Name: JoanSchweighardt
Book Title:
The Last Wife of Attila the Hun
Genre:
Historical fiction (with a legendary component)
Publisher:
Booktrope Editions
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?
Joan: I’ve been writing for
many years, both professionally for other people, and on my own projects. I was
very shy as a child and a teen and even as a young adult. Writing offered me a
great means for expressing myself. And I realized early on that I was pretty
good at it. Once in grade school I got an A+ on an essay about Stalin, based on
a chapter in a history book that I’d never bothered to read. That sealed the
deal for me.
Is this your first book?
Joan: I’ve written several
other novels, and I’ve ghostwritten books for clients.
With this particular book, how
did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you
choose this method?
Joan: The Last Wife of Attila the Hun is published by Booktrope Editions.
Booktrope has only been around for a short time, so it’s too soon to say how
they will fare in today’s crazy upside down publishing world. But I was
impressed with how they got started, presenting their vision at an angel
conference and winning the top prize and garnering all kinds of investment
money. And I’m impressed with their publishing model.
Unlike many so called “hybrid”
presses, Booktrope does not ask you to buy a large number of your own books or
pay them any money for production or anything like that. Once they accept your
manuscript for publication, you go on their website and review the bios of the
editors, proofreaders, cover designers and book managers who are signed up with
them. Then you invite the people you’d like to be on your team to join you on
your publishing journey, and you get going. Of course Booktrope has final approval
on everything. When your book is ready, a Booktrope staff member does the
layout and then your book manager takes over promoting the book to readers.
Having been a writer most of my life, not only working on my own projects but
also writing for clients to make a living, I can tell you that it is great fun
to work with a team. Now, as the book sells, profits are divided between me, my
team members and Booktrope, and me getting the lion’s share. So everyone has
something invested and everyone gains if things work out. No wonder Booktrope
won the gold ring at the angel conference! To me this sounds like the perfect
model for these times.
Can you tell us a little about
your publishing journey? The pros and
cons?
Joan: My publishing journey has
now included four publishers. Everyone has a different way of doing things. My
first three novels were published with the Permanent Press, which is a
traditional publisher, which was the only kind of publisher there was back in
the 90s before the advent of ebooks and print on demand. Since then I’ve worked
with three other publishers, two traditional and now Booktrope. My publishing
journey has had its ups and downs, but it’s been a long journey with lots of
surprises, and it ain’t over yet.
What lessons do you feel you
learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing
industry as a whole?
Joan: Things have changed
drastically in the publishing world since my first books were published. It
used to be that it was enough to be a good writer. Now you have to be good at
social media and good at begging the few reviewers left in the world to review
your book. Or you have to lower yourself to “buy” reviews. Or you have to have
the money to advertise the heck out of your book. Being a good writer alone
will not do it for most of us. I guess it’s a case of survival of the fittest.
Except for the fortunate few who get published by one of the handful of huge
publishers that still have lots of clout and money to get a book on its way,
writers will have to adapt. It’s very common to hear artists of all stripes
say, “Oh, I only do my art. I’m not into the marketing thing.” I know how they
feel, but most will have to kowtow to the marketing thing if they want to make
it in today’s world.
Would you recommend this method
of publishing to other authors?
Joan: I am at the beginning of
my journey with Booktrope. As I said, I think they have a great publishing model
that suits the times.
What’s the best advice you can
give to aspiring authors?
Joan: Keep writing, of course.
If you love to write, why would you let things like fame and money (or lack
thereof) stop you?
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