Book Publishing Secrets with Sam Newsome , author of 'Joe Peas'

Name: Sam Newsome

Book Title: Joe Peas

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Lulu 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?

Sam:  First and foremost, I’m a family doctor.  The writing thing came in recent years my practice and I have matured.  As a physician, I meet a lot of people.  People who have led interesting lives and have wonderful stories.  Their lives are my first inspiration.  I frequently tell stories to my patients as a tool for motivation.  They, in turn, will share part of their life stories that are sometimes fantastic narratives.  While I would never unbidden betray a patient confidence, I certainly get ideas and motivation for fictional fare.

Is this your first book?

Sam:  My first book, Jackie, was published in the fall of 2013.  It chronicles the life and adventures of a young man who was abused, bullied and judged uneducable in the third grade.  He was assigned to homebound education that didn’t work for him.  But Jackie develops a very special, almost supernatural talent that when discovered, leads him to an historic destiny.    

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

Sam:  My current book, Joe Peas, is self-published by Lulu Publishing Service.  I used them for my only other book, so I have no means of comparison.  They explained the costs ahead of time produced a product I can be happy with.   

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

Sam:  I spend my days recording clinical notes into an electronic medical record.  These are required by law, but likely will rarely be read.  No interpretation is used in these notes.   As Joe Friday of Dragnet asks. “Just the facts ma’am, just the facts.”  Writing is different. The ability to shape a narrative and influence the outcome for a character is powerful.  The struggle is having the work acknowledged and read.  Marketing is every bit as challenging as writing.  

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

Sam:  The publishing industry is changing so quickly that it is full of chaos.  My impression is that the traditional paths to publication are largely closed.  I suppose that beginning my quest for publication at a rather advanced age makes me more impatient.  I’ve finished a project and I want acclaim.  I want a band to play and fireworks to celebrate my accomplishment.  Instead I have a stack of over one hundred rejection slips from agents and publishers who have yet to request a sample or a synopsis before judging it “Not for us”.  I understand the frustration beginning writers feel and the little nagging feeling that even the crappiest novel on the bottom shelf of the major stores is a better read than mine because they found a publisher.  

But then…  But then remember that writing is an art as well as an occupation.  We create our projects like any other artist, to evoke emotion and desire along with a little knowledge and understanding of our world sprinkled in.  When someone tells me they enjoyed my book or were emotionally moved, I don’t ask if they paid a retail price or borrowed a friend’s.  I still consider that a win.  My self-published book has the same text it would have if it had been traditionally created.  

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Sam:  Everyone must weigh the options and make that judgment on their own.  I made what I considered to be a credible effort and failed to get either an agent or a publisher.  I could have rewritten yet again and resubmitted, but that seemed pointless since professionally written query letters failed to get a nibble.  Since I may be more aware of father time than some of my colleagues, I went the self-published route.  Would I do it again?  I think I received a polished product with my first novel, Jackie, and my new effort, Joe Peas, is every bit as good.

Regarding income from the effort, I’m probably not the one to ask.  My only respite is that when my wife complains about the money I spend on my book I can compare it to what I might otherwise be spending on golf.  

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

Sam:  I may not the best person to ask.  I’m still more into taking advice than giving it.  I would say to continually assess why you write, and who is your audience.

That decision will not only affect what you write, but also how and to whom you present it.  If your story is time-sensitive and you don’t have an on-going relationship with an agent, self-publishing may be the best bet.

If the story is not time-sensitive and you have youth, time and energy enough to solicit an agent through conferences and other venues, seeking an agent and/or publisher could work.

And remember, advice is like a convenience store carton of milk.  It has a very short expiration date.  

Book Publishing Secrets with Brian W. Matthews, author of 'The Conveyance'

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.

Book Publishing Secrets with Julie Ann James, Author of 'Irish Jewel'

Name: Julie Ann James

Book Title: Irish Jewel

Genre: Fiction/Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: The Peppertree 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: Julie Ann James

Is this your first book?

