Publishing Tips with Children's Author Faye Rapoport DesPres

Author: Faye Rapoport DesPres

Title: Frazier: The Very Special Cat

Genre: Children’s Books

Publisher: Writer’s Coffee Bar Press

Website: www.fayerapoportdespres.com

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?

Faye: I have been writing since I was a child, and I used my writing skills to build a career in journalism and public relations for environmental organizations and businesses. At some point I felt as if it was “now or never” to get back to creative writing, so I pursued a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree with the goal of publishing my first book. 

Is this your first book? 

Faye: Frazier: The Very Special Cat is actually my fourth book. My first book is a memoir-in-essays titled Message From a Blue Jay, and many of the personal essays in that book were first crafted during my MFA program. Since publishing the essay collection, I have written and published three children’s books.

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

Faye: This book was published by what many people would consider a “hybrid” publisher. The publisher is a professional who chose to publish my children’s books, makes some of the high-level editorial decisions, and handles the editing, illustration approval, layout, design, file creation and production for a flat fee. In return I receive 100% of the royalties.

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

Faye: With my first book, I had an agent. Our agreement was unusual, however, in that my agent was a long-time colleague who had her own publishing company at one time and is an author herself. She agented a select number of other authors’ works part-time. I paid her up-front so that she would be compensated regardless of whether or not she landed a publisher for my book, which is not the usual way agents work. In the end she got two offers, but it took time and a lot of initial submissions to presses that ended up saying “no.” The two offers she got were great, but I ended up choosing a third publisher, a small independent press called Buddhapuss Ink. I happened to interact with the owner of the press on Twitter, and she asked to see the manuscript. Then she made the offer to publish it. 

Like many writers, I initially dreamed of working with a major publisher or a university press, but I was happy with the professional way Buddhapuss Ink handled my book. They put a lot of care and effort into getting it out into the world, and their passion for the project made me feel good about the book.

After that, Buddhapuss Ink was interested in my children’s book ideas. Over time, unfortunately, the owner of the company — long-time publishing pro MaryChris Bradley — decided close up shop due to the financial challenges faced by independent, traditional publishers (although Buddhapuss Ink books are still in print and available). She has since moved forward with a different financial model for publishing future books under the imprint Writer’s Coffee Bar Press. Because MaryChris is such a pro and I was so happy with the way Buddhapuss Ink published my first book, we mutually decided to move forward with my children’s books under the Writer’s Coffee Bar Press imprint.

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

Faye: The publishing industry — especially when it comes to the major houses — is a “tough nut to crack.” There is so much competition, and publishers understandably have to make decisions based on the perceived marketability of a project and how it fits with their goals and lists. It is hard if you are not a well-known author or personality to break through, though of course writers do. It takes persistence and a thick skin in the face of a lot of rejection. Sometimes it takes having or making the right connections. Sometimes you can work hard at it for months (or even years) and not get any offers. It can be discouraging.

For me, it made sense to find ways to make things happen that weren’t happening the traditional way or the way I’d initially dreamed they’d happen. My agreement with my agent for the first book is an example. I don’t know of anyone else who has worked that way with an agent (I don’t even know if any other agents would consider it). The decision to go with a small, independent press for Message From a Blue Jay was another example. Then, with my children’s books, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable self-publishing the books because I wanted the stamp of approval - and skills and experience - of a professional publisher behind the books. But I was willing to switch things up financially. Sometimes you have to find creative ways to make publishing happen, just as you find creative ways to tell stories.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Faye: Yes. Actually, it depends. If getting your work out into the world with a professional publisher is a priority and you can handle the publishing costs, absolutely. But for some writers it makes more sense to go the traditional route, and for others it makes more sense to self-publish. I think it’s different for every writer and project, depending on many factors.

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

Faye: Focus first on the writing. Work at it, study it, practice it, and produce a manuscript you feel good about. Leave the worry about publishing until you have a manuscript ready to go. Then, explore your options and get your thick skin on. For some authors that will mean contacting agents, for some it will mean seeking out a small press without an agent, for some it will mean self-publishing. But no matter how you do or don’t publish, try not to let rejection by agents,  publishers, or readers affect how you feel about yourself or your work. Believe in yourself and your own voice.

