Comments on: Start your book publishing journey with knowledge

By: Sonia Frontera

Sonia Frontera — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 21:33:28 +0000

Thanks for the kind words!

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 19:57:34 +0000

In reply to Sonia Frontera. Thanks, Sonia. You did a FANTASTIC job with your book. It's really impressive, so please pat yourself on the back! Sandy

By: Sonia Frontera

Sonia Frontera — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:00:05 +0000

Excellent advice. I wish I had read this article before I jumped into the unknown. While I am glad I published my book with limited knowledge, it makes sense to get your information from people who really know what they’re talking about. And that’s hard to spot when you’re too green!

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 21:09:07 +0000

In reply to Jay Artale.

Great advice, Jay! Thanks! I’ll add that if the person struggles to make it clear and easy to understand, it might be that they know their stuff but aren’t good communicators or instructors. You really can’t learn from people like that, right?

I love your story about how you filled that gap you uncovered. Good for you!

Sandy

By: Jay Artale

Jay Artale — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 20:42:37 +0000

I love learning and the research process so when I published my first book I did in-depth research as close to the source is possible And spent a lot of time on distributors sites to absorb information about how to self publish. And of course I read lots of books about self publishing. The challenge was that I was writing a travel guide and there’s only one book about writing and self publishing travel guides. And it’s such an old book but it was focused on outdated ideas and traditional publishing. So through the process of writing my own book I discovered a gap in the market.

So after writing a couple of travel guides I started compiling everything I knew about writing and self publishing travel guides into my own how to series.

I think there’s no better way to understand something than to try and explain it to somebody else.

So if you’re ever reading online resources for something you’re trying to learn and the person you’re trying to learn from is struggling to get theOr concepts or points across, or they’re over complicating things, then that should be a red flag that they don’t really understand what they’re talking about. So find somebody who does.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 19:32:09 +0000

In reply to Patricia E. Gitt. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love how we all learn from each other! Sandy

By: Patricia E. Gitt

Patricia E. Gitt — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:48:36 +0000

Correct again. And I appreciate your following up.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:29:12 +0000

In reply to karen.

Thanks, Karen. I think a key point in your response is that you’re always learning. That’s important.

As for that warning about instructors, this field is loaded with “I did it once and now I can teach you” people. Look out for them!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:26:51 +0000

In reply to Patricia E. Gitt.

Thanks, Patricia. I don’t think learning how to do something always has to be the first step, but it shouldn’t be the last, either.

Sandy

By: Patricia E. Gitt

Patricia E. Gitt — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 16:27:09 +0000

Sandra – While you are correct about the need to research prior to spending time and effort in writing your book…for some who think they have a book to write, never put that on the page.
Research might be a better option for them, after that first rough creative output than can only be analyzed, edited, and brought into some focus once out of that person’s mind an on the page.