Author:  Irish Jewel is the 7^th book that I have written and published.   I have published 5 children’s books and one other novel, Haunted Echoes. I do have another novel that is in the works at this moment and the title is, The Ribbon Key.

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

Julie Ann: I published through my own company, the Peppertree Press which is an Independent Press that is located in beautiful downtown Sarasota, Florida.

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

Julie Ann: I have always wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old. I didn’t actually start writing seriously until after my children were in middle school. All I really wanted is to get a byline and not necessarily be paid for it. I submitted many short stories for parenting magazines and then switched gears and started writing children’s books.  I can recall my first published piece which means that was my first byline. I received a check for $25.00 and because I was so excited, never cashed it.  I later submitted many children’s stories to what I refer to as the “Big Houses” most of their offices are in  New York, and they filled my mailbox with those dreaded rejection letters.  I later found a self-publishing company online and published two books with them.

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

Julie Ann: I have learned so much in all these years, especially after self-publishing.  With that said, during this process I decided to start my own publishing company and offer the personal touch that writers so deserve. I have learned that you don’t have to be traditionally published to become a successful author as long as you love writing, work hard and get the word out, literally.  It is important to keep yourself grounded and keep your expectations in check at all times.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Julie Ann: Yes, I absolutely recommend to authors to independently publish their manuscripts.

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

Julie Ann:  The best advice I can give an aspiring author is to: 

1. Keep a pad of paper by your bedside at all times since you never know when you will be inspired to write, even if it is in the middle of the night.
2. Don’t just talk about becoming a published writer, actually make it happen, and never give up.
3. Be grateful when you sell even one copy because that one copy could make a real impact on the reader.

Book Publishing Secrets with Vasudev Murthy, Author of 'Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years: Timbuktu'

Name: Vasudev Murthy

Book Title: Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years: Timbuktu

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Poisoned Pen 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 didn’t decide. It happened to me. My first book was about Classical Music. As life happened, I had new ideas and inspirations and was impelled to write. Sherlock Holmes in Japan was first published in India by HarperCollins. It has now been published in Portuguese, Korean and Japanese and was published by Poisoned Pen Press in the US. I was encouraged by the editor, Barbara Peters, to write another Missing Years book. It had to be based in Africa. Timbuktu was the most interesting place I could think of from many angles – geography, popular perception, history, culture, music and more. And so, Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years: Timbuktu happened. I had to learn two different scripts and immerse myself as best as I could in the culture of the Tuaregs.

Is this your first book?

Author: No, my sixth. Here is the list

What the Raags told me – a novel based on Indian Classical Music – Rupa

Effective Proposal Writing – Sage

The Time Merchants – LiFi

Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years: Japan – HarperCollins, Poisoned Pen Press, Editora Vestigio and a Korean and Japanese Publisher

How Organizations Really Work – Bloomsbury

Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years: Timbuktu – Poisoned Pen Press

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

Author: I went with the best publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and I have no regrets. I don’t know or care what box they are considered to be in. They had done so well with the Japan book that there was nothing to consider.

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

Author: Over the past ten years or so, I have been lucky to be published by several well known publishers – Rupa, Bloomsbury, HarperCollins, Editora Vestigio, Poisoned Pen Press, Gamesman (Korea), Kokusho Kankokai (Japan) and LiFi. But as I write across genres, the journey has restarted often, with new twists and turns. I don’t mind that. I don’t wish to be boxed as I have numerous interests in fiction (Crime, Humor, NOT romance!) and nonfiction (Management, Classical Music) and am not particularly interested in becoming a brand. Yes, at this moment, Sherlock Holmes is my muse. I suspect a book on Animal Rights is around the corner.

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

Author: Ultimately, it seems that the brand of the publisher contributes less to the author’s satisfaction than the health of the relationship with the editor. Find an editor who understands you, and never let go or him or her. If she switches publishers, switch too.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Author: Yes. Find an editor, not the publisher. If your book got published really fast with no challenges, you must be a genius or there is a problem somewhere else. Good writing that passes muster is a result of hard work. He who likes short cuts will be cut short.

