PDA

View Full Version : Introduction



AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 04:15 AM
Hello all. Thank you for being here. This workshop is about the state of the publishing industry today, and how authors can navigate through the maze. Hopefully, the information I share will help you on your path to publication.

Today, authors of all shapes and sizes are self and/or E-Publishing their books. From Multi-bestsellers reclaiming their rights and putting old novels up for sale as e-books (without help from their NY publishers) to the many tired of the NY rat race who’ve decided to Self-Publish in e-format on their own. Yet, read many online sites or newspapers about the state of the publishing industry, and you’ll hear about doomsday. The sky is falling. Go to other websites, and you’ll hear about the many aspiring authors still getting published. So what’s an author to believe?

This workshop discusses topics from why the publishing industry isn’t really about to end, the difference between Traditional and E-Publishers, Self-Publishing options, and how to decide what may be right for you.

A little about me:

Official BIO: Amber Kallyn is the author of paranormal erotic romance, and writes urban fantasy as Higley Browne. After spending years researching NY agents and publishers, the changes in publishing, and the rise of E-Publishers, Amber decided on a double course of action. She’s currently writing for E-Publishers, though keeping her eye on the goings on in NY.

I write paranormal erotic romance and am E-Published by Changeling Press and Ravenous Romance, with editorial requested manuscripts currently at Samhain and Carina Press. I’m not sure I can say I really chose to start with E-Publishing, but when offered, I wasn’t about to say no :) Since signing my first contract, I’ve learned, and experienced, a lot.

So, let’s get to the good stuff. You.

Because you are why I’m here. If I can help make your road a little smoother, a little straighter, and help close up some of the pitfalls I’ve come across along the way to publication, then that makes me happy.

So, without further ado, here’s the schedule.

Monday: Discussion 1 - Why the publishing world isn’t really about to end
Tuesday: Discussion 2 - The pros and cons of ‘Traditional’ -vs- E-Publishing -vs- Self-Publishing
Wednesday: Discussion 3 - Why what you write may make the decision for you
Thursday: Discussion 4 - Not all things are created equal, the differences between E-Publishers
Friday: Discussion 5 - Marketing and why it’s important on every path
Saturday: Discussion 6 - Wrap-up and resources

Feel free to interact, or lurk, as much as you’re comfortable with. Ask me anything - there are no stupid questions, ever. If there’s something I don’t know I’ll do my best to find out. :)

I’ll be posting one discussion a day, usually the night before. I’m AZ time, which is currently EST -2 hours. I’ll try to check in during the day, but I’m able to get on my computer more in the late afternoon and evenings.

Please ask questions in the Discussion posts. If I haven’t responded in a day or two, email me at amberkallyn @ gmail.com (amberkallyn@gmail.com) (remove the spaces) just to make sure I didn’t miss you. Also feel free to email me if you have a question you’d rather ask privately.

Please introduce yourself in this thread. Tell us what you write, and what stage you are in your career as an author. Also, let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to get out of this workshop.

Thanks,
~ Amber

Anika Daniels
February 14th, 2011, 11:55 AM
Hi Amber,

Thank you so much for teaching this class. I'm Anika, I'm currently unpublished. I primarily write contemporary romance but I'm interested in sci-fi and fantasy as well.

greta-g
February 14th, 2011, 01:05 PM
Hello! I'm Greta and I have one publishing credit-a short story-to my name. I primarily write YA romantic suspense but dabble in other genres for my short stories. That way I get the best of every world I want to enter :-) Anyway, very excited about this workshop and what I'll learn...

Clothdragon
February 14th, 2011, 01:06 PM
Hi, I'm Marilou, also unpublished, writing Urban Fantasy, SciFi, or Paranormal Romance. I'm not quite at the point where I can make personal use of this class since I have my only completed novel shelved, but I like to hear about the way tech influences our world and where people think it will go. That's what I'm here for. Thanks for offering up your experiences to help us figure it all out!

Bobbye Terry
February 14th, 2011, 02:11 PM
Hi Amber,
You know who I am but for those who don't, I'm Bobbye Terry. I have been a PAN member for close to fifteen years and previously had books at a NY house and, over the years, have had many with small press, some good and some bad. I currently have five publishers and plan to enter the indie (translation, self-published) market by testing the waters with a series of science fiction novellas. I love having fresh perspectives on a theme and believe we can always learn from each other, no matter what our talents.
It's nice to be here,
Bobbye

Isabelle Lauren
February 14th, 2011, 02:23 PM
Hi, I'm Isabelle. I write woman's fiction with romantic elements. I am currently unpublished and would like to change that this year. Thanks for the class!

Rhonda Marsh
February 14th, 2011, 02:52 PM
Hi My name is Rhonda, I write urban Fantasy, fantasy fiction, I have two manuscript in a series and is working on the next. I'm continuing my education in the craft of writing and want to learn more about the business of publishing. Thanks for having this class.

LynnKalamazoo
February 14th, 2011, 02:58 PM
Hi Amber

I'm Lynn. I'm write women's fiction, unpublished, aimed at baby boomers. I know the publishing market is changing and am a blank slate when it comes to undertanding the e-market. I looking forward to whatever you have to share.

Gloria Logan
February 14th, 2011, 03:21 PM
I'm Gloria, as yet unpublished but plan to change that soon. When I started writing adventure historicals, I always imagined seeing them in paper and scoffed at the then little known world of E publishing. In the last few years, things have changed radically in publishing that I can no longer ignore the implications of the E world and now need to learn everything I can about it.

