lundi 3 septembre 2018

Sell Your Story To An African American Publishing Company

By Karen Campbell


Being a writer can be pretty exciting and it is even better when a person can get paid from their words. However, finding the right publisher is not always easy and sometimes, going at it alone is easier said than done if a person wants to move a lot of units. This is why some new urban authors take their manuscripts to the African American publishing company that has the best reputation.

There are many advantages to going with a smaller publisher is the amount of attention that the writer may receive. Those who are emerging may not have an agent on their side to act on their behalf. There are also agencies that encourage their clients to take any deal so they can get paid.

Sometimes to mainstream companies may also be uncertain about getting behind stories that are extremely gritty. While the editor may like it personally, the question may be the marketing of the book. This is where some new authors find themselves in a hard place because they may try to mellow out the content so that the works are suitable for a general audience.

Even those who may have a spiritual message to share may not care to take a traditional route that may include multiple biblical references. What some major publishing houses may not see is that new leaders have a different voice from those in the past. Some have been on the wrong side of the law, committed immoral acts, and led a life of sin before finding salvation.

Even lighthearted subjects like hair care and ethnic recipes may be better handled by those who understand the culture and their expectations. There are also pieces of history worthy of sharing to a certain audience. This also means capturing the right images and photographs, as well as sharing tidbits that can help a manuscript sell faster.

This theory applies to both fiction and nonfiction media. Another reason why it helps to go with a small company that is well rounded are the mediums offered. Audiobooks are growing in popularity and while some self publishing firms may offer this option, the author may have to put in most of the work in addition to upfront payment.

When working on a story, it helps to speak in the most unique voice possible and not just tell an intriguing story. Just saying that something shocking or interesting occurs versus becoming the character, even in the third person, will bring a story to life. Taking time to craft memorable characters and their reactions to simple things is more likely to be bought by a publisher than something that is sensationalized.

Most publishers who want to retain a good reputation will make a fair deal to new and veteran authors. The best rule of thumb for the writer is for them to do their own research about each companies. Things that should be looked into are how often they have new releases, their current roster of authors, and whether they have utilized shady accounting practices. While this may not be easy, the effort will certainly pay off in the long run.




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