Name: CherylC. Malandrinos
Book Title:
Little Shepherd
Genre:
Christian Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:
Guardian Angel Publishing
Find out more 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?
Author: I began writing as a
teen and always enjoyed it. Life got in the way for a bit, but when I became a
stay-at-home mom I had a chance to focus on my writing.
This book was inspired by a
Christmas carol I used to sing to one of my girls at night. I knew I wouldn’t
be able to get the visions of a young shepherd in the hills outside Bethlehem
on the night of the Savior’s birth out of my mind until I wrote it down.
Is this your first book?
Author: This was my first book.
I’ve since published another one and have two more under contract.
With this particular book, how
did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you
choose this method?
Author: I decided to go with
Guardian Angel Publishing, a small indie press. The reason I chose them is
because I was familiar with their books and really enjoyed them. Knowing what
they published helped me to write a book that fit into one of their imprints. I
also knew some authors who had published through GAP, so I asked them what they
thought. I only heard good things, so I submitted my first book to them, which
they accepted after a few additional edits.
Can you tell us a little about
your publishing journey? The pros and
cons?
Author: Though in the beginning
I strived to be published by the big publishers, I like the level of input I am
allowed to provide on my work with an indie small press. You really feel part
of the team and valued. I don’t believe I’ve lost out on anything because of my
publishing choice.
What lessons do you feel you
learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry
as a whole?
Author: I’m more apt to
consider self-publishing than when I began my writing career. Since I’ve also
worked in online book promotion and have spoken with numerous authors who have
self-published, it doesn’t seem half as daunting as it used to. I know it’s in
my future.
Publishing has greatly changed
in the years since I graduated from Long Ridge Writer’s Group. So many people
are self-publishing or publishing through small indie presses that authors have
had to become better at marketing themselves. That is how virtual blog tours
like this one really began.
Would you recommend this method
of publishing to other authors?
Author: Definitely. At the end
of the day, do you hold out to be discovered by an agent and one of the top
publishers or do you pursue an indie small press that is more willing to take a
risk on a new author? While I would love to have an agent, I don’t feel not
having one has hampered my success thus far.
What’s the best advice you can
give to aspiring authors?
Author: Believe in yourself!
You have the power to make your dreams come true.
Thanks for the interview.
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