Sunday, August 30, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Author Florence Byham Weinberg

Name: Florence Byham Weinberg
Book Title: Dolet
Genre: nonfiction novel; historical fiction
Publisher: Twilight Times 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?

Florence: I wanted to be an author from the time I learned to read at age four. I published a poem (four lines) in a children’s magazine before I was five, and wrote a novel about a kingdom of cats (Ywain, King of All Cats—[the name came from the sounds cats make, not from medieval French literature]) when I was, probably, seven. I also illustrated the “book.” My writerly ambitions were frustrated during my years of schooling, but after I because a college/university professor, I wrote four scholarly books. I retired at 65, not because I had to, but because I could at last begin my career of writing fiction. The first book I wrote was a history of the 18th-century Franciscan missions in San Antonio, how they were founded and why there are five of them in one small area. The book is not only historical fiction with a well-researched background, but is also a fictional romance between a Franciscan friar and an Apache woman warrior. The present work, Dolet, carries on my preference for historical fiction. In it, I use the erudition I accumulated during my professional career, since, as a university professor, I was a specialist in the Spanish and French Renaissance periods—especially in France, when the Reformation and Counter-Reformation took place.
Is this your first book?
Florence: No, it is the ninth, although it was written in rough draft already in 2002 as the third book. It lay in a drawer for these past thirteen years, and I finally pulled it out and reworked it. There is still a tenth book, set in the French Renaissance, lying in a drawer waiting for me to edit and rework it. It was written in 2003.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Florence: I publish with Twilight Times Books, a small, independent press that has been written up twice in Publishers Weekly for its excellence. Getting accepted was more by accident than by design. I had been rejected by agents over 200 times by the time I decided to seek out an editor. By that time, I had written four novels and had joined a literary critique group. The president of the group suggested that I contact Gerald W. Mills, a professional editor and college teacher of creative writing.* She had done so, and her book had subsequently won a literary prize. I contacted Mr. Mills, who took me on and began to teach me how to transform my academically-tinged prose into truly novelistic writing. He took my book with him when he presented his own to the publisher of Twilight Times Books and voilà! Both books were accepted. I have remained with TTB ever since. The press works very well with the author on every aspect of the book, including the cover illustration, and the resulting products are often beautiful, and always professional.
*Gerald tragically died of a stroke earlier this year.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Florence: Most of my journey has already been described in answer to the previous question. But along the way, I learned—from my perspective at least—something about publishing in the USA in general. When I began in 1999, big corporations, oil companies and the like, had bought up most of the top names in publishing, most of them the “Madison Avenue” crowd in NYC. Big corporations are interested in one thing. The bottom line. Suddenly, NYC publishers were no longer interested in furthering bright new talents, discovering innovative new authors, but in peddling guaranteed money makers like Stephen King or Nora Roberts.
A Diane Rehm show, probably in 2002, mentioned publish-on-demand as a possibility for authors like me. After my 200+ turn-downs by agents, one “agent” took me on. I was thrilled. This fellow steered me to P… A…. a foreign owned POD publisher. Ignorant as I was, I thought he and the publisher were legit. I published two books with PA and my name was forever tarnished because this agent, who was as duped by that publisher as I was, steered me in that direction—and PA is known to publish unedited works as cheaply as possible, just to make what money they could off sales to friends and family. Then I joined a critique group and hired Gerald W. Mills, and my fortunes changed. That is not to say I have become a best-seller—far from that, but hope springs eternal.
Twilight Times Books requires the author to do his/her own marketing (and I’m not great at that). I have tried since then a couple of times to interest someone in NYC in one book or another with absolutely no result. The situation, however, has evolved. The e-book revolution began as early as 2000 and has now boomed. TTB recognized that potential from the beginning, and all their books are both e-published and in trade paperback. 
Then there’s the self-publishing route. There are many avenues nowadays for self-published books that are professionally produced, if not professionally edited. That is a hang-up. Writers: if you want to be taken seriously, have your book edited by a professional. The advantage to self-publishing is that you have total control over the number of copies in your inventory and the number of copies sold and exactly what are your debits and profits. You may end up with a garage full of expensive unsold copies, however, so beware. Of course, there is now the amazon.com phenomenon, in which they do advertise their own authors and perhaps even make a little profit not only for themselves but also for the authors…. The situation is in flux, people, as is always the case. As a famous newscaster often says, “Watch this space.”
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Florence: See the above rant.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Florence: Yes and no. If you want to make it big, try the NYC route. Probably 1% of you will be taken seriously. If you have a good product, try a small publisher like TTB. Or self-publish. There is little stigma attached these days to self-publishing. But think before you choose that route. I prefer a small publisher that will do most of the “leg-work” for you, and TTB is one of the best.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Florence: Read the text above. Think about your options. Write your heart out. Self-edit. Join a critique group. Let others who know the field you write in read your work. Pay attention to what they say and edit. Be thick-skinned, don’t let hurt ego get in your way. But most of all, stick to it, create your own writing space and schedule. And don’t give up!


