Thursday, March 24, 2016

Book Publishing Secrets with Julie Ann James, Author of 'Irish Jewel'

Name: Julie Ann James
Book Title: Irish Jewel
Genre: Fiction/Suspense/Thriller
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: Julie Ann James
Is this your first book?
Author:  Irish Jewel is the 7th book that I have written and published.   I have published 5 children’s books and one other novel, Haunted Echoes. I do have another novel that is in the works at this moment and the title is, The Ribbon Key.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Julie Ann: I published through my own company, the Peppertree Press which is an Independent Press that is located in beautiful downtown Sarasota, Florida.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Julie Ann: I have always wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old. I didn’t actually start writing seriously until after my children were in middle school. All I really wanted is to get a byline and not necessarily be paid for it. I submitted many short stories for parenting magazines and then switched gears and started writing children’s books.  I can recall my first published piece which means that was my first byline. I received a check for $25.00 and because I was so excited, never cashed it.  I later submitted many children’s stories to what I refer to as the “Big Houses” most of their offices are in  New York, and they filled my mailbox with those dreaded rejection letters.  I later found a self-publishing company online and published two books with them.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Julie Ann: I have learned so much in all these years, especially after self-publishing.  With that said, during this process I decided to start my own publishing company and offer the personal touch that writers so deserve. I have learned that you don’t have to be traditionally published to become a successful author as long as you love writing, work hard and get the word out, literally.  It is important to keep yourself grounded and keep your expectations in check at all times.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Julie Ann: Yes, I absolutely recommend to authors to independently publish their manuscripts.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Julie Ann:  The best advice I can give an aspiring author is to: 
  1. Keep a pad of paper by your bedside at all times since you never know when you will be inspired to write, even if it is in the middle of the night.
  2. Don’t just talk about becoming a published writer, actually make it happen, and never give up.
  3. Be grateful when you sell even one copy because that one copy could make a real impact on the reader.



Friday, March 18, 2016

Book Publishing Secrets with Dawn Brotherton, Author of 'Trish’s Team'

Name:  Dawn Brotherton
Genre:  Youth Fiction
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?
Dawn:  I have always loved to read and always wanted to write. My two daughters played fastpitch travel softball for the Williamsburg Starz in Virginia. There are so many lessons to be learned from team sports that this series was begging to be written. I have ten outlined so far.
Is this your first book?
Dawn: It’s my first kids’ book. My husband and I kept score for both our girls and the traditional scorebooks drove me crazy, so I designed my own. It leaves a lot more room to recreate the game on paper, and has a section that teaches new people how to keep score—not just define the symbols. I also have two adult murder mysteries that have a female military officer as the protagonist, the Jackie Austin Mysteries.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Dawn: Indie, it’s the most cost effective with the most control over the product.  Now I’ve set up a small press to help other authors that are just starting out.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Dawn: In 2010 when I wanted to publish my first Jackie Austin book, I did a lot of research and found that a lot of traditional publishers were hard to get to, didn’t necessarily pay all that well (unless you were already famous), and required that you give up a lot of rights. And did I mention that they take AGES to respond to query letters? If at all! I’m not very patient.
So I decided I could set up my own company and do it myself. It was a lot of research, trial and error, but I’m still happy with my decision. Along the way, Blue Dragon Publishing has picked up a number of authors that are just starting out. I work fulltime for the Air Force, so my goal with Blue Dragon was to help people through the errors I already made, not necessarily to make a lot of money.
I’ve learned a great deal and am more than happy to share my experiences if it can help others learn. That’s an Air Force lesson I’m carrying into civilian life.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Dawn: There are so many different publishing opportunities out there; it’s just a matter of finding the right one or doing it yourself. I think a small press makes the most sense because you can take advantage of other peoples’ knowledge without the hassle of agents and query letters. But of course, that depends on the press. Personally, I wish I had more experience in marketing and publicity, because that’s what will make or break you. You can write the greatest book in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s going to sit on your shelf—alone.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Dawn: It depends on your personality. I like to be in charge and call the shots. Some folks aren’t interested in the business part, so indie wouldn’t work for them.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Dawn: Don’t take anything too personal. If you really want to make a good product, you need to accept honest feedback. Typically, that means you have to hire an editor because your best friends or your sister doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. It’s worth the money! And write for the love of writing. If you do that, you will always be successful (even if you aren’t rich).

