Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” William Shakespeare
One of the greatest aspects of being a writer today is that we have so many routes to publication. But sometimes the very thing that makes the process exciting also creates dilemmas. It pays to do your research.
There are pros and cons to each route. Here is an excellent article on factors to consider when deciding to go with a small press: Vanity Press in Small Press Clothing.
Preditors and Editors is another valuable resource for writers and authors seeking agents, editors and publishers.
My Decision-making Process:
I tend to suffer from an ailment which I will label “paralysis of analysis.” The only two times in my life I did not honor this well-practiced modus operandi was when I decided to get married. But I digress and that’s the subject of my first memoir Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse. I took an uncalculated leap of faith and ended up falling into an abyss I had to climb out of.
Any other big decision—having a child, choosing a college, deciding on a career change, retiring from my nursing career, etc– had me writing out lists of pros and cons, talking endlessly to family and friends about the decision and losing sleep.
But (and it’s what comes after the but that counts), this process has served a valuable purpose. When I do finally reach a decision, there is no question. There is a sense of rightness and finality. There is no turning back.
I have struggled with my decision on the best route to publication for my memoir.
To be honest, my favorite route is Indie publishing for the independence, efficiency and sense of satisfaction in having creative control over my work. I feel strongly that anyone who self-publishes has to work twice as hard to maintain the same level of excellence as the author of a traditionally published book. If writers maintain a commitment to excellence by creating their own team of professionals—editors, cover designers, formatters, etc- there should be no difference between an Indie published book and a traditionally published book.
We are entrepreneurial authors in charge of our works.
And, no matter which route to publication we choose, there is no easy way. It’s all hard work, both the writing and the marketing.
As authors, we take the responsibility for learning our craft and promoting our book.
Like any other major decision in life, I had to factor in individual issues such as chronic illness, age, family life, time. I’ve been more aware of the passing of time lately. I don’t mean that in a morbid, negative way. Rather a life affirming way, where my time with my family and friends is precious. I don’t want to lose sight of what matters the most in my life. Writing is a passion for me but I am aware of how it keeps me from being present to my family and friends.
After months of deliberation, I have made a final decision based upon what I feel is best for me, for now. I have taken the time to get to know a small publisher whom I have grown to trust and value for his sound advice and for his experience in the publishing world. I have found a partner to assist me in the process of launching my “baby” into the world and I couldn’t feel more satisfied.
About Paul Burt and Pen and Publish, Inc:
His name is Paul Burt and he is the Founder/President of Pen and Publish, Inc. Pen and Publish was established in 2005 to work with schools and nonprofits to professionally publish student collections. They have added adult titles and collaborative/traditional-hybrid imprints Transformation Media Books (body/mind/spirit) and Open Book Press.
They also provide publishing services for small presses and individual authors.
Paul reached out to me on social media. He found me when I left a comment on Dan Blank’s WriterUnboxed post ,then he visited my site and left a comment on my post. So goes the power of making meaningful connections via social media.
It pays to show up!
So why did I choose Pen and Publish out of all the options available?
Communication: It takes time to establish trust, especially in this current publishing environment where companies prey on vulnerable new authors. We both would be taking a risk so we had to spend some time getting to know each other. After several hours on the phone, and many emails back and forth, we forged a partnership. In the end, we were willing to take the risk on each other. Paul answered my emails promptly which was one of my criterion. Several other publishers were not as responsive.
Collaboration: Paul has taken the time to guide me in edits and marketing activities while leaving the decisions—title, book cover, marketing, crowdfunding– up to me. I feel like I have the best of both worlds, an experienced publisher to guide me and creative control over my work in progress. We are working together on a Pubslush pre-marketing campaign to help spread the value of the book. TBA
We are working on making this a win-win-win situation for him as the publisher, me as the author and, ultimately, for the reader.
Credibility: In his LinkedIn profile , Paul describes himself as a “social entrepreneur with a focus on win-win-win results.” He has fifteen years of book publishing experience as well as prior experience in nonprofit fundraising, printing industry sales and sales supervision. My conversations with Paul bore out these descriptions. I could have listed these attributes without reading his profile.
A Few Key Features of an Author Friendly Contract that factored into my decision:
*Gatekeeping services: access to editing, book cover designers, marketing plans.
*Quickly increasing royalty percentages linked to book sales.
*Print and Digital distribution with access to international markets and wider distribution channels.
*Upfront Costs: no fee to publish.
*Accessibility to publisher for ongoing questions/support.
*Copyright ownership maintained by author.
*Provision to cancel without cause.
Here are the lessons I’d like to share that may help you in your own publishing decisions:
1. Be clear on your publishing objectives: mainstream, POD, digital version only,etc.
2. Study available options. The market is saturated with how-to books. Here is a post with a list of resources that helped me.
3. Take time to be clear on your own needs related to finances, personal, time,etc.
4. Be realistic about the pros and cons of each route as it relates to your needs.
5. There is no one right way.
6. Honor your needs and make a decision that fits in with those needs.
7. Move forward in faith and hope, knowing you have been true to yourself and your prospective readers.
Find the best way for YOU to get your book into the hands of your readers.
