KEEP YOUR
PROFESSIONAL COOL
Throughout my twelve years in the literary
industry, I have been blessed. My initial role
was an author, but after learning the publishing
business, I switched gears and discovered
a passion for reviewing, consulting, and
promoting great works of fiction and nonfiction.
Unfortunately, I have witnessed many author’s
frustrations, from claims that their publisher
did not pay them, an author who is upset at
a promoter, an event planner who has robbed
them of vending fees and more.
Please research! Google is your friend and
a tool that should be utilized as much as
possible. It is so disheartening to hear these
horror stories, but more irritating when you ask
did they research and/or check references and
they proudly say, “no” in some cases. I also
want to add “trust your gut” when it comes
to people and their practices of “so-called”
professionalism.
When making initial contact with a literary
professional, first, introduce yourself, and that
does not mean post an Amazon link in their
inbox telling them to check it out. Second,
know precisely who you are reaching out to.
Meaning, if they are a book promoter that does
not mean they will promote your book around
seeking a publishing deal for you, that is what a
literary agent does, so educate yourself on the
different roles within the industry. Third, respect
people’s time and do not assume someone is
“hatin” on you because they won’t stop what
28 | NKLC Magazine
Kisha Green
they are doing to talk with you via an inbox
exchange all day about your book, especially
when you do not want to pay for the consult you
so desperately need.
Let me add one more thing regarding the
promotion side since this is a lane I work in and
see many mishaps. If you are seeking social
media promotion, research the promoter and ask
for references. Stop just going by a few people
saying “yeah, you should use them”. If they are
advertising exposure, check and see who their
audience is; how do they plan to promote your
book? Please know what promotion means; it is
not spamming a book purchase link in multiple
Facebook groups all day. Think about it, do you
see Eric Jerome Dickey or a Mary Monroe book
links in any of those groups? I rest my case.
On another note, I also want to address authors
who sign contracts with a small publishing
house. Please, and I repeat please read the
contract. And if you don’t understand any of
the verbiage used, consult an attorney or even
a paralegal to assist you before you sign your
book rights away for the sake of a pretty book
cover and the promise of becoming an Amazon
Best Seller. Ask them how long have they- the
publisher been in business? Do they require your
book to have the copyright process completed
already before publishing? Can you Google the
publisher’s company? Timeline? Editing? What’s
their online reputation? Are there any online rip
off reports about them, have they been listed
with Author’s Guild Predators and Editors?