Friday, August 28, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Sci-fi Author Ken Lizzi

Name: KenLizzi
Book Title: Under Strange Suns
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Read Chapter One 

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?
Ken: That’s two questions, isn’t it? I decided to become an author because I had to. I had stories in me and I needed to see if anyone was interested in reading them. Turns out, yes they were. As far as the genesis of this book, well you can blame Edgar Rice Burroughs. I like the Sword-and-Planet genre and wanted to try my hand at it.
Is this your first book?
Ken: No. This is my second published novel. Twilight Times Books published my first novel, Reunion, in 2014.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Ken: I may be unfamiliar with the terminology. Isn’t small press traditional?
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Ken: Sure. I started with short stories. Once I’d placed a couple in anthologies and cashed the checks (or transferred the PayPal funds) I felt ready to move on to writing a novel. That turned out to be a bit premature. I wasn’t ready. But I suppose I had to get a bad novel out of the way before I could write a good one. I returned to short stories for a while, then developed the idea for Reunion. I enjoyed working with Twilight Times, so it was a natural home for Under Strange Suns.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Ken: Patience. Take the time to get it right. Shortcuts lead to inferior books.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Ken: Yes. A good small press publisher can provide the attention a project needs.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Ken: Be consistent. Do not wait for inspiration. Sit your butt down and write on a consistent schedule.



Friday, August 14, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Jonathan Raab, Author of 'Flight of the Blue Falcon'

Name: Jonathan Raab
Book Title: Flight of the Blue Falcon
Genre: Military Fiction / Literature
Publisher: The War Writers’ Campaign
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 always knew I would write a book about my time in the military. I wanted to tell the story of the common soldier serving in the Long War—warts and all.
Is this your first book?
Author: Yes, this is my first novel. My second, The Hillbilly Moonshine Massacre, comes out in October (2015) from Literati Press.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Author: I submitted it to the War Writers’ Campaign. They’re a nonprofit publisher that treats their writers well and supports the veteran community. It was a no-brainer.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Author: I already had a relationship with the publisher, so that made the transition to publishing a novel a little easier. I did editing work for them and had published a couple of small pieces with them. There were no cons. They’re a great outfit, and I’m proud to support them.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Author: Writers have a lot of tools available to them that simply weren’t there ten years ago. My best advice is to build up your publishing credits – short stories, nonfiction, essays – whatever you can get out there, before you jump into publishing a big book. I wouldn’t have this novel coming out if I didn’t do a lot of volunteer editing work and set my sights lower (short stories, short nonfiction pieces) to build up some credits first.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Author: Small presses like the War Writers’ Campaign offer a lot of flexibility and accessibility to writers starting out. The big publishing companies can get you a great deal, sure—but they can also help you get lost in the shuffle. I love small presses because they are specialized, accessible, and passionate about what they publish.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Author: Fail, time and again, and get back in that chair. I wrote a bunch of books, short stories, and articles that never got published. And that was the best thing for me as a writer. Never give up. Keep writing, every week, keep submitting, keep refining your craft. Embrace your failures and drive on!


