Making Money - How an Author Does It and How YOU Can Help - Monday Musings - Monday, April 16, 2018

 Making Money - How An Author Does It and How YOU Can Help - Monday Musings

There's a common misconception that authors make a good chunk of change selling their novels. That assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Most authors have day jobs, and for good reason. It's very hard to be financially successful as an author

I'm going to give you a financial example from my newest release, Chase for Love. The financial and royalty specifications for my newest book are a pretty close average for most authors, especially self-published ones. So get ready for a glimpse into how an author actually makes money on their books.

So far (in the week it's been available), I have one print book order for Chase for Love. Most of the sales so far have been through eBook sales. Let me crunch the numbers for you:

A Chase for Love print copy retails for $10.99

After manufacturing costs, Amazon and CreateSpace take their cut, and I get the rest. Every print copy I sell of Chase for Love, I make $2.60. I make less than $3 for a print book that sells for $11.

A Chase for Love eBook copy retails for $4.99

Kindle and Amazon take their cut and I’m left with a payment of $3.43 for every eBook copy sold. I make just under $3.50 for an eBook that costs $5

If I’m selling print copies at a book signing or in person, I pay $3.99 for a direct-from-printer copy with a $3.59 shipping charge (For one book, mind you. Shipping costs go up significantly for each additional book I order). If I sell my books in person for $10 (I always lower the price for in-person sales), I make $2.42 for each in-person sale. 

Royalties the author receives depends on the length of the book (bigger the book, higher the manufacturing cost, less revenue for the author) but most authors receive 50-70% of their book’s cost AFTER paying the companies and publishers. I get 70% for both versions of my book and the above revenues are all I make from each sale. 

Another thing authors have to deal with is what print companies, like Createspace, set as minimum purchase price. They calculate pages, manufacturing costs, everyone that gets a piece of the pie, and tells you, before you publish, what your absolute minimum price must be. The cheapest print minimum I've ever had was over $8 and it was for my shortest book. EBook publishers have the same stipulations for minimum prices. With Kindle, for example, if you want 70% royalties, your eBook has to be AT LEAST $2.99. Want to sell a book for .99 cents? You can, but you'll only get 30% of that.

So when you see a print book price or eBook price and wonder what made the author set that particular price, it's usually only a $1, give or take, over the minimum price they are told they HAVE to sell it at.

Keep that in mind when an author releases a book, or when readers complain that it isn’t .99 cents, or even free. An author is making, if they’re lucky, a few dollars from each book sale, on a novel they might have spent six months to a few years creating for you. If the book is .99 cents, the author might be getting .20 cents from each sale. If the author has their book listed free for a promotion, they receive absolutely nothing. 
The author might have spent thousands of dollars of their own money on an editor or cover designer, as well as money on any promotional materials. Unless the author’s name is John Grisham, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, etc, the author is likely not even recouping what they put into their novel to get it published. An author would have to sell over 500 copies of a book, if not more, to recoup what they put into it. So when you buy that $5 eBook or $10 print book, remember, that the author is only receiving a few dollars from that sale. 

Another way an author makes money is by you doing something that is completely free. The more books an author sells, the more money they make. The best way an author can sell more books, is if YOU, the reader, tells someone else to buy it. This may come by word-of-mouth, or sharing a Facebook post, but most come from reviews left on Amazon and Goodreads. Both sites generate a lot of readers for an author so if you leave a review on one, try to leave on on the other as well. Reviews can be anywhere from a few words about how you liked/loved it, to a complete rundown of what made the book appeal to you. Reviews don't cost anything but a few minutes of your time. But they can have a huge affect for an author. 

Using my own novel's royalties on, say, an eBook, costs you $4.99, giving the author $3.43. Add the few minutes you put into a review and two more people decided to give the book a try. You just helped the author make a total of $6.86 (plus what the author made from your sale) from your review. Your review could get 10 more people to buy the book. That's $34.30 you just helped the author make. Imagine if one or two of those ten people wrote a review with the same results. 

It's a domino affect that is all up to you, the reader. You have the power, in just a few words, to make or break an author. You have the capability to change an author's life.

Here's another breakdown of how reviewing works. The average book only receives 1.5 reviews for every 750 (or so) books read. That's a lot of books read with hardly anything to show for it. And a lot of potential readers that never know what they're missing.

