Tag: self publishing

Uncategorized, Writing

Considering Options …

carolyncordon

Having options, thinking about them, talking about them with others who’ve done the same kind of thing before, these are always good things to do, no matter how you feel about how things are going. But even if you think about it and discuss it, but stay with the same mindset, it’s still a good thing.

If the thing you are thinking about doing in the same way as usual, still seems like the easiest way, and especially if it already something you know how to do, and have done successfully in the past, then, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? I think so. And because I think how I’m looking at doing things a particular in the future, because they’ve worked in the past, then I’m staying with that.

Thinking about it is a good thing. Thinking is a good thing. Doing things the same way, always with never any further consideration about other methods, that isn’t a good thing at all. I’m a writer, I write things, and work to have them published, in various ways. I’ve self-published, I’ve been published by professional publishers. I’ve made money in both of these ways.

One of the methods is simpler in many ways, put together a collection of my poetry, send it to a poetry publisher and wait. Simple. Or write something else entirely, put it together into a book format, or as close as I can get to that, have a friend do illustrations, wait while they happen, put the illustrations into the proposed book, look at it, make it as good as i can, take it to the printer, work with them, get it printed.

I’ve used both of these methods. The ‘do it myself’ version was early on in my writing career, and it went so well, I went on to do two more books in a series, with another book being thought about, and will happen, at a later stage. This Covid-19 pause in our lives has slowed the progress on that, and so has the other project I’m working on, which is actually Covid-19 related.

Self-publishing means self-promoting as well, and at the moment, self-promoting for me is limited to doing things on Social Media, and I’m doing that, to some extent. I’m not selling thousands of books, constantly, but apart from my most recent outlay, I’m well in front with money going out and money coming in, for my self-publishing endeavours.

With my own books, I have very small print runs, so I don’t end up burdened with lots of boxes filled with thousands of books. Instead, I order a hundred if I have a bigger event to attend, and fifty if I’m only ‘topping up’ what I have left. I usually have copies of my books with me if I go out anywhere I might have an opportunity to find a book buyer. In my self-published books, I cover a range of topics, from serious, to amusing – sexual abuse, chronic illness, and most recently, my broken ankle at the serious side, to various angles on dogs being dogs, at the amusing side.

In my published by trade publishers, I have a children’s school reader, and two poetry collections, one about the animals I come across in my life, the most recent, about my broken ankle. Both of these books are available from me, and from Ginninderra Press.

So given that my books are ‘out there’ and available, and bearing in mind that my printer of choice is in a town I visit at least once a week, I am extremely content with my chosen path with my self-publishing endeavours, and with Ginninderra Press, with the two books of mine they have published – Tense and Still, and Angles on Ankles.

But talking with my friend the other day about some of these issues was a pleasant lunch time meeting up, with lovely food bought from a sweet little cafe in a lovely town not too far away from my home. Freeling was the town, and even though I live relatively close to that town, I certainly don’t know it very well. I saw more of it than I have at any other time, mostly because I forgot to bring my mobile phone, and neglected to check the details of my friend’s address.

I thought I knew her address, but even though I had the street name correct, I got the number wrong initially, I had remembered to bring my laptop with me so was able to check the correct number and I found her place then. All was well. Getting the address correct is a good thing, if you need to find where you want to go!

The road I was looking for is the main road in Freeling, Hanson Road, and because it’s the main road, there are no signs telling the ignorant visitor that is the road they’re driving on. So even though I was moderately confident I was on the ‘right track’, it was still a little unnerving to be out without my phone and a little bit unsure of where I was and where I was going … Not lost, but unnerved for sure. It all turned out fine though.

Have you ever had that kind of experience? I actually knocked on a couple of doors, to perhaps get some help, but no-one answered my knocking. I’m glad that didn’t matter. Why not tell me your horror ‘lost’ story, I’d love to commiserate with you!

Uncategorized

So the Word is Out …

carolyncordon

Today, I had a message on ‘Facebook’, the way it sometimes happens, and it was someone sort of assuming I’d do something, and it wasn’t something I really do, but it is, actually now. And because this thing seemed like an interesting thing to do, I went along with it, and said some things in reply, leading to more things back, and so it is, I am going to edit and publish, something else, someone else’s big idea thing, that is good, and community driven and absolutely fantastic, if it happens …

And part of my role is to help to make it happen, if the words come, and the story grows until the time has come for it to become a book … So it suppose it’s official, I am seen (at least by a few people) as the go to person to get a book published … At the moment, I do that as a self-published writer, doing my own thing with it all, in the best way I know how to do it.

And given I have eight books published, some self-published some not, I guess I have a fair idea about the ins and outs of publishing, in a small way. And if I wanted to make that a bigger way, not a small way, well, you learn by doing, don’t you? Step by step, doing more things, bigger things, spreading the word, and range, and bang, there you are, you’re doing it.

