5 answers
1
Question
Asked
382 views
What is an author How do you become one? And why do we continue to produce physical books when ebooks are cheaper and more environment friendly??
What is an author? How do you become one? And why do we continue to produce physical books when ebooks are cheaper and more environment friendly?
Login to comment
5 answers
Updated
Ann-Marie’s Answer
Hi Diego,
An author is a writer who writes book-length works. They can be fiction or non-fiction.
A writer generally writes everything else: articles, essays, ad copy, white papers (for business), website copy, etc.
Becoming an author requires an idea you want to passionately explore and then the time it takes to produce the 100,000 words you need to write in order to edit it down to 75-80,000 good ones.
Writing is a learnable skill. You can take classes, listen to podcasts, join writing groups, take a degree at university. You are in SF—the Bay Area is swimming with writers & artists. Do a Google search for writing groups. Also, every November, Nanowrimo (National writing month) takes place. It’s an online community challenge to write a book in the month of November. In SF, some participants meet up. It’s a good exercise in developing a writing muscle. Check out their website.
Previous answers have all raised germane and important things you will be exploring.
(We produce ebooks and paper books because here is a market for both.)
Best wishes for your success!
An author is a writer who writes book-length works. They can be fiction or non-fiction.
A writer generally writes everything else: articles, essays, ad copy, white papers (for business), website copy, etc.
Becoming an author requires an idea you want to passionately explore and then the time it takes to produce the 100,000 words you need to write in order to edit it down to 75-80,000 good ones.
Writing is a learnable skill. You can take classes, listen to podcasts, join writing groups, take a degree at university. You are in SF—the Bay Area is swimming with writers & artists. Do a Google search for writing groups. Also, every November, Nanowrimo (National writing month) takes place. It’s an online community challenge to write a book in the month of November. In SF, some participants meet up. It’s a good exercise in developing a writing muscle. Check out their website.
Previous answers have all raised germane and important things you will be exploring.
(We produce ebooks and paper books because here is a market for both.)
Best wishes for your success!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Diego
Larry Siegel
Government Liaison, Non-profit fundraising, Non-profit operation
21
Answers
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Diego -- an author is someone who can convey life truths in writing. Regardless of the form of that writing, whether it be a novel, a biography, a humorous piece, a good writer connects with the reader through the validity and authenticity of his or her words.
Readers have different preferences. Some find the physical contact with a book and its pages part of the reading experience. Holding and touching the words they are reading adds to their reading experience.
Others, like myself, prefer ebooks with their ability to instantly bring up a word definition, to remind who a particular character is, and in some books, to translate phrases that occur from other languages.
Regardless of the reading format, the reader will always seek a personal connection with the book she or he is reading.
Readers have different preferences. Some find the physical contact with a book and its pages part of the reading experience. Holding and touching the words they are reading adds to their reading experience.
Others, like myself, prefer ebooks with their ability to instantly bring up a word definition, to remind who a particular character is, and in some books, to translate phrases that occur from other languages.
Regardless of the reading format, the reader will always seek a personal connection with the book she or he is reading.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3844
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Diego,
What does it mean to be an author?
An author is someone who crafts books, articles, or other literary pieces. They can weave tales of fiction, share facts through non-fiction, express emotions through poetry, create dramatic works as playwrights, or report news as journalists. They are the architects of content that is disseminated and enjoyed by readers.
What steps should you take to become an author?
Embarking on the journey to become an author involves several crucial steps:
Sharpen your writing skills: As an aspiring author, it's crucial to refine your writing abilities. This could mean attending writing classes, participating in workshops, or simply dedicating time to regular writing practice.
Discover your passion: Identify the type of writing that sparks your interest and the genre or topic you'd like to concentrate on.
Create and refine: Begin crafting your book or articles. Remember to review and revise your work repeatedly to ensure it's well-crafted and ready for the public eye.
Invite feedback: Seek opinions from beta readers, writing circles, or editors to enhance your work.