Amazon has made it doubly hard for self-published, indie, and new authors to gain a foothold with new readers already. We've all logged onto Amazon, looked at the book department, and been bombarded with top sellers/new releases/recommended for you adds in each category on the home page. But did you know that in order for an author to even be allowed on those lists, they have to have 50+ reviews on their novel? Fifty reviews is extremely hard to come by without paying a company thousands of dollars to write them. My novel, Dark Mountains was published in 2013, has an average rating of 4.3/5 stars, and still only has 36 reviews. Unless you're a big-name author, those lists seem unattainable.

But even worse for self-published authors, Amazon itself seems to be out to get them, by removing reviews based on a perceived bias. All authors have family and friends that will read their book and leave a review, most of the time, a favorable one, but sometimes, not so much, as was the case for me on my debut novel. See my post: Handling Negative Feedback for proof that a family member's review doesn't guarantee anything positive. But Amazon doesn't agree.

Amazon has, in recent months, begun deleting user's reviews if they get any hint of a connection between the author and reviewer. It isn't just family members and friends feeling the heat from Amazon. Even perfect strangers (to the author) that have liked their Facebook page, or followed them on Twitter or Goodreads, are feeling the burn. Amazon is currently on a witch hunt for any connection, regardless of how remote or above reproach it is, and is removing reviews from author's books. 

Currently it's a big scandal, as Amazon seems to only be removing favorable reviews and not negative ones, even when they are found to be an author's competing rival or vindictive family member. Amazon has also been having major issues with some authors cheating the system but purchasing reviews, creating fake accounts and writing their own reviews, padding books with extra pages to gain more revenue from KDP select/Amazon Prime, etc. It seems an uphill battle for self-published authors trying to be successful in the right way, with so little options given to them.

My advice for leaving a review is to make sure you don't link any of your social media accounts to your Amazon one. Even with Goodreads, it's best not to link accounts. Goodreads itself is not at all strict with its reviews and ratings, but Amazon will check the reviews on Goodreads to search for author/reader connections.  Don't mention that you know the author personally. But be honest about the book. If you didn't like it, say it. If you loved it, tell people, and let them know why you loved it. 

There is a silver lining to Amazon's review process. Amazon currently offers reviewers to 1) vote whether the review was helpful or not and 2) let the reviewer comment on other reviews. What's so great about that? 

If you took a peek at my Handling Negative Feedback post, you'll see that my debut novel, Dark Mountains, received a 2 star review (from a family member) because it had cursing and described sex scenes, although it is categorized as a romance novel and clearly states on the book's sale page that it's recommended for 18+ due to mature scenes. The reviewer also went as far to point out how my personal beliefs made her judge the type of book I had written. (My author bio page said I liked singing at church.)

I also have a one-star review from someone who was shocked at the graphic sex scenes halfway through the book. To be fair, there are some fully explained sex scenes (though I wouldn't consider them graphic... they're a lot more tame than erotica books, and even Shades of Grey), and they are about halfway through the book, but the story centers on two kids and their journey to fall in love as they grow up. Obviously two kids can't have sex in a novel, and as the story progressed to them being adults, so did their physical relationship with each other. Beneath that review was two comments thankful to be warned about the sexually graphic content.

Of course, I'm glad that potential readers are being warned of what they're getting into before they start a novel, as I'd likely have a few more bad reviews if they hadn't been made aware. But having a romance category that points out on the purchase page that it contains adult content and recommended for reading over 18, should have been clear enough. 

This is where the reviewer and Amazon account holder can save the day. A reviewer that had enough common sense to know what the novel was going to be about before starting it can comment and rebut a negative review. A reviewer that knows an author's personal beliefs shouldn't be held in account to the fiction they write, can defend an author's work. You, the reader and reviewer, can save an author's day.

So being a successful author isn't all about writing a great novel. Having readers and reviews plays a huge part in whether an author has financial success, or even breaks even, with the novels they spend so much time and money on.

My favorite analogy to use is this:

Most people would go to a coffee shop, say a Starbucks, and spend $5 or more on a cup of coffee. A barista takes a few minutes to make it and you shell out the money without batting an eye. You might even tip the barista for the few minutes of coffee making. There are some people that do this multiple times a day.

