Comments on: The Tricky Art of Self-Publishing http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/ Writing Career Center Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lisa Gordon http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-226761 Lisa Gordon Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:01:10 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/archives/2005/03/05/t-self-publishing/#comment-226761 My book was in the much overlooked esoteric fiction genre. I had approached agents and publishers, however as my novel crossed genres and was hard to pigeon hole they were not keen. I was a debut novelist and in a recession no one wanted to take on anything risky. I believed in myself and my work totally! I approached many self publishers and received quotes from £3800 to £12,000. They all gave my book (A Sealed Fate) high praise, but when I enquired what they would actually do to promote my book, I found that they would do very little apart from edit, print and get my book listed on amazon and with Nielson. One day I saw an ad for Janus Publishing Co Ltd London. I was very impressed by their website and literature; what's more Janus has a genuine publishing wing (Emperius) and so they are not only into self publishing. Janus publishes a full range of fiction and nonfiction. The editing/proofreading/typesetting etc was very professional and excellent. The editor was diligent in checking over little details, plot points etc. I was thrilled with the graphics for my cover - Jeannie was always available on the phone and was thoroughly responsive to my ideas, needs and even last minute changes. I felt much protected and the company gave me so much respect. My book was respected and valued from the start. So, when my book was all finished Janus organised the distribution, listings on amazon.co.uk; amazon.com. amazon.ca, amazon.jp, waterstones.com and basically websites all over the world. I actually thought it would all stop there (I believe it usually does) however Jeanie has remained active in promoting my title by entering me into numerous competitions, sending review copies out and entering me for a library based book promotion exercise. They suggest new websites, blogs, book fairs, events etc that I may want to take advantage of. Janus is in touch with me very regularly and keeps me posted on my book sales and every new avenue which I may take advantage of. It's a relationship I have with Janus. Janus carries on looking after your title long after you pay your last cheque out!!!! It's a highly professional self pub experience at every stage! I urge writers to realise that the self publisher makes there money from what you pay them, they have no need to make sales as such. I was very happy with my self pub company as they gave me so much support and encouragement, however if you want your book to succeed you have to promote it daily....I mean sending out press releases, selling to folks you chat to in the supermarket, attending fairs, blogging...Its a full time job promoting. Also before you self publish; get your book reviewed by a professional reviewer - they will tell you honestly if it's readable! Lisa Gordon, author of A Sealed Fate. My book was in the much overlooked esoteric fiction genre. I had approached agents and publishers, however as my novel crossed genres and was hard to pigeon hole they were not keen. I was a debut novelist and in a recession no one wanted to take on anything risky.

I believed in myself and my work totally!

I approached many self publishers and received quotes from £3800 to £12,000. They all gave my book (A Sealed Fate) high praise, but when I enquired what they would actually do to promote my book, I found that they would do very little apart from edit, print and get my book listed on amazon and with Nielson. One day I saw an ad for Janus Publishing Co Ltd London. I was very impressed by their website and literature; what’s more Janus has a genuine publishing wing (Emperius) and so they are not only into self publishing. Janus publishes a full range of fiction and nonfiction. The editing/proofreading/typesetting etc was very professional and excellent. The editor was diligent in checking over little details, plot points etc. I was thrilled with the graphics for my cover – Jeannie was always available on the phone and was thoroughly responsive to my ideas, needs and even last minute changes. I felt much protected and the company gave me so much respect. My book was respected and valued from the start. So, when my book was all finished Janus organised the distribution, listings on amazon.co.uk; amazon.com. amazon.ca, amazon.jp, waterstones.com and basically websites all over the world. I actually thought it would all stop there (I believe it usually does) however Jeanie has remained active in promoting my title by entering me into numerous competitions, sending review copies out and entering me for a library based book promotion exercise. They suggest new websites, blogs, book fairs, events etc that I may want to take advantage of. Janus is in touch with me very regularly and keeps me posted on my book sales and every new avenue which I may take advantage of. It’s a relationship I have with Janus. Janus carries on looking after your title long after you pay your last cheque out!!!! It’s a highly professional self pub experience at every stage!

I urge writers to realise that the self publisher makes there money from what you pay them, they have no need to make sales as such. I was very happy with my self pub company as they gave me so much support and encouragement, however if you want your book to succeed you have to promote it daily….I mean sending out press releases, selling to folks you chat to in the supermarket, attending fairs, blogging…Its a full time job promoting. Also before you self publish; get your book reviewed by a professional reviewer – they will tell you honestly if it’s readable!

Lisa Gordon, author of A Sealed Fate.

]]> By: Everyone’s an Author (Or at Least Can Be With Custom Publishing) http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-226739 Everyone’s an Author (Or at Least Can Be With Custom Publishing) Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:02:15 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/archives/2005/03/05/t-self-publishing/#comment-226739 [...] staff help with editing, layout, or marketing. Of course, these fees can be substantial, and as John Hewitt cautions authors about scams and exploitation: Read the fine print and understand fully what is being purchased and [...] [...] staff help with editing, layout, or marketing. Of course, these fees can be substantial, and as John Hewitt cautions authors about scams and exploitation: Read the fine print and understand fully what is being purchased and [...]

]]> By: Seeth Price http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-221378 Seeth Price Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:18:49 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/archives/2005/03/05/t-self-publishing/#comment-221378 Dear Mr. Dickson, I found your information about selfpublishing very informative. Some of which I knew because I have selfpublished two books. Right now I have a third novel I would like to publish, but not with a swlf publishing company. Do you publish and distribute, or do you just advise authors? Sincerely, Seth Price Dear Mr. Dickson,
I found your information about selfpublishing very informative. Some of which I knew because I have selfpublished two books.
Right now I have a third novel I would like to publish, but not with a swlf publishing company.
Do you publish and distribute, or do you just advise authors?

Sincerely, Seth Price

]]> By: Self-Publishing Primer: Part I - Introduction : Lillie Ammann, Writer & Editor http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-220132 Self-Publishing Primer: Part I - Introduction : Lillie Ammann, Writer & Editor Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:39:24 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/archives/2005/03/05/t-self-publishing/#comment-220132 [...] self-publishing is definitely not for everyone. The Tricky Art of Self-Publishing by Foster J. Dickson at Writer’s Resource Center gives a brief overview of the topic and suggests some cases where self-publishing is [...] [...] self-publishing is definitely not for everyone. The Tricky Art of Self-Publishing by Foster J. Dickson at Writer’s Resource Center gives a brief overview of the topic and suggests some cases where self-publishing is [...]

]]> By: A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye » Blog Archive » Self-Publishing Primer - Part I: Introduction http://www.poewar.com/t-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-38231 A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye » Blog Archive » Self-Publishing Primer - Part I: Introduction Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:09:30 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/archives/2005/03/05/t-self-publishing/#comment-38231 [...] self-publishing is definitely not for everyone. The Tricky Art of Self-Publishing by Foster J. Dickson at Writer’s Resource Center gives a brief overview of the topic and suggests some cases where self-publishing is [...] [...] self-publishing is definitely not for everyone. The Tricky Art of Self-Publishing by Foster J. Dickson at Writer’s Resource Center gives a brief overview of the topic and suggests some cases where self-publishing is [...]

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