The things I learned today....

Beginning of this month, I purchased a press release kit from my publisher, iUnivers, for $300 (always negotiate for a discount). I would provide the info (via questionnaire) and they would craft a press release (which I thought was pretty good). The package included, along with the press release, up to 300+ media contacts to which my publisher would send out my press release via email. I thought I just needed to wait for a request for an interview or for a free review copy of my book.

I thought this sounded like a good thing...until I hit a brick wall of reality this afternoon. These media outlets receive tons and tons of press releases like mine and unless I stand out, I don't have a shot. A very nice gentleman who was an editor at one of the local papers called me back and we had a good talk. I learned a lot, but the bottom line is that, even for a local paper, I don't really have a chance at a feature or a review until I sell about 1,000 books (at least! He said he'd love to talk to me if I had sold 10,000!). And I can't sell that many books until I get the word out. So, where does that leave me? Well, it leaves me with more determination to work hard and see this thing through, with one book at a time.

Ultimately, do I think it's worth the money? I'm not sure. If I hadn't done this, I would wonder if I should have done and second guess my decisions for a while. Would I do it again for another book, if I do self-publish another one? No. I already have the media outlet list for my area and I have an example of what a press release should look like. So, a definite no.

My goal for this blog is to share the info I have so that the next person who decides to self-publish would have a little bit of head start on this awesome and bewildering business called publishing (maybe it should have been self-publishing, but I've heard similar stories from the writers from small presses).

I am usually a very optimistic person, but today was difficult. This was just one example of how today went. I have four pages of missed connections and disappointments. But at the end of the day, my children and I went for a long walk and everything was well in my world again.

Finally, iUniverse sent out 317 emails to the media outlets around my area, but how many will actually request a free review copy or an interview, I don't know. My intelligent guess is that it'll be dismally small, but I live in hope, prayer, and laws of attraction.

The title of my blog should have been Misadventures of a first time author.... The thing about first time anything is that you don't know what you should do or what questions you need to ask to figure out what you don't know. All this is very difficult to do on its own, but it gets incrementally more difficult when people who are in the know only gives you one bit of information at a time. Not out of maliciousness, but out of sheer indifference. So, at the end of the day, you have to go back over and over to get all the information. Yuk!



So, here it is. If there's anyone out there who is reading this, here's what you need to do before you think about setting up a book reading/book signing event at a library. I'm told that very few people will attend a book readin/book signing of an unknown or a first time author (even at a big library, supposedly only three or so will show up). So, you really want to get a book club to "sponsor" you. The most important librarian an author needs to talk to is the librarian in charge of book clubs. Most often, you need to send a review copy for the librarian to read before she makes her decision. After four visits, I was finally told this (after having talked to four different librarians). So, after having filled out event application with all the paperwork requested, I'm back to square one. Still need to convince the book club librarian to even request a review copy from me. Wish me luck.

Talked to the branch manager of my hometown library yesterday. She's going to read the book and then decide:
1) if she'll put it in circulation.
2) if she'll recommend it for a book club selection.
3) if she'll allow me to book a book reading/signing event at the library.

We had a really good talk and I have a positive feeling about this. She really liked the cover. Thanks, Fred!

Checked on my royalties. iUniverse will only send a royalty check if it's over $100 for the quarter. Well, at this rate, I think it's going to take a couple of quarters, at least, to make that happen. Still, it's unreal to think that I'm collecting royalties. Yipee!

My royalties to date:
July '09 $22.44
August '09 $14.21

Background

My husband told me to blog when I first started down this path in early Feb 2009, and I should have listened. It would have been nice to document this crazy and wonderful process of self-publishing.

After receiving more than my share of "positive rejection" letters, I've decided to self-publish my book, Waiting for Appa. I would have never considered this option before reading the Time's article on the publishing industry.

After eight months of work (beside the important work of writing), my first book reading/signing may be just around the corner. I'm discovering that marketing is a big part of being a writer. I wish I had more time to write. I'm crossing my fingers and wishing for the very best.