Book Publishing Secrets with Jim Nesbitt

Name: Jim Nesbitt

Book Title: The Right Wrong Number: An Ed Earl Burch Novel

Genre: Hard-boiled Texas detective thriller

Publisher: Spotted Mule 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?

Author: I’ve always been a writer, ever since my eighth-grade English teacher, Mary Bailey, pulled me aside about I paper I wrote and said: “You know you’re a writer, don’t you?” She also called my parents and told them the same thing. That set me on a lifelong course through more than three decades of journalism, where I cut my teeth on long-format, explanatory stories that use literary devices to tell a story. I’m also a fan of the hard-boiled masters, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain as well as latter day aces such as the late, great and vastly underappreciated James Crumley. I think what those guys did is an American art form and I wanted to try my hand at it.

Is this your first book?

Author: No. I’ve written another called The Last Second Chance. It’s also a hard-boiled Ed Earl Burch thriller set in Texas and northern Mexico.

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

Author: I went indie, largely because of a rekindled author’s ego. I tried the traditional publishing route some years ago and struck out. I knew I had written two good detective thrillers that were as good or better than what was out there and decided to publish them myself, using the Spotted Mule Press imprint. I rewrote both of them, had them re-edited and proof-read and figured out how to publish them via CreateSpace and Kindle. The latter isn’t that difficult, but I’m a techno-peasant

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

Author: It’s been fascinating and maddening. You have to learn a lot about graphic design, marketing and advertising—both social media and old-school—distribution, getting noticed and getting reviews. You have to learn about branding and get sharp about the gentle art of schmoozing at book signings, writers’ conferences and festivals. You even have to learn about making videos and doing live broadcasts. Fortunately, I did a lot of radio and TV as a journalist. There’s just a helluva lot of plates you have to keep spinning on sticks and it takes you away from what you really want to do -- write the next book.

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

Author: The ease of publication is a two-edged sword and there’s an awful lot of junk out there, making it hard for you to get your book to emerge from the herd. The sheer volume of books is just daunting. What I learned while hawking my first book is that I needed professional help to break out of the pack, so I hired a publicist this go round. I did that because of something else I learned—you can’t rely on social media alone—you have to use a mix of old-school and new-school.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author: Yes, for one primary reason that resonates with every writer—you can tell your story your way.

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

Author: Believe in yourself, your skills and your story, keep your butt in that chair and write the hell out of it.

Book Publishing Secrets with Arnaldo Lopez Jr., Author of 'Chickenhawk'

Name: Arnaldo Lopez Jr.              

Book Title: Chickenhawk

Genre: Thriller/Crime

Publisher: Café Con Leche books

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?

Arnaldo: I’ve always loved writing, and after observing the interaction between young male prostitutes and their johns while working as a token booth clerk for the NYC subway, I felt that I had a compelling story to tell.

Is this your first book?

Arnaldo: Yes it is.

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

Arnaldo: I chose indie publisher, Café Con Leche books primarily because it seemed like such a good match. Agent Leticia Gomez and I share a common vision concerning my writing goals and my current novel.

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

Arnaldo: The pros are all related to my working with the wonderful people of Café Con Leche books! The cons were the amount of work still needed to get the novel ready for publication even after I thought that all of the work was done!

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

Arnaldo: Major or “traditional” publishers as a whole still have a problem understanding the Latino voice or point-of-view. They usually want to play it safe and so overlook a lot of great stories and authors.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Arnaldo: Sure, as long as they’re lucky or diligent enough to find as great an organization as I did in Café Con Leche books!

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

Arnaldo: Finish what you start. They are a lot of great partial and even full manuscripts that are hidden away in sock drawers, hope chests, computers, and so on. Do your research, and don’t give up.

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Title: Chickenhawk

Genre: Thriller

Author: Arnaldo Lopez Jr.

Publisher: Koehler Books/Café Con Leche books

Purchase on Amazon

About the Book:

Chickenhawk is an urban crime fiction novel that showcases New York City's diversity, as well as the dark side of race relations, politics, sexuality, illness, madness, and infidelity. Eddie Ramos and Tommy Cucitti are Manhattan North Homicide detectives after a serial killer that manages to stay below their radar while the body count keeps climbing in a city that’s turning into a powder keg.

Book Publishing Secrets with Chris Karlsen, author of 'Silk'

Name: Chris Karlsen

Book Title:  Silk

Genre:  Suspense/thriller

Publisher:  Books to Go Now

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published, Chris.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Author: From the time I was a teenager I rewrote scenes and story endings in my mind. After I retired, I decided to stop imagining and write my own stories. As a retired detective, I enjoy a good mystery. I'd written and had published 5 other books, historical romances and romantic thrillers. I thought it was time to try a suspense thriller that wasn't a romance.  I like to write in different time periods and had a detective protagonist in mind and chose Victorian London as the perfect setting for him.

Is this your first book?

Author: No. This is my sixth. This is book one of a new series though.

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

Author:  Books to Go Now is a small, indie publisher. I got tired of trying to break into the NY publishers. I knew the owner of Books to Go Now and knew I'd have a lot of input in getting my story out  and I trusted her with all aspects of the book.