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Frazier: The Very Special Cat is the third book in the Stray Cat Stories children’s book series. It tells the heartwarming story of a big orange tom cat who needed help and the humans who came to his rescue. The book, which is based on a true story and features colorful, charming illustrations by Laurel McKinstry Petersen, teaches children about compassion for stray animals and ways they can help. It also includes a message about being different and still being happy and loved. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of books in the Stray Cat Stories Series is donated to non-profit animal rescue organizations. Find out more on Amazon. 

Book Publishing Secrets with Connie Berry, Author of 'The Art of Betrayal'

Name: Connie Berry

Book Title: The Art of Betrayal

Genre: Traditional Mystery

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Links to book: 

Amazon: The Art of Betrayal: A Kate Hamilton Mystery: Berry, Connie: 9781643855943: Amazon.com: Books

Indiebound: The Art of Betrayal: A Kate Hamilton Mystery | IndieBound.org

Website: www.connieberry.com

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?

Connie: Like many, probably most, authors, I’ve been writing all my life. As a child, I wrote and illustrated my own stories. Interestingly, most of them contain a mystery although not a murder. My fascination with books and reading came from my mother, who’d been a teacher. She read to me every day and brought the words on the page to life by adopting different voices for the characters. In junior high, while wandering the stacks in my local library, I discovered P. G. Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, and the other writers of mystery’s Golden Age. I was hooked on books set in the UK and especially on mysteries.

As an adult I wrote academically and for business. I also did a lot of editing for others. My teaching career required me to prepare a fifty-minute lecture each week, so that required writing as well. When I retired from that job, I decided it was now or never. I’d pursue the dream that had been lurking in the back of my head for decades—writing a mystery. I wish I could say it was easy. That first book was written and rewritten over a period of almost ten years.

Is this your first book?

Connie: No, The Art of Betrayal is the third in the Kate Hamilton Mystery series. One of the joys of writing a series is the opportunity to follow characters over an extended period of time. They learn, grow, change, adapt. Sometimes they make mistakes and have to pay for them. They fall and have to get back up and go on. I recently moderated a panel of historical mystery writers, and the participants all said that as you write multiple books, you learn to write faster. I still waiting for that to happen. 

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

Connie: From the beginning, my goal was to be traditionally published. That’s certainly not the only path, nor is it necessarily the best path for a writer to take. But being traditionally published does give you a certain standing in the writing community. Your book is eligible for industry prizes, for example, like the Agatha Awards, the Lefty Awards, The Edgars. My first novel, A Dream of Death, won the IPPY Gold Medal for Mystery and was a finalist for the Agatha Best Debut.

Being traditionally published also provides some support in the way of publicity and marketing. Plus the distribution is handled. Some authors love the business-end of publishing. They’re great at social media and love having their finger on every stage in the process. Other authors (like me) just want to write. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about printing costs, cover design, and distribution. 

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

Connie: My story isn’t typical. As I said, getting published took me almost ten years. That in itself isn’t unusual. Many writers have a similar story. For me, a lot of that time was spent learning craft. Although writing has always been one of my top skills, and in spite of the fact that I had a graduate degree in English Literature and had read literally thousands of mystery novels, I didn’t have a clue how to produce a good story. I had to learn, and one of the best ways to learn is by making mistakes. I made plenty of them. 

During those years I did a few good things, though. One was reading a wonderful book on craft—Don’t Sabotage Your Submission by Chris Roerden. Another was joining writers’ organizations such as Sisters in Crime, Guppies, and Mystery Writers of America. These groups offer valuable opportunities to learn and receive feedback. The problem is, you have to listen. Some of the advice I was given meant major revisions. I dug my heels in and kept trying to polish my words. Finally in the fall of 2017, I decided to do a final, massive revision that involved changing from third to first person, eliminating all but one POV, and cutting out several characters and an entire story line. I finished that revision on January 1, 2018. In February, I went to the SleuthFest Conference in Florida and met my editor at Crooked Lane. She offered me a two-book contract. I got an agent, signed on the dotted line, and that was that. 

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

Connie: I learned that my publishing journey is unique. Even though the lead-up to publication was long, once I’d whipped my story into publishable form, the contract came quickly. That rarely happens. 