Title: Flight of the Blue Falcon
Genre: Fiction – Adult
Author: Jonathan Raab
Publisher: War Writers' Campaign, Inc.

Purchase on Amazon

About the Book:


FLIGHT OF THE BLUE FALCON

By

JONATHAN RAAB

“Jonathan Raab is not only a genuine advocate for veteran causes, he is a preacher of their tales; both fiction and nonfiction. His writing will immerse you into a combat environment that parallels the imagination of those who have never had the pleasure.”

—Derek J. Porter, author of Conquering Mental Fatigues: PTSD & Hypervigilance Disorder

“Jonathan Raab uses his experience to illustrate the raw world of the common soldier. His masterful use of edgy humor and intellectual commentary creates a space for discussing the military culture.”

—Nate Brookshire, co-author, Hidden Wounds: A Soldiers Burden


In FLIGHT OF THE BLUE FALCON (War Writers’ Campaign; July 2015; PRICE), a chewed-up Army National Guard unit heads to a forgotten war in Afghanistan where three men find themselves thrust into the heart of absurdity: the post-modern American war machine. The inexperienced Private Rench, the jaded veteran Staff Sergeant Halderman, and the idealistic Lieutenant Gracie join a platoon of misfit citizen-soldiers and experience a series of alienating and bizarre events.

Private Rench is young, inexperienced, and from a poor, rural, broken home. He's adrift in life. The early signs of alcoholism and potential substance abuse are beginning to rear their ugly heads. He wants to do right by the Army, but doesn't quite know who he is yet.

Staff Sergeant Halderman has one previous combat tour under his belt. He got out, realized his life was going nowhere, so re-enlisted to serve with the men he knew, and to lead the inexperienced guys into combat. He is manifesting the early signs of post traumatic stress, but is too focused on the upcoming mission to deal with it. He sees the Army for what it is—a big, screwed up machine that doesn't always do the right thing—but he doesn't think all that highly of himself, either.

Second Lieutenant Gracie is fresh, young, excited to be in the Army, and trying to adjust to the new to the military and his life as an officer. Although he faces a steep learning curve, he is adaptable and has a good, upbeat attitude. As he tries to forge his own path, he nonetheless turns to the experienced NCOs in his unit for guidance and support. He must continually make tough decisions that have no "right" or textbook answers. Yet these decisions are catalysts enabling him to grow in maturity, experience, and wisdom.

Preparation for combat is surreal: Rench is force-fed cookies by his drill sergeants. Halderman’s “training” is to pick up garbage in the blistering heat of the California desert for four days straight. Gracie contends with a battalion commander obsessed with latrine graffiti.

Once they reach Afghanistan, things really get weird.

FLIGHT OF THE BLUE FALCON is the story of three men who volunteer to serve their country. It’s about what it means to be a soldier, to fight, to know true camaraderie—and to return home.

This is a war story. This is their story.

Only the most unbelievable parts are true.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Sophia Bar-Lev, Author of THE SILVER LOCKET

Title:  THE SILVER LOCKET
Genre:  Women’s Fiction
Author:  Sophia Bar-Lev
Purchase 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?
Sophia: Since I was nine years old, I’ve wanted to be an author and did, in fact, write stories and poems throughout my life but never published anything.  This particular book has been on my mind for about five years and a year ago, I decided to stop thinking about it and just do it. It is based on a true story which I believed would resonate with many readers who have experienced similar difficult situations.
Is this your first book?
Sophia: No, I have published two other novels in the past two years.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Sophia:  I published through Create Space, an Amazon company so I guess that makes me an ‘Indie’ author.  The staff at Create Space are wonderful to work with and I found it a very satisfying experience.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Sophia: Publishing was a dream I thought might never come to pass as a few years ago it was very difficult to land a contract with a publishing house.  The dozens of ‘pink slips’ authors have collected in the past are legendary.  About three years ago, a friend of mine told me about the shift happening in the publishing world.  She liked my writing and encouraged me to look into Create Space.  She knew someone else who’d published with them and was very pleased.  I followed her advice and here we are.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Sophia:  The biggest paradigm shift is that nowadays, an emerging author must be first a good writer and second, a good marketer.  Indie authors need to make their presence known on such outlets as Facebook, Twitter, etc., create a website and stay in touch with their readers.  The publishing world has changed dramatically with the development of digital books.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Sophia:  Yes I certainly would, especially for emerging authors.  I read recently that some 40,000 new books come out every month or two.  Authors today who believe they have something worthwhile to share with the world need to take the initiative to get their book out there and not waste months, even years, hoping that some publisher might give them a chance.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Sophia:  The only way to become an author is to author!  Write. Write. Write.  If you’re serious about being an author, act like it.  Write something every day.  Make it a priority.

