An Author's Publishing Team

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

A writer’s passion for a book project isn’t enough. Success depends on her team’s 100% commitment to the project. Writing and publishing are not single-handed ventures. It takes a community of specialized people to write, edit, design, market, promote, and sell a story that readers will eagerly purchase, read, and recommend.

Take a look at the overall picture of what goes into placing a story in front of a reader’s eyes.

Writer

That’s us, the people who create story. We pen our books with unique and lovable characters who live on long after the last page. The plot can’t be a repeat of last night’s TV series or another writer’s bestseller. Neither can the setting be boring or the dialogue flat. Every technique must be handled according to our voice and the characters struggling to work through a problem.

Editor

Our first encounter with an editor is the person who acquires our books and shares the same enthusiasm with other colleagues. Several types of editors from overall story to line edits examine plot, character, setting, dialogue etc to ensure a credible and unpredictable story. Editors are a writer’s best friend; they take our challenges and weave them into strengths. Our best book becomes our finest writing project.

Design

This is the art team that takes a long look at our stories to develop a book cover that reflects characters and genre. These extremely talented, behind the scene people peer into the psychological workings of our stories to create an exciting cover.

Marketing and Promotion

The marketing and promotion team are strategists. They use imaginative and innovative means to place our books in venues that remind the reader of its fine attributes. Various Individuals focus on our online presence, social media, ads, book tours, contests and the many other means for publishers and authors to feature their books.

Sales staff

These people are a writer’s silent warriors. They use our sales blurbs, cover copy, and a bit about us to entice book store buyers to carry our stories. Their approach is at the grass roots level, and unfortunately they are often unappreciated.

Many gifted people are a part of a writer’s publishing team, but these five groups are the top tiers in the process. We writers are not alone. Whether our publishing plan is through a traditional house or we are independently published, a writer’s publishing team is her most valuable asset.

What is the most challenging part of writing and publishing for you?

TWEETABLE

The parts of an author's #publishing team - @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.