What I’ve learned about the publishing business as a whole is no secret. Publishing is profit-driven—period, end of story. Publishers want to sell books; they need to sell books; and that requires exposure. You might have the most beautifully written book in decades, but if no one knows you and if no one hears about your book, it may languish near the bottom of the all-important Amazon rankings. That’s why it’s so important for aspiring writers to make connections in the writing and publishing world. If the ivory-tower days for writers ever existed, they certainly don’t anymore. I love the saying I heard first at Malice Domestic, the annual mystery fan conference that takes place near Washington, D.C.: “No one must fail so that I can succeed.” Writers don’t compete against each other. We support each other and promote writers we know and respect. Jump in and make friends.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Connie: Oh, yes. Writers need to know, however, that publishing traditionally will take time—lots of time. For most people, that means a long query process, first for an agent, then a publisher. After that, the process of editing can take many months. I signed my first contract with Crooked Lane in March of 2018. A Dream of Death was published in April of 2019. That’s more than a year. There was a lot to be done besides editing. A book design had to be chosen, then the cover art and back cover copy produced. ARCs were sent out to solicit reviews and endorsements. I had to have an official author photo taken and write my author bio. I honestly had no idea all that went into producing a book. 

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

Connie: I love this question because I wish someone had given me this advice when I was starting out. My best advice is four-fold:

1. Begin writing as early as you can. In my case, my teaching career was so intense I didn’t have time to focus on outside projects. But many people can. If you can mark off time during the day—or even just on the weekends—write, write, write.

2. Read widely—in your genre and outside. This trains your eye and your ear to recognize excellent writing. Notice how successful authors construct scenes, how they develop character, setting, and plot.

3. Take the time necessary to learn craft. Check out available resources such as classes, seminars, and workshops. Don’t be too quick to throw out queries. You usually get one shot. Don’t waste it.  Listen to the advice of those who’ve gone before you. You aren’t required to take that advice, of course, but do listen. Be willing to make changes.

4. Join writing groups in your genre (MWA, SinC, RWA, SFWA, Authors Guild, CFWA). Attend conferences if you can afford it. Make connections with other writers, both published and unpublished. They will become your advocates and encouragers.



Book Publishing Secrets with Amy Rivers, Author of COMPLICIT

Name: Amy Rivers

Book Title: Complicit

Genre: Psychological Suspense

Publisher: Compathy Press

Find out more HERE.

Website: www.amyrivers.com

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 always loved writing. As a former director for a sexual assault program, I developed a passion for violence prevention and social justice. After moving to Colorado, I had an opportunity to write full time and I began writing stories about women and the things that they juggle in life. As a voracious reader of crime fiction, it seemed natural to mingle women’s narratives with some of the harder social justice topics. 

Is this your first book?

Author: No, this is my fourth novel. It is the first book in a series featuring forensic psychologist, Kate Medina. 

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

Author: I worked with a small press for my first two novels, before deciding to self-publish. Complicit is the second book I’ve self-published under my imprint Company Press. 

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

Author: My first published piece was an essay in a Chicken Soup book. When I started writing novels, I was in a rush like most emerging authors. I wrote my NaNoWriMo project at the end of November and was ready to send it to print in December. Thankfully, the process of revision slowed me down and the reality of pitching was a shot of much needed perspective. I went through all the paces—pitches, queries, rejections—and eventually published my first two women’s fiction novels with a small press. 

That first experience taught me many lessons about what happens when you sacrifice control of your work for the sake of having a publisher. And when I wrote my first suspense novel, All The Broken People, I was determined to get an agent, sell it to a big publisher, and become a New York Times Bestseller. Then, at a conference, the keynote asked me why I didn’t self-publish. And I didn’t have an answer. Up to that point, I’d been allowing myself to be carried on the current of advice, publishing industry standards, and a healthy dose of fear. Until then, I hadn’t considered that my fear of “failing” wasn’t even related to my own work or career. 

I had a long talk with myself, established actual goals based on my life and what I wanted to accomplish through my writing, and I decided that self-publishing was actually the best choice for me. It’s a ton of work, but I have a background in marketing and business, so part of what usually scares authors away is not terrifying to me. But I did decide that if I was going to self-publish, I was going to do it as if I were a traditional publisher in terms of hiring professionals who could help me do everything well. Editors. Book cover designers. Publicists. 

So, I’ve chosen self-publishing, but I am surrounding myself with amazing people who will help me get my stories into the hands of readers in as polished and professional a manner as I can. 

