Lyrical Press Books discussion
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My first question would be, do you like to write? That might sound silly, but I wasn't sure if you were asking a general question or because it's something you want to pursue. Do you have a manuscript you're working on?
You definitely want to network with other writers, join a few wrting groups, maybe hook up with a critique partner and, most importantly, perfect your craft. When you have a submission ready that's when you want to approach a publisher. You don't necessarily have to be previously published (I wasn't) but you do need a clean, professional submission and a good story synopsis.
As far as the website, etc., I started mine when I made the decision I was going to begin submitting. My website, blog and contract with LPI happened almost simultaneosuly. There are a lot of platforms available to build a website or blog and there are many writing groups that will share advice about all of the aspects I mentioned above.
Again, I am brand new to LPI myself (my paranormal/ time-travel romance Weathering Rock is being released in October) but, hopefully, I answered some of your questions.
BTW, beautiful name. I have a character in a WIP named Cadence :-)
Mae
I tend to write sci-fi stories, and I also write sci-fi erotica, so I was looking around at the Literotica site and one of the authors there had a link to their publisher (Lyrical) and that is how I found their submission guidelines, which is what motivated me to ask my questions.
I admit I am still deciding if trying to get a story published is what I want, but *if* I decide it is then I wanted to know how to start.
On the Literotica site there are so many authors, so many of them published, with sites and blogs and...I just felt overwhelmed and lost. It was so much information coming at me at once I just didn't know what to do. I feel like I'll never be able to take it all in. I've had websites before, but I wish Geocities hadn't taken away their free service.
Another thing I would love to do is design the covers for these books. I enjoy graphic design.
You answered so kindly and I appreciate that so very much! It gives me some things to consider and maybe a place to start. Thank you Mae.
Cadence
If you're torn between sharing your writing and keeping it personal, you might want to start something new - - with the intent of writing it to share - - while keeping the other more personal pieces to yourself or a select group of family and friends.
As for designing book covers, there are likely many indie authors out there who would love to hook up with a good graphic designer. Whatever you decide to do, wishing you much luck and success!
Mae
I'm a new LPI author, my first YA fantasy book being published with Lyrical in November 2012. I found your question regarding the set up of websites and other social media, etc, a very good one to raise. I was completely new to this and found out with Lyrical's fantastic new author information pack, that I was steered in the right direction from the beginning. Renee Rocco, LPI's owner/publisher is very savvy, and I needn't have worried one bit. There is a real family feel with joining LPI, and I am so encouraged by all the feedback my fellow authors give me.
That being the case, I encourage you too, to take the step to submit your work wherever you can. It only ever takes one yes. The best of luck.
Joanne
Joanne, thank you so much!
Cadence
I'm the Executive Editor for LPI. Lyrical Press is always open to new, unpublished authors. We do have a line in our submission guidelines that says we're open to previously published/self-published works--but that simply means we accept them in addition to works that have not been published. (many houses do NOT publish previously released work)
And yes, we do expect authors to maintain an active, professional online presence. After all, we are selling digital books via the internet, so it only makes sense. There are many free and low-cost ways to have a website and/or blog, and most of them come with templates, so please don't think you need to front a lot of money or be HTML-savvy to do so.
Speaking solely as an author, I can tell you it's important to have the site and blog in place, and perhaps even get your Facebook fan page set up, even before you sell your first book. Networking and meeting readers begins long before Release Day. Also, once you're contracted and the editing process begins, you'll have less time on your hands for setting up these things, and most authors want to keep writing more books once they are contracted, too.
Thanks for popping by, and have a great day!
Piper
Good luck!
I want to echo Mae's suggestion to locate a good writing group and critique partners.
I am a new LPI author as well and have been writing about 5 years. I've got six full-length novels under my belt, and the fifth is the one that finally seemed to be good enough. It took me several efforts at finishing stories, bringing plots to resolution, and polishing my writing to feel like I'm finally putting stuff on the page that I'd be really proud for others to read.
A vital component of my progress over the last few years has been critique partners and reading in the genre I write in. I am blessed to live in a city where there are a lot of creative minds and a local chapter of RWA for support, but even if you live in the middle of nowhere, you can connect with other authors on line.
One place I've met some wonderful writing friends and made some excellent professional connections is on Candace Havens' Yahoo writing workshop. It is free to join. If you want to check it out, go here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Write_W... and click join group. There's plenty of free content and occasionally an opportunity to take a paid class on the workshop. You also might try seeing if there's an RWA chapter closeby. They usually host monthly meetings at which you can network and make friends.
I hope that's helpful! Good luck, and most importantly, love what you do.
You are very welcome, Cadence.
I need to change my name a bit b/c I have a web presence, but it is for vidding (the people who make all those music videos on You Tube) and I want to keep those aspects separate. I have a FB fan page for that already. Once I get the name in order I can make a move forward with my writing.
Now, this thread is for new readers to introduce themselves and I do not want them to feel lost or shadowed by all of this. My apologies to LPI if this went on a bit longer than it should have.
My door is always open if any of you, whether you've spoken here to me or not, would like to send me messages with suggestions, advice or comments. I would LOVE to hear from you and I mean that. Please don't be shy. If you're new like me and just starting and want to share your thoughts, again, please don't be afraid to message or send a friend request. I already have a couple of those I need to answer and I am *so* happy that you asked me!
Now I give this thread back to other readers with one last thank you to you gals. I'm sure I'll see you in other discussions around here.
Cadence
I've been reading the wonderful advice from Mae and others and wanted to join in, but couldn't connect through to leave a reply for a while. Bizarrely today, my internet decided to let me through! (Me and technology are NOT good friends!)
Anyway, I agree that writing partners/groups can be wonderful to bounce ideas around, and offer constructive criticism. I have a great writing friend who constantly challenges me to tell her "Why" I decided to do this or that in my ms. My biggest challenge will be social media, which you seem to have under control already. Well done! I still need to learn how to twitter (or is that tweet?) but I do have a FB page for my alter ego. Come on by and friend me - Susanne Bellamy. Cheers.
Hi Lynn, my grandmother got me hooked at the beginning, too. Timeless. Then I pinched my mother's romance books, and now, yay, I get to write my own. Nice meeting you on Lyrical Press' link.
Best,
Joanne Wadsworth, Lyrical Press author.
I blame my big sisters for letting me at their Mills and Boon romances when I was a young teen and now I get to write my own too. Nice to meet you.
Susanne
It's funny though, I have 3 books out, a fourth coming around March time...and I still only reluctantly call myself "Author".
Yeah, I know I am, but...I'm a writer, first and foremost. A storyteller. I'll always be a writer / storyteller, but not always an author, you know what I mean?
There will never be a time when I don't write, or have a story bouncing around in my head. Whether it ever sees the light of day...who knows. But it'll be there, and that's why I refer to myself as a writer. It's what I do. :)
Reading? Oh yeah. Voraciously. Lots. I can speed read, so getting through a long book in a day isn't unheard of. But I find my tastes change, and longer books aren't as appealing anymore. Those long, sweeping sagas? Yawn.
My attention wanes if something slows down and I start skipping. And if it continues slowly -- I won't finish it.
I used to love those endlessly long books, but now I struggle to get through some of them.
I guess I've joined the "instant gratification" crowd with the attention span of a goldfi--oh look! A toaster!
Your support over the years keeps us moving forward, keeps us loving what we do. So, we want to know who you are!
Don't be shy. Start a new thread for yourself (so it's personal just to you!) and introduce yourself to us. Trust me, we'd love to get to know you. :)
-- Renee R.