BOOK PUBLISHING SECRETS: HOW TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK!: Book Publishing Secrets with Victoria Landis

Name: Victoria Landis

Book Title: JORDAN

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: BookPainter Press

Find out more on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HWMs5R

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?

Victoria: The idea for JORDAN came a few years ago, but its real genesis was when I was little. I fantasized about being able to heal people by touch. Then I thought about today’s viral social media world and how fast things could get crazy if the word got out that someone could do that.

Is this your first book?

Victoria: No. It’s the fourth published one, and I have two additional early novels in ‘a drawer’, never to be seen.

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

Victoria: It’s Indie published, although I created the BookPainter Press label for it. JORDAN had two New York agents very interested in it, but both ultimately turned it down, because it doesn’t fit neatly into one genre. It’s part thriller, part paranormal, part magical realism. They said they didn’t know how to sell it. Then I had an editor at one of the big five publishers read it. She loved it! And wanted it. But she was downsized shortly after reading it. I tried again with the traditional route, but no one else thought they could market/sell it.

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

Victoria: I began trying to get traditionally published right as the big publishers were all acquiring other entities. Agents at conferences were saying they got 400 queries a week & they couldn’t keep up. From 2008-2011, my first novel, Blinke It Away, was requested in its entirety by more than a dozen agents. I did politely follow up about six months after sending it each time, but none of them ever got around to reading it. I never even got rejection notices.

It was disheartening, to say the least. I knew the book was good, and I was tired of beating my head against the wall, so I decided to Indie publish it. One of my MWA friends had done so and was making decent money with his.

The industry has changed so much and continues to do so rapidly. I’d love to have one traditionally published, so I’m working on one that is a pure historical thriller—no category problems. But, it will depend on what’s happening in the publishing world when that one’s finished. Watching friends who are traditionally published with smaller imprints that go under is no fun at all. These days, being traditionally published isn’t always a good thing. The mid-list authors have to do just as much work—and spend as much—promoting as I do. So, we’ll see.

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

Victoria: That who you know makes a huge difference, as it does with any other industry. But that only takes you so far. If the book isn’t good, it doesn’t matter who you know, because the readers won’t recommend it. Word of mouth is everything. If you do have a good book, however, knowing influential people in the industry could make all the difference.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Victoria: Yes, if. If you’ve sent the book through a tough critique group. If you’ve edited and polished it multiple times. If you’ve listened when people who are more experienced point out flaws. If you’re willing to spend the money and time it takes to do it right & present yourself professionally.

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

Victoria: It isn’t easy. It always takes much longer than you think it will. Write the best book you can. Edit, rewrite, and repeat. Get your ego out of the way, it’ll be your biggest Achille’s heel if you don’t. What your mother or spouse or child or hairdresser tell you about the book doesn’t count. Find other writers/a critique group that will (nicely) tell you the truth. And listen to them.

All this sounds pessimistic, I know, but it really isn’t. The end result is worth it. There is nothing better than having a complete stranger tell you they loved your book and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you so much for having me here!

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About the book:

When Petra Simmons and her brother, Andy, help a seemingly homeless young woman, it immediately changes their lives forever. Within days, it’s clear the woman, Jordan Crissman, possesses an amazing ability—perhaps the most miraculous ability of all.

They realize in the current world of viral social media, they must be careful. How best to employ the miracle without causing havoc? They plot a strategy.

Despite their plans, word gets out too fast, and the world comes running—invading and overwhelming South Florida—along with serious danger.

Television talking TV heads pontificate. Pundits opine. Some claim she’s a messiah. Others insist she’s the devil. Massive crowds gather, demanding to see Jordan. Everyone wants her. There seems to be nowhere to hide. Horrible rumors take hold. Protest groups march and riot. Mass hysteria reigns.

And people are dying.