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

Author: Words are fickle lovers and will leave you without notice.

Book Publishing Secrets with John Benedict, Author of 'Adrenaline'

Name: John Benedict

Book Title: Adrenaline

Genre: medical thriller

Purchase 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?

John:   The following true story explains both:  One day it struck me—at 2:00 in the morning in the midst of another grueling 24-hour shift. I had just finished interviewing a nice lady with an appendix about to burst—we’ll call her Linda. I had done my best not to yawn as I went through the routine questions that an anesthesiologist is obliged to ask. She appeared nervous, which soon gave way to tears. I did my best to comfort her, took her hand, told her I would take good care of her. That I would watch over her carefully in the operating room and see her through surgery. And be there when she woke up in the recovery room. She appeared to calm down a bit. I wrapped up my pre-op assessment and asked her to sign the anesthesia consent form, while assuring her the risks would be minimal. She raised her eyebrows at this and the fearful look returned. I wondered: What the hell does minimal mean when you’re talking about life and death? More tears. She told me of her two young daughters at home that desperately needed a mommy. I felt my own throat tighten. I quickly buried my emotions, tried not to think about my wife and three sons, and focused on the task at hand as we wheeled her litter back down the hall to the OR.

After Linda, sans rotten appendix, was safely tucked in the recovery room, operation a success, anesthetic uncomplicated, I lay down in the call room to try to catch a couple of z’s. My mind wandered as I lay there. Rarely, I thought, does a person willingly surrender control of their mind and body to a virtual stranger. Yet, this is exactly what happens when the person is a patient being wheeled in for surgery and the stranger is their anesthesiologist, whom they have just met minutes beforehand. Talk about an extraordinary amount of trust. This degree of trust made a distinct impression on me that night, some twenty years ago.

Other thoughts followed soon thereafter. What if the trust Linda had exhibited earlier was ill-conceived and her doctor was actually bad? Not just incompetent or sleepy, but downright evil. Being an avid reader of thrillers, I thought this chilling concept would make for a good story. Too bad I wasn’t a writer. (Disclaimer time: I don’t want to scare people here. All the docs I have known in my 30 years of medical practice are highly competent professional people, who would never purposely hurt anyone.) But I still couldn’t shake the evil concept; it kept gnawing at me until eventually I had to put it down on paper—lack of writing experience be damned. So Adrenaline was birthed, my first medical thriller novel that explores this issue of absolute trust implicit in the anesthesiologist-patient relationship—specifically, what happens when that trust is abused and replaced by fear.  Adrenaline was finally published twelve years after my encounter with Linda. 

Is this your first book?

John: Yes

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

John: Adrenaline was first published in 2005 by the small press, Sterling House, out of Pittsburgh.  After Sterling House went out of business and the rights of the book reverted to me, I re-released Adrenaline in Dec 2013 as a self-published version (trade paperback and for the first time, ebook) through CreateSpace.

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

John: You must realize the journey is long.  Good agents and interested editors are very hard to find.  I sent out literally hundreds of query letters to agents and even managed to hook up with several poor agents.  This was primarily an exercise in frustration.  Finally, I attended multiple writing conferences and did manage to get signed by a reputable agent. I thought my journey was near its end. However, I learned that even finding a decent agent doesn’t guarantee selling the book to a mainstream publisher. My agent couldn’t sell the book.  Finally, I decided to go the self-publishing route.  This proved to be the way to go for me.  I chose CreateSpace, which worked fine for me—there are several other good alternatives out there.  Be prepared to pay a small amount to get your book published—it pays to price-shop.  Once set up, you can sell your book as an inexpensive ebook on Amazon (and elsewhere).  The internet is an extremely valuable sales platform and if your book is half-decent, it can spread by word-of-mouth alone.  Readers leave reviews and rate your book and this can attract new readers.  I’m pleased to report that Adrenaline sold very well as a Kindle ebook. In 2014, over 80,000 copies were downloaded from Amazon pushing it to the #1 paid medical thriller.  I also picked up over 400 reader reviews (mostly 5-star).  Armed with these sales numbers and positive reader reviews, I was finally able to attract a mainstream publisher for my third medical thriller, Fatal Complications, due out in December 2015.