Yet a lot of readers complain that a book is too expensive, or even that the book isn't free. 

An author spends a bare minimum of six months on a book. Usually a year or more perfecting it for publishing. They spend hundreds or thousands on cover art, a cover designer, an editor, someone to format it, on ordering copies. Thousands of hours on a keyboard, researching, editing, rewriting. 

An author's book is that cup of coffee that makes you sigh on the first sip, that warms you on the inside, that makes you smile, that gets you through the day, that helps you to escape the world for a little while. An author's book is a one-time purchase for you, but one you can come back to and enjoy over and over again without having to pay any more money. As if that coffee kept magically refilling itself for you. And the review you leave is the barista's tip for a job well done. 

So please, don't shy away from buying that author's book and make sure you don't forget to tip your author.

Planning vs Winging It - The differences in being a panster or plotter, and why it really doesn't matter.

I recently filled out a Q&A for an author signing event this July and one of the questions was: Are you a panster or a plotter? I literally had to look up what the definition of panster was. I had no idea! And you might not either, but I'm about to help you figure it out.

A panster is a writer who wings it, flies by the seat of their pants, has no actual plan, just to write whatever they want. A plotter is the opposite: a writer who needs a clear plan, outlines and synopses, one who writes from point A to point B. 


Here's some pros/cons of being a panster:

Cons:
-You have NO idea where your story is going or how it starts. You might have the beginning all written out but have no idea how it's going to end. Or you could have written the perfect ending but have no idea what got you to that point.
-It's easy to get stuck in your writing trying to figure out how to make things fit, or where to go from here.
-You have a higher chance of giving up on what you're working on to write something completely different as a way to escape the writer's block.
-If you are submitting your story to an agent/publisher, a majority of them ask for a synopsis or outline. You don't have one, and writing one just to submit your work will drive you mad.
Pros:
-You aren't stuck with what you've written in your outline. 
-If you get to a certain plot point and decide you don't like where it's taken you, you can change it, without adjusting an entire outline to make it work.
-You have total freedom in your writing. 
-You take your storyline where your characters lead you. 

Here's some pros/cons of being a plotter:

Cons:
-Your entire story is based on your specific outline. If you want to change anything, you have to adjust the entire outline to make it work.
-You limit yourself by sticking to what you decided before you started writing. Your characters are limited to the amount of detail you give them when creating your outline.
Pros: 
-You know exactly where your story is going. You don't get stuck with writer's block, you simply look at your outline and know what you need to write next.
-Your story can flow better since you know what happens from start to finish, before you start writing it. 
-If you're submitting your story to an agent/publisher, you already have an outline/synopsis ready, which is what most require for submissions.


Every author is different. Some, like me, are pansters. Others, plotters. Some are something in between, or something completely different, or a mix of both, or one for a certain story and the other for a different story. 

But the great thing is, IT DOESN'T MATTER what type of writer you are. The fact that you are writing is ALL that matters.

What's it matter if you start at the beginning and write to the end, step by step? What's it matter if you write the end, then go back to the beginning, then maybe finish the middle if you're feeling it? What's it matter if you write a detailed outline, only to write in depth in random spots, piecing it together as you go? It doesn't matter. As long as you finish what you start, you are a successful writer.

Everyone's brain works in different ways. Some work better with a rigid structure, others with no discernable structure. Some like to blare music while they create, others like absolute quiet with no distraction. They all have something in common. They are ALL writers. Yes we all have to learn structure, outlines, and the like in our typical school English classes, but it doesn't mean we have to write like that. (Except for those annoying assignments where you have to SHOW that you DID work exactly like that.) If you're a natural plotter, these assignments can help you hone your skills at planning, making it easier to get your story finished. But if you're a panster, these types of assignments are a creative hell. Once you're free from the assignments of school, you can write however works best for you. Let your creative juices flow. If that means you need to spend hours working on a detailed and precise outline, than outline away! If that means you let your inner hippie out and feel the flow of the universe through your pencil/keyboard, than have at it flower child!

The important thing is that you are writing. That you are creating something only your mind can come up with. No one else can make exactly what you can. No one else has those ideas, and stories, and characters in their head. Only you. So write on pansters and plotters, and in-betweeners, and don't let anyone, ever, tell you how you should be writing. You're the author, after all.