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

Author: I’ve learned so much I could write a book about it and still keep on learning. My two main takeaways, though, are this. First, self-publishing is a lot of work. If you’re looking at self-publishing as a way to avoid rejection or negative feedback, you’re in the wrong place. Self-publishing is a great way to maintain control of your creative works and guarantee that you get to tell the story you want to tell, but it takes dedication, ingenuity, and lots of hard work. Second, no author is an island. You know the stories we hear about authors working in isolation and magically turning out brilliant, bestselling works while avoiding contact with the outside world? Well, those stories are a myth (until you reach Stephen King fame maybe). Regardless of the publishing method you’ve chosen, authors these days should expect to do some of the work related to get their book out in the world. As a self-published author, you are responsible for all the work and unless you have endless financial resources and a whole lot of coffee, you’ll probably need some help with editing, distribution, promotion, and other business-y things. And that’s ok. As it turns out, there are wonderful people in the outside world and it’s also where your readers live. Embrace it. 

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author: I would recommend that every author take an honest look at their goals and make informed decisions about their publishing journey. Self-publishing is absolutely the right choice for me and it is probably the right choice for many others, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to have all the facts before moving forward. 

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

Author: Keep writing! A lot of people want to be authors but finishing a book and then doing all the work to get it out in the world is an arduous process. It’s totally worth it but you have to keep going. When you finish one project, start the next one. 

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About the book:

A tangled web of deception and duplicity where predators are shielded by respectability and no one is safe.

Kate Medina had been working as a forensic psychologist and loving every minute until a violent attack left her shaken to the core. She’s retreated to her hometown where it’s safe, accepting a job where the prospect of violence is slim to none. As a high school psychologist, Kate tends to the emotional needs of the youth. It’s not the career she envisioned.

Five years later, a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate’s position at the school and her training make her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds. 

When the girl’s body is found, changing the focus of the investigation to homicide, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadow. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted. 

Book Publishing Secrets with Brooks Eason, Author of 'Fortunate Son - the Story of Baby Boy Francis'

Name: Brooks Eason

Book Title: Fortunate Son - the Story of Baby Boy Francis

Genre: Memoir

Publisher: WordCrafts Press, Nashville, TN

Website: www.brookseason.com

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 always loved to write, from inappropriate limericks to short stories to my two books. I got serious about it when I wrote my first book, Travels with Bobby - Hiking in the Mountains of the American West. It's about hiking trips with my best friend and was published by Lulu Press in 2015. It's available from Lulu, Amazon, and other sites.

As for this book, fifteen years ago, on the eve of the birth of my first grandchild, a fascinating story fell into my lap. I was adopted as an infant, had wonderful parents, never searched for my birth mother, and never would have, but I was found as a result of litigation in four courts in two states because I was a potential heir to a fortune from my birth mother's very wealthy grandfather. My granddaughter and I were born under almost identical circumstances. My birth mother got pregnant when she was a freshman in college, my daughter when she was a sophomore. The circumstances were the same, but the times were very different, and my daughter got to keep her child, who has grown into an extraordinary young lady. I learned my name was Scott Francis for the first year of my life on the day she was born. It was too good of a story not to write.

Is this your first book?

Author: This is my second.

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

Author: I chose a small independent publisher that was recommended to me by an author friend. I self-published my first book and that was fine, but it created limitations. I also didn't have the patience to try to find an agent to pitch my book to a major press.

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

Author: The journey was short. I did some internet research and got some advice and decided a small, independent publisher was a good option. An author friend recommended WordCrafts, I completed the submission a few days later, Mike Parker, the head guy, emailed the next day and said he would love to publish my book, and we signed a contract the day after. I've been very pleased.

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

Author: Things are constantly changing, and new options are appearing all the time. One thing I learned, and one of the reasons I chose a small, independent publisher, is that an author who's not yet famous will have primary responsibility for marketing the book no matter who publishes it. Nobody else is going to do it unless you hire a publicist. I did nothing to market my first book, and the sales volume reflected it. All five-star reviews on Amazon, just not many of them. I'm doing more this time.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author: Definitely

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

Author: Write for the love of it, not for the money, and choose a subject matter that really interests you and you really want to write about and explore. You'll be successful if you do your best work and it's fulfilling and readers appreciate it. You probably won't get rich doing it, but bully for you if you do.