Get published: You have the option to follow the traditional publishing route by presenting your work to literary agents and publishing houses, or you can opt for self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Establish your online presence: Create an online platform through social media, a personal website, or a blog to engage with your readers and market your work.
Never stop learning: Writing is an ongoing journey of learning, so it's vital to persistently enhance your skills and stay informed about industry trends.
Why do we still produce physical books when ebooks are more cost-effective and eco-friendly?
Despite the rise of ebooks, which are both affordable and environmentally friendly, the production of physical books persists for several reasons:
Sensory experience: Many readers relish the sensory experience of holding a physical book, flipping its pages, and sensing its weight.
Collectability: Physical books often become part of collections due to their aesthetic appeal, sentimental value, or as a potential investment.
Inclusivity: Not everyone has access to e-readers or digital devices, so physical books ensure that literature remains accessible to all.
Market demand: The demand for physical books remains strong, particularly in certain genres like children's literature, art books, and special editions.
Cultural value: Physical books carry cultural weight as symbols of knowledge, history, and tradition that have been treasured for centuries.
In summary, while ebooks present numerous benefits in terms of cost and environmental impact, physical books retain their production and appeal due to their unique attributes and enduring charm to readers.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
The Guardian
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
What does it mean to be an author?
An author is someone who crafts books, articles, or other literary pieces. They can weave tales of fiction, share facts through non-fiction, express emotions through poetry, create dramatic works as playwrights, or report news as journalists. They are the architects of content that is disseminated and enjoyed by readers.
What steps should you take to become an author?
Embarking on the journey to become an author involves several crucial steps:
Sharpen your writing skills: As an aspiring author, it's crucial to refine your writing abilities. This could mean attending writing classes, participating in workshops, or simply dedicating time to regular writing practice.
Discover your passion: Identify the type of writing that sparks your interest and the genre or topic you'd like to concentrate on.
Create and refine: Begin crafting your book or articles. Remember to review and revise your work repeatedly to ensure it's well-crafted and ready for the public eye.
Invite feedback: Seek opinions from beta readers, writing circles, or editors to enhance your work.
Get published: You have the option to follow the traditional publishing route by presenting your work to literary agents and publishing houses, or you can opt for self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Establish your online presence: Create an online platform through social media, a personal website, or a blog to engage with your readers and market your work.
Never stop learning: Writing is an ongoing journey of learning, so it's vital to persistently enhance your skills and stay informed about industry trends.
Why do we still produce physical books when ebooks are more cost-effective and eco-friendly?
Despite the rise of ebooks, which are both affordable and environmentally friendly, the production of physical books persists for several reasons:
Sensory experience: Many readers relish the sensory experience of holding a physical book, flipping its pages, and sensing its weight.
Collectability: Physical books often become part of collections due to their aesthetic appeal, sentimental value, or as a potential investment.
Inclusivity: Not everyone has access to e-readers or digital devices, so physical books ensure that literature remains accessible to all.
Market demand: The demand for physical books remains strong, particularly in certain genres like children's literature, art books, and special editions.
Cultural value: Physical books carry cultural weight as symbols of knowledge, history, and tradition that have been treasured for centuries.
In summary, while ebooks present numerous benefits in terms of cost and environmental impact, physical books retain their production and appeal due to their unique attributes and enduring charm to readers.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
The Guardian
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Updated
Nik’s Answer
Diego! I'm excited to learn that you are interested in becoming an author, because I believe it is an important role in our culture. Authors are storytellers. They see what happens in the world, in the lives of people, in our minds and in our hearts, and they find ways to capture all of that in a story -- or narrative -- that helps us to understand who we are and what we are doing here. Even those who write non-fiction carry out that mission.
Becoming an author ideally involves developing two skills. First, learn to truly see what is going on around you. Second, learn how to use language in a way that communicates in a clear and engaging way.