Using Pinterest as an Author Platform - Thursdays with the Author

Pinterest

One word and you're already expecting to get lost pinning hundreds of ideas for hours at a time. 

It's that addicting. 

So why aren't more authors using it?

Maybe because they're getting just as lost as the average pinner?

Pinterest has exploded in the last five years and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Crafters, moms, wedding planners, DIYers, designers, artists, and even authors, are using the site as a mecca for ideas. Even other social media sites are being used for pins. Just check out my Fan Canon folder and see all the Harry Potter fan canons being pinned from Tumblr. Pins can be seen all over Facebook and Twitter. Most websites now give the option to pin what you've just looked at.

There are over 72 million people that use Pinterest. 72 MILLION. That's a lot of people you could be reaching by using Pinterest as an author platform.

So how do you use it as an author platform?

1) Have Your Author Pinterest Account Separate From Your Personal One.
You've seen this before in my How Social Media Can Help You Become A Better Writer post. On ANY social media site, your personal page and author page should be completely separate. Business vs private. Your readers, your customers, do not want to see your personal drama splashed on every corner of the Internet. It works the same for your author Pinterest account. Avoid the personal pinning: recipes to try, DIY ideas, wedding planning. Unless it directly relates to something you're currently working on, don't pin it. If it is related to what you're working on, separate your pins into boards that make it obvious to your readers...

2) Label Your Boards. Your books, your social media links/contacts, writing tips you want to share, motivation, books you read, authors you recommend, story inspiration, etc. When you create each board and the pins to go in them, remember that your readers and followers will be basing who you are as an author on what you are putting on your page. I have boards titled: My Books, Contact the Author, Writer's Ramblings Blog, Guest Blog Posts, Who Would Play My Characters, Writing Blogs and Websites, Marketing Tips, Writing Tips, Motivation, Publishing Tips, and so much more. Each Board has tons of pins on the topic that I, and other authors, can use to become better at our profession.
Side note: Make sure your board cover photo is a good one. You want something easily read and understood as the first thing someone sees on your boards.

3) Organize Your Boards

This is important. There needs to be some type of method to your madness. Your first boards should be about you as an author. The books you have out (pin links to your sales pages), how to contact you, your blog (if you have one, and you should). The next ones should be about writing as a profession: marketing, publishing, writing, motivation, etc. Next: You as a person. What makes you tic? What are your likes and dislikes? Favorite books, quotes, movies, etc. Readers want to know more about you as well as read your books. Next: Story inspirations. Character inspiration, story inspiration, recipes, art, etc. I have boards for Historical Research, Historical Scottish Research, and All Things Irish. IE: Things I write about often.

4) Make The 'About You' section short but memorable. 

Like Twitter, you only get so many words to describe who you are. 'I'm an author' is not enough to hold anybody's attention. Here's mine: I'm an author, wife, mother, blogger, pinning addict, wannabe Betty Crocker, 'zookeeper', and avid reader from Illinois.

5) 'Clean' Your Pins Often
Everybody hates repetition. And broken links. Check your pins often. Make sure you aren't doubling up, using broken links, or using out-dated information.

6) Make Use Of The 'Private Boards'
Most people use these these for dirty jokes they don't want their mom to see. You can use this for story ideas you don't want to give away, dirty jokes ;), things that have nothing to do with writing, etc. Things that make you look unprofessional as an author, but normal as a person, should go in your private boards.

7) Find and Pin Other Authors
In the author's world, the phrase 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.' seems to be an unspoken motto. Writing and publishing, especially in the self-published and indie-published world, is NOT a cut-throat business. Authors will go out of their way to help someone out. Use this to your (and their) advantage. Pin other authors, other author's books, other author's writing tips, other author's blogs, etc. Follow their boards, or their page. You'll find that they'll return the favor AND bring in new readers/fans from their own pages.

8) DO NOT SPAM

I cannot stress the importance of this one enough. Authors, writers, publishers, readers, fans: EVERYONE HATES SPAM. Don't use your Pinterest account as a diving board for jumping on top of everyone. Post your blog, post your books, but LEAVE IT AT THAT. Pinterest isn't going to sell your books for you. But Pinterest CAN sell you as an author, writer, and otherwise, pretty cool person. It will lead back to book sales eventually, but that's not the goal in creating an author platform via Pinterest. Gaining interest in YOU is the goal.

