Writing is a thrilling adventure. Writing for publication is also a business. At times, though a writer is trying his or her best, he or she may not be getting the desired results from industry professionals. Some writers choose to be indie authors or self-published, so that their success and road to publication is in their hands. Others recognize the benefits of being traditionally published, such as stronger connections, higher marketing budgets and potentially a wider-reaching market with greater returns. Being traditionally published can take time and requires diligence and persistence. Here are a few encouraging reminders for writers for when you’re not getting the results you want from agents and editors

1. Understand that writing and finishing something is a huge accomplishment. Celebrate what you have done, even while trying to achieve the next step in the publication process.

2. Know that agents and editors are authorities, but they are also human. Humans are individuals with opinions and preferences. Just because an agent or editor doesn’t love your book or isn’t the best fit to represent it or publish it, it doesn’t mean that your book won’t find the perfect home somewhere else.

3. Agents and editors are readers. Lots of great books are not loved by all readers. That doesn’t make them any less great.

4. Be willing to learn more, but have enough confidence in your own work to keep going and to stick to what’s most important to you in telling your story.

5. Being friends with other writers is beneficial, both for learning more and also for encouragement.

6. Read something that you love, to remind you of your love of books.

7. Express yourself in another artistic way to keep your creativity alive.

8. Write something just for you. Try a poem or a short story. Don’t show it to anyone. Or, share it with someone who will gush over your writing. Either way, you’ll have the freedom of not having it judged by agents and editors.

9. Know that for the moment from that agent or editor, the answer is no. It doesn’t mean that every answer will be no. Keep trying. Or, take advantage of new options in publishing and self-publish. Just understand that the results are likely to be different and that you will become the publicity as well as the writer.

10. Seek the help of an experienced professional when you need it. Perhaps, that’s for writing advice or for professional editing services. As a writing consultant and editor, I have helped others achieve their dreams of agent representation and publication.

Top 10 Publishing tips for your book in India

If you are a new writer and looking to gather information for publishing in India, here are the top ten facts and news that may help you define your way into publishing in India.

India has more than 35 languages, but a majority of the population now speak English. In recent times, the number has been growing and is expected to grow as educated class of people is increasing and the importance of learning English (as it is recognized internationally) has been growing.

Indians are not finicky in the quality of paper, so the books are printed cheaply in India and are sold at different places, from high glitzy malls to small stands on a railway platform.

Self-publishing is still an emerging market, a lot of books are mainly printed, distributed by a publisher.

Mobile eBook apps may be the upcoming trend in the market of eBook publishing because a lot of people in India own smartphones ranging from less costly to the costliest ones.

Book Marketing in India is still done the traditional route, media coverage is the best way to get your work to the audience.

Book promotions are done through media interviews and through the literary festivals.

The biggest literary festival is held in Jaipur every year and there are other smaller ones that happen in other parts of the country.

Top niches are higher education books or self-help books and the next ones in the list are mythological stories.

Self-publishing is emerging, but most of the books are published by the publishing houses and people still read the physical books more than using the devices like kindle or mobile apps.

Authors in India don’t get rich except for a few authors that make their way into International publishing and do speaking engagements globally.

The concluding fact is that there is a very high potential for emerging authors who are passionate about their work in self publishing field in India. And also who might otherwise have thought that they missed the boat when self publishing first started and US & UK authors were very successful. Now, is the time for those authors & writers to tap into India publishing market or in Asian countries, explore further and do your best work.

Though there are many languages in India, English is still the recognized language of the educated class and many families of low to middle class are very well versed in reading and writing books in English language. So, there is a high potential for the new authors in self publishing field to be successful in selling their books in India.

Do we just need offices?

For some causes a front-line service where a shop front would be desirable?

Do we know of another organisation/group we could share the premises with?

Can we make facilities available in our premises to other organisations/groups which would both benefit them and generate income to us that will help towards off-setting the running costs, e.g. meeting/training room?

The cost will likely be the second most highest single expenditure that an organisation/group will have to incur next to salaries. So careful forethought needs to be given before embarking on this major commitment.

Organisations/Groups tend to face a catch.22 dichotomy situation in that they first need to secure funding before they know what they can afford; whereas funders will need to know information about proposed premises and costings before they will consider funding!

Initially, unless a grant or grants have been secured for long-term running costs, e.g. 3 to 5 years, it is best to commit only to a short term rental agreement or lease, whereby if funding ceases, an organisation/group can be released from its obligations under short notice, e.g. around a month. Otherwise reserves need to be budgeted to meet any longer term commitment if you have to terminate an agreement sooner whilst still honouring the minimum period rent/lease notice payable to enable an organisation/group to be released from the legal obligation.

Local Authorities do have their own portfolio of premises they own and manage so make enquiries of the Local Authority in your area as to any suitable premises they may have these Departments are known by different names in Local Authorities, e.g. Valuation & Estates or Management & Estates, or Property Services Department but your Local Town Hall will be able to advise you on this. Many Local Authorities do now franchise the property management of their premises to a contractor, i.e. Estate Agents. Your Local Authority will be able to advise you on this with a list of Estate Agents and their contact details.

Otherwise make enquiries of Estates Agents in your High Street direct, albeit that you should be prepared for them to be business-related minded and offering terms which, (whilst commercially competitive), can be significant and outside a budget or proposed budget or an Organisation/Group.

Look around the desired locality required and see if you see a ‘ToLet’ sign displayed, which has been up for some length of time, e.g. 6 months or more, it will likely mean that the Landlords have been unable to get an offer for the terms they are asking, so they is scope to try and negotiate.

Speak to other organisations/groups, they may have space, or willing to share premises (and therefore costs) with you. A combined joint grant-aid application can be made for premises and running costs.

Speak to your Bank about advice and help with securing premises. There are some financial sources who specialise in charities who can provide loans for such purposes, (including Trusts, subject to meeting certain criteria). An option, (suited for some Organisations/Groups, but not all), is a scheme known as ‘Rent-To-Buy’.

Above all be realistic about any lettings or bookings you make available to third parties organisations/groups.

Whilst not wishing to charge them an extortionate amount, or making pecuniary gains from such lettings/bookings, it has to be realised that to provide these costs your Organisation/Group money for heat, light, cleaning, etc. These costs must be realistically covered otherwise your organisation/group will simply go into debt your Organisation/Group losses, having to meet the deficit and justify to funders the inappropriate management of the premises, (which would be hardly conducive to encouraging them funding your Organisation/Group again).