Carroll/Blanco Frequently Asked Questions
A book for me would be a great help but who has the time to write one?
You don’t have to write the book yourself. A ghost writer or co-author is always an option and it would require a minimal investment of your time. Typically, you’d sit down with the writer for two or three in person sessions during which you’d be speaking into a tape recorder. The writer would then have those sessions transcribed and assemble the manuscript from those transcripts. Ghost writers and co-authors both work the same way. The difference between them is that a ghost writer’s name does not appear on the book, whereas a co-author’s name does appear alongside the author’s on the front cover. Some writers work for a percentage of the royalties, others prefer a lump payment. Carroll/Blanco works with many writers, and can help find you the right one for your project.
I’ve definitely got a book in me, but I don’t feel confident that I could write it. Is there still a way that I could realize my dream of becoming an author?
Absolutely! You don’t have to be a writer to become an author. The hardest part of writing a book is putting together the outline. Carroll/Blanco can work with you on assembling the outline. If you prefer, you could also hire a writer to either write the book for you, or work with you on putting it together. The bottom line is that if you have a story that needs to be told, nothing should hold you back.
How long does it typically take to get a book written and published?
The most effective way to do a timeline in publishing is to determine the ideal publication date and then work backwards from that date. It takes a minimum of nine months to successfully bring a book to market, as the book publishing industry works on a long lead schedule. For example, if you need six months to complete the manuscript, you would count fifteen months or one year and a half from the day that you would start writing. Bear in mind too that doesn’t include the time it will take to secure a deal with a publisher. That could add on several months to the process. Sometimes a book can be published very quickly, but those are the exceptions to the rule, and usually only happen if the book specifically ties into a major breaking news story. For example, when 9-11 happened, a glut of books on terrorism flooded the shelves quickly. Those are called insta-books and are usually penned by journalists.
Is self-publishing a good idea?
No. There are too many variables involved and it’s nearly impossible to anticipate them all if you’re a novice. In today’s market, there are far better alternatives to self-publishing that offer the same or better creative control with less of the dangerous risks. Commission publishing and co-venture publishing are two such options, both of which Carroll/Blanco can facilitate for its clients.
I’ve written a book and can’t get an agent. Should I publish it on the internet?
We would recommend against publishing your book on the internet. It doesn’t have the prestige of a conventional printed version, and it’s likely to get lost in an ocean of other titles. Literary agents typically only represent books they can pitch to mainstream publishers for a standard advance against royalty agreement. But today, there are many independent houses willing to publish books under non-traditional contractual structures such as commission, co-venture, and buyback publishing agreements. Most literary agents won’t take on books that require the non-traditional arrangement. Carroll/Blanco has relationships with the agents who will or we can directly procrure a quality publisher to bring your book to market.
I’m the founding partner of a very successful company. Do you think the public would be interested in my story?
The answer to your question is a resounding yes! If written well, your book could impact countless lives, helping and inspiring others to achieve their own success. Books by self-made entrepreneurs are among the top selling category in the country.
Will you work with people who only have an idea for a book or do you require a complete manuscript?
As long as you’re focused and committed, we’ll take on a project at any stage of the writing process.
How do I convince my clients that a book could improve their business?
The book remains the most convincing and memorable way to tell a story, to record a history, to make a persuasive argument, to educate. It is also a physical fact and has a permanence that no other communication medium has. It carries with it a singular status and prestige, credibility, presumed truth, and a willingness to compete in the marketplace of ideas. Carroll/Blanco not only understands the authority of the book, but also how to use the book’s power to help its clients prosper in ways that even the most elaborate and aggressive outreach cannot, and often, at a fraction of the cost.
I want to write a book and I’m prominent in my industry. Should I use a pseudonym?
You can certainly use a pseudonym if you like. It’s always best to know that upfront however, so that it can be incorporated into the publicity and public relations strategies.
My story is controversial. Am I better off writing it as fiction?
That’s a personal choice, and either can be equally accommodated from a publishing point of view. Non-fiction however is typically more straight-forward in terms of marketing. So if you are thinking of doing your book as fiction, it’s best to determine that beforehand so that it can be cleverly woven into the publicity and promotions strategies.