You can check out my Pinterest page here: AuthorAMeredith 


Now that you've got some great tips on using Pinterest as an author platform, get out there and START PINNING! :)

Point Of View... Get It Right, The Way YOU Want It - Thursdays with the Author

I recently had a chat with another writer about Point of View. The story she is currently working on is in first person, like my first book, Dark Mountains, was written. That conversation spurred this blog post topic:

What is Point of View, more commonly knows as: POV?

POV is what viewpoint in which the story is being written. 

Is it multiple characters speaking/narrating? Is it a new point of view every chapter like George RR Martin writes in Game of Thrones? Is it first person, told through the eyes of one character, like Stephanie Meyer writes in the Twilight Saga? Is it third-person and narrated by someone omniscient, describing everything that is going on?

There are plenty of different thoughts on POV. Some think an all-seeing narrator is the best way to write. Others think first person lacks the perspective to describe things well. Some think multiple POV's too confusing. 

Here's the thing. They are ALL right.

Huh?

Let me explain.

An author is the only person capable of writing THEIR story. It's their's after all. Their creative process. Their brain thinking up the plots and characters. Their heart pounding the emotions out through the tapping of a keyboard. Their souls giving everything they've got the the characters and story that they HAVE to tell.

It doesn't matter if it's in first person or no person. It's THEIR story.

Not every reader will like it. Not every lover of third person will smile dreamily over your first person novel. That's ok. Like I've said many, many times before: You CAN'T please everyone. You are the writer. The first person you should please is yourself. It's your creation. Your baby. Write what you feel, no matter what the POV, and finish your story. THEN, and only then, do you go back and make it right.

Make it right? I thought you said no matter what POV I used, it was right?

That's right. I did. And I meant it. 

It doesn't matter what POV you write in as long as you do it correctly. If it's done right, the majority of your book's readers won't care what POV it's written in.

First you need to pick the right POV. For most authors, that is a simple decision. But for others, the question dogs them until the end.

Finding the right POV to use is simpler than it seems. Picking the right POV is finding the right balance between intimacy and perspective. You want the reader to be able to feel what your characters are going through, but on the same hand, other characters, themes, or revelations need to be presented. The character that has the most at stake, or the most to lose, or adds the most depth and value to the story. THAT is the character the POV needs to focus on. That is the character that will draw the reader in and attach their emotions to emotions of the very character they're reading of. That character will live in your reader until they read the words 'The End'. And if you've done it right, long after they read those words. 

Below, I will explain the different types of POV and how they're broken up. Once you understand what they mean and how they're written, you'll have a much easier time deciding which POV to use in your novel.

First Person

Told in present tense, sometimes in past tense: 

I, We, Me, Mine, Us

The story is told by one character, normally the hero or heroine or by someone close enough to the key events to describe them. 

Writing in this POV creates a few advantages, like only having to write through one person's mind, eyes, and emotions. You can easily create a distinctive internal voice. But that also creates some problems. The entire story is limited to ONLY what the narrator sees/hears/feels. Your narrator never gets a break. EVERYTHING that happens is seen through his/her eyes. You have no idea what other characters are feeling or thinking unless that character says it to your narrator. This limits any emotional attachment with your reader and any other characters.

There is also a 'sub-section' to First Person: 
Narrator vs. Viewpoint Character. 

Narrator First Person is when the narrator (who is also the Viewpoint Character) is looking back on his/her life, whether a day or years later. Whatever the age and maturity the narrator starts out as is what it always comes back to when the narrator takes control again.

Viewpoint Character is when the narrator is telling the reader what is happening right now (or during a flashback), as the events are unfolding. If the narrator is flashing back to his/her teenage self in Fist Person Viewpoint Character, the language, mannerisms, opinions, etc. all change, depending on where the character is when he/she takes over the narrating. 

Think of it like this: If you're in your 30's do you think and talk the same way as your 14-year-old self? No. And neither will the character narrating when switching from Narrator to Viewpoint Character.

Think Forrest Gump. Forrest begins the story as the Narrator, (older, wiser, and changed by the events that happened to him) and begins to describe his life by flashing back to different times in his life in First Person Viewpoint Character. Suddenly the reader isn't remembering what happened as it's being described. The reader is living it. 