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Book Publishing Secrets with Marie Bacigalupo, Author of 'Ninth-Month Midnight'

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace
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?
Marie: Fiction has always been my favorite genre, perhaps because of its immersive qualities. I escaped a lonely childhood by entering a multitude of fictional worlds.
My love of the written word stayed with me through the years. I graduated college with a B. A. in English and earned an M. A. in literature in grad school. (The M.F.A. came into prominence only after I graduated.)
I still, and will always, revel in great literature. But besides getting pleasure from hanging out with old friends like Elizabeth Bennett, Holden Caulfield, George Smiley, Lily Bart—the list goes on—I learn a great deal from my reading. As it turns out, great authors make the best writing teachers if one is attentive to their craft, to how they handle POV, characterization, structure, etc. 
Is this your first book?
Marie: Yes, Ninth-Month Midnight is my first attempt at long-form fiction, but I’ve had a number of short stories published in online and print magazines.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
I published through Amazon and its paperback arm, CreateSpace. I had heard and read so much about the difficulty of getting past the gatekeepers in traditional publishing that I decided to try the direct approach.
Self-publishing puts the writer at the helm and is relatively quick to pull off. I accepted the fact that my book would probably never grace the shelves of a retail store without the mojo of a traditional publisher.
I also understood that critical objectivity was essential to my credibility as an author. I showed my work to two trusted readers (not family members and friends—they’d worry about hurting my feelings) before sending it out to a professional editor.
I’m satisfied with the result of self-publication but haven’t excluded the possibility of submitting to traditional publishers in the future. 
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Marie:
I was always reasonably proficient in writing. As a copywriter and school administrator, I produced promotional brochures, departmental reports, and curriculum materials.
But my dream was to write fiction, and I lacked training in craft. To address my shortcomings, I enrolled in The Writers Studio, took a number of workshops at NYU and The New School, studied at The Center for Fiction, and participated in Narrative Magazine and One Story programs. In addition, I attended numerous writing festivals, conferences, and readings.
The initial idea for Ninth-Month Midnight arose out of the questions, What if the souls of the dead linger among us for a while? Would we be able to communicate with them on some level? When Hamlet says, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy,” I say, You betcha! I combined this idea with the story of a troubled woman who develops a desperate attachment to a male psychic.
I recognized early that I didn’t have the technical skills to go it alone on this project, so I searched the Internet for people who could assist me and who charged reasonable rates. Ultimately, I hired Polgarus to do the layout and Ellie Augsburger of Creative Digital Studios to create the cover.
When it became apparent that traditional publishers considered only agented manuscripts and were providing less and less support in promotion and marketing, I decided to self-publish. 
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Marie:
The hardest lesson I learned was that the most saleable book in the world—think Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code—won’t sell a single copy if your readers don’t know it exists. And wouldn’t you know it, I happen to be an introvert. Promotion and marketing were huge challenges for me. But I bit the bullet: I established a website and blog, and joined Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Then I started to worry that maintaining a media presence would become so all-consuming I would have little time to write. And what would I have to promote if I stopped writing?
Now I focus on writing fiction and do the best I can to promote my novella.  Maybe for my next book I’ll hire a social media publicist. 
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Marie: I say go for it if you’re organized and multi-talented, or willing to hire people to do what you can’t do yourself. Self-published authors exercise control over content and pricing, receiving royalties up to a whopping 70% (as opposed to about 25% minus the agent’s fee for traditionally published authors).
Once you’ve settled on a final draft, Amazon instructions take you through the process step by step. The turn-around between manuscript download and epublication is about 24 hours. If I remember correctly, it’s takes three or four days for the paperback to come out. That’s a lot sooner than the yearlong wait between contract signing and traditional publication.
There’s also a middle road, called hybrid publication, which might suit some writers. Hybrid publishers offer varied levels of editorial and distribution support for a price while taking a share of the profits from book sales. 
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Marie: Love what you do. Don’t write for fortune or fame; you’ll likely be disappointed. Write as often as you can. Get your hands on Francine Prose’s book, Reading Like a Writer, and follow her advice: Be alert to the strategies authors employ. And most important, be persistent. Rejection is a given of our trade. Push past it. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Book Publishing Secrets with Gin Price, Author of 'On Edge'

Name: GinPrice
Genre: Young Adult
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?
Gin Price: For most of my life I’ve been a dreamer, living in a fantasy world. I wrote before I even started reading.
Is this your first book?
Gin Price: This is my first published Young Adult book. I’ve written a few other books in different genres.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Gin Price: This is a traditionally published book. And I’ll admit that I always wanted to be traditionally published. I have self published a novel and a few novella’s previously, though. But there’s a sense of validation when a publishing house puts their faith in you and says, “we want more people to see this book”. Okay, maybe it’s more like “we wanna make money getting more people to see this book”, but I like my rose-colored glasses.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Gin Price: Sure! I love talking. J But I’ll keep it brief. The biggest pro is that I landed an agent who really liked my book. She liked that it was a fresh take on a Shakespearean plot. She liked that it had parkour and graffiti in it and that it dealt with some very real issues of inner city living.
The biggest “con” was that none of the editors we were submitting to knew what parkour/freerunning was. Also, the street voice that I grew up in and around was lost on some who couldn’t relate.
I received a lot of “no thanks” replies. Or “I liked it…but”. It was very hard not to get discouraged after a year.
Then Ellen Larson at Poisoned Pencil Press read and loved the book and made an offer. I can’t explain how “pro” that feels.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Gin Price: I learned many things. One of the most important is that it is very easy to get discouraged.
I can honestly say I’d given up hope on this novel. With all the rejection letters, I clearly thought this book just wasn’t going to see a retail shelf anywhere. I know now that you have to start submitting and move on to the next novel. Not easy to do, but ya gotta! When you put all your hopes and dreams into a book, give it a kiss and send it down the publishing river, it is very easy to believe when all the bad omens come in that it sunk. You spend a good portion of your time fretting over the unknown. Why…why…WHY?
We gotta stop asking that. It could be something as simple as that a particular editor had an ex whose street name was Edge so…screw that book. Silly but true. Editors are people, they sometimes don’t see the potential in front of them.
I think anyone who births anything from their creativity has this wait and see, hold their breath, mentality that has to be actively fought off. If I had to do it all over again, I would’ve kept on writing the next novel, not letting worry that I wasn’t good enough stop me. If I’d done that, I wouldn’t be under time pressure now. J
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Gin Price: Of course. But only to those who are looking to entertain the masses. I think for niche books, self-publishing is the way to go. Not many houses will shell out a bunch of money for a small percentage of the population, but if you write it, chances are there is someone out there who is going to want to read it. Why not let them?
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Gin Price: Be open to joining writing organizations. Be open to attending book signings, conferences, talks. Be open to criticism. Be open to trends and even more open to avoiding them. Just be open…because nothing exciting can happen if there’s no place for it to enter.



