And quite apart from the actual extra sales, it's worth a lot to show your publisher you're willing to get stuck in: it makes them feel it's worth their doing that little bit extra too...

Emma

it's worth a lot to show your publisher you're willing to get stuck in

Well you only have to look at Pauline Earle's Petal People. The text was about the worst I have had the misfortune to read in print, but the kids loved it and it was such a great concept - albeit following in the shoes of the Mr Men.
She got out there, self published, and it was picked up for a children's show. What more could you want?
Of course the concept has been done to death since then, but if you're committed to your work it's worth taking the plunge.

A couple more suggestions from f&f:

People love buying limited editions, so market the hardbacks (if you can afford to produce them) as such - numbered and signed.

Include money off vouchers with your fliers. People love to think they are getting a bargain.







<Added>

Sign up for a secure online payment service like Paypal (which, unlike others, does not have set-up fees, just a one-off fee per transaction), to sell direct off your website.

Some children's websites you might find useful: (if not working, try .org.uk or .com or alternative endings)
www.cool-reads.co.uk
www.achuka.co.uk
www.writeaway.org.uk
www.scbwi.org.uk
www.cilip.org.uk (librarians of all ages)
www.ibby.org

Many thanks, Leila. I've bookmarked the sites.

Self-publishing, hmmm, a little of topic here but that makes me think.

If you saw that a person had self-published a book of their screenplays that HADN'T been produced, would you be tempted to buy it/rent it from the library?

I think I would the latter!

This is a fascinating thread.

I'm getting to the 'if they won't maybe I should' stage and love the idea of control over my work

BUT

I don't want to live to regret it -
put something out there that is later going to make me cringe because it wasn't up to scratch.

I think I've read that people have used 'agencies' such as Cornerstones and The Literary Consultancy to get professional feedback on their work - is this recommended?

Would be pleased to hear anyone's thoughts on this.

Sarah

Sarah, I think quite a few WWers have, and I know it comes up on the forums: would a site search on 'editorial agencies' or 'manuscript assessment services' or indeed on the names you mention, bring up some of the threads?

As I recall, one thing that came up is that to benefit most you need a clear idea of what you want from the report: an assessment of where your novel would fit in the market (if at all), a full copy-edit before you self-publish, a detailed report on what works and what doesn't in your novel and what to do about it? Different agencies work differently, and the least happy experiences seem to be where the writer wanted one kind of report, and found they'd paid for another.

Emma

Sarah - The Literary Consultancy is marvellous and I've used them since my second novel. They improve stuff 200%, I'm sure, and are well worth the money. Yes, it is expensive; yes, it's worth it. Once I've done that, before I self-publish or send my stuff to my agent (whichever it is!), I also get my novel professionally edited, as I want to improve the quality as much as I can before it hits the publication process.

That way, whichever publishing route you choose, you increase the chances of building up a readership which knows it can rely on you to produce the goods. And good luck with whichever route you plan! So far, on my different experiences however, self-publishing wins every time!

)

A
xxx

Thanks Emma and Anne

Food for thought, definitely.

Sarah

I think I've read that people have used 'agencies' such as Cornerstones and The Literary Consultancy to get professional feedback on their work - is this recommended?

I agree whole heartedly with Holly.

I would say it was almost compulsorary. Think of it in terms of getting an AA inspection before you fork out thousands on a car. A self-publisher has to fill the editing role by some means, and the more professional the critique the better. It'll be expensive so slways use a reputable agency.

Some Literary Agents now include a recommendation in their submissions guidelines to authors to send the work off to a 'manuscript doctor' before submitting, so the service is not just aimed at self-publishers.

- NaomiM

Sarah, I recently paid for two reports from Hilary Johson's agency and feel they've given me a new lease of life on both projects. Well worth the money. Even during a year with an agent I didn't get this level of feedback on my work and it was a real eye-opener.

Sarah, I've just started a thread on this in the Lounge, as The Bookseller had a feature on these agencies quite recently.

Emma