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About the Book:   When The Silver Locket opens, it’s July 1941 in Boston, Massachusetts. War is raging in Europe and the Pacific. But for two young women in a small town in New England waging their own personal battles, the struggle is way too close to home.

When extraordinary circumstances bring these two women together, one decision will alter the course of their lives.  And with that one decision, their lives will be forever changed…and forever intertwined.

Were these two women thrust together by happenstance—or fate?   A tragedy. A decision. A pact. Lives irretrievably changed. A baby girl will grow up in the shadow of a secret that must be kept at all costs. But will this secret ever see the light of day?  And what happens when—or if—a promise made must be broken?

Adopting a child is not for the feint of heart—but neither is being adopted…

A sweeping and suspenseful story that unfolds in a different time and a different place, The Silver Locket explores universal themes that ring true even today. Secrets. Unbreakable bonds. The healing power of love.  Deception. Anguish.  Redemption. 

In this touching and tender tale, novelist Sophia Bar-Lev weaves a confident, quietly moving story about adoption, finding hope in the face of hopelessness, and how true love can overcome any obstacle. With its brilliant juxtaposition of the wars fought both on the battlefield and internally, The Silver Locket is a poignant novel, resplendent with drama.  Featuring an exceedingly real and relatable plot, and characters that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned, The Silver Locket is a sterling new read.



Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Book Publishing Secrets with Arnaldo Lopez Jr., Author of 'Chickenhawk'

Name: Arnaldo Lopez Jr.              
Book Title: Chickenhawk
Genre: Thriller/Crime
Publisher: Café Con Leche 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?
Arnaldo: I’ve always loved writing, and after observing the interaction between young male prostitutes and their johns while working as a token booth clerk for the NYC subway, I felt that I had a compelling story to tell.
Is this your first book?
Arnaldo: Yes it is.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Arnaldo: I chose indie publisher, Café Con Leche books primarily because it seemed like such a good match. Agent Leticia Gomez and I share a common vision concerning my writing goals and my current novel.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Arnaldo: The pros are all related to my working with the wonderful people of Café Con Leche books! The cons were the amount of work still needed to get the novel ready for publication even after I thought that all of the work was done!
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Arnaldo: Major or “traditional” publishers as a whole still have a problem understanding the Latino voice or point-of-view. They usually want to play it safe and so overlook a lot of great stories and authors.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Arnaldo: Sure, as long as they’re lucky or diligent enough to find as great an organization as I did in Café Con Leche books!
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Arnaldo: Finish what you start. They are a lot of great partial and even full manuscripts that are hidden away in sock drawers, hope chests, computers, and so on. Do your research, and don’t give up.

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Title: Chickenhawk
Genre: Thriller
Author: Arnaldo Lopez Jr.
Publisher: Koehler Books/Café Con Leche books
Purchase on Amazon

About the Book:

Chickenhawk is an urban crime fiction novel that showcases New York City's diversity, as well as the dark side of race relations, politics, sexuality, illness, madness, and infidelity. Eddie Ramos and Tommy Cucitti are Manhattan North Homicide detectives after a serial killer that manages to stay below their radar while the body count keeps climbing in a city that’s turning into a powder keg.