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Thank you for your time in answering our questions about
getting published. Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you
decided to become an author and pen this book?
First of all, thank you for
asking. My story is probably
typical. From as far back as the eighth
grade, I’ve always enjoyed writing. I can
remember getting jazzed up about writing assignments, even though I was not the
best student. Instead of following my
writing interest in college, I went into Engineering. While that decision has provided a
nice
livelihood, I knew there was something missing.
It took encouragement from my wife to get me to sit down and write. And thanks to her support, I have a book out
there with my name on it.
Is this your first book?
Yes, but I’m working hard to make
sure it isn’t the last.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional,
small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
My publisher is Five Star /
Gale. It’s a small imprint within a big
publisher and they have been wonderful to work with. I didn’t choose this path in as much as they
chose me. I knew I wanted to publish the
traditional way, and I found a great match with Five Star.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey? The pros and cons?
Let’s start with the cons. I have a file full of rejection letters from
agents collected over about four years of submissions. I don’t blame them—my work wasn’t ready and
they knew it. It took help from a
professional editor to get Southern Heat
to the point of being ready for a contract.
The pros are much better.
I believe it doesn’t matter what your personal story is, you will not
succeed in getting published without the help of others. I have been fortunate enough to have joined a
great organization called South Carolina Writers Workshop. Through their critique sessions, I learned
how to write. The networking
opportunities I received while attending SCWW conferences have proven
invaluable. That was how I found a reputable
editor. And then there are the folks at
Killer Nashville who bend over backwards to help authors. My first time there and armed with a decent
manuscript, I found a publisher and an agent.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular
publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
The publishing industry is a
business. They are there to make money,
or else they won’t be there for long.
There are no free rides. You have
to be serious about writing something people will want to buy. And you have to be serious about marketing
your work. I’ve been blessed in my
publishing journey. The right people
were there to tell me when my work wasn’t ready. And the right people were there when it was.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
While there is something to be said
for the total control self-publishing gives authors, I’m not sure I’d have
known enough to make the right decisions.
I have a phenomenal agent, a hard-working publicist, and good
relationship with a publisher. That is
what I know and that is what I would recommend.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Decide what you want out of your
writing. If you like to write because it
makes you happy, then by all means write.
If you want to have your work published and sell books, you will have to
learn the business. Find a support group
of other writers like SCWW and go to conferences. Network with those in the publishing
industry. Be intentional.
David
Burnsworth became fascinated with the Deep South at a young
age. After a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and fifteen
years in the corporate world, he made the decision to write a novel. Southern
Heat is his first mystery. Having lived in Charleston on Sullivan’s
Island for five
years, the setting was a foregone conclusion. He and his wife along with their
dog call South Carolina home.
His
latest book is the southern noir/mystery, Southern
Heat.
Visit his website at www.davidburnsworthbooks.com.
Connect & Socialize
with David!
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