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

Author:  The pros have been working with a publisher that was enormously patient with all my questions and who made good suggestions. I love working with the cover designer. She's done 5 of my 6 books. I have a certain vision for what I want with each and she understands my aesthetic. It's a lot of work but I like making the trailers for each. I have a PA that put the last two together with the soundtrack and stock images I sent her. She's another with a good understanding of what I am going for.

The cons have been trying to get noticed by NY agents and editors. It can get you down when you go to a conference and pitch your story to 30 agents and editors and 2/3 ask for a partial and then you never hear back. You don't even get a standard reject letter with many. Some you know haven't even read the first chapter. You email the manuscript and the reject comes within a day. A lot of times you're told they aren't interested in the storyline or genre or this and that. Part of you just has to wonder why they asked for the partial. Another con is when you pitch your story and the editor/agent listens and then totally ignores the pitch and asks if you can write a completely different story. For example: Many years ago I pitched my paranormal ghost romance. After I went through the whole pitch the editor blinked and asked if I could write a mermaid story, they didn't have any of those. I politely turned her down. 

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

Author:  You need a tough skin. You will likely get rejected many times. You have to learn to deal with bad reviews. Everyone gets them even the biggest authors.  Readers will like and dislike the same story for a variety of reasons. Some of the bad reviews won't make sense to you and other readers simply don't like your plot or your characters or your style. Read reviews or don't, but resist letting the negative ones affect you too much.

Once you're published you must, must be ready to commit a great amount of time to promotion. There are hundreds of thousands of books out. You can't get noticed if you don't promote. I also feel the days of only going through NY and the big publishing houses are diminishing. I find a lot of self-pubbed and indie pubbed authors are doing very well. The small houses like mine are growing and becoming strong contenders in publishing.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author:  Absolutely.

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

Author: Don't write a story in a genre that has no interest for you just because it's a popular genre. You have to love what you write or it will show in the story.

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Purchase on Amazon

SUMMARY

London-Fall, 1888

The city is in a panic as Jack the Ripper continues his murderous spree. While the Whitechapel police struggle to find him, Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner are working feverishly to find their own serial killer. The British Museum's beautiful gardens have become a killing ground for young women strangled as they stroll through.

Their investigation has them brushing up against Viscount Everhard, a powerful member of the House of Lords, and a friend to Queen Victoria. When the circumstantial evidence points to him as a suspect, Rudyard must deal with the political blowback, and knows if they are going to go after the viscount, they'd better be right and have proof.

As the body count grows and the public clamor for the detectives to do more, inter-department rivalries complicate the already difficult case.

Book Publishing Secrets with Anne K. Edwards, author of 'This and That – Collection of Light and Dark Tales'

Name:  Anne K. Edwards

Book Title:  This and That – Collection of Light and Dark Tales

Genre:  Various Genres

Publisher:  First Realm Publishing

Purchase book 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?

Anne:  I have been writing for several years and have several books published. The collection of short stories began as a for-fun activity for myself. I love new ideas that wouldn’t work out as full books, but I will follow what story they offer to the conclusion.  It’s like following a new trail you’ve never walked before to see where it leads. I enjoy writing tales with old ideas and giving them new twists. So, between books or while I’m suffering writer’s block on a present project, I will write a short tale as a change of pace. It is a remarkable way to conquer writer’s block and refresh one’s mind.

Is this your first book?

Anne:  No, I have written several others in different genres and was given credit for helping write a nonfiction book on reviewing also.

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

Anne: Small Press. I chose this method because I prefer to work with a publisher instead of undertaking all the responsibility myself and I’ve always liked Internet publishing. In other words, when it comes to self-publishing, one might say I’m a bit reluctant to undertake the heavier duties it entails, like choosing the outlet for a finished work, editing, formatting of an ebook, looking for the right cover artist, and so on. Rather than make repeated mistakes in these areas, it is much better for me to rely on the experienced publisher and use their expertise.  However, on my single venture into self-publishing, I must thank a dear friend, Mayra Calvani, for her guidance and efforts to get it done. She saved me a lot of time and grief.

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

Anne:  There are few publishers that publish collections of short stories.  I was fortunate to find First Realm Publishing and got permission to submit my book to them. Luckily, they were interested even though the stories are not of the same genre, length and vary widely in subject matter.  For instance, there’s a tale about a pet chicken, one about the devil outsmarting himself, and a series of tales about a detective hired by Death to solve various problems he runs into. It wasn’t a complicated journey and the reward at the end is that the book is out in ebook form which I find very satisfying.

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

Anne:  I learned to keep looking when you have a book that needs a home. I found the publishing industry is alive and growing, looking for new, adventuresome writers whose creative gifts are seeking homes. Such a trip is a reward in itself and should be undertaken with a positive outlook.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Anne:  Yes. The small press offers a wonderful place for authors to learn about the world of publishing and to meet the readers. It gives us a place to hone our craft and make the next book better.

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

Anne:  Keep writing. Keep reading, Keep learning. Never give up.