Name: Brian W.Matthews
Book Title: The Conveyance
Genre: Horror,
Science Fiction, Thriller
Publisher:
JournalStone
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?
Brian: I’ve always enjoyed reading
and writing. I took a creative writing class in college, did quite well, and
found it fun. I dabbled with writing for years but didn’t start writing stories
on a regular basis until 2010, when a friend asked me to contribute a story to
a cyberpunk anthology. I enjoyed the experience so much I decided to try writing
novels.
Is this your first book?
Brian: Conveyance is my third. My other two novels are Forever Man and Revelation, which are part of a series. Conveyance is a story separate from them.
With this particular book, how
did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you
choose this method?
Brian: Conveyance was published through JournalStone, a press specializing
in horror, science fiction, and fantasy. I’ve been under contract with them
from the start, when they bought Forever
Man and liked it enough to offer me a three book deal.
Can you tell us a little about
your publishing journey? The pros and
cons?
Brian: My journey in publishing
differed from what I’ve heard others went through. After I finished Forever Man, I knew I wanted to release
it through a publisher and sent a sample out to two. JournalStone wrote back
asking for the full manuscript. Soon afterward, I was offered a contract. My
understanding is this doesn’t happen often (getting a publisher on your first
try), so I consider myself fortunate. Had I not found a publisher, I was
prepared to self-publish.
I strongly recommend you try
and find a publisher for your book. You receive the benefit of professional
editing. The publisher is responsible for creating the cover, perhaps with your
input, perhaps not. They will also print the book or format it for e-readers.
These are parts of the process a writer has to do if he or she self-publishes.
Whether you self-publish or go
with a publisher, be prepared to be your own marketer. No one is going to do
this for you. You have to be active on social media, be willing to do blog
tours, and arrange your own book readings/signings at book stores. It’s a
difficult part of the publishing process, but it’s one you have to accept if you’re
going to be an author.
What lessons do you feel you
learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing
industry as a whole?
Brian: Publishing is the
business of selling books, which is often counter to the business of writing books.
Publishers naturally look out for themselves, and writers should do likewise.
Do not be afraid to cross out parts of a contract, especially the clauses giving
away film and foreign language rights. Don’t be afraid to argue for your
benefit—and be prepared to walk away if you don’t get what you are reasonably
asking.
Would you recommend this method
of publishing to other authors?
Brian: Absolutely. Swing for
the fences. Query as many publishers as you can. Do not give up. If you don’t
snag a publishing contract, either self-publish it or take a critical look at your
book and decide, if you couldn’t secure a publisher for it, should it even be
published? The latter is a tough call, since a writer puts a good year or more
into a book, and shelving it can be painful.
What’s the best advice you can
give to aspiring authors?
Brian: Don’t be afraid to say
no. No to a bad publishing contract. No to the people who say you can’t
succeed. No to the devil on your shoulder that whispers doubts and fears in
your ear each time you sit down to write. Writing is a difficult and lonely
journey. Don’t let others make it worse by being negative.
