time I was more aware of all the steps involved. Investing hours of learning the craft to really be successful. I learned about book marketing and familiarized myself with all the book websites available. Joined many writing sites, all in an attempt to learn.

It is hard work. As an author, time with the family is limited. Now time is spent in front of the laptop; writing. Sacrificing and learning every day but the harvest will be reaped for the diligence shown. There are times that mistakes still pop up, even after nine years being a full-time author. But I pride myself in the fact that I have learned. It was an incredibly difficult road but one that has developed me the most.  It has opened doors to me that I would not have had previously.

1.       The first trait you need to develop is a thick skin to become a published author. Writers are very prickly when it comes to their work but to be on the defensive will not help. Approaching a person for advice you need to know; it might not be the answer you were looking for. Be prepared for that. Not all of us are good at putting our thoughts into the correct wording and then the critique comes out belittling or demeaning to the person which was not attended.

Make sure you understand the feedback before you react.

2.       Be objective about the critique and take it for what it is worth. I have learned over the years that critique comes in many forms. Some leave you stunned to the core; others shape your craft. Profit from the latter.

3.       If unsure, ask questions until you comprehend the reasoning. School yourself with enough information beforehand.

4.       Don’t inquire from a person that knows nothing about books or publishing. Rather speak to an experienced author; self-published or a traditional author. Or people involved in the writing community. Remember, we all have started where you are right now. We know the feeling of rejection.

5.       Distance yourself from your work. Yes, I know it is not easy to do. Writing is very much part of you. It is your thoughts, your experiences and dreams put into words for the world to read. When someone attacks it you feel it deep down, almost like a stabbing directly into your heart. Although the person giving it did not attend it in that manner. Especially when you are still an aspiring writer you need to be level-headed.

6.       Ask yourself: how can I use this critique to better my craft? Grammar is one of the biggest stumble blocks in writing. Invest in a good grammar book and learn.

7.       Write As Often As You Can and Read.

What to know before publishing?

1.       You require a draft. This will often lead to many drafts, accumulated over several years even. But it doesn’t help that the book is in your head, it should be on paper. Therefore, write that draft.

Tools to invest in:

a) Dictionaries

b) Grammar or Scribens. Just a note about the two: Grammar is for the American language, and Scribens has an option between British and American. Make sure, when writing in English that you use the correct one. They will help in many cases, but they are not one hundred per cent accurate.

c) Rules of grammar. Have it in print next to you. If you can fix the basic stuff before it goes to a beta reader or proof-reader it, then you are halfway there.

d) Read up about your genre, how to write a perfect plot about it etc.

e) How to write a fight scene or how to write a perfect love scene… there are many forums with the correct information. Don’t be lazy and do research.

Before you send your draft to a person remember these few rules:

1.       Be committed to your writing. When they send an email response as soon as possible. So make time in your own schedule.

2.       Make sure you understand their payment plan before you commit. They normally ask 50% payment upfront. There are reasons for this. On the last day of scheduled completion make sure you pay them any outstanding monies; unless prearranged. Otherwise, you will not receive your book back.

3.       Don’t disappear. These people have a life, respect their time.

4.       Don’t assume they can help you immediately, set a date and time.

5.       Keep to scheduling.

6.       If life happens inform them so that they can commit to other projects. Every day they wait they lose an income.

7.       Work with them, don’t take offence when you receive a page back marked in red. If they say rewrite, you rewrite that page.

8.       Show your professionalism.

9.       No need for tantrums. Or hate posts on Facebook! To belittle the person willing to help you will get you nowhere and any other professional will avoid you after that.

2.       Consider a beta reader or critique reader. Someone who is willing to help you to build the story. Listen to their advice. They don’t want to ruin your story; they want to help you. Trust them. Get as many as you can. Remember, it is their time they are offering. Time equals money or any other sort of barter. Be wise, be clever. But don’t be stingy.

“Beta readers read your book prior to it going to the printer. You could also use them before submission to an agent or publisher. They read the manuscript for comment on the structure, characters, plot as well as grammar/spelling or anything else they notice that may need revision. Their comments will generally result in another rewrite although of course, you don’t need to action everything. Beta readers should be people who like the genre you write in, and also need to be able to give honest feedback. There is no point in just hearing praise at this stage. Criticism only makes our work better!” Joanna Penn

3.       Conduct research on the story, the more facts you can add the more believable it will be.

4.       Get an experienced proofreader. Make sure to use references when looking for one. Again, their time is valuable.

If you want them to work for free, consider the following:

a) How serious are you about writing?

b) How much time will they really put in?

c) What kind of work will you get back?  

5.       Get an experienced editor. Again, value their time. They are expensive for a reason.

6.       Book cover designer. The cover sells the book. It is the first contact the reader has with your book. These collage apps are good for making collages but not for book covers. Pay them something.

7.       Synopsis - it is about 250 words long that informs the reader what to expect. Let a proofreader assist you with it. Draw the reader in with the synopsis. That is your one and only chance to woe them.

How do you write a good back blurb?

This is a list of what featured most often from a number of bestselling thrillers reviewed as research from my bookshelf. The principles hold true for any genre although the details change for each.

