Deleyna's Drift
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In December 2008, I signed the Agile Manifesto.
Agile development refers to a process of designing software that is customer-focused and favors results over process. There is a lot more to it. Read the principles if you are interested.
The key points are responding rapidly to an ever-changing environment while keeping in mind the customer's goals and needs. It also involves accepting that those goals and needs may change at any point.
At EPICon 2013 I heard a speaker refer to the modern writing and publishing industry as requiring all aspects of the field to engage in agile development.
Wow.
Gone are the days when an author could spend 20 years writing a work of stunning genius. Now, the key is rapid production of material that will be enjoyed and consumed. As writers, we have to remain flexible. Explore new technology. We need to constantly research new methods of marketing and productivity while continuing to produce. We have to expect that what works for producing this book may not work for producing our next book.
In reality, I suppose it isn't that earth-shaking of a concept. I've lived by the manifesto for years before I ever heard of it. I just never thought of applying agile development to my writing career. As I listened to the speaker, I realized that this is exactly what I haave been doing the last couple of years as the industry has changed. I've been adapting my processes and setting up a system that gets results.
Fascinating. So what would the Agile Manifesto look like for writers? Here's my guess:
We are uncovering better ways of writing stories by writing and helping others to write and publish.
Through this work we have come to value:
Pleasing our readers over the best sellers' lists
Telling the stories we have to tell over marketability
Producing books while learning our craft over striving for perfection
Responding to change over following traditional methods
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
What do you think? How would you rewrite the manifesto for modern writers?
This was a hot topic at the convention. I won't say I learned anything earth-shatteringly new, but it was nice to see it laid out simply.
Selling books takes 3 things:
1) distribution -- the books have to be available widely so that people can find them
2) convertibility -- people have to be able to buy the books easily once they find them
3) discoverability -- they have to know the book exists so they can go looking for it
And of course, it is #3 that is the real challenge. The first two items can be handled by hard work and a little technical know how. But getting people to talk about your book, now that is a challenge.
There isn't a magic formula or even someone you can pay to make that happen. Yes, traditionally published novels have a slight advantage in that they are able to get reviewed by all of the big-name reviewers. But even small indie published books can stir up some discussion.
Of course, it is easier to drum up a cry for your book if you can create some controversy surrounding it.
There IS one shocking scene in Sisterhood that I've received some flack over. It involves a psychic sexual assault. What do you think? Is that enough to cause a ruckus?
I'm continuing the discussion of EPICon 2013's lessons for the next few blog posts.
In their panel discussion, the publishers reviewed the stages of editing. We went through these stages with Sisterhood, but didn't use these terms. I've met authors who feel like when they write "The End" and they've proofed the manuscript, they're done. For indie authors, this can be a disaster.
The publishers explained that after the manuscript is accepted by a publisher, it goes through these editing stages:
Ideally these editors should be different people so they are coming to the manuscript fresh.
As indie authors, how are we going to afford all of these editors?
If we pick strong beta readers from among our ideal readers -- not from our writer friends -- we can hopefully get the content edit done. I worked with the incredibly talented Margie Lawson for Sisterhood's content edit. I think we went back and forth a couple of times. The process was long and agonizing, but the story was much better for having taken that time.
I didn't have money to pay expensive editors, so I had a friend do the line editing. A different friend did the copy edit for me, and of course at each stage I was also reading through the manuscript. I already have a copy editor lined up for book 2.
Since Sisterhood went to print, I've found two errors on my own. A good friend just pointed out a series of 5 more the other day that I'll be fixing in the epub.
Another thing I learned at the convention is that the smaller presses are setting a threshold on sales that an author must make in electronic sales before they will release the book in print.
Print is expensive. Making all of my changes to the printed version is going to be cost-prohibitive for a while. Putting out the epub first, finding the errors and then correcting them before going to print makes a lot of fiscal sense.
What ideas do you have for indie authors looking to fund all of these expensive editing stages?
EPICon 2013 was this past weekend. Hopefully, I'll manage to get a few blog posts up about the amazing time and introduce you all to a few folks that I met.
But first -- let me tell you about the swag! This con had wonderful badge holders provided by Wizards in Publishing. Very beautiful. Very purple! The badge holders / wallets came in extremely handy for carrying cards and exchanging information. I would not have been able to keep up with the many contacts I made without this wonderful blessing.
The convention bags were provided by Wild Child Publishing - thanks, Marci! You rocked in that dress at the awards ceremony! These bags were also purple to match the wallets. Nice touch.
Also in the package was a letter opener from etreasurespublishing.com that contains a writer's collection of post-it flags. Nice. That's going on my desk.
Next to the very nice pen and the packet of pre-printed notes from some of the speakers (THANK YOU!) was a nice little thumb drive. Yet again, a piece that I will keep on my desk or with me. This came from BelleBooks / BellBridge. Thanks, Debra! If I was still looking for a publisher, I would have stalked you.
From what I could tell, the most coveted prize (other than those lovely EPIC and Ariana awards!) was a tiara donated by the stunningly beautiful Sabrina York. Sabrina and I met at the meet and greet and she helped me get over my sudden shy attack when faced with a room full of very-together authors. We chatted about marketing and weight loss, and I can tell you she makes both look easy enough to encourage me to try harder.
The point I'm making here is that if you are going to a convention or to a signing or anything else where you want to get noticed and remembered, think in advance about your swag. While you're at the event, it is your sparkling personality that will capture their attention, but when your potential readers go home, it is the swag that'll keep you in mind.
I've enjoyed going through the cards and promo pieces that I received from the convention today, buying books and connecting with some of the fantastic people I met.
What is the best swag you've ever received? What would you love to get?
My blog is broken. Or maybe it is just my blogging technique.
You see what happens when I take a blogging class?
I should be provoking at least some discussion on my blog. There's a comment block down there. It has a captcha because I get an amazing amount of spam on this website.
My question to you:
Does the comment box work? Is it too hard to leave a comment? Should I remove the captcha and move to some other, perhaps more passive method, risking the wrath of the spammers? What do you think?
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