The Story of the Student Athlete Handbook for the 21st Century

by Christine Grimes
(San Marcos, TX)

After playing fastpitch softball for over ten years, earning a NCAA scholarship, coaching, and going to to pursue two master degrees, I found that I had a unique base of knowledge on both applying to college and what it takes to be a collegiate athlete and be recruited. In my experience teaching freshman in college, I learned that many students had bumbled their way through the application and scholarship process and many student athletes were missing out on opportunities by waiting to be recruited.

So I began to write The Student Athlete Handbook for the 21st Century. I included my own knowledge as well as interviews and excerpts from coaches, professors, and students. I also included a lot of internet links and resources because I began to find that students had no problem finding addresses and information, but they struggled with getting started, finding the proper resources, and knowing what to do when. So I made sure to include those topics in my book. I focused on making it accessible to high school students and formatted it in much the same way as many webpages. It has text boxes, quotes, and dos and don'ts, as well as the core information.

When I sent out query letters to various editors, I found that they thought scholarships had already been covered, albeit in a much different and imposing format, and that it wasn't a big seller.

So I began to shop self-publishing sites. While most seem to charge large start up fees, want to provide editors and layout people, etc., Lulu was the affordable and practical offer for me.

While I had to find a bar code company, a graphic designer, my own editor, and piece it together on my own, I was satisfied with the final product and saved possibly several thousand dollars in the process. I used a professional editor who was a friend and she directed me towards a graphic designer who did the cover. I had another friend design my website. Finally, I shopped the internet for bar codes (barcodegraphics.com) and marketing materials and used PsPrint for most of my bookmarks, postcards, etc.

I used LULU POD and ordered my own copies (and went through five or more proofs) before releasing it. Then I worked with Barnes and Noble and Amazon and sent them copies of my book to be listed. It does take an investment of time to do this but I made over $1200 last year through online sales through these companies (through LULU) at only $3 a book coming back to me. Barnes and Noble I sent my information and worked to list the book. Amazon I uploaded the cover image, sent them a PDF, and had trouble with them being able to read the font on my book. It did take some follow up and time to get resolved.

The first large order of 500 books I received from LULU had serious problems. Over 1/3 of the books were printed with flaws such as the text being too high or low on the page, boxes being cut off on the page, and pictures showing up in the wrong spot on the page. However, I contacted them, sent the books back, and they replaced them. I have not had another problem since.

I would recommend Lulu if you have the time to invest in self-publishing. It takes more time and effort, but if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have my book out there.

I've also found, when I make the effort to market my book, it does very well. When I sit back and let the online markets do it, it takes more time but there is still some traffic.

While it takes more time and effort, it is rewarding to have published a book.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Visit Christine's website.