WRITE A BOOK

[Seany]

I think this is an excellent idea, I'm thinking of writing up my researches and would value more focussed and impartial advice. Maybe the next GWF conference could have a seperate room with a writers workshop or surgery or something?

Should we have a GWF authors convention? We could show potential authors our work and encourage them. I am sure we all have different stories of our publications. What does anyone think?

Chris

[Moonraker]

I've been searching the Internet for UK military book publishers and, as well as the well-known names, have come across a number of sites mentioning companies I haven't heard of. Some offer production packages, ie you pay them to produce your book. Googling their names doesn't produce much in the way of independent comment, except in a couple of writers' forums, where suspicions are voiced about some of them being "vanity" publishers - you pay them, get a load of books, and that's it. A couple do seem to offer more than this, and indeed I know of one small local history publisher that takes money up front and then successfully sells the books. At least one title has gone through several reprints.

Two of the more reassuring companies I found were Tommies Guides and Woodfield Publishing, and though I've never noticed their books in the shops their titles are held by the Bodleian Library at Oxford, one of the six libraries to whom publishers are required supply copies of new titles.

I'm spending an hour at Foyle's in London today and I'll be interested to see what "small" publishers there are in the military section.

Moonraker

[b3rn]

Keep ebook publishing in mind, it is not that difficult to publish to Kindle via Amazon

[bmac]

I cannot understand why anyone would pay to get their book published when POD, ebooks, distribution and royalty payments are all so easily and effectively available through people like Lightning Source and Amazon. Actually, I'm not sure why I'd be keen to allow a proper publisher take my money either. Unless you need to make money from it or are writing a blockbuster why let someone else share in the proceeds when you can control it all yourself?

[Chris_Baker]

Simple answer to that: time, lack thereof.

[bmac]

Don't accept that really. Once the books are formatted and uploaded there is nothing more to do unless you want to. I laid out my books and covers in Word then exported to pdf. Really not a big issue and, as long as you read the printer's instructions with care, not at all time consuming. Once it is on their system and the proof copy is approved it stays there, with a small fee each year to cover it, effectively in perpetuity. I have nothing to do with the sale of the majority of any books I sell. Lightning Source does the lot including automatically paying any royalties into a bank account. Where's the time pressure?

If the book has a very narrow focus of interest then it makes sense to do the marketing yourself so you should build that time into the process of the book's publication. Let's face it, no one is going to get rich publishing the vast majority (all?) of the books being considered here. If you want them to reach what market there is then the author is better placed than a publisher to identify and exploit it. Why go to the time and trouble of researching and writing such a narrow/local interest book only to abandon it to the uncertain mercies of a publisher when it comes to promotion, sales and distribution? It will be a minor element of the total time involved in the production of the book from research to publication and the author will probably do a better job.

[Chris_Baker]

I understand your points, bmac, but there is no way I would have bothered with my book if I had to go through the tasks of layout, production, distribution and sales as well as writing the blooming thing. Life's too short. Having said that I am not too fussed about making any money out of it, so subcontracting those aspects to a publisher is no pain.

[bmac]

Well, if you HAD to do all those things I might agree. All I HAD to do was layout. I chose to do some promotion and have a web site and do a few direct sales. Once the pdf was on Lightning Source's computers, however, production, distribution and sales are pretty much up to them. I needed to do nothing else.

[seaJane]

Having been involved with a self-published group anthology I can say that marketing is the real time- and energy-consumer. And my bugbear with e-publishing is lack of quality control.

[bmac]

The thing about marketing is that it so much depends on the nature of the book. If it is of general interest then a publisher, if willing to take it on board AND commit something towards marketing, makes some sense. The types of books talked about quite a lot here are of a very special interest, often within a local area in which case I'm not sure that the sorts of publishers who might be prepared to put a book out will have either the time or contacts to be able to achieve much.

[MichaelBully]

I would also welcome the chance of a meeting for GWF pals writing about the Great War or militiary history in general. I have written three novels - not Great War related- and have been sending off sample chapters to agents and publishers.

I have started a very long term Great War related history research project which I hope to turn into a book, but would surprise myself if I would be ready to submit any manuscript until 2015.

To start with I have tried to ask the following:

What is the purpose of the book- trying to construct a core argument?

What can it add to the already published material which is available?

Can I identify the sort of person who might want to read it? (Great War enthusiasts or people with a more casual interest in the Great War, perhaps even both).

Regards, Michael Bully

[r larkin]

Should we have a GWF authors convention? We could show potential authors our work and encourage them. I am sure we all have different stories of our publications. What does anyone think?

