Five Things You Don't Realize You'll Have To Do When You Sign a Book Contract

 This happy Tuesday morning, my managing editor emailed three of her authors to say, "Hello campers!  Great news!  You're going on the Hub Challenge.  It's a writing experience.  It's great fun!  It's part of your contract." 

To which, I said, "Huh?"

Now, 45 minutes later, I'm a hubber...even though I'm still not sure what that means.  So, bear with me as I attempt to turn this rambling, unfocused-even-for-a-blog entry into an 'article'.  Here we go...

Five things you don't realize you'll have to do when you sign a book contract

1.  Blog!  After a couple years, most writers realize they've got to have a platform, and a blog is the easiest, most user friendly, tech-light way to jump in.  I had a blog for years, but when my book was picked up by PM Moon Publishers, they had me create a new one especially for The Invisible Sister.  As part of my marketing contract, I agree to keep a blog presence...updating my blog regularly and maintaining at least *some* focus on writing, editing and The Invisible Sister. 

2.  Radio Interviews!  When PM Moon told me I'd be doing radio interviews, I couldn't believe it.  "Who wants to hear anything I have to say?  My son sure doesn't and my husband sometimes walks away just when I'm getting into the thick of a good tirade."  But radio interview I did.  And it wasn't so bad.  It's a little hard to talk about one book for 45 mintues when the person you're talking to hasn't read it, but there's always the weather if things get quiet.

3.  Book signings!  My book doesn't release until next year, so I haven't crossed this bridge yet.  I have, though, been collecting advice from those who have, and one thing I've learned...bring goodies.  There must be nothing worse in the world than sitting at a table, with a stack of your own books, and having people walk right by without looking.  So bring goodies.  Nobody--I mean nobody--walks by a plate of cupcakes without looking at them.  Next, they'll ask if they can have one.  Then, while they're chewing, you've got a captive audience to pitch your book.  At the very least, you're no longer alone at your table.  At the very best, they might buy a copy.

4.  Remove every "was" "were" and "had" from your manuscript!  Yes, folks, passive verbs are the tools of the devil...apparently.  (I just had to throw that -ly adverb in there to antagonize my managing editor).  Not all publishers will make you take out every one, but keep in mind when you're writing (especially if you're writing for kids) to keep it strong and active. 

5.  Marketing Plan!  OMG, these are involved and complex little buggers.  Depending on your publishing house, you may or may not have to do this.  Smaller houses tend to depend on authors doing a lot of their own markeing, so if you've signed with a monster on the block, you can breathe a little easier.  My marketing plan has a four-pronged attack, because my book was picked up on a contest win: 1) announcement of win; 2) pre-publication publicity; 3) book launch; 4) post-publication publicity.  Dr. Mosetta Penick Phillips-Cermak has a great book called, "Promote your book for three dollars a day"  in case you need more suggestions to flesh out your marketing plan.

6.  BONUS!  Become a hubber and attempt the Hub Challenge, starting a week late, in the middle of editing a book, working a full time job, volunteering at your kids school and playing competitive tennis.  No pressure.

How's my first hub???