Sunday, July 20, 2014

Book Publishing Secrets with D.W. Raleigh, author of Shiloh’s True Nature

D.W. Raleigh was born in the Delaware Valley and has spent most of his life in that region. He has attended multiple colleges and universities collecting several degrees, including an M.A. in Philosophy. After toiling away for many years in various unfulfilling jobs, he began to realize that what he really wanted to do was write. Scribbling down ideas and little short stories he eventually came up with something he wanted to share with the world. Thus, Shiloh’s True Nature was born. D.W. currently resides in Newark, Delaware with his longtime love, Judy, and their two cats, Lovie and Cheepie.
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?
D.W. Raleigh:  I had always intended to become an author, just not of fiction.  I had planned on getting my PhD in Philosophy to teach and publish related works.  However, after getting my M.A., life pushed me in another direction.  As far as the reasoning behind this book, it was a culmination of many things. The short version is; I wanted to create something unique that people would enjoy.
Is this your first book?
D.W. Raleigh: First published, yes…first written, no.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
D.W. Raleigh: Small Press.  I don’t have an exciting answer as to why I choose this method.  It just seemed like the right fit.  Everyone at Hobbes End made me feel like they were the right publisher for my work.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
D.W. Raleigh:  Well, I went the agent route first.  I sent dozens and dozens of emails to prospective agents and nothing ever came of it.  It was when I started contacting publishers directly that I had more success.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
D.W. Raleigh:  Strictly from a writer’s perspective, the journey can be frustrating, because the publishing industry moves at a glacial pace.  I remember receiving a rejection letter from a publisher, a year after I had already signed on with my current publisher.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
D.W. Raleigh:  Absolutely.  I’d suggest researching and compiling a list of publishers that print your genre and then submitting your work directly to them.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

D.W. Raleigh:  Be tenacious and have thick skin.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Shiloh’s True Nature
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Author: D.W. Raleigh
Publisher: Hobbes End Publishing
When 12 year-old farm boy Shiloh Williams is sent to stay with his estranged grandfather, he discovers a mysterious new world inhabited by ‘Movers’. The Movers live in symbiotic harmony with one another, except one extremely powerful Mover who has stolen the town’s most precious artifact, the Eternal Flame. Shiloh investigates his supernatural surroundings, makes new friends, and begins to think of the town as home. However, just as soon as he starts to fit in, he realizes his newfound happiness is about to come to an abrupt end. One decision and one extreme consequence are all that remain.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Book Publishing Secrets with Cheryl C. Malandrinos, Author of 'A Christmas Kindness'

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author, and editor. A 2005 graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group, Cheryl began her career focusing on article writing. She specializes in time management and organization, but has also written about everyday life in the 1800s, gardening, parenting, and women’s health issues. In 2008, she changed her focus to fiction writing for children. Her first picture book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing (GAP). Cheryl has two other books under contract with GAP.
Cheryl also writes under the name of C. C. Gevry. The first chapter reader, A Christmas Kindness, was released by 4RV Publishing in 2012, with a digital version following in 2013.
Ms. Malandrinos has edited numerous manuscripts in a variety of genres and ghostwritten a Christian chapter book. Cheryl has been a panelist at the WriteAngles Conference that takes place each fall at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and offers writing workshops in her local school district. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. Cheryl lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.

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 A Christmas Kindness?

Cheryl: I’m a huge Christmas fanatic. I love everything about the season: decorating, baking, entertaining, etc. But the most important aspect of the holiday is giving to others. It’s something I try to teach my girls every day. With A Christmas Kindness, I hope to get across the message that even though it’s wonderful to receive a gift, it’s just as thrilling to give something special to someone else.

Is this your first book?

Cheryl: No. My first book, Little Shepherd, was released in 2010. A Christmas Kindness is my second book, written under my pen name, C.C. Gevry as a printed book and under my actual name in a digital version. Eventually, the printed version will be reformatted and released under my actual name too. (The story of the pen name is a long and boring one.)