We all have to find our own way through the maze of options. Best wishes on your journey to publication!
I’d love to hear your comments and am happy to respond to any questions. Paul has also agreed to be available for comments. Please leave your comments below~
Announcement:
Congratulations to Clara Bowman-Jahn for being the winner of Saloma Miller Furlong’s memoir, Bonnet Strings!
This week:
Thursday, 4/24/14: “Journaling as Seed for Memoir: A Memoir Moment”
Congratulations on reaching this landmark decision Kathy, and on finding a publisher willing to take that risk with you. I’m thrilled for you and wish you every success as you put the finishing touches on this project.
Sharon, thank you for jumping right in with all your support. I appreciate your comments and your sharing of my post on Facebook. It really does take a village to get to this point and I’m honored to have you in my village! It’s always so much nicer to be able to share these milestones with good friends.
Thanks, Kathy. I have been wondering about your publisher and how you got there. Seems like a very wise and guided choice. Have you a ballpark estimate of date of publication?
Christina
Hi Christina, we have a “ballpark estimate ” of a summer launch. Lots to do by then. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes as you finish your semester and prepare for the real graduation. 🙂
What a wealth of information you are sharing with us newbie authors to publication in memoir. Though I have quite a ways to go till publication, it’s good to research your options earlier on in the game. My main concern is the amount of royalties authors are now paid. This is why I feel strongly about going the self-publishing route though I’m not 100% sure. The points you are making about traditional vs. self-publishing authors are spot on. It looks like you really did your research. How long did you research your options and at what stage of the writing did you start researching?
Thanks for all the sharing you do for us authors!
Dorit Sasson
Giving a Voice to Your Story
http://www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
Hi Dorit, thanks for stopping by and sharing in my milestone celebration! And thanks for asking the question. The research was ongoing, though I didn’t do it in earnest until my first draft had been revised several times via professional editors and read by beta readers. I think it’s important to concentrate on craft and getting your story in the best possible form before focusing your efforts on a publishing decision. When I felt I was getting close, which was about six months ago, I moved forward with queries. The feedback was extremely helpful in determining what more I needed to do. It’s an ever-evolving process. I’m still editing but it feels like a polishing phase. Bottom line–we have to find our own way–based on our specific needs– to get our books into the hands of our readers. I hope this answers your question. Let me know. I wish you the best in your memoir writer’s journey.
Good morning Kathy! We are honored to add your wonderful memoir to our Open Books Press titles. But, you are the real treasure–an author who has honed her craft and set a foundation for success.
You have set an excellent example for your readers by truly giving unselfishly as you’ve built relationships and your “platform.”
I would add only one tidbit implied in your lessons: clearly define success for you. For some seeing their book in print and sharing it with family and friends is enough. Others want to create a full time income and/or be famous. Many memoir writers, like you, have a message to share with their audience, and book sales are a reflection of your progress. Knowing what success means to you will help determine the level of commitment required to make your dream a reality, and for each of you to find your “right” path.
If I can be of service, I am happy to answer questions in comments or privately.
Thanks for stopping by and offering your kind words and support, Paul! I appreciate your comments about how defining “success helps determine the level of commitment to make your dream a reality.” You are helping me to do that and I am very grateful. I hope others will feel free to ask you questions.
I applaud you for the thoughtful manner in which you chose your publishing route, Kathy. Your careful decision making process does, I’m certain, give you confidence that you’ve chosen the path that is right for you. Best wishes for the next leg of your journey. I’m so looking forward to reading your story!
Thank you, Linda! When I read your comments, I flashed back to the launch of your lovely memoir, Two Hearts and how much in awe I was of your ability to get your story out there. You became an inspiration to me early on in my journey. Thank you so much for sharing in my milestone and for inspiring me to get to this point!
Congratulations Kathy on this important milestone. Again, you have shared much hard-won information with the rest of us. Thank you!
Dear Marlena, I appreciate your ongoing support and well wishes. Thanks very much for stopping by!
Kathy, you’ve always been so gracious and generous with what you’ve learned, and this post fits right along with that. Thank you, my friend, for sharing, and Congratulations to you for finally making a decision!
I, too, struggle with sitting on that fence, so I know how uncomfortable it can be. You don’t want to be hasty and make the wrong choice; neither do you want to tarry so long that opportunities pass you by. Seems you’ve chosen wisely and well in partnering with Paul, and I wish you only the best with your “baby.”
Debbie, you’ve been right with me from the beginning and every step of the way. Yes, it is a relief to finally make a decision and I wish the same clarity for you with your novel. You are right , there is so much to weigh in the process. Thanks very much, as always, for stopping by and sharing your kind words and support.
Kathy, congratulations on reaching this important milestone! Also, thanks for ALL this information for those looking forward to publishing in the future. I’ll share it with others. I’m so eager to hold your book in my hands!
Smiles and hugs,
Linda
Dear Linda, I remember finishing your memoir, Letter From Grandma as I was landing in Missouri to visit friends. I was so touched by your story, I had tears in my eyes. That is the power of memoir when we share our stories. We can connect with others in such a meaningful way. Then meeting you –and hugging you in person–in Carrollton was truly the icing on the cake. Thank you for your ongoing support,friendship and inspiration on my journey.
