The Tyranny of the Rules
Attend any writers conference and many of the guest speakers will be writers who reputedly have achieved some measure of success. Their presentations are touted as designed to help you become successful by being a better writer. Often, they begin their presentations with the advice that you “ignore the rules and just write great stories.” Then they pepper their presentations by enumerating the rules you must follow in order to be successful.
A confusing state of affairs, right? So, what is an aspiring writer to do? Ignore the rules? Scrupulously follow the rules? My first piece of advice is to stop looking for someone to reveal a successful “path of least resistance.” Ignoring the rules of writing, such as they are, certainly sounds easy. But I guarantee you very few, if any, writers achieved fame and fortune by turning out crap. The rules of writing provide a format or structure for producing good stories—setting the hook, pacing, conflict, escalating tension, fleshed out characters, realistic dialogue, etc. There probably are a few writers who dominate the top of the bestseller lists and can write what they want, rules or no rules. But they didn’t achieve their lofty status by doing that.
If you self-publish without benefit of professional editing, you will turn out crap, and in the process give all self-published works a black eye. If you desire to go the traditional route in publishing, you’ll need to be represented by a literary agent. These people make their living by selling authors and their manuscripts to a publishing house. They can’t and won’t take crap to a publisher, or they’ll soon need to find another line of work. This, in part, explains why finding an agent seems to be next to impossible. Good agents are pros. They recognize good stories that are well written, something they can take to a publisher without jeopardizing their relationship.
So, before you elect to cast aside good writing techniques in hopes of finding the fast track to literary fame and fortune, accept that there is a proven system and it still works.
Word Count vs Pages in the Final Print Edition
Writers, editors, and publishers live in a world of word counts. Readers usually think in terms of pages, perhaps even chapters. Is there a way to convert the word-count into the number of pages in the final print version? So, with that challenge in mind here’s an exercise in TMI:
First, the number of chapters is meaningless. A writer could author a 100,000-word book that has but a single chapter. On the other hand, one of my favorite writers, the late Robert B. Parker, wrote the Spenser books typically using chapters of only four to six pages in length. So, the number of chapters didn’t tell you much about the length of the book. But it did make it hard to put it down. I mean, come on—just one more chapter!
Pages are a better indicator of the size of the book. But you have to factor in the dimensions of the book—larger pages accommodate more words, thus shorter books. The size and font of the print used also is a factor.
Let’s look at my manuscripts for an example. I use Times New Roman font in 12-point type in the initial draft. I space the lines at 1.15. This gives me on average 500 words per page. For the curious, I do double-space the final draft that goes to agents, editors, and publishers. BUT how does the 500 pages translate into the ultimate print version of the book? My Sleeping Dogs thriller Dogs of War is 112,000 words in final form. The print version is 345 pages in length. This equates to about 325 words per page in the print version.
So, if that metric holds, the working draft of my newest book is about 77,000 words so far. That’s 237 pages in a print edition. BUT:
- I still have a lot more material to add;
- Editing will eliminate some material and add some to it;
- The book’s dimensions (usually 6”x9”), font, and print size will have an effect on the number of pages in the finished product;
- And then there is the “rule of thumb” that thrillers (other than those written by current bestselling authors who crank out 150,000- to 180,000-word tomes) should be about 90,000 words in length. For the record, I always break that rule. Look, I used to be an attorney; I’m wordy.
Consequently, if the final draft of my current manuscript miraculously turns out to be 100,000 words, the print version should be 308 pages; 120,000 words will equal about 370 pages
Like I warned you at the beginning—TMI, but now you know.
Book Signings
Creating Book Signing Opportunities
Marketing your book is one of the most difficult aspects of being a self-published writer. Once you’re satisfied with the final draft following endless editing and rewriting, you must determine how to reach as many readers/buyers as possible. You can use all available electronic tools to to spread the word. In addition to those tools, you may want to consider how to set up personal book signings. The following is a list of possibilities.
1. Contact Barnes and Noble in your area. Some of them occasionally have events featuring “Local Writers”. Caveat: These usually are scheduled well in advance.
2. Find out if there are independent book stores (usually boutique) near you. Visit them in person and establish a relationship with the proprietor. Find out if he or she would be open to a book signing. Also ask if you could leave a few books on consignment. If they agree, determine the following:
- Date and time. Try to determine the busiest time of day for foot traffic. The proprietor usually can tell you what the high-volume times are. Usually, a 4 – 5 hour span is sufficient.
- Will the signings be indoors or outdoors? Here in Florida, we sometimes have “sidewalk” signings because the weather often is suitable, except in the summer.
- Determine a method of payment. Typically, the store’s proprietor will scan the sale through a credit card machine. At the end of the day, they tally the sales and provide a check for the author’s portion of the sales. Caveat: the store/author split should be determined in advance of the signing.
- What will you need to bring versus what can the store owner provide, such as a card table, chair, table cover, posters, etc.?
- Make yourself visible. Don’t hide behind the table. Initiate conversations with people who stop to look at your books. Have a dynamite 10 second pitch. Stand your books upright on book stands. Have an item on the table that is eye-catching and ties into your book title.
- If possible, use a full color poster showing your book cover, author name, and the caption “Meet the Author.”
TIP: It is easy to make labels on your computer to put on your books that say “Local Author,” as readers/purchasers like to be aware of and read local talent. Also put the labels on the books you leave with the book store owner on consignment.
3. Local libraries also may be a source for book signings. Some have occasional events involving local author participation where the authors are invited to sign and sell their books. Caveat: Remember to have cash to make change or have a credit card scanner on your cell phone
Note: Most cities have main libraries as well as branch libraries. Each library branch may schedule their own events – separate from the “main” library, so contact the branches as well.
Note: There is a national Indie Author Day celebrated by many libraries around the nation and the world. Local authors are invited to sign and sell their books, participate in panel discussions, and address topics involving writing. It’s usually held in October, so check with your library to see if it observes this event. More information is available at: Indieauthorday.com
4. Book clubs are another source for possible book signings. You may be able to Google book clubs in your area and request to be a speaker and discuss your novel. The same details for time and place and requirements listed above for book shops should be considered.
If you are invited to speak, find out if the club requires members to read the book before the speaker appearance, of if you will be introducing your book and encouraging new readers and fans. Caveat: If the members of the club will be assigned to read your book and discuss it at the meeting, consider offering to provide free copies to them.
A nice gesture if invited to a morning program is to supply coffee, juice, or Danish for the group. This should be determined in advance with your contact.
Please remember to thank your host or hostesses personally for allowing you to discuss your book and follow up with a thank you note.