Mary Johnson
February 14th, 2011, 03:39 PM
Hi, everyone. I'm Mary. For the last few years, I've been writing short stories and have 50+ published. With the turmoil in the magazine world, I'm interested in going back to book-length fiction and want to explore E-publishing. I, too, am thankful for this class

Marilyn Muniz
February 14th, 2011, 04:26 PM
Hello Everyone!

My name is Marilyn and I'm currently unpublished. Currently, I have a fantasy novel in the works. Ebook industry has grown over the years due to the different ereaders in the market. I want to know as much information as possible to make my decision when I am ready to publish my work.

George Allwynn
February 14th, 2011, 04:31 PM
Harrison here.

I write M/M romantic suspense.

I am an aspiring writer with several novels in the editing/revising/polishing stages, but I haven't submitted yet. I am dealing with a fear of success.

I am looking forward to getting a better mental grasp on E-publishing, so I can pass the information to my 4 physical writing groups that consist of pre-computer age writers or underprivileged writers who want to take their talents and embrace the new publishing concepts, yet don't understand it enough to test the waters.

Sharon Marie
February 14th, 2011, 05:33 PM
Hi, I'm Sharon Marie and I write YA and murder-themed story stories.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:41 PM
Hey Anika :) Thanks for being here.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:42 PM
Hi Greta. I love dabbling in other areas. There's always something to fit my mood :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:43 PM
Hi Marilou,

With everything constantly changing, it can be a challenge to keep up. Hope this workshop helps :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:44 PM
Hey Bobbye :)

I love learning, and I can't think of a better way than to check out other's thoughts. Welcome.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:45 PM
Hey Isabelle :)

The heroine in my current novella, Dragos 4, is named Isabelle :) Welcome.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:45 PM
Hey Rhonda, welcome. Hope what I share helps :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:46 PM
Hi Lynn,

Welcome. :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:47 PM
Hi Gloria,

I was there at one time too - back when most e-publishing was still vanity, or at least considered so. It's a great time of change :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:48 PM
Hey Mary,

Wow! That's a lot of short stories. Congrats :) and welcome

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:49 PM
Hi Marilyn.

I think, especially now, that knowledge is the key for authors so we can figure out what's best for each of us as individuals. Welcome :)

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:50 PM
Hi Harrison :)

That fear of success can be crippling. I have some boots though, you can borrow to kick you in gear ;)

Welcome and I hope what I share helps.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 05:51 PM
Hey Sharon Marie,

Welcome :)

John D. Brooke
February 14th, 2011, 06:07 PM
Hola Amber,

Thank you for guiding us through the suddenly accelerating pace of publishing books. I really need this perspective as I am on the verge of pulling together a How-To- Book on Mexican property Law for a Client. We intend to initially offer it on my first e-commerce website soon. I'm a professional Graphic Designer and Certified Business Communicator. A good test case for me.

I am a new writer and have so far only have published Poetry in several countries and about 90 Flash Fiction stories published. I'm in the editing and rewriting stage of a full length Novel about 400 pages. So this topic is of vital interest to me as I'm considering Self Publishing it as an eBook.

Perfect line up of topics.

Muchas gracias,

John

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 06:25 PM
Hey John, and welcome. :)

Kris McConville
February 14th, 2011, 06:49 PM
Hi Amber, I'm Kris and I'm working on my first contemporary romance novel - just about finished with the first draft and about to start revising.

AmberKallyn
February 14th, 2011, 06:57 PM
Hey Kris,

Congrats on completing the draft :) That's a huge step :) Welcome.

Brandi Midkiff
February 14th, 2011, 07:55 PM
I'm Brandi. I've been publishing short romance in magazines for a couple of years now and have been offered a contract to publish a short story online. I have a romantic suspense novella and a science fiction novella in the works now and would love to publish my beloved fantasy novel in whatever format would work best.

Eva McKellen
February 14th, 2011, 11:25 PM
Hiya!

My name is Eva, I write paranormal romance with 3 WIPs in progress. I'm here because I like to hold a clear vision of the future and it feels like the right time to explore publishing options and let it all sink into the subconscious as I continue to write :)

Thank you for holding this workshop!

AmberKallyn
February 15th, 2011, 01:49 AM
Hey Brandi :) Welcome. Hope the info I share helps you with your path. I'll cover a bit about that on Wed :)

AmberKallyn
February 15th, 2011, 01:50 AM
Hi Eva. Welcome. That's a great idea as there's a ton to learn. Little bits at a time can be easier to take in rather than trying to learn it all when you're ready to publish :)

Jessica Humphrey
February 15th, 2011, 03:53 AM
I'm Jessica and I'm in the revisions process of my first novel. I wrote "the End" three years ago and shelved it. Now that I'm getting serious about truly finishing it so much has changed (or feels like it) with e-books exploding, I want to learn more about the options and what might be best for me. Thanks!

AmberKallyn
February 15th, 2011, 06:06 AM
Hey Jessica :)

Liz Kerrick
February 16th, 2011, 03:34 AM
Hi Amber,

I'm Liz. I'm an aspiring author in the process of revising my first contemporary romance manuscript. I am an eBook junkie, so I'm partial to that medium. I'm looking forward to learning about the options out there and how to navigate through them. Thanks for giving this workshop!

AmberKallyn
February 16th, 2011, 03:39 AM
Heya Liz. Welcome and I hope this workshop helps :)

Kay Britton
February 16th, 2011, 12:08 PM
Sorry I'm so late.

My name is Kay and I'm unpublished. I'm currently working on a paranormal romance and an m/m romance.

AmberKallyn
February 16th, 2011, 02:19 PM
Hi Kay :)

Nope, no latesies here. We'll consider you right on time.