I use this mix in my novel Dark Mountains. Cole begins narrating the book in First Person Narrator, but flashes back on his life in First Person Viewpoint Character. I even throw a little bit of First Person Character Viewpoint switch when Cole is injured in Iraq and Libby briefly narrates through First Person Character Viewpoint to explain what is happening to Cole while he is unconscious.

Second Person

Told in past or present tense:

You, You're, Your, You'd

The narrator is speaking directly TO the reader and making the reader BECOME the character.

The least liked POV for writers and publishers. Usually works best in short books, cookbooks, or how-to books. This POV can cause quite a few uncomfortable situations for the reader. Because the reader suddenly becomes the character (not simply empathetic to the character) things the character says/does/thinks/etc. can distract and even offend the reader.

Third Person

Told in past tense: 

He, She, It, They, Them

The narrator is an omniscient observer of the characters and scenes in the novel.

This one can be broken into 'sub' Third Person and broken into the four Third Person Roles

Omniscient Third Person - the narrator floats through the novel seemingly wherever it wants. The narrator explains everything that is going on with each character, leaving no room for guessing at emotions or thoughts.

Limited Third Person - The narrator is taken through the story by one character, with that character's thoughts, emotions, dreams, opinions, being the only ones the reader sees. The narrator can only guess at what other characters are thinking and feeling. 

Limited Third Person can switch to another character's viewpoint. This provides the reader a 'break' emotionally when switching to a new character, but there has to be a clear break in the actual writing: a new chapter (think Game of Thrones), italics, page break, page lines, etc. The narrator CANNOT change mid-sentence or mid-paragraph. 

Also, the character you switch the viewpoint to HAS TO HAVE a distinct voice. A common problem with Third Person is that the writer's characters all sound the same, regardless of who has the viewpoint. Each character should have their own quirks and mannerisms.

Be careful when writing Limited Third Person. It's easier than you'd think to begin narrating as the 'author' instead of the character.

In Third Person, the author can start out as an Omniscient narrator then switch back and forth to Limited.

So what's the difference between these two Third Person options? 

Distance and time.

In Omniscient Third Person, the reader can't fully invest in one character because the viewpoint changes often and without warning but the story is told quicker. 

In Limited Third Person, it takes longer to explain the story but the reader gets a deeper, more intimate connection to the character(s). This POV is the most commonly used by authors.

Third Person Roles:

Author: The reader needs to forget that the author of the novel is narrating, instead, seeing it as a kind of invisible witness. While writing, the author can't think of themselves as writing a book. They have to place themselves in the world they are writing about as a god-like figure that can see/hear/feel/understand everything that's going on. But even God has his own opinions and so does the author when narrating. 

Narrator: The narrator isn't one of the characters. The narrator makes it so the reader cares about all the characters in the novel and what happens to them. Unlike with the Author Role, the narrator's thoughts/opinions on the characters and events, don't matter. Only the description of events matter so the reader can create their own thoughts/opinions. The narrator is neutral and non-opinionated.

Viewpoint Character: Any character the narrator/author is 'homed in on' is the Viewpoint Character. You can write the entire novel with only one Viewpoint Character or use multiple Viewpoint Characters throughout the story. Viewpoint Character is the most intimate of the POV rolls. When the narrator is using Viewpoint Character, that character's word choice, grammar, attitude, opinion, accent, pet phrases, etc. are what the reader sees and invests in. Keep in mind, each time you switch to a new character's viewpoint, all those things must change with the character switch as well.

Protagonist: The Protagonist is the leading/central character, or the person whose story lies at the heart of the novel (Think Forrest Gump). Usually Viewpoint Character and Protagonist Role will be the same, unless you switch characters in the Viewpoint Character. 
When to NOT use the Protagonist role: 
1) When the protagonist is too extraordinary (thoughts, intelligence, language, physical strength, etc) for the reader to relate to. 
2) When the protagonist needs to be kept mysterious.
3) When you want to keep the reader guessing until a later time. 
4) The protagonist is going to die. (Obviously, you can't kill your narrator!)




Some other tips on POV:

Be careful if you switch POV or POV rolls throughout a novel. If you switch too many times, or switch without clearly notifying the reader, the reader will become confused on what character they are supposed to be sympathizing with. 

