16 Comments

I have some projects (includind a book and some stories) thy I would like to publish. I don't know how to start publishing. Can you give me some advices?

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Thanks for getting us started, Rolando! Keep an eye out for the answer-post. It'll be forthcoming --

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Starting to put together thoughts on this, Rolando. And wondering if you are thinking in terms of traditional publishers or self-publishing, and are the stories genre fiction or "literary" or...

I can put together a very broad response, certainly--as in, you might be trying to make this decision! Or I can be more specific.

Will you be seeking an agent?

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I'm writing a book with 10 chapters based on my experience as a psychotherapist. I don't have a publisher, but I can try self-publishing.

I'm also trying to publish some short stories in magazines or in digital format

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All right--good to know... I'm working on my first-of-the-month post, and then this is next.

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Roland, have you seen the post? Just checking back. Here's the link: https://unschoolforwriters.substack.com/p/q-and-a-1-for-spring-2024-series

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Safe travels to Texas--driving to see the eclipse sounds like a wonderful trip!

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Thank you--yes, looking forward to it. And on to the musical delight that is Austin!

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I remember that well--enjoy, enjoy! I hope the bats are still there too!

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LOVE those bats--

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Hi Alison, thanks for offering this resource! My question is, as a debut novelist publishing this November with a fairly small press, what is one thing you recommend I do to support my book reaching its audience? Thank you again!

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Great question! I'm going to begin working with these in the next few days... This Q&A time was a pleasurable process last year.

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Kristen--I've just posted a response, along with links to three other posts that connect with this topic. I hope you find it useful. I also keep a small notebook for this task once a book is about to be published, and thoughts begin to pop into my head about getting it out into the world... in which I note names of people who might be interested, or bookstores I've visited. names to invite to the launch (as in: when the dental hygienist says she'd love to come...and you note... and send an invite. An lo and behold, she shows up with her children and buys a copy of the picturebook : ) Made me day!)

Oh, I could go on about this topic...

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Hi Alison, I'm about to write a review of The Vaster Wilds, by Lauren Groff, and I plan to make some references to When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron (and possibly a graf from Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter). Do you have any thoughts on the three (or whatever # you think) key aspects of a thoughtful book review that goes beyond just, "It's well-written and the plot is good." ? Thanks!

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Susan--great question! I know you write for Medium, so I'll share a post I wrote as a boost nominator. AND I'll take time to respond here for the Unschool in different detail... in the event you and others might be writing for other journals and review sources.

I appreciate how you phrase this as "three."

So for now, the link: https://medium.com/write-and-review/what-this-boost-nominator-is-seeking-bf48decf5a5e (I think you may have already seen this.)

And I'll try to post other thoughts shortly--stay tuned, as they say.

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Great, I'll read or reread that post! Thanks!

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