A Writers Dilemma.

by Anne Lebrecht
(Laguna Woods, California)

Tales from the Heart

From the moment I learned to write I loved to doodle and write on a piece of paper. With a pencil in hand and a piece of paper,always close beside me.

As an adult I loved to write poetry and then I started to write short stories, and then articles and a novel. I worked most of my adult years, as a CFO in a large corporation, so most of my writing was on the weekends or a few spare moments when I could find the time.

Once I retired I found I had so much spare time I then began to write daily and loved every moment I spent. As the years went by I began to want to see my writing in print. I was like all writers, unable to call myself a writer unless I was published. Of course this was only my own perception, of what made a writer an author.

I began to submit my first novel "MEMORIES OF A FORGOTTEN PAST," and found that all I received were rejections. Frustrated and eager to accept failure I stopped writing. Time passed and I began again. Then accidentally I came across a publisher called Publish America, and they accepted my first novel. In the year it took for them to publish my first novel, I read so much against them, and about their reputation as a legitimate publisher. For me they were a dream come true and above all ethical in every way. They offered very little in editing, and that was fine with me. They used inside artists to produce the cover and I was thrilled. Once the book was out, I then realized that though my book was published for free, it was only my personal efforts that would sell my book. I also realized that they were making their profits from the books I personally bought and of course promoted. Not at all an unreasonable way to run a profitable business. In fact I admired their ingenuity.

By then I was not financially able to buy the books. Their price for a paper back was $19.95 and even at 50% off not affordable at the 50 plus copies I needed to buy.

However I was grateful for the work they did do for me, and the fact that my book was available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and all book stores through their catalogs.

I tried to have a book signing but found that again I needed to provide the books. Again I could not afford to do that. I then decided to give away a few books that I did buy myself at Amazon. I gave away books to small independent book stores in the hope that more would sell. None ever did.

I then opened a web site and bought a domain. I used a free site called freewebs.com

From home I constantly joined other sites and started to promote my book on line. I sent out emails to every name I knew and eventually had a group of email addresses to use. From this I did notice a few sales and then received a royalty check from Publish America.

I was finally a writer and my pride soared. I then started to write a sequel to my first novel called "DISCOVERIES OF A HIDDEN PAST." When finished, I again searched for an agent and or a publisher without success. I found that I really needed an editor and a lot of luck and or connections. I was well informed about the fraud's out there and though got many editors willing to read my manuscript for a fee, I knew to reject those as fraud's.

I then discovered iUniverse a self publisher. I realized that for less money than it took to buy the 50 books at 50% off at Publish America I could self publish and get a few free books and the sales price would only be $12.95 per book and that was more in line with the market price for a trade paperback.

My book was produced in less than two months and was available on line and for all book stores to order. Again they did an outstanding job of art work and the cover and printing were sensational.

I immediately set this book cover on my web site and started to promote it. I found the more reasonalble sales price amounted to many more sales. I then began another novel. "THE DAUGHTERS OF NORA CRAWFORD." I used the services of iUniverse once again. As a part of a promotion they offered a $100 payment for any referral that then used their services. I made two referrals and explained the money I would receive, but also that I would never refer anyone if I myself was not pleased. Both referrals decided to use iUniverse and so I received $200.

I then decided to use this money to submit a collection of my poetry, "SIMPLY POETRY." This resulted in several nice royalty checks from the two novels and poetry combined. I was still receiving a few dollars from my first book with Publish America.

By now when Googled my name came up with several web sites, on articles I wrote and some reviews that buyers had submitted online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. My pride swelled. I felt really accomplished.

I then read about a new program from Amazon called "Amazon Shorts." I applied to submit a story and though I got some rejections I kept submitting short stories until several were accepted.

This is a program where a customer downloads a short for 49 cents. I was amazed when I received my first royalty check.

After my contract was filled with Amazon, I then decided to submit a manuscript of a collection of short stories to iUniverse for self publication. "TALES FROM THE HEART."

I admit that because of some personal health problems I am at a disadvantage to promote more aggressively. I also must state that considering that I only promote from home and on my computer I am quite successful.

Yes, I am an author and I am published. I have learned so much about publishing, writing and about success. Very few authors make a good living from their writing. I fit in to that category but am very pleased to be where I am today. As an elderly retired individual I am busy writing and promoting and am happy at what I have achieved.

I encourage all writers to write, and to use whatever tools they can to seek their own success and happiness. I hope that my own story will start you on your way.

Please visit my website, read my bio and a synopsis of my books and of course I welcome all comments and will answer any and all questions.

Visit Anne's website.