My first book was a bit of a joke-thing, there was an idea, and some words, and a person (Ally Hean), who was my friend, and she is a great illustrator, so we just put the words together with some of Ally’s illustrations, saw a printer and made it into a book, printing out copies of it and selling the books. After that first book, I made two more in a series, self-published a memoir and a poetry collection. I’ve had a school reader published, and two more poetry collections (the most recent one a chapbook).

Three of my books, the one on the right is the first one. “Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs”

As well as that writing, I’ve also been the editor of a newsletter for the town closest to my home, co-editing, then editing it, and getting it printed, for around fifteen years. I enjoy doing this and being involved with others to get their information out to other people living in and around that town (Mallala is the town, and the newsletter is the Mallala Crossroad Chronicle)

At the moment, I’m working on an Anthology, and am calling for submissions of poetry and prose from other poets/writers to feel a book of words about this Covid-19 pandemic. This is possibly my biggest writing project, and is already the one that involved the most people. I’m enjoying reading the various responses to this call, and am looking forward to getting it all put together and printed.

I’ve had people from my country, Australia submit work for this, as well as people from other countries. If you think this is an interesting project, and would like to be involved, send up to three poems of thirty lines or less, and/or up three pieces of to 3,000 words of prose (fiction or non-fiction), to me at kittycordo@gmail.com – I’d love to read your words, and if they’re acceptable, they’ll be included in the anthology. The title will be “Plague Invasion – Creative Writing in Response to Covid-19”.

This anthology-in-progress has taken up much of my time since I thought of the idea, and decided I wanted to do it. But now, today, in fact, a friend has asked me to be involved helping with a book project, one that sounds very interesting as well, but of a different genre … I’ll be writing some words for the book, and will be editing it too.

So yes, I’m a writer and poet, and I am definitely an editor as well. And the way my thoughts are going, I’m possibly going to become an actual publisher, rather than only a self-publisher … We’ll see how that goes. I can see this year and into the next is going to involve a lot of editing of other people’s words, as well as my own. And I like the sound of that, a lot!

Being a publisher though, will involve a lot of administrative work, and I don’t like that anywhere near as much. It isn’t anywhere nearly creative enough for my taste. Ah well, if that’s what it takes, I’ll have to do it, perhaps with others, not just myself … Life is made up of many things, and getting out one thing sometimes has to happen before a next thing happens, so it can work out well. I’m prepared for that.

Any advice about this Publisher thing though, will be happily and gratefully received!

covid 19

Self Publishing is Fun?

carolyncordon

For my most recent writing project, the publication of an Anthology about how the Covid-19 is affecting people, I’ve had some decisions to make, and have been umming and ahhing about them. One of these decisions has involved thoughts about proper compensation for contributors to the anthology “Plague Invasion – Creative Writing in Response to Covid-19”.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Some of the contributors are new to such things, and are thrilled to be having their words published in such an important book. Others are glad such a book is being printed, and are happy enough about that, with no call for compensation. There are contributors from overseas, not just Australians, and some of those overseas contributors have indicated happiness with just being in the book, with no expectations beyond just being in the book.

I’ve been pondering these matters, thinking about what I can afford, what my costs are, and how much I can afford. I’ve self published several books, so far, and have never ended up out of pocket in any major way. That is, unless I factor in my time, of course. But a writer is who I am, and writing is what I do, so I’m enjoying myself, doing the various things needing to be done.

So I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to provide a free copy of the book to all contributors, but will ask for postage and handling from overseas contributors. I am funding this Anthology out of my own pocket, and don’t want to send myself broke. I can afford a certain amount, but not too much … So I will cover the postage and handling costs in sending these free copies of this book to contributors who live in Australia.

So that’s that. There will be a book launch, I hope in the early part of 2021, and books will be available there for contributors, (one free copy), as well as copies available to all others there for the launch. Copies will also be available at the launch for contributors to purchase at half price, for them to keep, give to others, or sell, at whatever price they want to ask. (As long as they don’t sell them at the launch, when I’m also trying to sell books).

Copies will be available to contributors from overseas, on payment of postage and handling costs to my designated account. Unless of course they come to the book launch, when they will get their free copy! (joke there, of course!)

And there’s one really good thing about being involved in the publishing of this book – I now don’t have to think about how to spell PLAGUE!

As always, I welcome further comment about these thoughts of mine.

Uncategorized, Writing

Why Get Published?

carolyncordon

What does ‘getting published’ mean?

Getting your words published can mean many different things to different people, and the reasons for wanting it to happen can also be quite varied. For some, posting your words to your own blog, or perhaps getting a letter to the editor in the local paper is enough, for others, getting published by a major book publisher with world-wide distribution is what they want.

