Last week I had an idea. (Dangerous, I know.) There’d been a lot of Me, Me, Me thanks to Mousetrapped’s birthday week (I know it’s my blog, but still) but yet everyone seemed pretty interested in e-books. So why not get some other self-published e-book authors to talk about their experiences, their books and their success? A few e-mails and it was all arranged: an e-book themed Special Guest Star week. Starting us off is author Sally Clements. Welcome to Catherine, Caffeinated, Sally!
Thanks very much, Catherine, for having me here today – it’s great to get out of the house!
I’m a newly published author, writing romance and crime, although the only genre that I have ‘out there’ at the moment is romance. My first book, Catch Me A Catch, was published by The Wild Rose Press last July. I saw a mention of Wild Rose on the inkwell newsletter (which you can have sent to you, just check out inkwellwriters.ie) which is a great resource. Before being published, I wanted to hold a paperback in my hand with my name on the cover, and see myself on a shelf in bookshops everywhere (lol).
Once I started trying to become published I discovered how difficult this aim would be to realise. I decided to send the manuscript to Wild Rose, because I hadn’t really got to grips with the idea of self-publishing. And I also thought that I needed editing experience, which I hadn’t really had at that point. I found the entire experience very illuminating, learnt a lot, and scored a knockout cover, so I’m very happy to have gone with them for my first book. I’d also been through the Romantic Novelists Association new writers’ scheme, which gives great feedback on manuscripts for new writers.
As a bonus, Catch Me A Catch is up for the Joan Hessayon Award in May 2011, so I’ll be travelling to London to see how it’s fared. Wish me luck!
With my second book, Bound to Love, I decided to approach new UK publisher, Embrace Books. I wanted to get a feel for both markets, UK and US, and thought that publishing with Embrace would give me that opportunity. Once again, it was a positive experience, and Bound to Love came out on Valentine’s Day as one of their launch titles in both e-book and print.
In January, I’d become aware that a lot of other authors were doing it differently, and I liked what I was hearing about the self-publishing/indie option. I’d had a few short stories published in New York magazine, Love Stories Magazine, and had three unpublished stories that I thought would make a great collection. So after reading this blog, and carefully following all the instructions (which are great, so thank you, Catherine!) I produced New Beginnings, a collection of three, sweet romances about the beginnings of love. The release of New Beginnings coincided with Bound to Love, so I had two new books on Amazon on the same week! I also published on Smashwords, so that I had all markets covered.
I haven’t really any figures on sales so far, but it’s early days, and I feel I’m still getting my name out there. I’ve just altered my sales price on New Beginnings to 99c, and am spending a lot of time meeting new people on boards and blogs everywhere. I’ve found www.kindleboards.com very welcoming and interesting, although I’m a complete newbie over there, just joined at the beginning of April! I see no reason why an author should be constrained to one or other method of publishing – it’s so easy to self-publish, I think we should all give it a go!
In breaking news, I sold a new book yesterday to The Wild Rose Press, titled Love on the Vine, and I have another out for consideration. I’m working on a new story at the moment.
Thanks for having me again, Catherine! Love your blog.
A big well done to Sally – hoping to meet her in May at the RNA party!
Really looking forward to meeting you there, Talli!
Super interview, Sally!
Jx
Hi Sally – great interview. You’re on a roll with more to come! Great going – congratulations.
Judy
Hey,Sally, you’re a busy bee and no mistake! Some very interesting links in this interview, I’ll be having a good nose round, thanks for flagging them up.
I’ll also be at the RNA summer party and I’ll be rooting for you!
It’ll be interesting to see how all the different publishing routes fare once the figures are out – expect an email!
XXXX
Great post Catherine and Sally. And congratulations, Sally – you’ve achieved so much.
XX
Thanks Jane and Judy!
Really looking forward to meeting you at the summer party, Rach, should be good, Jane coming too!
Hi Suz, thanks for visiting!
Some fascinating information here Sally, I shall be checking out all the recommended reading!
I’m really looking forward to hearing how the self publishing goes Sally, you are on fire at the moment with all of your projects!
Print, eBook and self-published eBook – you really have covered all the bases! Congratulations Sally, and I really hope all your hard work pays off. It really will be fascinating seeing how each of these avenues fares.
Fabulous interview, Sally. I’m so proud of you for all your achievements. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us. You rock!!
Congrats on all your success Sally! Thanks for the great interview =)
Hi Cody, Jo, Rae, Maya and Lacey! Great to see you all and thanks for the comments!
This is a great blog, full of interesting facts and figures!
Well done on your sales Sally. Can’t wait to buy them – off to amazon now
Thanks, Kerrin!
Thanks everyone for commenting – and thanks Sally for posting! You’re welcome back any time!