While I did not have a specific topic for today, I have had a few random thoughts on my mind. Call it etiquette issues, or helpful tips, or even things to consider from one author to another.
Keep in mind, these are my opinions on these matters, gentle suggestions for a better approach, a better launch, a better online persona, whatever it may apply to.
Tips for Authors, from an Author
Google your book title: Does a book exist with that title? Is it a totally different genre or similar to yours? If so, consider changing the title. Even a word or two different can cut down on confusion, simplify searches, and render your book more visible in the algorithm.
Use Real Artists: Even if you are on a limited budget, there are hundreds of human artist created covers and graphics that you can use. Consider one of their pre-made covers, which are often less costly than custom or ask if they take payments (most do). Whether it is an illustration for your interior, chapter headings, or cover, please use a real person to create it for you. A.I is not the way to go for creatives. If you do not know if they use A.I images, ASK!
Editors: Editing is normally not cheap but there are great affordable editors out there that you can find. Many take payments. Reach out to fellow authors to see who they recommend. At the very, very least, please utilize the editor tool that exists in your writing program to help catch those basic typos, grammatical errors, and other tiny annoyances. If you use Word, did you know it has a read aloud function that is great to help you catch errors and missed words? There are tools you can use that will help you elevate your book at every stage, even if you cannot afford an editor or simply prefer not to use one.
Patience: Practice patience. Finally got that final draft done. Got the cover? All ready to hit publish? Wait. Put it aside for six to eight weeks. Prepare your launch. Create your graphics. Find some ARC readers. Schedule some promotions online with places like Free Booksy or Fussy Librarian. Have one or two beta readers read it while you wait.
When you reach week 6, 7, or 8 (if you made it that far), read your draft again. You'll be shocked at the new errors you catch, the loose ends, maybe a plot hole or two, or the little details that you discover you want to add. Make those changes. Read it again. Now you can publish a clean, fully polished book with complete confidence. It will be worth the wait.
Read Other Authors: Read. Read. Read. Read big authors, little authors, new to you authors, unknown authors. Read fantasy, sci-fi, horror, bizzarro, western, etc. Read collections and anthologies. Get to know your peers, get to know who is in the industry, who the editors are, who the presses and publishers are. That way, you will know who you can approach and how to best approach them. You do not want to approach an established veteran author as if they are a rookie in the industry nor do you want to approach a well-known editor or publisher in a disrespectful manner.
Not only do you need to become familiar with your peers and your industry but reading helps you expand your range, your voice, and your style. See how others write, how they craft a novel or a short story. See what works for them and why. Watch how re-reading a book you read prior to becoming an author changes in your eyes as you read it now. The skill will stand out to you, the story arc's, the tropes, the key points as the story unfolds. Reading as an author is crucial to help you improve, to help broaden your outlook and perspectives, and for showing support to your fellow authors.
Social Media Etiquette:
Do NOT hijack another author's promotional post about their work. Do not post your book cover, link, or synopsis on their post trying to gain their reader's interest. This is tacky and classless.
Do NOT spam every group or social media platform that you belong to. Many groups have rules for self-promoting. please respect those rules. Don't be 'that' person.
Do NOT offer unsolicited advice on an author's cover reveal. This is just cruel and uncalled for. If it is their cover reveal, that means they are happy with their cover, they are excited to share it, and they do NOT want you shitting all over as to how you would have done it better. That's just rude. If you see a major error, privately message them to see if they would like to know what you observed and respect their answer, whether it is yes or no.
Do NOT tag other authors in negative reviews, whether it a something you reviewed or something that you just saw online. It's rude and disheartening. We are aware that we will not please everyone with our words. It's human nature. We all have things we like and things we don't. They do not need to be tagged in a post that is ripping apart their work that they spent hundreds of hours on or worse yet, them as a person.
Generally, don't be a douche canoe. Be kind. Be respectful. Be courteous of your peers.
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