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Genre: Memoir 

Author: Brooks Eason

Website: www.brookseason.com             

Publisher: WordCrafts Press, Nashville, TN

Find out more: https://www.wordcrafts.net/books/fortunate-son/

ABOUT THE BOOK 

On the eve of the birth of his first grandchild, Mississippi lawyer Brooks Eason learned the truth about a mystery he’d lived with for nearly fifty years: the story of his birth and his birth mother’s identity.  Perhaps even more surprising was how the story was finally revealed:  It turned out that Eason was a potential heir to an enormous fortune from his birth mother’s family.  His original identity finally saw the light of day only as result of litigation in four courts in two states, initiated in an effort to identify and find the heir.  Eason, who was raised in Tupelo by loving parents, found out on the day his granddaughter was born that he began his life as Scott Francis, which remained his legal name for the first year of his life.  Fortunate Son – The Story of Baby Boy Francis is the story of how he learned the story. 

And what a story it is.

A truth-is-stranger-than-fiction memoir that unfolds in the Deep South, Fortunate Son is a deeply personal and deeply moving story about families, secrets, and choices.  Resplendent with intrigue, drama, and mystery—all the hallmarks of a blockbuster novel—Fortunate Son is a true story, unembellished, unpretentious, and at times almost unbelievable.  Eason, a gifted storyteller with an incredible story to tell, delivers a gripping, satisfying, meaningful memoir.  Told with candor, wit, and honesty, Fortunate Son is a thoughtful and thought-provoking first person narrative that will have readers turning pages. 

Though Eason was ultimately not the beneficiary of the fortune, he is quick to point out that he received a different kind of wealth:  knowing the truth and finally being able to dive headfirst into the story of his origin, uncovering fascinating blood relatives and stories along the way. 

Much more than a memoir about birth and adoption, Fortunate Son is a long love letter from the author to the parents who raised him, a heartfelt thank you to the birth mother who gave him the whole world when she gave him away, and a moving tribute to his beloved daughter who faced circumstances similar to those his birth mother faced and bravely chose to keep her baby.  A tale of two stories that unfolded in different times, Fortunate Son is an extraordinary story extraordinarily well-told. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brooks Eason loves stories, reading and writing them, hearing and telling them. He also loves music, dogs, and campfires as well as his family and friends. His latest book is Fortunate Son – the Story of Baby Boy Francis, an amazing memoir about his adoption, discovery of the identity of his birth mother, and much more.

Eason has practiced law in Jackson for more than 35 years but has resolved to trade in writing briefs for writing books.  He lives with his wife Carrie and their two elderly rescue dogs, Buster and Maddie, and an adopted stray cat named Count Rostov for the central character in A Gentleman in Moscow, the novel by Amor Towles.  In their spare time, the Easons host house concerts, grow tomatoes, and dance in the kitchen.  Eason, who has three children and four grandchildren, is also the author of Travels with Bobby – Hiking in the Mountains of the American West about hiking trips with his best friend. Visit Brooks online at www.brookseason.com.  WordCrafts Press is an independent publishing company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit WordCrafts online at www.wordcrafts.net.

EXCERPT

CHAPTER 1

It was a Tuesday morning in June 2004. The day had started like any other. I walked the dogs, ate breakfast while reading the paper, then drove downtown to work. I was in my office on the 14^th floor of the Trustmark Bank Building when my phone rang. It was my father, Paul Eason. He rarely called me at work but had just listened to an intriguing voicemail. He was calling to tell me about it.

Daddy was 82 and lived by himself in Tupelo, Mississippi, in the home where I grew up. It was the only home he and my mother Margaret ever owned. She had died five years earlier in the bedroom they shared for more than forty years. I lived three hours south of Tupelo in Jackson, where I had practiced law for two decades. 

The message was from a woman in New Orleans, also a lawyer. She said her firm was conducting a nationwide, court-ordered search for Paul Eason, age 46. I go by my middle name, but my first name is Paul and I was about to turn 47. I told Daddy I would return the call. 

Why a court in New Orleans would order someone to search the entire country for me was a mystery. A theory occurred to me, but after all these years it didn’t seem possible. Because I didn’t know the reason for the call, I decided not to identify myself as the Paul Eason the lawyer was trying to find. I would just say I was Brooks Eason and was returning the call she had placed to my father. But when she came to the phone, she already knew who I was.