Sunday, March 6, 2016

Book Publishing Secrets with Tj O’Connor, Author of 'Dying to Tell'

Book Title: Dying to Tell
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Midnight Ink
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’ve been writing since I was in the fifth grade. I began writing short stories and plays for my friends. I knew I wanted to be a writer after reading Mystery of the Witches’ Bridge by Barbee Oliver Carleton and Mystery of the Haunted Mine by Gordon Shirreffs. I was hooked and soon after, devoured books from the Dixon’s The Hardy Boys to James Grady’s Six Days of the Condor. By the sixth grade I would be a writer, and well, I guess I was even then.
Is this your first book?
No. I’ve actually written eight novels and I’m working on my ninth. Dying to Tell is the third book in the Gumshoe Ghost series (sorry, but I hate that moniker but my publisher likes it). Dying to Know, the first in the series, was my first novel to be published and it was the fourth book I ever wrote. So, all in all, I’ve been pretty lucky and perseverance paid off.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Author: I published traditionally through Midnight Ink and with my agent, Kimberley Cameron. When I first tried to publish my second novel, The Whisper Covenant, I was told that self-publishing was taboo and I had no idea about indie press or any other format other than traditional publishing. Wow, it took me a long time to figure out traditional publishing, too, and I dare say, I still am a rookie. I went with traditional because that’s all I knew at the time, and once I landed my agent, I followed her lead. Truth be told, though, she has an indie press herself now and we’ve discussed having my work in both traditional and indie presses as the need arises. So I look at it as a business decision to keep one foot on either side of the fence.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Author: Wow, I could write a novel about that. I started with my first novel, The Whisper Covenant. It was a monstrous book, 150,000 words. I had several agents interested in me but couldn’t quite get over the goal line with one. I kept trying while I wrote another book and that one also got within inches of landing an agent and getting published. I was learning as I went, and then, the internet was still building and I was new to it. I learned by bumping along and getting “no” a lot and unanswered queries and lots of nasty replies. I did not quit, and after some great encouragement from my mentor and others, I kept writing. I’ve learned more on my own than at conferences and such, but I still found them very important. I learned a ton from other authors, too. One good thing about the author communities, they share. I found very few folks who found success somehow and didn’t want to help out others. They are great people—great people. The pros of traditional publishing are different for everyone. For me, it started as just a stamp of approval that I was good enough for a press. And it was good to have a three-book contract, too. But, that’s sort of where my love affair ended. I had little to say about the process, covers, back cover copy, and all. (And I think to my detriment.) But, my editor (Terri B) is super and if not for her, I would have had a worse time. She’s tops. I am exploring many areas now, including indie press and self-publishing because I just want to know my options and when you have options, you have more control and say-so. I will always look to traditional publishing for my works first. But, if my agent likes them and no traditional press takes them, then they’ll find a home in either indie or self-pub. My litmus test is my agent. She’s top-notch. If she likes my work, then I’ll get it on the shelf somehow.  
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Author: See question above for the real answer. But the short answer is this: don’t take no for an answer and don’t give up. Writing teaches writing. Talk to other authors. Listen to everyone and take what works for you and ditch the rest. If you stop writing, or if you pull back because of rejection on your work, then you really don’t want to be a writer anyway.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Author: Absolutely. I recommend all three—traditional, indie, and self-pub. I know authors in all categories. Some are successful, some not as much. But I will tell you, from what I know and I’m learning, you can be successful in all three methods if you work at it. The world is changing and the book world is, too. My work will always go through my agent. If she likes it, we’ll try to put it into traditional presses. If that doesn’t work, it will go into indie or self. But it will go. Many, many authors are taking that very approach.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Author: Write. Rewrite. Keep writing.