PIP Certificate
The biggest problem we face as self-publishers is the stigma of producing very badly written and manufactured books. That's not to say that the big publishing houses don't also put out bad work. All one has to do is go to the local bookstore and see what's on the new book shelves. But the books at least have gone through extensive vetting processes so that they usually aren't so full of errors and bad writing as to be unreadable. As small publishers we simply can't afford not to hire the best editors and designers our budgets will allow.
In addition to being a newly self-published author, I'm also a literature professor and am actively seeking work by new authors to include in my courses. Naturally, I want to support independent publishers and self-published authors. But I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with books that have been poorly edited, not well written, have horrible cover art, the list goes on.
So, I feel strongly that a PIP certificate needs to include an intensive workshop focusing on the "well-wrought" book, with samples of self-published books that do stand a chance on the marketplace. I also would like to call attention to publishers and authors in the Midwest to the Chicago Book Clinic. This organization will soon open submissions for its annual book design awards. I found it worthwhile to attend one of the organization's events to see the kinds of books it considered worthy of their awards.
Sandy Adell
Tags: Book, Chicago, Clinic, Independent, PIP, and, publishers, self
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Elaine Smith on -
Hi Sandy. I totally agree. The editing world is very expensive. $4-$6 per page is outrageous.
If you are actively looking for a publisher to help out, look to me. Thanks Elaine, Blazing Star Books -
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Niama L. Williams on -
Yes, editing is expensive and good editors should be; you are paying for expertise, and grammatical as well as content editing and proofreading expertise is fast a dying art in this 21st century world.
Please do not bash those of us holding the line for correctness as well as artistry and craft in a world in which even television commentators frequently make horrendous errors.
Lovingly,
Dr. Ni
http://www.blowingupbarriers.com -
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Niama L. Williams on
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Good wee hour of the morning, Prof. Adell. Thank you for sticking up for those of us out there who do our best to edit and publish literature in appealing, well-designed formats. I taught English, literature and remedial writing for 15+ years, and I am regularly appalled by what passes for modern work. And don't be a poet; some of the spoken word artists will make you cringe!
However, I am not here to complain or harangue. I wanted to thank you for insisting on quality editing and excellent covers. I invite you to peruse our company website and take a gander at our books. The only one not ready is THE JOURNEY, which has seemed to develop a glitch within Microsoft Word. All other 14 titles would, I believe, pass muster as literature worthy of study.
I also invite you to critique what you find, of course. One does not last as a writer if one does not welcome critique. By the way, you mentioned above your status as self-published author. Please consider submitting a chapter or two for consideration; I host "Poetry & Prose & Anything Goes with Dr. Ni" on BlogTalkRadio.com/drni and given your posting, would probably be delighted to have you on the show.
May you have a blessed Tuesday and a productive morning.
Sincerely,
Dr. Niama L. Williams
http://www.blowingupbarriers.com -
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Permalink Reply by Emily Hill on -
A Publisher's CoOperative is Born!
In Edmonds, Washington IndieAuthors were discussing the absolute necessity of professional editing, cover design, book formatting for our titles. And, as Elaine Smith [and so many others] point out editing and graphic design is expensive, considering the economic barriers for emerging authors.
I think we've come up with a solution in Edmonds, WA [home of Write On The Sound], offered by author David R. Gross and promoted by A.V. Harrison Publishing (me! ;)
...Here is the local news coverage of our concept:http://myedmondsnews.com/2011/04/edmonds-authors-announce-formation... Did you see the nod to SPAN ;D ?
So far the response has been encouraging, with a good mix between graphic people who want editors, and writers who need graphic design assistance with their titles.
I'll update on this site, as we develop and grow our Publisher's CoOperative. ~*~ Emily Hill -
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Permalink Reply by Theresa M. Moore on -
I taught myself everything about how to write, edit and publish a book, cover design, and everything else. But when you have professional trade magazines like Publishers' Weekly wanting to sequester self-published authors and small publishers into a cul de sac rather than grant them the same coverage as the bigger houses, or making them pay for the same privileges of press submissions, it is difficult to overcome the stigma of being judged as "not quite up to standard". Truly, I have seen some really excellent books fall into oblivion by this kind of treatment, and when I point out that some really substandard books have also been professionally published I am branded a troublemaker. In order to be accepted into the wider publishing world it is necessary to refine the craft more than is already practiced by modern publishers, and I strive to be the best I can be. Still, when you have sites like Amazon accepting the good with the bad, only the readers are called to judge how good or bad a book is by its sales statistics, and "sales rankings", tagging, and star reviews. Just because a book hits the NY Times best seller list does not mean it was that good; it just sold the most copies. The really good books are shoved into the dark and never seen.
We need to overcome that and also the prevalent competition of free books with books for sale , which there are far too many of to tell if a books is good or not. With these criteria determining the success of a title, the effort to write and edit a good book becomes meaningless.
