Publishing and Self-publishing: Advice for Writers

Set goals first: Find an author career inspiration [Filipino/English]

First of all, thank you so much for reading my publishing advice, and asking questions. It's been such a pleasure and honor to be trusted by you.

Kaya lang, I must say this: Many of your questions and concerns will be solved by setting goals and FINDING A CAREER PEG.

Ano ang career peg?

Now that you've decided that you want to be a writer, sit back and reflect on THE KIND OF WRITER YOU WANT TO BE. Sino ang peg mo? Kaninong career ang gusto mong ma-achieve? Sino ang babasa ng books mo? 

Kasi makakatulong yan when you write, and aim to be published. Ang mga walang goals kasi kundi "ma-publish lang", sila yung mas likely na magkakamali sa una. Yung pipirma ng hindi magandang kontrata. Yung papayag sa medyo abusadong terms. Yung hindi magre-research at aalamin kung ano ang magandang option at sino ang makakapagbigay ng mga ito sa kanila. At kapag pirmahan na, sila rin yung hindi magne-negotiate.

Kasi ang goal lang ay "makita ang pangalan sa libro."

Ang malungkot ay maraming yan din lang ang pangarap at ngayon ay "live and learn" na lang dahil nagsisi sila sa huli. OK lang naman yon I guess, kasi wala naman silang ibang pinangarap. Bakit mage-expect ng iba, eh hindi mo naman hiningi?

If you want to be an author, set goals. Whose career do you want? Sino ang ideal publisher mo? Gusto mo bang makilala sa Pilipinas? Sa abroad? Gusto mo bang may movie deal? Sino ang author na may ganong career?

Think about it and take advice that will help you achieve those goals.

Even though you're reading advice from ME, I know that not all of you will want, or have, my career as I am planning it. Iba ang goals ko, iba ang strategy ko. Marami sa natutunan ko ay makakatulong pa rin sa iyo, but there are things you might want to know that I can't help you with. (For example, may humingi sa akin ng advice about writing mysteries, na di ko pa sinasagot. Di kasi ako mystery writer eh! But I'm trying to find someone who can give you good advice.)

Once you find your peg and set your goals, you will know which questions to ask and what kind of help you need.