A few posts ago I told you about a great article on publishing. That article pointed to the future of self-publishing. It got me thinking, do I know anyone who is self-published? What was that experience like for them? After milling it around a bit, I decided to interview a friend from the QT forum, Marva Dasef. I asked Marva about her experiences with small publishers and DIY publishing. Here is her story:
Christine (CF): How long have you been writing?
Marva (MD): The “all my life” answer that writers usually give here seems a bit disingenuous. Personally, I did not pop out of the womb with pen in hand. The better question is: how long have you been writing for publication? I wrote technical documentation for thirty-five years. I started writing fiction for publication about three years ago. Before that, I wrote stories for fun. The good part is that I dredged out a few of those old stories and have done well sending them out as individual stories. Three of my oldies eventually became books. Lesson: Never throw anything away. Those old ones were on paper only.
CF: How many books have been published?
MD: Three. I’m on the verge of releasing another very soon. I (also) have more than thirty-five short stories published here and there. I wrote shorts for a long time before I ever tried a book.
CF: Did you go the traditional publishing route, or DIY?
MD: DIY for my first book, then small press for the next two. I’m going back to DIY for the fourth because I can do a better job getting my book out into the world than a small press.
CF: Which books are self published?
MD: “Tales of a Texas Boy” is on Amazon, B&N, and a bunch of other sites. I haven’t pursued brick-n-mortar bookstores because I’m too lazy or too shy. I do have three editions of the book, not to mention Kindle.
CF: What influenced you decision to go DIY?
MD: Tales is a series of twenty interrelated short stories, all told from the POV of a young boy living in West Texas during the Depression. Only well-known writers can get a publisher or agent for a book of short stories. Second, it’s only 33,000 words long. Another reason why publishers and agents won’t touch it. If I wanted it published, I’d have to do it myself.
Since the stories are semi-memoirs based on my father’s boyhood, I couldn’t afford to keep thrashing around with agents/publishers. I wanted “his” book in print. Since he was 85 when I got it published, I thought I didn’t have much time. Well, he’s fooled me ’cause he’s still going like the energizer bunny.
By the way, seven of the stories were published in on-line or print magazines. That gave me a hint that they were publishable, but not as a book.
CF: What are the advantages of self publishing?
MD: Control, and you can get it published without waiting for five years or more going through the process of agent and/or publisher hunting.
CF: What are the disadvantages?
MD: No bookstore shelf space, no publicity, no wide distribution. Unless, of course, you go gung ho into marketing. I’m not a marketing person. I may have to start doing some of that. One of these days.
CF: What advice would you give writers considering this method of publishing?
MD: If you’re under forty, then hang in until you’ve exhausted all possible agents and publishers. Once you’ve done that and have no bites, re-evaluate how good your book really is as opposed to how good you think it is. Get into crit groups where you’ll get honest feedback. However, sometimes all your crit partners, friends, and family will think your book’s great, but it doesn’t strike the fancy of an agent/publisher.
In that case, and if you really want your book in print, then consider self-publishing. Now, the second thing is do NOT take your book any of the vanity presses. For the several hundred dollars (and up) they’ll charge, you don’t get much more than going with an on-line printing company like Lulu.
Before you even think about self-publishing, do a lot of research on what it takes. Especially on how to market your own work. I’d recommend that anybody dallying with the idea, stop by the Independent Authors Guild website and Yahoo group. They’re both listed on my publishing blog.
CF: Are there any self publishing companies that you have worked with?
MD: Lulu and CreateSpace. Lulu was a great way to get started. It has lots of helpful tools to get your book looking decent. Also, it’s an easy way to get distribution if you purchase an ISBN distribution package. The biggest disadvantage is that Lulu enforces a very high retail price on your book. That’s a big reason why DIY books don’t sell very well. It’s ridiculous to have to set a price above ten bucks for a trade paperback.
CreateSpace is less helpful. You pretty much have to know what you’re doing. On the plus side, you can set your book’s retail price in alignment with the big publishers. Of course, CreateSpace only feeds to Amazon.
I’ve also just set up an account with LightningSource. Like CreateSpace, you have to do all the formatting and covers yourself (they do have some stock covers to use). Further, LSI provides all the distribution that Lulu does, but you cut out the middleman, thereby allowing for a lower retail price.
CF: Here is your chance to plug your books…go for it.
MD: Tales of a Texas Boy – Trade paperback
Tales of a Texas Boy – Large Print Edition (8.25×11″ trim size)
http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Texas-Boy-Large-Print/dp/0615152406/
Tales of a Texas Boy: Large Print Edition (7.4×9.7″ trim size)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1438235453/
How do you handle a crazy jackass? Eddie knows. If you ask Eddie, he’ll tell you pigs can fly and show you where to find real mammoth bones. Take his word for it when he tells you always to bet on the bear. These are things he learned while dreaming of becoming a cowboy in West Texas during the Depression. Through Eddie, the hero of “Tales of a Texas Boy,” we find that growing up is less about maturity and more about roping your dreams. Hold on tight. It’s a bumpy ride. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys books like “Little House on the Prairie” or “Tom Sawyer.” A great bit of nostalgia for seniors, too.
First Duty – YA Science Fiction from Sam’s Dot Publishing
Nyra Hutchings, a woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she’s accepted into the Space Service Academy, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where first duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds First Duty
The Seven Adventures of Cadida – Middle-grade Fantasy from Sam’s Dot Publishing
Cadida’s in trouble again. But then, when is Cadida not in trouble?
First, she gets captured by raiders and thrown into a cave to be sacrificed to a demon, which turns out to be a djinn named Bascoda, a rather clumsy genie who adopts Cadida as his mistress. Cadida manages to escape despite Bascoda’s “help,” but later returns to the cave to see if anyone else had been captured. She finds instead of a prisoner a rather lonely and pathetic demon who needs a new home. Then Baakir, a fire-breathing, talking, flying horse tells Cadida that his beloved Barika has been captured by pirates. Baakir is only somewhat helpful because he is not yet fully in control of his magic. Oops.
Oh, yes, there’s much more . . . but you’ll just have to turn the pages and find out what kind of trouble this bored little rich young lady can get into. Seven Adventures of Cadida
Find all of her books through her website.
Thank you, Marva, for participating in my first author interview. We all appreciate all of your great advice regarding DIY publishing. Best of luck with everything.
*NOTE: The companies mentioned in this article are one person’s experience and do not reflect this blog author’s endorcement in any way. Please research all companies before deciding to use them.
2 responses so far ↓
Amitabh // January 27, 2009 at 8:42 pm |
Thank you for the interview. Informative.
Cheers!
Marva Dasef // January 28, 2009 at 9:43 am |
Thanks, Christine! I appreciate it.