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Joy Licatino on -
Theresa,
Like you, I have taught myself about the publishing industry and creating my own cover design/interior illustrations (which I have yet to perfect). I have years of music industry experience which is a great asset as book publisher. As a small publisher, I do require and submit my author's work to a professional editor and will not accept work that has not been professionally edited. Come what may on the cost. I want the best of the best. I will admit that I do my own interior illustrations and book covers because I have a passion for the creativity in me that comes out in the story. My book covers or interior illustrations may not so-call meet the professionals standards, but if you have the ability to learn and a great desire for it, it certainly provides a great sense of accomplishment. Who is to say that your work does not meet the standards of today's industry? As far as recognition as a publisher, even though I am a small publisher, we are up against the big-industry and we may not get the recognition that we deserve. One thing I agree on that some of the major industry production of books you see on store bookshelves is considered a professional work? I've seen books by the "big-industry" really look like a total amature did the work without any care. I have high standards that I have set for my small publishing house and the works that will be distributed and marketed will be just as good as the top industry. I recognize that it is difficult to be recognized as a small publisher and as such, self or small publishers are and will be harshly scrutinized for whatever product(s) they put out. Our books may be hardly found or placed on the back shelves in the bookstores. It is up to us as publishers and authors to get to get our books recognized and sold. In John Kremer's book "1001 Ways to Market," authors are the best marketers and promoters of their own book(s). Self/small-publishers are coming up more and more placing top industry in competition and with major influence with book sellers. It's alot of work for the little people. Someday my little publishing house will too be a recognizing force to compete with and I feel confident about that. My work(s) will stand out and hopefully someday make the best seller list. I will be recognized. As far as Amazon accepting the good with the bad, I say "good!" At least they are willing to sell the book and it should be up to the readers to determine what book is good or bad and that is a reflection of sales and no matter what status your publishing company is in, you will and your book be recognized, even in such places as the NY Times. As part of my being recognized, I visit all the bookstores and participate in community meetings, even though some could put me to sleep. I will be providing posters before releasing my or my authors books; adverstising in newspapers, getting local news to participate in my and the authors local areas; setting up at trade fairs and shows, standing on the street corner if I have to to make noise. I have a big mouth and I know how to make a presence. We are out to do the same thing, and that is to not only produce a good book, but to get our names out there to the public and be recognized. It's competition and I love competition.
I am all for participating in the PIP Program, voicing my concerns or opinions, and most of all, learning from the professionals or best of the best so that I may do better or produce better work. Like you Theresa, I am going to do the best I can. I feel that if I am satisified with the product that I and my authors put out there, to me, that is much more important. In this program, I will always be open to constructive remarks, and will take those remarks into consideration by the professionals, but as long as it is not done in snobbery or demeaning mannerisms. I anticipate a learning curve. I am very proud to be a part of this industry. Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Restoration Books & Publishing on -
Hi Sandra,
I am a new self publishing author. I need help in a lot of areas. I believe this certificate will help me. I have been writing since I was a child, but nothing fancy. I have this country girl language and those books do not sell well. I am going to take a proper English class real soon so I can be taught how to correctly speak some of these words. Sometimes, it is hard to change a set way of behavior. I am going to try. I have mainly had issues financially trying to pay someone to do good editing as you say. I know this is what I supposed to be doing in my life and so therefore, I will not crumble. I would like to see this program in place, so I can produce better books for people and I can publish correctly grammar books for other authors. I want to be a part of this.
Debra Turner
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Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on -
Debra,
I too struggle with writing, and would like to offer a word of encouragement by saying that you are already on the right track just by having a self-awareness of your own writing style. By knowing where you are at, you are in a much better position to move towards what you want next. I also think that taking an English class is always a good idea, for all of us, for the more we know about our craft, the better we can control our own output.
However, don't be afraid to explore artistically and on your own. As a reader, or as a writer, what sounds good to your ear right now? Ask your self why you like the way it sounds. Try to break down what it is that appeals to you about any given sentence, and use that as an exercise to further your own understanding of what you like as both the reader, and as the author.
In regard to the PIP program,
If you would like to still help, please consider posting any information that you have found valuable in your publishing journey here, in one of the threads listed here in the Best Practices section of our website:
http://www.spannet.org/page/pip-input-criteria
This is a place where we can all share our respective perspectives on the given topics. While it will not become an instant library of information overnight, we have hopes that overtime it will develop into a good road map to successful independent publishing.
bradley flora
SPANnet.org
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Permalink Reply by Restoration Books & Publishing on
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Mr. Flora,
Thank you so much. That is very encouraging. I will participate as much as I know how.
Debra
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Permalink Reply by Restoration Books & Publishing on
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I have found if you are not well known even your friends may not trust you to publish their books for them. I believe this certification will help establish us better even in our own communities. What do we have to do to participate with this?
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Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on
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Thanks for your query! The PIP program is still in the developmental stages. If you would like to help you can do so by sharing, within the respective posts, any expert knowledge you may have about the following topics:
http://www.spannet.org/page/pip-input-criteria
Our goal is to establish exactly what it means on paper to be a professional independent publisher, establish the criteria for the program, and then proceed forward from their.
From my perspective their are no wrong answers at this point, so please feel free to share in any way that you see fit.
Bradley Flora
Executive Director
SPANnet.org
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Permalink Reply by Tambra Kendall on -
Hi Sandy,
I have a sensual, mythology themed fantasy romance. This story received a 5 cup review from Coffee Time Romance. If you're interested in my work or this story, you may contact me at tambrakendall@att.net
Regards,
Tambra Kendall
Daughters of Avalon Publishing
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© 2012 Created by Bradley Flora.