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

John: Nowadays, with the widespread availability and low cost of ebooks, self-publishing no longer has the stigma that it had even 10 years ago.  I believe it is a perfectly viable way to go.  Write the best book you can (attend as many writers’ conferences as you can) and then get it out there as a self-published ebook.  Try your best to promote it.  After you establish a good track record, then approach the agents and editors.  With this approach, they’ll be much more likely to actually listen to your proposal and may just offer you a publishing deal.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

John:  Yes, absolutely.  Unless you can write a killer novel out of the gate like Stephen King or have friends in the industry, it’s extremely hard to get anyone to take notice of your stuff (let alone even read it).  The gatekeepers are simply inundated with manuscripts from wannabe novelists and they just don’t have the time to give each its due.

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

John:  The goal of getting published requires hard work and perseverance.  And you must believe in yourself, even when no one else seems to.  It’s also helpful to have thick skin when it comes to handling lots of rejection letters.  Write because you enjoy the process, not because you think big success (and money) is right around the corner.  Keep writing and good luck!

Book Publishing Secrets with Donald Joiner, Author of 'The Antioch Testament'

Name: Donald Joiner

Book Title: The Antioch Testament

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian

Publisher: Seraphina Press

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

Donald: I had always been intrigued by the remarkable transformation of Jesus’ apostles after his resurrection. Earlier they had been a motley collection of fishermen, laborers and revolutionaries seeking the restoration of David’s Jewish kingdom. The gospels tell us a lot about them before the resurrection, but very little afterward.

What happened to them? Where did they go? What did they accomplish? How did they die? The gospels are silent. The Antioch Testament is a historical novel that attempts to complete the story based on early church traditions. I thought it was a story well worth the telling.

Is this your first book?

Donald: No, but it is my first novel.

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

Donald: Indie. I wasted considerable time seeking agent representation. Found that authors’ agents were literally swamped with manuscripts so I elected to investigate and identify the very best self-publishing companies. As a result, I selected Hillcrest Media which owns Seraphina Press based on the quality of their work and their unique distribution system which closely  approximates the distribution system of traditional publishers.

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

Donald: My first published book was entitled Antebellum Churches in Georgia. This was a pictorial history of churches in Georgia constructed before the end of the Civil War. At the time color photography in books was prohibitively expensive so I elected to publish in black & white through Lulu Publishing. Later, when color photography sharply declined in price, I expanded my collection of churches and selected VirtualBookWorm Publishing to publish a color pictorial history entitled Faith of Our Fathers. I did not solicit representation for either of these books.

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

Donald: When I began work on this historical novel, I had no idea how difficult the task of being accepted by a reputable author’s agent would be. I must have approached a dozen recommended agents, but none were in a position to help me. Those who responded to my query cited a backlog of manuscripts awaiting their attention or they were not at the moment accepting religious historical fiction. Being a senior citizen, I knew I had a limited time frame to work in so I eventually elected to go with the best self-publisher I could identify. It has been a costly enterprise, but thus far I have been pleased with this choice.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Donald: Yes, if the author has adequate financial resources. There are many self-publishing companies out there, but an author must be careful because some are not as reputable as are others. My advice is to do diligent research on self-publishers, looking closely at each service they offer. If possible, try to communicate with a fellow author who has used this particular publisher and get his/her take on the company. If the author is aware that going this route means by and large he must manage his own marketing effort, self-publishing may be an answer.

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

Donald: Persistence counts! Don’t be intimidated if you do not meet immediate success in approaching agents or publishers. Keep at it. By all means don’t rely solely on your work being edited by your wife, girlfriend or mother. Your work might look wonderful to you and to them, but you should always have it professionally edited before you submit it to prospective agents or publishers.