Chris

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[Moonraker]

... I have started a very long term Great War related history research project which I hope to turn into a book, but would surprise myself if I would be ready to submit any manuscript until 2015...

Sadly perhaps too late to interest a conventional publisher, which by then will have been inundated with Great War manuscripts submitted with the centenary in mind.

As indicated in an earlier post, I checked out Foyle's yesterdays and only mainstream publishers' works were on their shelves. The Writers and Artists Year Book, available in many public libraries, has some very good sections on publishing. It warns that bookshops won't stock books from "vanity" publishers, though I guess exceptions might be made if there's strong local interest.

There's an article in my local newspaper today about "Author into print after seven years". It turns out he's self-published a novel, and my initial cynical reaction was so what. But it can be ordered on-line through Amazon and Waterstone's and downloaded "onto a Kindle or eBook". And he's succeeded in getting some good free publicity in the local rag.

I guess that for some of us older people epublishing can be a bit scary, but it's something I may consider. I've always acknowledged the specialised nature of my Canadian text and remain philosophical about it being published conventionally. But I may be forgiven for being a bit exasperated with publishers I've dealt with when it comes to communications. The Canadian one took six months to tell me they didn't publish non-Canadian authors without support and emails sent to it to recently to enquire if they're still interested have yet to be answered.

Moonraker

[bmac]

Sadly perhaps too late to interest a conventional publisher, which by then will have been inundated with Great War manuscripts submitted with the centenary in mind.

As indicated in an earlier post, I checked out Foyle's yesterdays and only mainstream publishers' works were on their shelves. The Writers and Artists Year Book, available in many public libraries, has some very good sections on publishing. It warns that bookshops won't stock books from "vanity" publishers, though I guess exceptions might be made if there's strong local interest.

I was quoted up to a two year lead time when I approached some publishers with my books several years ago.

Whilst high street bookshops might not stock them if you use the right printer then they will be able to order them for customers. You need a POD printer that fulfills the function of dealing with wholesalers like Bertrams or Gardners or will respond to individual orders from independent book retailers. That and an ISBN number.

There's an article in my local newspaper today about "Author into print after seven years". It turns out he's self-published a novel, and my initial cynical reaction was so what. But it can be ordered on-line through Amazon and Waterstone's and downloaded "onto a Kindle or eBook". And he's succeeded in getting some good free publicity in the local rag.

Ebooks and POD are two separate functions. Again, the right printer will supply Amazon on demand. My self-published books have been available through Amazon, for example, continuously since published five and three years ago and one has been in the World War I 1914-1918 'best sellers' list (and some others) pretty much continuously for the past four years. It is currently No 83. It has been in the top 10. (Doesn't mean a lot in fact. You sell one copy in a week and the rating shoots up. Two and you're in the top 10. I haven't done this [honest] but some people buy a few copies of their own books to boost these ratings. )

Amazon orders the books direct from the printer and the printer pays me in arrears. I give Amazon a 33% discount which is their margin. Should I decide to go down the Ebook route (the books may be too long but I haven't checked this) then that is a separate arrangement with Amazon. The percentage paid to the author is, though, very good.

Local interest books really should generate some local media coverage. For my London based book I sent out a mailshot to every listed London local newspaper and got articles/interviews in half a dozen or more. I tailored the mailshot to their local interests, i.e. focusing on a local casualty for example, and it seemed to ring bells. With the North Midlands book I did a thing for BBC Radio Stoke and got it on their web site. Just needs a bit of research and organisation and some thought as to what a journalist might find interesting.

[ph0ebus]

Should we have a GWF authors convention?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Plenty of room here in NYC...

-Daniel

[pinevista]

I'm in the process of writing a book and I'm very interested in how you self published your books as well as your ability to do the covers.

i have done what you have suggested and written 11 books since 2007 i am on my 12th. See detail at bottom of email. I self publish so therefore am the marketer, publicist, etc all done by myself, accountant, etc. I have met relatives, blitz survivors etc. The book I am completing Thiepval Memorial 331 men Day by Day. Self imposed deadline next month, and no this is not my full time job...Any is needed letme know

I do the covers as well, infact everything. Good job i don't need sleep!!!

[pinevista]

I've just joined the ranks of the GWF and I'm in the process of writing a book based on my grandfather's WW One journal. I've been post some of the excerpts under "soldiers" titled 3 chums. I'm new to this writing business and would appreciate any input. I've been working on this project for the last 3 years and I'm ready to put it all together. I truly believe that everyone has a story to tell. Of all the forums I've joined while performing my research, this is the best of the best.

