Name: MichelleNott
Book Title:
Freddy, Hoppie and the Eyeglasses
Genre: Early
Reader
Publisher:
Guardian Angel 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?
Michelle: I've wanted to be an
author ever since I was in elementary school. But, life sometimes takes you on
a more winding path than expected. For that reason, I did not start getting
really serious about writing and publishing until about six years ago.
This particular book stemmed
from my daughter's experience with having to get glasses. This is not at all
her story, but her experience inspired me to write it for other children who
may be having troubles or an experience that could be difficult to talk about.
Is this your first book?
Michelle: Yes.
With this particular book, how
did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you
choose this method?
Michelle: I chose traditional
publishing. I was already busy enough writing and being a mother of two young
children. I did not have the means, nor the desire, to wear all the hats
necessary to self-publish.
Can you tell us a little about
your publishing journey? The pros and
cons?
Michelle: My publishing journey
for this particular book was quite straight-forward. One of my critique
partners had read a couple revisions of this story and commented that it was
the type of manuscript her editor appreciated. So, I sent it to Guardian Angel
Publishing. The editor, Lynda Burch, requested a revision (tightening, change
of POV). Once she re-read the manuscript with the changes, she offered me a
contract. I suppose a pro with going with a small press is that I have very
freindly and frequent correspondence with my editor. I can send her an email
about an idea and she always gets back to me in a timely manner.
For my other manuscripts, I
have queried many (MANY) agents. I am very pleased to have recently signed with
Essie White at Storm Literary Agency. I feel that a huge pro with having an
agent is the confidence that comes from someone championing my work to others
and looking out for my best interest in the publishing world. Essie, in
particular, is an all-around great person to know who cares deeply about
children's literacy and getting great books in little hands.
In either case, I can't think
of any cons. Publishing is a subjective business and everyone's journey is
unique to them.
What lessons do you feel you
learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing
industry as a whole?
Michelle: I've learned
patience. From signed contract to actual book takes years!
I've learned that I must
believe in myself. As everyone knows how subjective a business publishing is,
it can be very depressing when rejection letters and “near-misses” (I loved it
but...) arrive in one's inbox. If I hadn't believed in my craft and the stories
I felt needed told, I would have given up years ago.
Would you recommend this method
of publishing to other authors?
Michelle: I think every author
must choose the path that fits them best. I was happy to first publish with a
small press, to see what publishing entails (the marketing, the publicity, the
networking, etc.)
I certainly would not
discourage any one from publishing with a small press.
What’s the best advice you can
give to aspiring authors?
Michelle: If you feel deep down
in your gut that you must write, as much as you must breath and eat, do not let
any circumstances stop you. There are good days and bad, as with life in
general. But the good days do make up for the bad days along the way. The
biggest reward is never giving up, never having to say, “I wish I had...”
No comments:
Post a Comment