Book Publishing Secrets with Dawn Brotherton, Author of 'Trish’s Team'

Name:  Dawn Brotherton

Book Title:  Trish’s Team, Book 1 of the Lady Tigers’Series

Genre:  Youth Fiction

Publisher:  Blue Dragon Publishing

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?

Dawn:  I have always loved to read and always wanted to write. My two daughters played fastpitch travel softball for the Williamsburg Starz in Virginia. There are so many lessons to be learned from team sports that this series was begging to be written. I have ten outlined so far.

Is this your first book?

Dawn: It’s my first kids’ book. My husband and I kept score for both our girls and the traditional scorebooks drove me crazy, so I designed my own. It leaves a lot more room to recreate the game on paper, and has a section that teaches new people how to keep score—not just define the symbols. I also have two adult murder mysteries that have a female military officer as the protagonist, the Jackie Austin Mysteries.

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

Dawn: Indie, it’s the most cost effective with the most control over the product.  Now I’ve set up a small press to help other authors that are just starting out.

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

Dawn: In 2010 when I wanted to publish my first Jackie Austin book, I did a lot of research and found that a lot of traditional publishers were hard to get to, didn’t necessarily pay all that well (unless you were already famous), and required that you give up a lot of rights. And did I mention that they take AGES to respond to query letters? If at all! I’m not very patient.

So I decided I could set up my own company and do it myself. It was a lot of research, trial and error, but I’m still happy with my decision. Along the way, Blue Dragon Publishing has picked up a number of authors that are just starting out. I work fulltime for the Air Force, so my goal with Blue Dragon was to help people through the errors I already made, not necessarily to make a lot of money.

I’ve learned a great deal and am more than happy to share my experiences if it can help others learn. That’s an Air Force lesson I’m carrying into civilian life.

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

Dawn: There are so many different publishing opportunities out there; it’s just a matter of finding the right one or doing it yourself. I think a small press makes the most sense because you can take advantage of other peoples’ knowledge without the hassle of agents and query letters. But of course, that depends on the press. Personally, I wish I had more experience in marketing and publicity, because that’s what will make or break you. You can write the greatest book in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s going to sit on your shelf—alone.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Dawn: It depends on your personality. I like to be in charge and call the shots. Some folks aren’t interested in the business part, so indie wouldn’t work for them.

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

Dawn: Don’t take anything too personal. If you really want to make a good product, you need to accept honest feedback. Typically, that means you have to hire an editor because your best friends or your sister doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. It’s worth the money! And write for the love of writing. If you do that, you will always be successful (even if you aren’t rich).

Book Publishing Secrets with Cheryl C. Malandrinos, Author of 'A Christmas Kindness'

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author, and editor. A 2005 graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group, Cheryl began her career focusing on article writing. She specializes in time management and organization, but has also written about everyday life in the 1800s, gardening, parenting, and women’s health issues. In 2008, she changed her focus to fiction writing for children. Her first picture book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing (GAP). Cheryl has two other books under contract with GAP.

Cheryl also writes under the name of C. C. Gevry. The first chapter reader, A Christmas Kindness, was released by 4RV Publishing in 2012, with a digital version following in 2013.

Ms. Malandrinos has edited numerous manuscripts in a variety of genres and ghostwritten a Christian chapter book. Cheryl has been a panelist at the WriteAngles Conference that takes place each fall at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and offers writing workshops in her local school district. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. Cheryl lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.

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 A Christmas Kindness?

Cheryl: I’m a huge Christmas fanatic. I love everything about the season: decorating, baking, entertaining, etc. But the most important aspect of the holiday is giving to others. It’s something I try to teach my girls every day. With A Christmas Kindness, I hope to get across the message that even though it’s wonderful to receive a gift, it’s just as thrilling to give something special to someone else.

Is this your first book?

Cheryl: No. My first book, Little Shepherd, was released in 2010. A Christmas Kindness is my second book, written under my pen name, C.C. Gevry as a printed book and under my actual name in a digital version. Eventually, the printed version will be reformatted and released under my actual name too. (The story of the pen name is a long and boring one.)

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

Cheryl: I pitched A Christmas Kindness to a small independent publisher during an online writers conference. Both my books have been released by small independent publishers, and I enjoy working with them. I feel I have more control over the final product, while I also have the ability to work with editors and artists with years of experience.

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

Cheryl: Though I have been writing since I was a teenager, it wasn’t a career choice until after I became a stay-at-home mom. I signed up for the “Breaking into Print” program from Long Ridge Writers Group and focused on article writing. I wrote for Writer2Writer, an online magazine dedicated to helping writers generate income from their writing for several years. I also blogged for many years to create an online presence for myself before my books came out.

I’m not the most disciplined writer, which definitely impedes my progress. A major reason for that is I feel my first job is mother and wife. My writing must come after that.

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

Cheryl: I’m excited about the world of publishing. There are so many more avenues for writers than there used to be. I never really considered self-publishing in the beginning, but I’m not adverse to it now. I could see myself becoming a hybrid author who releases books in a multitude of ways.

Patience and perseverance are traits all writers need regardless of how they decide to publish. It’s also good to know when you should depend on others for help. Editors, cover artists, and critique partners can make a huge difference.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Cheryl:  I feel every author has to decide what will work for her. Each person has their own idea of what success looks like.

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

Cheryl: Keep writing and continue learning all you can about your craft. A great book is the first step to publication. 

Book Publishing Secrets with Anita Banks, Author of 'Tanner Builds a Block Tower'

AnitaBanks harbored her secret of writing since she was in junior high school where the desire took seed in a creative writing class. She still journaling, reading, running and traveling, but nothing compares to playing with her grandchildren.

She debuts the literary world with Tanner Builds a Block Tower, a charming children's picture book published by Wee Creek Press. 

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?

Anita:   Probably like so many others, I fell in love with writing when I was in junior high school, in a creative writing class. I still have some of those stories tucked away. But life took over and I didn't pursue it other than journaling, until a few years ago. I took some writing classes and made a decision to go after the dream.

Is this your first book?

Anita: Yes, this is my first published book, and I am just so happy about that.

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

Anita:  Savvy Authors was having a pitch contest, so I entered my pitch to Wee Creek Press editor, Melanie Billings. She read the pitch, then asked to see the manuscript and then she made the offer to publish it. They are a small traditional press. 

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

Anita:  Pitching opportunities bypasses the slush piles and gets your work in front of an agent or editor. So I still look for those contests. The publishing side takes a long time, so be patient. I certainly will continue to try to get additional work published. I am so new at this and still learning.

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

Anita:  I have entered some pitch contests and have gotten feedback that was helpful. I'm still submitting the old fashioned way, too. I am a newbie, so I'm still learning. 

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Anita: Absolutely.

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

Anita:  Write, Read and Learn. Don't stop with any of those. Enjoy the journey.