“I can’t believe we found you.” 

“What is this about?”

“An inheritance.”

“Tell me more.”

*        *        *

That was the day I began to learn the story that had been a mystery to me all my life, the story of my birth and second family. In the days that followed, I found out that my name was Scott Francis – or rather that it had been – for the first year of my life. I was nearly fifty years old, but until then I didn’t know I had started life with a different name, much less what it was. My name, as well as the rest of the story, had been a secret. This is the story of how I learned the secret. But this story is about more than that. It is also about the wonderful life my parents gave me, about my exceptional daughter and granddaughter, who was born just days after Daddy received the voicemail. and about how times and attitudes changed from when I was born until she was born.

Book Publishing Secrets with Mystery Authors Rosemary & Larry Mild

Title: Copper and Goldie, 13 Tails of Mystery and Suspense in Hawai‘i

Genre: Mystery Short Story Collection

Publisher: Magic Island Literary Works

Kindle / Paperback 

Website: http://www.magicile.com 

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?

LARRY: I have always had what if ideas running through my head. That’s what made me so creative in my former profession, where I wrote proposals, equipment and systems manuals, and customer relations documents in addition to my engineering designs. Since I retired as an electronic and digital design engineer, it’s mainly stories wriggling around up there. There’s a strong need to get them on paper where they belong, so that I can share with others and take pride in something tangible. As for Copper and Goldie, it was a bunch of short stories we wrote for an online e-zine—one issue and poof they’re gone. Publishing them as a collection gave them new life.

Is this your first book?

LARRY: No. Between us, we have published fifteen books since the year 2001. Included are nine novels, three collections of short stories, two memoirs, and an autobiography. Most of these were written together.

With this particular book, how did you publish—traditional, small press, indie, etc. And why did you choose this method?

LARRY: Magic Island Literary Works is an independent publisher wholly owned by Rosemary and Larry Mild. We chose this method because traditional publishing requires a literary agent, and we decided that any agent who would have us wasn’t worth having. The querying and submission ritual was often laborious, if not ridiculous. We had two agents and got rid of them quickly for their lack of effort. Of course, traditional publishing is the best way to go, but they are a tough nut to crack and if sales are not up to snuff, you can be dropped easily—out of print. There’s no guarantee of permanence. One major disadvantage is that traditional publishers and small-press publishers often take a year to get a book out. We had two small-press publishers and then we turned to Indie (Independent) publishing.

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

LARRY: Determined to become an Indie publisher, I searched the Internet for a publishing program. I was able to purchase an out-of-date version of Adobe’s InDesign for this purpose. Although there are a number of up-to-date programs out there from $600 to $1,500, I was able to purchase my program for $100. I’ve been using it ever since. When we have a satisfactory manuscript, we send it online to the printer, Lightning Source, Inc., which is owned by Ingram, the largest distributor of English-language books in the world. They feature Print on Demand books as well as fast delivery. They do an excellent printing job. We pay to be in their retail catalogues as well. I also reformat all my print books as e-books in Kindle through Amazon Kindle Create and Nook through Barnes and Noble’s Nook Press.

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

LARRY: The industry has shrunk to a very few traditional giants with multiple imprints. With this shrinking, author opportunity shrinks as well. Traditional publishing houses still maintain a monopolistic stranglehold on newspaper and magazine book reviews, where even the hometown papers rarely review a local author. Small-press firms are feeling the heat from e-books, so they are investing in e-books as well.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

LARRY: If you have inherited the technical/mathematical genes, your brain prefers the left side, and you want to invest learning time and money in becoming a publisher, then, by all means, go for it. However, there are plenty of firms out there willing to format your word processor output into a printable manuscript.

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

LARRY: I’ve been suggesting the following seven thoughts to authors ever since we taught mystery writing at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.

     a. Be a reader in your chosen genre first and learn how it’s done.  

     b. Good or bad—put all your pertinent thoughts to paper. Edit later.

     c. Have a reasonable grasp of where your plot is going before you start.

     d. Choose a comfortable point of view (POV) and writing attitude.         

     e. Create your characters complete inside and out, neither all good nor all bad. Keep a

         good record of their traits.

     f. Put a lot of extra effort into crafting your first page.

     g. Make your climax and ending worthy and relevant.