·         A hint of the plot. “Secret experiment. Tiny island. Big mistake.” (Scott Sigler, Ancestor); “must fight their way past traps, labyrinths and a host of deadly enemies” (Matthew Reilly. Six Sacred Stones);

·         Use of words that evoke images and resonate with readers of the genre. Examples, “ancient monastery” (Raymond Khoury, The Sign), “hidden esoteric wisdom, Masonic secrets” (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol), “the secret behind Noah’s Ark” (Boyd Morrison, The Ark), “Druidic pagan cross” (James Rollins, The Doomsday Key); “A buried Egyptian temple. A secret kept for 6000 years. A race for life worth killing for.” (Andy McDermott, The Pyramid of Doom)

·         Main characters are named and characterized. “TV news reporter Gracie Logan. Matt Sherwood, reformed car thief” (The Sign); “Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon: (Lost Symbol); “Trapped inside a paralyzed body, Rhymes brilliant mind is channelled through his partner, policewoman Amelia Sachs” (Jeffrey Deaver, The Twelfth Card); “Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force” (James Rollins, Doomsday Key)

·         Idea of setting. Washington DC, Rotunda (Dan Brown, Lost Symbol); “from the Roman Coliseum to the icy peaks of Norway, from the ruins of medieval abbeys to the lost tombs of Celtic kings” (James Rollins, Doomsday Key)

·         A question or a hint of mystery that draws the reader in to be solved or answered. “Is the sign real? Is God talking to us? Or is something more sinister going on…” (Raymond Khoury, The Sign)

·         Hyperbole. “stunning controversy that’s spinning out of control” (Raymond Khoury, The Sign); “..never before seen revelations seem to be leading him to a single impossible and inconceivable truth” (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol); “The mission is incredible. The consequences of failure are unimaginable. The ending is unthinkable.” (Matthew Reilly. Six Sacred Stones) Quotes about the book or previous books by the author. “Part Stephen King, part Chuck Palahniuk…a pulpy masterpiece of action, terror and suspense” (James Rollins on Scott Siglers Infected)

·         How long. Most seem to be 100-150 words long as the blurb text itself, not including about the author if included. That is also a nicely spaced blurb, not a squashed one.

·         About the author. This isn’t done often for the blockbuster novels, but James Rollins does it well with a rugged photo and a description that includes, “An avid spelunker and certified scuba enthusiast, he can often be found underground or underwater.” Now that’s a thriller writer!

Taken from The Creative Penn blog.

8.       You do need an ISBN - it is free.

9.       If you want to have a print copy of your book, ask around. There are a few printers to choose from; get quotes first. Remember their estimations will determine your selling price. Personally, I use Minuteman Press in Boksburg and at times Group 7. They provide expert service and affordable pricing.

10.   Investigate pricing in your genre. Look at the number of words and pages. Don’t be ridiculous with pricing in paperback and/or Kindle. Remember, you compete against thousands of other authors, well-known authors. Don’t put yourself out of the market, be relevant.

11.   Acquaint yourself with the various websites or get someone to help you compile profiles on different websites. Smashwords, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter, LinkedIn, BookBub and Pinterest; all these sites give you a platform. Use it. For this, you will need a good profile picture and biography of yourself.

12.   Be aware of target markets and all relevant resources. I cannot state it enough, school yourself.

13.   Always have a profile in Word ready. It is part of your marketing and will be used often with every webpage created. Keep it simple, once your book is available, remember to add all the links on it as well. It is time effective.

14.   Converting the Word document to Kindle can be quite daunting, if you have trouble, sign up with a qualified person.

15.   Create a marketing/launch plan. The South African authors have lots to learn about this. Be informed and learn.

16.   Create Promo images or teasers to draw your readers or ask the person that created the book cover.

17.   Marketing. Invite people to help you, get a blogger or ten to do a review of your book. Gift them a copy, either in PDF, EPUB or Mobi format. Bloggers remain a value-added service. Some do charge a small fee to publish it on their blog, but they will get your book out. Their followers are already in line, while you still need a followers base. Don’t underestimate them.  Remember it is a service. Their time is valuable, and data is not free or barter your time. I have done it many times when money was tight.  

Use the rule of thirds. Your social media feed shouldn’t be entirely self-promotional. Instead, use the rule of thirds. For example:

1. One-third: promotion, whether it’s for yourself or fellow authors

2. One-third: insight into yourself as an author

3. One-third: a personal interest (bonus if it’s something your audience would enjoy or benefit from hearing about, e.g. movies, politics, etc.)

Taken from BookBub blog.

18.   Get to know the different tags and use them effectively.

19.   Talk about your book, a blog is most effective.

20.   A review is an effective tool for any published author. You will resort to it often during your marketing campaign. Don’t underestimate its value. One of my clients still uses my review I have given him back in 2015 and tag me in it. It spread the word around and is beneficial for us both.

21.   Call your local newspaper for an interview. They are always looking for stories.

22.   WRITE SOME MORE.

How to be a proficient reader/reviewer.

There is a fine line between a respectable and dreadful reviewer.

·         When reading a book from a first-time author, give them your honesty in a sincere and sound way.

·         Don’t thrash the author within the review. Remember, you will post this on a social website, open for every reader. If you write something demeaning, the spotlight will be on you. Don’t be spiteful. It doesn’t befit you.

·         If you have a problem and you cannot see your way to give an outstanding review, rather send an email to the author and explain your reasons. I had to do it a few times. They normally appreciate the feedback. As long as you haven’t berated them or the book.

·         Be consequent in your reviews. Keep within the timeframe agreed upon. If you cannot make it, let them know. Since they are waiting eagerly for your opinion.

·         Giving reviews open your heart and mind and you connect with that person in a very special way. Plus, you receive books for free - honour it.

·         Be respectful.

This is a question I am asked often since many are lazy to give feedback.

A review consists of a few words - between 50 - 100 words.

1)      Don’t rewrite the story.

2)      What did you think of the writing style of the author?

3)      Could you connect with the characters?

4)      Is the story believable?

5)      A general overview of the story and could you relate. No spoilers!

This feedback is highly valued and appreciated by the author. They produced a story for a few hours of enjoyment, so be kind and give them a review. It cost you nothing but kindness and with the next release, you will receive a copy first. You will have insight immediately before any other reader.