How do they get agents?
How do they get published?
Is it luck? Talent? Drive?
This segment is an attempt to satisfy my immense curiosity...to answer the one question I'm dying to ask every author out there: How did your book become a book?
Visit the full catalogue of "My Publishing Journey" interviews HERE.
Today's Featured Author
Author of
Time for Love Series &
Three Sisters Catering Novels &
A TON of other books!!
AGENTS
Is eight weeks enough time to earn back the love of someone you've betrayed...the only one you've ever loved?
Shelly has been in love with Cal since they started dating in eleventh grade. Despite everyone saying that the odds were against them, they got married after graduation and built a life together. Now, six years later, she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Devastated, her first instinct is to call it quits…
After a drunken binge at his best friends’ bachelor party, Cal betrays the one person who has always been there for him, his wife, Shelly. Terrified and realizing she might divorce him, Cal must come up with a way to prove to her that his love is true…
Cal asks Shelly for eight weeks. Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage is worth the fight. Will Shelly be able to trust him again, or will their marriage end the way many others do when faced with opposition… In divorce?
This story is meant for readers 18 and older.
Three Sisters Catering Novels &
A TON of other books!!
AGENTS
Do you have an agent?
I did have an agent for a while, but am no longer represented.
I did have an agent for a while, but am no longer represented.
How many queries did you send?
I sent out probably over a hundred, and that did not end up being how I met my agent. I met her organically, at an event, and spoke with her in person.
I sent out probably over a hundred, and that did not end up being how I met my agent. I met her organically, at an event, and spoke with her in person.
If you don't have an agent, is it by choice?
Yes, it is by choice.
If represented, how long did it take to get your agent?
I had actually met her about two years before she became my agent.
Yes, it is by choice.
If represented, how long did it take to get your agent?
I had actually met her about two years before she became my agent.
SELF-PUBLISHING
What made you decide to self publish?
It was 2011, and after the over a hundred queries were sent out, I heard about self publishing and looked into it. Almost seven years later, I have over thirty titles available and they were all published independently.
It was 2011, and after the over a hundred queries were sent out, I heard about self publishing and looked into it. Almost seven years later, I have over thirty titles available and they were all published independently.
Did
you do everything yourself (such as cover design, formatting, etc.) or did you
hire out?
I have a cover designer, formatter, editor, proofreader, and a part time PR person.
I have a cover designer, formatter, editor, proofreader, and a part time PR person.
Which
platform (such as Createspace) do you self-publish through?
Createspace, KDP (Amazon), Nook Press, Kobo, Smashwords (for iBooks mostly).
Have you researched or considered getting a hardcover printed of your book? What about audio?
Createspace, KDP (Amazon), Nook Press, Kobo, Smashwords (for iBooks mostly).
Have you researched or considered getting a hardcover printed of your book? What about audio?
I
did use Barnes & Noble to do one of my books in hardcover. I’m still
learning that process. Almost all of my books (minus the short stories) are
either already available in audio or in production.
What
do you like about self-publishing?
I love the autonomy. I’m a bit of a control freak, so I like being able to choose who I work with, and make all of the decisions concerning my books.
I love the autonomy. I’m a bit of a control freak, so I like being able to choose who I work with, and make all of the decisions concerning my books.
What
do you dislike about self-publishing?
Funding everything yourself can be difficult, especially initially, but once you get an account set up with a dedicated writing fund, things will get easier. It teaches you how to be the manager, marketer, accountant, etc… of your business.
Funding everything yourself can be difficult, especially initially, but once you get an account set up with a dedicated writing fund, things will get easier. It teaches you how to be the manager, marketer, accountant, etc… of your business.
MARKETING
What marketing tactics worked for you?
I think I’ve tried everything at least once. Bookbub is always the best choice, but it’s very hard to get accepted. It sometimes feels like winning the lottery. I also found bookboxes to be very successful, but also very costly. Newsletter marketing is great, and I’m still trying to navigate through FB and AMS Ads. I still like Blog Tours, Cover Reveals, and Review Tours, which are set up through my PR company.
I think I’ve tried everything at least once. Bookbub is always the best choice, but it’s very hard to get accepted. It sometimes feels like winning the lottery. I also found bookboxes to be very successful, but also very costly. Newsletter marketing is great, and I’m still trying to navigate through FB and AMS Ads. I still like Blog Tours, Cover Reveals, and Review Tours, which are set up through my PR company.
ADVICE
Looking back would you do anything differently?
Not really. Maybe now spend money on services that I eventually learned didn’t work out. And certain writing choices. Like, stick to one series, complete it, then move on to another series, lol. I currently have four series that are incomplete, and a fifth that, although complete, I keep writing novellas for. I tend to skip around to keep myself engaged, but I think I would see better results monetarily, if I’d stick to one and complete it. Some readers do not like to be kept waiting.
Not really. Maybe now spend money on services that I eventually learned didn’t work out. And certain writing choices. Like, stick to one series, complete it, then move on to another series, lol. I currently have four series that are incomplete, and a fifth that, although complete, I keep writing novellas for. I tend to skip around to keep myself engaged, but I think I would see better results monetarily, if I’d stick to one and complete it. Some readers do not like to be kept waiting.
What lessons have you learned? Any advice for those about to go down your path?
I have learned that networking is one of the most important factors in your career. That self-doubt is a constant killer of inspiration, but you must fight back. And that, although writing can be a lonely career path, there is nothing like the feeling of being in a room full of readers, authors, and other people who love this industry. As far as advice, I’d say put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out, but always do you research. Find out the correct way to approach, and follow guidelines when necessary. Keep writing. Every day if possible.
Can you provide names and/or contacts for the following?
I have learned that networking is one of the most important factors in your career. That self-doubt is a constant killer of inspiration, but you must fight back. And that, although writing can be a lonely career path, there is nothing like the feeling of being in a room full of readers, authors, and other people who love this industry. As far as advice, I’d say put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out, but always do you research. Find out the correct way to approach, and follow guidelines when necessary. Keep writing. Every day if possible.
Can you provide names and/or contacts for the following?
Agent: N/A
Publisher: N/A
Formatter: Type A Formatting
Cover Designer: Makeready Designs
Audiobook: ACX
Hardcover printer: Barnes & Noble
Promotion and/or marketing: Inkslinger PR
Blog Tour Organizer, etc.: Inkslinger PR
Shelly has been in love with Cal since they started dating in eleventh grade. Despite everyone saying that the odds were against them, they got married after graduation and built a life together. Now, six years later, she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Devastated, her first instinct is to call it quits…
After a drunken binge at his best friends’ bachelor party, Cal betrays the one person who has always been there for him, his wife, Shelly. Terrified and realizing she might divorce him, Cal must come up with a way to prove to her that his love is true…
Cal asks Shelly for eight weeks. Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage is worth the fight. Will Shelly be able to trust him again, or will their marriage end the way many others do when faced with opposition… In divorce?
This story is meant for readers 18 and older.
Thanks so much for the feature!
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