There are many variations too. Some people post their words to literary magazines, either print or online, some people publish newsletters with their own words in them. Some people have their words published in newsletters such newsletters, and find that is enough for them.

If you have a hobby and like to write about it, you may write comments or articles on Social Media and find satisfaction in that way of ‘getting published’. And the reasons why can be varied too. Some people are more interested in spreading the word about only one thing, and there is nothing wrong with that. Other people are interested in a wide range of things, and write about a great many things, for many different publishing avenues.

20190505_114825

‘Publication’ benefits

Whatever the method you find to be published, if you are a writer of any kind, getting your words ‘out there’ is bound to be beneficial. We writers tend to have a desire to tell other people about the things we find important.

So obviously being published is going to be a necessary part of letting other people read our words, and so share our story, tell our truth, teach a lesson, or entertain and amuse people. These are all valid and fine reasons, and being able to do them will help the writer to feel validated, valued, understood, and appreciated by others.

That is a benefit for the heart and soul perhaps, but another less ‘spiritually worthy’ reason for desiring publication is to get payment from the publication of your words. This may be by having books published and sold by a mainstream publisher, or by a printer, or even by photocopying your words and selling little mini-books.

All of these are valid methods for publishing your words, depending on what you write, how you want it to be presented, who you want to read your words, and so on, but all of the methods can result in books you can sell for money. Having a website where you can display your book/s for sale will certainly be beneficial, if you have a book, or books that will attract an audience that will want to buy themselves their own copy.

If you live in Australia, and you publish a book, if a copy of your book is sent to the National Library, and your own State Library by you or by your publisher, you may well receive Public Lending Right, which is a payment the author may receive for each of their books in libraries. It will also show your book to libraries and others wishing to buy books.

 

Getting your Story Out

If you have an idea, a theme, a life story that you feel others will benefit from, you will want to let others know about it. Getting published is the best way to spread the word about your words. Others may want to know about your story, so if you can get the news of your book, your words published, in the media, such as newspapers or magazines, this will be of great value for your cause.

Having a website is a great and easy way to be ‘published’. It doesn’t have the obvious benefits that a book to but has, but it can lead to other people reading your words, for sure. And if you write enough blog posts, you may well have enough words eventually on your blog, for them to be published as a book, either by you, or by another publisher. If getting financial recompense for your words is something you want, then it’s certainly possible to sell copies of your book/s via your own website, or that of your publisher if your books are published by another publisher.

Self-publishing is becoming more and more an acceptable method for books to be published, circumventing mainstream publishers. Libraries will buy self-published books, if the books are deemed good enough and interesting enough for the libraries readers.

Without being ‘published’ in some form, you will have to rely on less effective ways to spread your words. Word of mouth is useful, but even if you have hundreds of family and friends, they may not all talk about your writing, and may not know many relevant people to talk up your book to! It is a wonderful feeling to sign a copy of your book which someone has just bought!

So if you can get word about your books published, it can lead to more of your books being published, which can encourage you to write more of your words, and that is a fine thing indeed. We can never have too many books in the world!

 

Uncategorized, Writing

Marketing Books, Some Previous Thoughts

carolyncordon

Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs

The link just above will give some information about marketing a self-published book. It isn’t the only way to market our books, it’s just information about how I did it. It may be useful, I hope it is interesting.

That information is ten years old, and while some things have changed, certainly other things remain the same. I am still doing small print runs of the book talked about, “Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs”. I have a soft spot for that book which I still send copies of, every now and then, in fact I sold another copy just a week ago, at an event I participated in.

For me, having books available if I am out and about at things where at least some of the people present, are open to the idea of buying books, is always a good idea. I in fact sold, not only Dig It!, at that event last weekend, but I also sold the two books that come after Dig It! I put the price down low, but I didn’t mind that at all. The person I sold the books to is a friend, she is a dog owner too, and I have already sold enough copies of the books to cover my costs, so any further sales are profit …

So if you go and look at the link above, which is also here, you’ll see that I was pretty laid back in my attitude to producing books. I am still more or less like that. I have moments when I chastise myself about missing out on sales, opportunities and so one, but really, the most important thing is that I’m not sending myself broke with my bookish things, and that I am having fun with what I do.

And isn’t that a key to living a book life? Having fun, having enough money to do what you want to do. I’ve sold more copies of this simple little book with illustrations, than many big name authors, published by actual publishing companies, I think. I’m not sure on that, unlike those publishing companies, I don’t have any accounting types of people collecting the numbers for me.

The book mentioned in the article I link to, the one that I published through Lulu, has pretty well disappeared from my life. I no longer know my log in details for my Lulu account, and I barely even remember what that book I wrote said. I could look it up, if I really cared, I supposed, but my level of interest in it has just disappeared.

Oh well, such is life!