Nonfiction Pays the Bills
Hal Zina Bennett has written two novels, four children's books and more than 25 nonfiction books including Write From the Heart. He is good at, and likes doing both, but says "fiction does not pay as well."TenacityPR@aol.comAdvertisments
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Book Publishing Tips of the Day
Daily words of wisdom from Dan Poynter and other publishing industry experts. (Search on "tip" in archives for complete list.) - Today's Tip from Poynter: "Publish Your Nonfiction First."
PUBLISHING TIP OF THE DAY"Write and publish your non-fiction first."
Nonfiction is easier to sell.
Fiction is an art that comes from emotion; nonfiction is a craft derived from information.
As entertainment, fiction has to compete for peoples' time with other books, taking in a movie or playing with the kids. Nonfiction, on the other hand, does not compete for readers' time, with any other book or any other activity. Each nonfiction book is unique.
Most publishers will urge you to work on your nonfiction first and to save your fiction until you can afford it. Spend your time writing how-to's-valuable information that people buy in order to save time or money.
Fiction writers tend to be creative, interesting people who are fun at parties. But nonfiction writers drive better cars.
"It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating." -Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Irish-born writer and wit.
(c) 2000 by Dan Poynter. For more tips and information on book writing, publishing and promoting, see the Para Publishing Web site.
MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY
Don't waste your money on expensive, elaborate media kits. They gain little and cost lots. Simple yet powerful will do the trick at a fraction of the cost. The media is more interested that you have a good book, and an even better message to tell their audience.
(c) 2000 by Tami DePalma. For more tips and information about "Marketing with a Twist," visit the MarketAbility Web site. Don't your books deserve MAXIMUM EXPOSURE?