Smile and hugs back,
Kathy
Kathy,
You have some awful publishers in the USofA; have you met any swindlers? We have them in the UK but I suspect controls are stricter. My books are non-fiction which is a radically different market; generally my books are commissioned and royalties are paid at 10% for hardback, 7.5% paperback, 12.5% reprints.. However I get a dozen copies free and can buy unlimited copies at half price altho I have to pay p&p on this latter. There have been a few private publishers who are honest but could not make a living; the quality of their products was really excellent. My ‘posh’ up-market magazine lists 5 or 6 almost “vanity” publishers having close relationships to eels! Jolly good memoire.
Hi David, there is always a “writer’s beware” caveat as the linked sites in my post indicate. That’s why doing our own research is so vitally important, not only to find the right publisher but find the right route to publication. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Thanks so much for The copy of Saloma Miller Furlong’s memoir, Bonnet Strings! I am looking forward to recieving it in the mail!
Congratulations to you for your making your publishing milestone.
Blessings to you! On your marketing journey! 🙂
Hi Clar, I hope you will enjoy Saloma’s memoir, Bonnet Strings as much as I did. Thank you for stopping by and joining in my milestone celebration. Blessings to you as you move forward in your memory writer’s journey. Keep us posted!
Congratulations, Kathy. So important to know yourself. I wish you the best with your publishing experience. I’m eager to read your memoir!
Thanks for stopping by, Carol. I appreciate your support and wish you the best with your wonderful new historical novel, Go Away Home!
Kathy, Good luck and I hope your publisher serves you well. I know how hard and how painstaking this journey has been for you.
I am so thrilled for you that EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS LEAD will soon be in the hands of readers. I know it will touch a chord among many – women who are dealing with or have once been in an abusive marriage – or even men who might see themselves or someone they know in the portraits of your two husbands and learn from your story. Job well done!
Painstaking is right, Susan! I’m so very grateful for your ongoing support and guidance along the way. Your vote of confidence and cheers have helped me get to this point. Thanks for joining in my celebration of this next leg of the journey. You have nailed my wish for my memoir–to help others make sense of their own stories.Thank you!
Congrats Kathleen! It sounds like a well-thought out choice and the Universe supported it. All the best!
Thank you, Andrea! I appreciate your support. 🙂
Kathy,
First of all, you deserve a wonderful publisher whom you can trust, and as I keep saying, you’ve done everything a writer needs to do to develop a following and publish a well-crafted and polished memoir.
You’ve also shown us how social media pays off in the long run. You are a shining example of an author who achieved success through perseverance and hard work. Do you know Muriel Demarcus? She writes the blog (www.frenchyummymummy.com) and lives in London. She was contacted by an agent through her blog. I look forward to our interview on May 1st. All the best my dear friend, Kathy. We’re all “gutsy” in this publishing maze today.
Sonia, I am truly honored and humbled by your generous support. You have been an ongoing source of inspiration and wisdom to all of us. I remember when we first met via social media. It has been wonderful learning from one another and being a part of such a vibrant and supportive community. Thank you for showing us all the true meaning of gutsiness.
Kathy,
Wow! Thanks for sharing all of your information about making the big decision. I’m caught up in trying to figure out what to do with my memoir and I know that what you pass on here will be hugely helpful to me.
Congratulations and I’m looking forward to reading you book.
Joan
Hi Joan, I’m thrilled you found the information helpful. I’m just paying forward what I have learned from so many others along the way. I love the camaraderie and in our community. I wish you the best in your own memoir writer’s journey. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Kathy, once again you have brought to your blog a post worthy of accolades because of the depth of your soul searching in making this decision and the resources you’ve provided to your readers. As you know, I’m working my way toward the same goal of publishing my memoir. What you have shared here, as well as your friendship and encouragement along the way, will be the guiding light in my decision making process.
Congratulations on finding the right fit and may your continuing journey be filled with multiple highs and few lows. It’s what you deserve!
Thanks so much Sherrey! I love how we connect through our stories. I remember how drawn in I was to your “Letters to Mama” series. Your friendship and encouragement have helped me to get to this point and I am grateful. Soon it will be your turn to release your “baby” into the world and I hope you know I’ll be one of your biggest fans. I appreciate all you do to show us all how writing can be healing.
Kathy, I am so excited for you and your book. I was honored to be asked for an endorsement, and I can assure all your readers that the book is worth the wait! We have all journeyed with you as you wrote and blogged and helped others along. This kind of step-by-step outline of the decision-making process will help many other writers.
I don’t usually include links to my own posts, but since so many people are weighing options, I share a post I wrote for Jane Friedman’s blog some time ago that may still be relevant.http://janefriedman.com/2013/07/30/better-than-fall-back-the-small-press-option/
Thank you, Shirley! I remember your launch of Blush so clearly , as well as your guest post on Jane’s blog, and all I learned from you. It is very helpful when we share our stories. In the end , we have to select the publishing option that best fits. It pays to do the research and learn from one another. I am so grateful for your ongoing encouragement and support and honored to have your endorsement.