No matter what POV you are using, the narrator should NEVER tell the reader something that the narrator couldn't possibly know. The reader will see the suddenly absurd information and instead of staying invested in the story, will be left wondering, 'How did they know that?'.


Now that you've slogged through all the tips on POV, remember the biggest tip I can give you! Keep Writing! :)

Good luck and happy writing!

Quick Update

Quick Update

Sorry for the few weeks of silence everyone! It's been extremely hectic on the home front the last few weeks. 

My kids just finished up school, and now that summer's here, my daycare has become very full! Trying to find time to do ANYTHING with so many kids running around is pretty much impossible!

My daughter started softball, which I happened to volunteer to coach, so 2 evenings out of every week are now gone as well. My niece is also playing softball, in another town, so there's another 1-2 days gone! ;)

Added to that, we are planning a road trip from Illinois to Texas at the end of the month. Three adults and three kids for 18 hours in one mini-van. Scheduled to get back 4 days before release date. I may just go crazy. I'll keep you posted on that! ;)

And the real reason, I have been skimping out on my blog lately is because (in the small free time I actually DO have) I've been working hard to get Irish Heart ready for it's June 30th release! You'd think with this being my third book to self-publish, that the process would be easier but it sure isn't. This book, I'm having trouble getting copyright permission for the photo I want to use on the cover. That has been a real kicker for me as I want to give you guys a beautiful cover that also fits the flow of the first novel, Irish Strength. Not an easy task! 

So I imagine you won't be hearing much out of me for the next few weeks as I try to tackle all these crazy things! I hope you're all excited to see book 2 of The Irish Treasures Saga! I know I'm excited to give it to you!

Creating A Cover For Your Book... What You SHOULD Do - Thursdays with the Author

Creating a Cover For Your Book

What You Should Do

Back in my post Creating a Cover For Your Book - What Not To Do, I went over some humorous and important things to avoid when creating a cover. 

Today's post will contain some things you should definitely be sure to include while making your cover. 

If you can afford it, hire a reputable cover designer, and let them create the masterpiece for you. But if you're like me, and spending the money is NOT an option for you, check all these tips to make sure you're doing it right! :)

1) Quality Images

300 DPI (dots per inch) is the minimal requirement for nearly every self-publishing company. When searching for images online, typing HDR (high definition resolution) will (usually) weed out any low quality images. 

2) Don't Sacrifice Quality for Size

If keeping the quality of an image means the image won't fill the front cover, stick with quality. Quality of the image, even the font, should never be lost. It's better to have a beautiful and clear picture, than something blurry or grainy.

3) Title and Author Must be Easy to Read

No crazy, confusing fonts. No small font size. The title and author name should be clear and very easy to read. Some authors like to have their name larger than their title, while others prefer the opposite, or equal sizes. If you are a new, or relatively unknown author, your name should NOT be bigger than the title. When you are well-known enough that your NAME is what sells the book, THEN you can have your name equal or greater in size than the cover. Examples: Steven King, Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks. 

4) Pick a Theme and Stick With It

Your cover shouldn't be tying to explain every theme that happens in your novel. Pick a main theme or general appearance you'd like to convey, and stick with it. This goes for images, fonts, and general colors. Ever heard of the saying, 'less is more'? This applies to your book cover as well. Sometimes the simplest cover is the most stunning. 

This tip also goes for series. Each cover should be different but fit the overall theme of the series. Here's what my series covers look like:

5) Have Something in the Background 

Color, texture, a background image. DO NOT leave the background white UNLESS you have a border around the cover. A white background will be lost on retailer websites. 

6) Use Contrast
White on black, black over white, red on black, orange over blue, etc. A central image, a line of text... make it stand out from the rest of your novel. Perfect examples of this are the Twilight Saga Book Covers.

7) Put Your Cover Next to the Same Genre at the Store and See How Well it Fits In AND How Well it Stands Out!
You don't want your book to seem like it doesn't belong on that shelf but you do want to make sure it can be noticed when surrounded by all the other books out there. A good idea to try (and this goes for ANY genre) is going to your local store (grocery, book, etc), find the book aisles and the section with your genre. Take a picture of the shelves to take home and compare with your novel or the imagine in your head what your cover will look like, sitting on those shelves between all those other titles. If your cover won't stand out among the others, you probably need to change it. If it's stands out in a bad way, you probably need to change it.