I think this is an excellent idea, I'm thinking of writing up my researches and would value more focussed and impartial advice. Maybe the next GWF conference could have a seperate room with a writers workshop or surgery or something?

[MichaelBully]

Thanks for your advice Moonraker. I don't think that I will be ready until 2015 simply due to needing time to work on various source material and whilst I can write pages of fiction at a time, I am very slow when it comes to writing about Great War history, can really ponder over every sentence.

The subject I have in mind connects to 1916, so might just catch the centenary market! Regards , Michael Bully

Sadly perhaps too late to interest a conventional publisher, which by then will have been inundated with Great War manuscripts submitted with the centenary in mind.

Moonraker

[steve fuller]

Something I should perhaps add; obvious really but worth saying out loud ...

I too was approached by a publisher and asked to produce a series of books specific to the regiment I research.

Having just compelted the final draft of my first volume, it is extremely satisfying of course. No condescension intended but, 85,000 words later, I have to 'warn' people that it is not an easy job, especially as we are all in the business of remembering them properly.

Small price to pay in terms of our time spent, seated in comfy chairs, chattering away at a laptop when compared to what our chaps went through, but it is a slog taking on such a project between everyday life!

[zippy.72]

I published a book (Distant Deeds) last year which recorded the men of Warsop, Notts who are named on the three local memorials. To date, I have sold about 200 copies which exceeded my expectations. I used Lulu who I found offered a very good service (although I have nothing to compare it to as this was my first and only experience of publishing to date.)

Lulu have word templates which can be easily downloaded from their website and this does all the necessary formatting on your behalf. It is also easy to add photographs. Self publishing is cheaper but harder work. For example, if a mistake is made it will appear in the publication. Fortuntately a good friend of mine proof-read the manuscript. The word file is then converted into a PDF format which can be used elsewhere i.e. with other similar organisations. The only cost to the author is when copies are ordered. I didn't buy an ISBN but as it wasn't offered for sale on Amazon, this wasn't a problem. All marketing was done by myself i.e. setting up a website, contacting local media etc. This was again hard work but also allowed me to gain extra information from relatives.

I didn't do this to make a profit but heard the full names of the men being read out on Armistice Day. As their names were recorded by initial/surname only, many had been forgotten and this made the whole experience worthwhile.

Tim

[SWorrall]

Lightning Source does the lot including automatically paying any royalties into a bank account. Where's the time pressure?

NMP use Lightning Source for their POD order fulfillment.

Their name, and the print date, is on the inside back cover of every volume that they publish.

Simon.

[bmac]

LS print for a wide range of companies. I've seen slightly better quality (not saying they are bad but the paper is a slightly lighter weight than some others) but have not worked with a company that make the entire operation so straightforward. No invoicing for payment, money just appears in the bank account and I get emailed a statement every month. I only wish some of the record companies and music publishing companies that pay me royalties were as efficient and reliable.

[Moonraker]

Further to my occasional comments about my efforts to get a British publisher interested in my Canadian text, I visited one today who does regional titles and our meeting ended by his saying that it was "98%+" certain that he would take the book on, subject to negotiations with the Canadian publisher. (So I'm not counting my chickens...)

But he reckons that the release at the end of this year of Spielberg's "War Horse" will create interest in the Great War and he wants the book to come out next year to capitalise on this, with a fresh wave of interest (hopefully) in 2014. So he's asked for copy by December 31.

Never being completely happy, I can see the discussions between the two publishers dragging on; the Canadian has a board meeting towards the end of each month, and there probably won't be one in December, so that's just three meetings.Ideally I would like a contract before I do too much work, and there's always the possibility that the Canadian company may have its own ideas on how the book should be presented.

December 31 may be the end of the year but it's a questionable date, as with Christmas and postal delays copy has to be on its way by mid-December. I suggested January 9, to which he agreed. (And I shall have plenty of time over Christmas.)

Moonraker

[Don]

The Idea crossed my mind a few times.ie writing a bookI'm on that journey now .

For years none of my realtives spoke of the War and I had to probe and ask questions,mostly with little or no response.

I had two realtives who fought one survived and one perished.They were both regulars. They both joined the BEF IN 1908, which makes it interesting

I would like to leave a collection some day of their times and trials for the next generation so they can understand and appreciate the sarcifices they endured for their fellow Man

[Moonraker]

Delivered one of my texts (not the one mentioned in Post 48 et al) to the publisher this afternoon. Very satisfying. Proofs to be with me just in time to keep me occupied over Christmas. Should be out in the early summer with, hopefully, a fresh burst of interest in 2014.

Moonraker