Cari Noga's novel SPARROW MIGRATIONS - indie publishing done right
The number of books published each year is boggling. Last year 200,000 new books were released. And that's only counting traditional publishers. 400,000 self-published books were launched, too.
We talk about self-published and traditionally published, but I think there's a third category: Self-published Books Done Right.
There's really only one fault self-publishing has. It's too fast and easy. Too fast and easy simply because writers are impatient and rush their books out into the world without ensuring quality.
That's not the case with author Cari Noga. Cari published Sparrow Migrations, a novel centered about the "Miracle on the Hudson" plane crash. It features a boy named Robby who has autism and becomes obsessed with the birds involved in the accident. Cari does self-publishing right.
Here's why Cari's book deserves to be recognized in a class of its own, along with other quality, independently published books.
She hired editors Cari hired two editors to read, revise and copyedit her book. This is the treatment a traditionally published book receives: professional editing and copyediting that boost a book's quality.
She hired graphic designers Book cover art is a profession of its own. Cari searched out both a fantastic book cover designer and interior book layout designer. The result is incredible.
She checked her facts Part of the story is set in Cari's home state of Michigan, but part is set in Ithaca, a town Cari's never visited. She tracked down locals in Ithaca to read an early copy and verify facts. Is there an elevator in the Cornell ornithology building? Does it have an indoor aviary? Good fiction still needs facts.
She sought test readers Besides fact-checkers and editors, Cari recruited readers to help her improve emerging drafts. She brought in the right test readers for her book: book club members, bookstore owners, parents of children with autism, gay couples, published novelists, and more.
Author Cari Noga - photo by Sarah Brown Photography
She consulted experts Do sparrows migrate? What happens to the eggs when a piping plover abandons the nest? Cari shared her manuscript with ornithologists, rangers and other bird experts to make sure her story is biologically accurate.
She joined a writing group That's where I come in. I'm part of a book writing critique group called the Powerfingers. Together we examined each of Cari's problem chapters and offered ideas to make them shine.
She revised and revised more The book took a month to write (November NaNoWriMo) and more than two years to revise. She incorporated major plot changes and improvements from all her team of helpers.
She recruited allies Since her book includes a main character with autism, Cari reached out to autism support groups to spread the word about her book. She's being generous; she's giving part of the proceeds to autism programs.
She wrote a good story It comes down to this. Cari created a compelling story people will want to read. Already a professional writer, Cari devoted many years to learning all she could about fiction writing and character creation to improve her craft.
Oh, and did I mention? She's a Starlighting mama. Cari wrote Sparrow Migrations while raising two young children and working a day job. She wrote the novel from 5:00am-6:30am and 9:00-11:00pm (plus naps).
Independently published books need not compromise quality. Writers work alone, but it takes a team to create a quality book.
Read any good self-published books lately? What would you add to this list to create quality?
During April 2013 Cari will donate $1.88 of each book sold to autism causes; 1 in 88 children is now born with autism. You can buy the book and learn more at www.carinoga.com.
Thanks for this candid and helpful list of tips. Good luck with book sales, Cari!
Glad it's helpful, Rachel!
Heather - This is a wonderful list that deserves a wide audience. I'm going to Tweet, Google+, Scoop.it!, Digg, and Reddit it!
Bravo Cari - my hat is off to YOU!
Wonderful, Laurie. My publishing team VASTLY improved my book. I've been giving that a lot of thought since self-published authors need a team, too. Glad you liked the list!
Thanks, Heather, Rachel and Laurie. Nice to have more allies in my corner. As far as other quality self-published books, right here in our community we have Chickadees at Night, an illustrated children's book by Bill Smith and Charles Murphy. It has had incredible success - one local indie bookstore posted it has sold more than 1,100 copies in the year since it came out! It's on my nightstand as inspiration.
Yes, quality, quality. No matter how we publish the focus has to be on quality.
Great tips, and good luck to Cari! I strongly agree that editing and having a writing group is imperative. I've been looking into self-publishing a lot lately (so far I've been told by agents that my idea is great but need a bigger blog following and to contact them again in a year's time = if I'm doing all the marketing anyway then why give the bulk of my profits away?!), so I joined a writer's group, am looking for a cover designer, and am cultivating people to do test readings. I anticipate a long revision process, but I think it'll be worth it.
A book that I've actually found really helpful is APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur, it's really good for breaking down the process of self-pub'ing done right, as well as marketing your book, before and after it's published.
Danielle, thanks for sharing that great book tip. I'm sure many people will find it helpful. I think you'll find that whichever publishing route you go having a good blog following will be enormously helpful. Best of luck on your book endeavor!
That's a darn good checklist for self-pubbing, Heather. The only thing I'd add is for the author to look deep inside herself and ask: Is this book the absolute best I can make it? If the honest answer is yes, send it out to the world. If not, keep revising and editing.
Most of us know the true answer to that question (the gut feeling we get when we're alone with our thoughts), but some of us lie to ourselves because the dream of being "a published author" overwhelms our ability to objectively evaluate our book.
Congratulations to Cari for doing it right and helping to legitimize self-publishing. I'll pass this blog post along to my social media connections as well.
I hear you. We often know the answer and need to listen to that voice. Sometimes all writers get stuck and can't make it better on our own. That's when it's time to seek outside input. Outside critiquers, readers and experts can often inject a new level of excellence and then the revision soars.
Danielle, I am adding Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur to my reading list. Chris, I agree that honest soul-searching is important, with one caveat: Don't let your fear of the risk color your assessment. It's scary to put your work out there, and even more so in the absence of a traditional publisher's imprimatur. That fear, I think, can sometimes keep us stuck when we should be moving forward. With something as big as a novel -- or a nonfiction book -- striving to make it the "absolute best" is nearly impossible. Almost everything could be improved with more time spent. Revise, rework, listen to beta readers, (repeat) for sure. But don't let perfect be the enemy of the good, or, as Heather puts it, the "done right." Because ultimately, you aren't the judge -- the readers are.
Heather, I am currently reading your book and enjoying it thoroughly !!!
I wish there was a way to connect with other like minded parents in my area (SE MI) so that I could afford my child the opportunities you describe in your book outside of a formal setting.
I relish the idea of being considered a "renegade" parent !!
Thanks so much for the great tips!!
Kate
Thanks, Kate! So glad it resonates with you. Yes, rather fun to be a "renegade."
Not sure where you live in SE Michigan, but I am coming to Ann Arbor to speak in May. Send your friends and maybe we can meet. The event is Tuesday, May 21 at the Ann Arbor library, Pittsfield branch. Who knows? Maybe you'll find like-minded parents there. They're out there.
Thanks for stopping by - and happy reading.
I would enjoy hearing you speak, but unless it's a child friendly event I have a very hard time finding sitters in my area 🙁
Kids have come to some of my talks before - you're welcome to if you think it will work out with bedtimes and all. I have no problem with young folks in the audience!
The cover of the book is absolutely gorgeous. Great tips for folks who write!
Isn't it great? Beautiful cover -- and designed by a woman with autism, too - very fitting.