Monday, May 24, 2010

Should I Have a Blog?

The question of blogging is often a question over whether the writer wishes to get the constant attention of a large audience. Whether for business or personal reasons, simply put – a blog is a wonderful idea. As an author or hopeful-author, this can be an important step to take as it helps you stay in touch with your audience. Knowing who your goal audience is can be difficult and time-consuming, but with the help of a blog and a bit of work, you may find your audience coming to you for updates, extra information and more. In addition, you will be able to reach a much wider audience base than you would through the process of only advertising your writing or name.

Marketers will tell you that the single largest obstacle that any person faces when trying to either sell a concept, service or product, is that the people you are trying to reach do not know who you are or what you have. Overall, a blog can be very beneficial to anyone. Even readers can write reviews of novels and have their opinions known, furthering the grapevine of who will come to know your name and writing. Some reviewers with top-notch blogs are even sent copies of a novel for review, which would make an excellent opportunity for you to get to know fellow bloggers and increase your audience.

Although blogs can be time consuming, it is very important to get the word out about you. Post your blog on search websites, use online tools to help spread the word, hold contests and make frequent announcements about your blog to your audience. If you don’t let people know you have a blog, they will likely never learn that it or you exist. The more the world knows you are out there, the more you will succeed in your endeavors.

Remember – you will succeed as an author only if you work hard, go the extra mile and believe in yourself! If you have the dream of making it as an author, you have everything you need to make that dream a reality.

Best of luck!

The Bokheim Chu

Monday, May 10, 2010

Do I Need An Agent To Be Published?

While many publishing houses choose to accept only solicited manuscripts, Bokheim Publishing is open to all submissions. Although agents are sometimes needed for very large publishing houses to sort through the slush pile, we like to give every manuscript our personal attention and consideration. While agents do carefully review queries and take them into consideration we feel that an actual portion of the writing needs to be seen to be able to properly judge a novel.

Many novels that get lost in the slush pile do not belong there. While some novels rejected might not have been something that could do well, others are actually well written and thought provoking. A person may have his or her first, or even their first few novels, turned down before notice or attention is given. This can be due to how a query letter is written or merely luck. What catches the eye of one may not catch the eye of others. Unfortunately, this is how the market for submissions operates.

We feel the hard work of agents is valuable and seeking an agent is advisable, especially if you intend to publish more than one book and want to receive the best deal possible. However, we will continue to keep an open door policy with our submissions for as long as we can. Remember, you can make it as long as you keep your heart and faith in your work and continue developing your skills.

Best of luck!

The Bokheim Chu

Monday, May 3, 2010

Putting Yourself Out There

For every writer who dreams of becoming a published author, there is a process. This process is long, difficult and can leave your heart the worse for wear. You finish and sit there, holding your manuscript in your hands and you sit back, realizing that someone is going to be reading your work. This means others will see what you have written. This can be the hardest part of taking the first steps to becoming published, especially if you are concerned about a possible rejection.

If you have already gotten to this stage and sent out your work, we at Bokheim Publishing appreciate what you have done, regardless of where you sent your submission. It takes inner strength to be able to let others see your work. Many novels go unread because writers do not wish for others to reject their work, especially after having put in so much effort.

We believe every manuscript deserves a chance to be read. This might mean by an agent, editor, publisher, etc. If you are worried your manuscript might not have what it takes, then don’t fear submitting it. Ask yourself why you think this, but allow your manuscript to have a chance. Even if you are discouraged, all it means is that there is more room for you to grow as a writer.

Every rejection or piece of advice is something that you can use to help yourself grow as an author and a person. It can be hard to receive a rejection, but taking the time to listen and learn can pay off. It has been said in the past that every person has at least one great novel within him or her. Learn from everything you are told and never be afraid to grow.

I remember one author who received over a hundred rejections for his first book long before Bokheim was born. During this time, e-mail submissions were a ridiculed idea. This meant he had to print out his manuscript and pay postage every time he submitted. Then one day, he wrote a second novel without success on the first manuscript and he was accepted on his fourth try. Now he is one of the most well known authors in the U.S. and most of you have probably heard of or at least seen his books in bookstores.

Remember, with faith in your heart, and the determination to go forward, anything is possible.

Keep on trying!

The Bokheim Chu