Finally! A book I can hold (and so can others)
by Sharon Lee Willing
(Tucson, AZ - USA)
Republic Pictures publicity photo
After joining two writers' groups and attending every conference/seminar/workshop I could afford (including one-on-one 15-minute sessions with an agent, a publisher and a producer), I was beginning to feel that I had a handle on the ins-and-outs (not many ins, I found) of the vagaries of the publishing world. I amassed a library of handbooks, how-to manuals, and even took a correspondence writing course. Hours were spent reading and studying every piece of material I could find, assuring me that if I followed the instructions, I would have an excellent chance to 1) land an agent, and/or 2) have my manuscript at least read by a publisher. Days and months turned into years of composing and mailing synopses of my writing projects and query letters to every publisher I had researched in the manner deemed to assure me of success, but, alas, 'twas all in vain. I decided to take matters into my own hands.
As I look back on it, I'm surprised that I didn't do more research into self-publishing. As it was, I saw a one page advertisement in the newsletter published by one of the writer's groups to which I belonged and telephoned the company. They have a local office and I was impressed with the friendly and professional manner of the representative with whom I spoke. I requested a (free) book the company made available so I could get an idea of the quality of their work and it arrived in short order. I made an appointment to meet with a sales rep and we talked about my book project, which was still in the process of being completed (June 2006). I was given a copy of their publishing agreement and when I got home, I downloaded all the information available on their Web site.
Yes, self-publishing (the term, "independent author," is becoming more accepted) can be expensive, depending on just how many offerings are available/utilized through a company. I can't speak to the use of a printing company as that was never an option for me. The local (self-) publishing company I chose has many capabilities available to authors. Although I'm a good proofreader, there is value to having one's work edited and proofed by professional eyes, so that was a definite service I wanted. Also offered (in 2006) were Indexing, Image Acquisition for the Book Cover, Hardcover Edition, Printed Page and Cover Proofs, Image Placement, Image Scanning, Footnotes/Endnotes, Index Inclusion, Official Copyright Registration, Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) Data and CDF-ROM Archive. I opted to provide the Index myself after I received the PDF proof of my book (my editor was amazed I was able to provide one so quickly - over one weekend) and I provided the cover photo, which my editor incorporated into the nice color design you see above, and the many photos used inside. I opted for the soft cover rather than hard, only because it was less expensive and I let the company create the table of contents, because it was free. Most important: even though a work is deemed copyrighted the minute it's put down on paper, having it officially copyrighted is highly and strongly recommended. Its main value: the work holds up in court, should one ever have to defend ownership.
I think the most important thing to be cognizant of when deciding to become an independent author: If one goes with a company (as opposed to using a printing house), one MUST make certain that the author retains all rights not granted to a publisher. In my case, I granted to the publisher, during the term of the agreement I signed, "the nonexclusive worldwide rights to print, publish, and sell the work in book form". "Nonexclusive" simply means, for instance, that should a regular publishing house become interested in printing and distributing my work, I have the right to negotiate and accept a different contractual arrangement with them. Or, in the happy event that Hollywood should approach me with an offer for movie rights, Hallelujah! I'm ready.
Because my book is a biography of my late husband who was a nationally known singer/entertainer/movie actor of yore, my marketing efforts have been geared toward capitalizing on that popularity. I have traveled to Tennessee, Texas and California; I've been interviewed on Internet radio, given talks, held book signings. Of super assistance has been my relationship with the current "Riders of the Purple Sage" singing group based in Los Angeles. I have tried to attend as many of their performances as possible, especially when they perform with symphony orchestras (as they have in California, Texas and Arizona), and they let me include copies of my books on their tables along with the group's CDs for sale.
I had decided to spend one entire year concentrating on marketing and have done so. As of this writing ('08), I'm now researching for another biographical project dealing with my great-grandfather who went down on the Titanic. That will necessitate a Spring '09 trip to the Regional Archives at the University of North Dakota in Fargo where 123 (!) boxes of papers and documents relating to my family (from 1856 through 1967) and its Bonanza Farming company await my perusal. Stay tuned!
Visit Sharon's site.
