Improbable Press Blog — Publishing

By Atlin Merrick A quick note today and that's this: Know your publisher. I don't mean know the actual people, I don't even mean know all about what they do and when they started, I mean know what sort of publisher they are. I follow and get followed by other publishers and editors on Twitter and I usually follow back, but lately I've stopped doing that automatically, instead seeing who I'm following. This is how I learned that some subsidy presses are calling themselves independent publishers. But they're not. Not in the way that term is traditionally used. Independent Publisher...

By Atlin Merrick Just like 5 Ways for Shy People to Promote Their Book, this title is misleading. These are ways everyone can promote their book, but they do favor the extrovert. If you're shy you can still do any or all of these, only you might start small. Super small. You-and-your-writing-group small. For those more inclined to leap, the following six ideas may be great ways for you to promote your book! Promoting Your Book:Cons/conferences | Book parties | Radio | Contests | Libraries/Bookshops | Collateral Conventions and conferences Wrote a mystery novel? A supernatural tale? A romance? There's...

By Atlin Merrick First, that title is a little misleading – these are easy ways for everyone to promote their book, but they do favor the shy. If you're ever, ever not clear on how to move forward with self-promotion know that you can talk to your publisher. They can't read minds and they really want to help you because it helps them. Producing a book – ebook or paperback – is a pricey endeavor; publishers want to make their money back and share your great words with the world. So talk to them! Promoting Your Book:Social media | Newspapers...

By Atlin Merrick "Any usual advice you can give on doing PR for my book?" Yes! And also no! I was asked this question by a writer the other day, and I've got a lot of yes for them (which follows), and a certain amount of no, because there's nothing really 'usual' about promoting a book. Each writer has their own way of engaging with the world, so their usual may not be yours. That said, the first thing you want to do is know, down deep in your bones, that you are vital to your book's success. Writing is...

By Atlin Merrick Super secret tips! GETCHER SUPER SECRET TIPS RIGHT HEAH! *Ahem* Okay, here's a thing: Improbable Press (IP) is putting together a new anthology, and delightfully someone emailed asking if I had any super secret tips on how they could get their story accepted for it. BOY HOWDY YES. Super Secret Tips For Getting Your Short Story Published Actually, there aren't tips plural, there is tip, as in one, and that is this: Get out your magnifying glass. Squink one eye closed. Then peer through that glass at the submission guidelines for the anthology. I'm talkin' close. Read...