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

Cheryl: I pitched A Christmas Kindness to a small independent publisher during an online writers conference. Both my books have been released by small independent publishers, and I enjoy working with them. I feel I have more control over the final product, while I also have the ability to work with editors and artists with years of experience.


Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

Cheryl: Though I have been writing since I was a teenager, it wasn’t a career choice until after I became a stay-at-home mom. I signed up for the “Breaking into Print” program from Long Ridge Writers Group and focused on article writing. I wrote for Writer2Writer, an online magazine dedicated to helping writers generate income from their writing for several years. I also blogged for many years to create an online presence for myself before my books came out.

I’m not the most disciplined writer, which definitely impedes my progress. A major reason for that is I feel my first job is mother and wife. My writing must come after that.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

Cheryl: I’m excited about the world of publishing. There are so many more avenues for writers than there used to be. I never really considered self-publishing in the beginning, but I’m not adverse to it now. I could see myself becoming a hybrid author who releases books in a multitude of ways.

Patience and perseverance are traits all writers need regardless of how they decide to publish. It’s also good to know when you should depend on others for help. Editors, cover artists, and critique partners can make a huge difference.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Cheryl:  I feel every author has to decide what will work for her. Each person has their own idea of what success looks like.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Cheryl: Keep writing and continue learning all you can about your craft. A great book is the first step to publication. 

Friday, July 4, 2014

Book Publishing Secrets with Sharon van Ivan, Author of 'Juggle and Hide'

Sharon van Ivan lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her two cats, The Duke and Earl.  She was born in Brooklyn New York and couldn’t wait to move back to New York when she grew up.  Her parents divorced when she was a baby and she lived with her mother in Akron, Ohio, until she returned to New York in her early 20s.  There she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a working actress for many years.  But she was always writing.  Her debut as a playwright was when she was 10 years old and living in Sacramento, California.  She wrote about the hardships of a young girl in Mexico.  The play was so good, it was presented to the whole school.  Sharon was mortified and did not write again until high school.  Then when she had a writing assignment, she would dream about it the night before, and write it just before class.  She was an A student in English.  Not the most popular person in school, however.

Growing up with an alcoholic and, therefore, mentally ill mother and a mostly-absent father (plus a slew of stepfathers) was a challenge that Sharon met head-on – as she had no choice. Later in life when she did have a choice, the patterns had already been set and she followed a similarly disastrous road until she found show business, a great psychiatrist and the love of her life, the renowned realist painter, Charles Pfahl.
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 Juggle and Hide?
Sharon: I had to get rid of the childhood demons that had been plaguing me most of my adult life.  I wanted to share my struggle with others who might have gone through some of the same horrors I experienced.
Is this your first book?
Sharon: Yes, it is.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Sharon: I went with a small independent publishing company: Cygnet Press.  Timothy B. Anderson, the publisher, was terrific.  Aside from being very knowledgeable, he agreed to use my late husband’s painting – also entitled Juggle and Hide – as the cover.  (My husband was Charles Pfahl, a well-respected realist artist.) Other publishers would not give me that kind of consideration. They wanted final approval on the cover, and I couldn’t deal with that.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Sharon: When I first finished the memoir, my friend, Joan Schweighardt – a very good writer who had also had her own publishing company for many years – sent my book around to a few people she knew.  Although I got good responses, no one asked to publish
it.  They thought it was too intense, relentless.  They couldn’t grasp the dark humor in it. So I put the book away for a few years.  Now here we are.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Sharon: Oh, it’s changed so much over the past few years.  It’s changing right this minute. I think independent publishing, self-publishing or going with large publishers are all fine ways to go.  It just depends on where your book lands first. And I prefer the personal contact and attention of working with an independent publisher, someone I can actually meet with in person and discuss problems that come up during the publishing process.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Sharon: I think it depends on the author. If s/he were willing to give up all control and depend on someone else entirely, I’d say go with a big company.  Otherwise, publish independently or with a small press.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Sharon: Write.  Don’t worry about the rest.