Friday, March 27, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Eleanor Parker Sapia, author of 'A Decent Woman'

Book Title A DECENT WOMAN
Genre:  Historical fiction
Publisher:  Booktrope Books
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?
Author: In 2000, after ten years of working as an exhibiting artist, I was given the book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, as a gift. A year later, I invited eight creative women friends to join me in a creativity group at my home. After facilitating four The Artist’s Way groups, my friends encouraged me to add writing to my creative life, and I agreed—it was time. But what would I write about?
Well, both my grandmothers were wonderful oral storytellers, and as a kid, I sat at their knees, hanging on their every word about stories of Puerto Rico and Poland. When my maternal grandmother turned ninety-years old, I wrote a tribute to her, and included all her wonderful stories. After my now ex-husband read the tribute, he asked me to write an outline of my grandmother’s life, and he said I had a story to write. I realized I hadn’t read any books about Caribbean midwives, so I decided to introduce my Puerto Rican grandmother’s midwife, Doña Ana, to the world in a story about the complex lives of women in male-dominated, colonial Puerto Rico.
Is this your first book?
Author: Yes, this is my debut novel, and I’m currently writing my second book.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Author:  When I completed my manuscript and had it edited, I joined CreateSpace and made an account for my novel, A DECENT WOMAN, thinking that I’d self-publish. But I couldn’t upload my manuscript; something kept telling me to wait a bit longer. After two years of querying agents and getting nowhere, I had no issue with going the self-publishing route, but I submitted to Booktrope, an Indie publishing company based in Seattle, Washington and six months later, I had a publishing contract. I’ve been with them a year and it has been great experience.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Author:  Booktrope authors form their publishing team from talented people within Booktrope—an editor, proofreader, cover designer, project manager, and a book manager. It took me a few months to get the perfect team together because of schedule conflicts with potential team members, but it worked out as it should. I call my team members—my dream team. Every person on the publishing team receives a certain percentage of books sales after the book is published, so it behooves every member of the team to work hard and to be professional. We work very well together, and I hope to work with my team again on my second book project.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Author: When writer friends congratulated me on my publishing contract, and when I finished my manuscript and uploaded it for layout a month ago, many of those same friends said, “Now the real work begins.” I couldn’t imagine what they meant because I’d spent nearly five years researching and writing my novel! Now that A DECENT WOMAN is published, I understand what they were saying—book marketing and publicity is not for the faint of heart. It’s an every day, never-get-away-from-it process that an author cannot get away from, or should ignore. I’ve learned how important social media is to an author, and how important it is to build a platform early in one’s writing career. I blogged for seven years before I made the leap into writing full time, and I’m glad I did.
I’ve also learned how stubborn, tenacious, brave, and nuts I must be because despite the long and lonely hours at the keyboard, I still can’t imagine doing anything else.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Author: Yes, I whole heartedly recommend going the Indie publishing route. I’ve had a great experience with Booktrope, and I love working with my ultra-talented publishing Team.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Author: Read, read, and then read some more. I’m a huge advocate of writing in a daily journal, which for me has become a valuable tool and writing practice, so I highly recommend jotting down feelings, impressions, overheard dialogue, and thoughts. This exercise has helped me get in touch with myself, and the great thing about journaling is that it encourages us to access the deep, dark corners of ourselves. We don’t lie when we journal.
And as I’ve mentioned before, if you’re a budding writer, build your writer platform now. Join and engage in social media now; don’t wait for your book to be published.
Thanks so much for having me!
Eleanor Parker Sapia



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Anne K. Edwards, author of 'This and That – Collection of Light and Dark Tales'

Name:  Anne K. Edwards
Book Title:  This and That – Collection of Light and Dark Tales
Genre:  Various Genres
Publisher:  First Realm Publishing
Purchase book on Amazon
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?
Anne:  I have been writing for several years and have several books published. The collection of short stories began as a for-fun activity for myself. I love new ideas that wouldn’t work out as full books, but I will follow what story they offer to the conclusion.  It’s like following a new trail you’ve never walked before to see where it leads. I enjoy writing tales with old ideas and giving them new twists. So, between books or while I’m suffering writer’s block on a present project, I will write a short tale as a change of pace. It is a remarkable way to conquer writer’s block and refresh one’s mind.
Is this your first book?
Anne:  No, I have written several others in different genres and was given credit for helping write a nonfiction book on reviewing also.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Anne: Small Press. I chose this method because I prefer to work with a publisher instead of undertaking all the responsibility myself and I’ve always liked Internet publishing. In other words, when it comes to self-publishing, one might say I’m a bit reluctant to undertake the heavier duties it entails, like choosing the outlet for a finished work, editing, formatting of an ebook, looking for the right cover artist, and so on. Rather than make repeated mistakes in these areas, it is much better for me to rely on the experienced publisher and use their expertise.  However, on my single venture into self-publishing, I must thank a dear friend, Mayra Calvani, for her guidance and efforts to get it done. She saved me a lot of time and grief.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Anne:  There are few publishers that publish collections of short stories.  I was fortunate to find First Realm Publishing and got permission to submit my book to them. Luckily, they were interested even though the stories are not of the same genre, length and vary widely in subject matter.  For instance, there’s a tale about a pet chicken, one about the devil outsmarting himself, and a series of tales about a detective hired by Death to solve various problems he runs into. It wasn’t a complicated journey and the reward at the end is that the book is out in ebook form which I find very satisfying.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Anne:  I learned to keep looking when you have a book that needs a home. I found the publishing industry is alive and growing, looking for new, adventuresome writers whose creative gifts are seeking homes. Such a trip is a reward in itself and should be undertaken with a positive outlook.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Anne:  Yes. The small press offers a wonderful place for authors to learn about the world of publishing and to meet the readers. It gives us a place to hone our craft and make the next book better.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Anne:  Keep writing. Keep reading, Keep learning. Never give up.



Friday, March 20, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Irene S. Roth, Author of 'Seasons of Empowerment for Adolescent Girls'

Book Title: Seasons of Empowerment for Adolescent Girls
Genre: Nonfiction Adolescent
Publisher: Halo Publishing
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?

Author: I decided to write this book because I had a passion to help teen girls become more empowered than they are currently. The culture and media feeds them negative messages about themselves all day and night and encourages them to be anything but who they were truly meant to be.  I believe that this is a tragedy and I hope that this book remedies this difficulty for teen girls after they read my book.
Is this your first book?
Author: No it isn’t.  This is my tenth book.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Author: I Indie published this book. I just wanted to have the book out so that adolescents can read it. And already I have a large readership through my community.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Author:  I really enjoyed my published journey. Halo Publishing makes it very easy to publish your book. They are there for the author every step of the way and it is painless.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Author:  I learned how good it feels to have a book that you are passionate about out there for the public. Although I have published 9 other books, I was absolutely thrilled when this book came out because I felt that I would be helping adolescent girls to be their best.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Author:  Yes, I certainly would!J
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Author: Never give up on your dream of being a writer—and keep writing every day.



ABOUT THE BOOK

In this book, Ms. Roth argues that there are four seasons of empowerment for adolescent girls. Sadly no adolescent girl can simply wake up one day, snap her fingers, and be empowered to tackle the world and all the forces that exist inside and outside. Becoming empowered to be who we are can be truly difficult. This book consists of a step-by-step guide to help adolescent girls achieve self-improvement. 

Purchase at Amazon