Are you thinking of self-publishing?

Are you thinking of self-publishing?

It is a fact that many excellent novels never get as far as an editor’s desk, never mind the shelves of bookstores. Hardly surprising if many writers have no choice but turn to small publishing houses or self-publishing. 

Unfortunately, some writers think their books too good to need proof-reading, let alone editing, and the consequences of such arrogance (for arrogance it is when even top authors’ books may go through many edits) gives self-publshing a bad reputation. Even so, without the initiative of the very many self-publishing authors, and drive of the very small publishing houses, readers would be denied the present huge spectrum of creative literature and (more or less) have their choice of reading dictated by the powerful publishing houses (for obvious reasons). It takes a lot of money to launch new authors and promote books. 

Be that as it may, one or two self-publishers may find themselves with a winner. But this is rare.

ABOVE ALL — Think hard before you make your choice of a self-publishing firm. It is a good idea to buy one of their books so as to see the quality of what you are likely to get. A thin book with cramped tiny print and poor formatting, but with a high price tag, is bad for business — YOUR business.

(I understand LULU can be right for some authors. Not for me though, for various reasons.)

For bad experiences of trying to get published (and these are just some of them) visit my Wrinkly Writers site. Just how gullible can writers get in their pursuit to get published? A good point for discussion?

A popular well-informed literary blogger (and author) Michael Allen (aka Grumpy Old Bookman) 

  alas is no longer blogging but his web site still exists to inform and guide. He stated in one of his posts that sales of self-published books average eighty. Compared with hundreds of thousands of sales of the top selling authors, one might think this laughable! Not so. To hold your own book in your hand after very many months of writing, editing, rewriting and hopelessly submitting to many agents and publishers, this is a golden moment. Your baby is born. What’s more, once you have a few copies you can get the reaction of those who read your novel, and so get embroiled with the characters which you have created. There is a great deal of satisfaction in that alone. From there, you may be urged to write on or simply hug your book and be satisfied. 

I have my own Magpies Nest Publishing. Any of my books can be ordered from that site (post free in the UK) or through a good bookseller. 

Next year my books will become available as Ebooks by Dare Empire. And through affiliation, my trilogy will soon be printed and distributed in India through Cinnamon Teal. 

AGPress (USA)  use my ready prepared manuscript to publish my books and make them available in the USA and worldwide. These books are totally different. They are handcrafted, slightly larger and and soft to the touch. I have heard that handcrafted books can become collectors items. They certainly make a book gift that little bit different. AGPress is also a self-publishing publisher with a bookstore of its own although their books can be bought elsewhere. 

With the publishing of Checkmate — the third book of my trilogy — they now have all of my five novels for sale. 

AGPress has informed me that they will be holding a sale from Black Friday (11/26) to Cyber Monday (11/29) 50% off all books plus shipping. 

So if you have been wondering if this company is right for you, I suggest you first try one of my books (or that of another author) from them by ordering when the price is right!

They have also informed me that they are working on a box set for the trilogy and hope to have it ready soon with a sale price of $29.95. 

I have to say, their enthusiasm to get sales for their authors is impressive.

note — in the USA my Awakening Love — first book of the trilogy — is known as Desire

Hence:

Desire

Seduction By Design

Checkmate

All have excellent reviews — see them at the Magpies Nest Publishing site or go to my author blog.