[authorme] PUBLISHING NEW WRITERS, JANUARY 2010
- From: "Bruce Cook, AuthorMe.com" <cookcomm@xxxxxxx>
- To: authorme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:14:21 -0800 (PST)
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In this issue...
FICTION WRITES NONFICTION - Bruce Cook
TYPICAL STEPS IN SELF PUBLISHING - Bruce Cook
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FICTION WRITES NONFICTION
by Bruce Cook
Can you include nonfiction in fiction?
Consider the theory of fuzzy sets.
The classical view of sets, or categories, asserts that each list is
exhaustive, and the categories are mutually exclusive.
At first blush we expect literary categories to be exhaustive and mutually
exclusive. When viewing book categories like action stories, adventure,
fantasy, romance, science fiction, etc. we expect each subject category to be
pure.
However, subject categories are notoriously impure. A fantasy story may contain
adventure and science fiction will probably contain action. Thus, we must make
subjective determinations. In fact, we’d have it no other way.
Alas, the distinction between fiction and nonfiction does seem absolute. A book
is fiction or it is nonfiction, but not both. When confronted with those
sections in the local library, we find no shelves labeled fiction/nonfiction.
Even historical fiction nestles comfortably with other works of fiction.
In practice, the fiction/nonfiction distinction is questionable for fiction
writers. Consider these examples.
* An author writes a novel about the people at his place of employment.
Actual names are changed. The actual location is disguised. Fiction or
nonfiction?
* An author writes a novel with ten characters who represent actual
persons, loved or resented. Actual names are changed. Fiction or nonfiction?
* An author writes a novel that contains events based on personal
experience. Fiction or nonfiction?
What are the answers? My assessment … nonfiction, nonfiction, fiction, in that
order. It’s not fiction to write about specific people and just change their
names. In fact, a writer who does that will run into problems with a recognized
publisher, if ever a publisher agrees to publish the work.
Conversely, a fiction writer’s story is informed by personal experience. For
example, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was not intended to document
World War II, but the author has conceded that events during its writing had an
influence on the story.
Consciously or unconsciously, the fiction writer moves the story ahead with
personal experience in mind. When it comes time for a new setting or series of
events, the author scans memories of personal experience before writing.
Occasionally a setting or conflict may come from actual events or periods in
the author’s life. In these cases, character interactions derive from the
author past. But not the whole story.
In summary, nonfiction has a place in a fiction story, but it’s best to avoid
cloaking the truth by just changing names of locations. In fact,, basing
fiction of real experience can enhance the story’s authenticity.
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TYPICAL STEPS IN SELF PUBLISHING
by Bruce Cook
Write the book. Sometimes this takes years of work. Don’t give up!
Edit the book. Send to people who are willing to give feedback. Then revise!
Never consider the work as something cast in stone, too good to be revised.
Register Copyright & ISBN (optional). For best legal protection, register with
your national copyright office. For marketing and distribution, obtain an isbn
number and bar code. (For US, go to loc.gov/copyright and isbn.org)
Write Table of Contents, Prologue, Foreword, Epilogue, etc. Whatever seems
appropriate.
Write blurb. An advertising promo for your book. Best if written by an
experienced copy writer.
Obtain cover art. Sometimes a hi-res vertical photo with lettering will do, as
long as you can overlay the photo with the title and author. Try a template.
Perhaps pay for a graphic artist to make a memorable cover.
Promote and distribute e-book version yourself (optional). Check with the
recipient. You can send any version – internationally, Microsoft Word is still
most universal. However, the traditional e-book format has been pdf, while ePub
is the new standard. To publish in ePub for free, obtain the Atlantis Word
Processor (basically free). To read ePub files, obtain Adobe Digital Editions
(free). To submit for Kindle, go to…
http://forums.digitaltextplatform.com/dtpforums/index.jspa
Submit to printer. You can do this for free – there’s no reason to pay hundreds
of dollars. However, be patient and willing to learn! (Send to cookcom@xxxxxxx
for a free PowerPoint on procedures.)
Set prices and arrange for distribution. Avoid printing box loads and
fulfilling orders yourself. Print on demand is fine, and has no wasted copies.
A true Print on Demand publisher will do this for you, and keep track of sales
and profits too.
Send free copies to reviewers in the hope some will write a book review. (This
is expensive.)
Arrange for marketing and promotion. Do it yourself is best, especially if you
can personally appeal to a large group of people. If you can afford it,
appearances on radio and even TV will produce sales, but likely have no profit.
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Publishing Emerging Writers
January, 2010 (No. 1101)
Publisher: Cookcomm -
Bruce L. Cook, 6086 Dunes Drive,
Sanford, NC 27332 USA.
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