And regarding paper books, yes, e-books are better for the environment. Perhaps we keep paper books around strictly from a sense of nostalgia. Or perhaps they give some weight to our stories. They make them more real. We see the story sitting on the nightstand or bookshelf and we are reminded of what we have read and learned and accepted. E-books, to me at least, seem to appear and disappear without establishing themselves in the landscape of our lives.
Becoming an author ideally involves developing two skills. First, learn to truly see what is going on around you. Second, learn how to use language in a way that communicates in a clear and engaging way.
And regarding paper books, yes, e-books are better for the environment. Perhaps we keep paper books around strictly from a sense of nostalgia. Or perhaps they give some weight to our stories. They make them more real. We see the story sitting on the nightstand or bookshelf and we are reminded of what we have read and learned and accepted. E-books, to me at least, seem to appear and disappear without establishing themselves in the landscape of our lives.
Updated
Jose’s Answer
Hello Diego!
What is an author?
An author is a writer who uses his writing skills to create fiction or nonfiction stories. Those stories are a pile of drafts that after careful editing and reviewing become a manuscript and after a publishing house editor reviews it again, it has the opportunity to become a published book. An author uses his skills to relay his message to his target audience, using his philosophies, and personal life experiences, to explain his points of view through characters and situations, or just to have out-right fun!
How do you become one?
If you want to become an author/writer, the first thing you have to do is READ. A writer that does not read, can never be a full-fledged writer. You have to create that discipline of reading, so your mental strength can be strong enough to write when you don't want to. Stephen King said "When consumed by your thoughts, write. When you are uninspired to write, read"
Reading will provide you with more vocabulary as well. I believe in highlighting all the words and good parts of a book you are reading with a pencil. Then transcribe the words you don't know into a doc, and start creating a glossary term of your own for your future writings.
After creating, reviewing, and editing your manuscript you can publish your book independently through Amazon or look for a literary agent that can help you with a publishing house. I can also recommend you create a YouTube channel for your stories, bring them to life through video editing and animation, and start creating your community. Once you have a community you can let them know that you are dropping a book, that is been sold through Amazon.
And why do we continue to produce physical books when ebooks are cheaper and more environmentally friendly??
We continue to produce physical books because some readers prefer to have the texture of their books in their hands, as well as collecting them. Some consumers, are not tech-savvy or don't have the money for an ebook reader and some consumers consider the ebook breaks their concentration.
Please keep in mind that even though the world is moving to the digital space, some things will never be replaced.
Hope that helps!
What is an author?
An author is a writer who uses his writing skills to create fiction or nonfiction stories. Those stories are a pile of drafts that after careful editing and reviewing become a manuscript and after a publishing house editor reviews it again, it has the opportunity to become a published book. An author uses his skills to relay his message to his target audience, using his philosophies, and personal life experiences, to explain his points of view through characters and situations, or just to have out-right fun!
How do you become one?
If you want to become an author/writer, the first thing you have to do is READ. A writer that does not read, can never be a full-fledged writer. You have to create that discipline of reading, so your mental strength can be strong enough to write when you don't want to. Stephen King said "When consumed by your thoughts, write. When you are uninspired to write, read"
Reading will provide you with more vocabulary as well. I believe in highlighting all the words and good parts of a book you are reading with a pencil. Then transcribe the words you don't know into a doc, and start creating a glossary term of your own for your future writings.
After creating, reviewing, and editing your manuscript you can publish your book independently through Amazon or look for a literary agent that can help you with a publishing house. I can also recommend you create a YouTube channel for your stories, bring them to life through video editing and animation, and start creating your community. Once you have a community you can let them know that you are dropping a book, that is been sold through Amazon.
And why do we continue to produce physical books when ebooks are cheaper and more environmentally friendly??
We continue to produce physical books because some readers prefer to have the texture of their books in their hands, as well as collecting them. Some consumers, are not tech-savvy or don't have the money for an ebook reader and some consumers consider the ebook breaks their concentration.
Please keep in mind that even though the world is moving to the digital space, some things will never be replaced.
Hope that helps!