Before you try anything new, get educated.
"Buying a few books and attending some seminars are cheaper than a mistake.
" -- Mindy Bingham, Author and publisher Remember that in any new field, especially book writing and publishing, others have blazed the trail for you.
Anyone who's been in publishing for a while can relate a number of stories of people who stumbled and blundered into the book game without getting sufficient information first.
These pioneers have made just about every mistake imaginable.
Profit from their (temporary) failures.
"It's unfortunate when someone makes a mistake but it's unforgivable when a mistake is made a second time.
" The book industry is full of helpful, friendly and supportive people.
You may not expect this because this kind of camaraderie does not exist in most other industries.
The reason that book people are so helpful, friendly and supportive is that every book is unique.
There is little to no competition in book publishing.
Even books on the same subject offer advice from differing viewpoints.
When it comes to marketing books, we are conspirators not competitors.
When authors get together and when publishers meet, they brainstorm each other's book promotion plans.
No one feels threatened and this collaboration is a good book-marketing mental exercise for all.
Anyone thinking about writing or publishing a book should buy several books, attend many seminars, join several listservs and to get as much information as possible.
These investments cost less than a mistake.