I'm currently working on a book. It's a science fiction novel (or is novel the wrong term? I never did understand novel, novella, etc.) based far into the future. It's not even close to being finished, but I want to build a large fan base before I publish it, which should really help sales. (I know, I'm probably dreaming here.)
I would appreciate some advice, such as:
1. How could I go about building a fan base?
2. What are the average sales of a book in its first year?
3. Average royalty?
4. What are some good ways to advertise?
5. If I post chapters of the book as I go, could someone use them as their own legally?
And any other helpful advice you may have would be very helpful.
December,
Yes, you're probably dreaming. But it can be done, supposedly. First, though, you're only a writer until you've finished a project, then you're the author. You're not a published author until you SELL a story, poem, or book to a legitimate magazine, publisher, etc. If you publish it yourself, you're a self-published author, which has a certain stink associated with it because most self-publishers go that route because it's not good enough to sell.
1. Sell short stories to magazines or anthologies (sci-fi, in your case).
Ralan's Webstravaganza has a listing of markets.
Blog - some people gain a following at it.
2. No such thing as average. Most books are probably sold to the friends and relatives of the writer. Some sell millions of copies. If you're an average writer, you'll have LESS than average sales.
3. Royalties vary. hard-cover is $3-4 copy, paperback $1.50-2 copy
4. If any of us knew, we'd do it. Seriously the only serious advertising costs money and most of us don't have it. Even if you do have the money, will you sell enough copies to off-set the Ad cost?
5. YES! Not legally, but how can you prove it? Once your work is PUBLISHED, however, it is copyrighted automatically and protected from plagiarism.
To me, you seem to have one big strike against you already.
WHY don't you know the diff between novel and novella? Because you're being lazy. If you want to be an author, you'd better learn the basics of the business first. That link I gave earlier, RALAN.COM also has information to writers. If you don't take advantage of it, too bad. You'll be beat out by the writers who
are willing to find out what's up.
And don't expect all your homework to be done by asking questions on forums. Most of the people here know little more than you do; they're here to learn.
I'm assuming you already know spelling, grammar, etc. If not, you'd better bone up on that, too. Then find out about character development, dialogue, plot, theme, info-dumps and other info that applies directly to your skill as a writer. This ain't no hobby, friend, it just pays like it is.
Hope that helps. Don't be discouraged. Work at your writing and work at your knowledge of the publishing industry.
