Advice

Good stuff!

February 11, 2016 at 12:20 AM

A few years ago, my husband wrote a book.  It was a great book, and we wanted to have it published one day.  He had hired an editor to edit it in pieces, as we could afford it.  At that time, my husband was deployed, and I was sending receiving the chapters, printing and sending to the editor.  

During this time, I e-mailed Anne Rice, yes, Anne Rice!  I think I must have lost my mind.  I sent her a message, asking for her advice on publishing.  I had sent information requests to supposed publishing companies.  Their information was hazy as best.  Too much tiny print and too many pages of things to read and understand.  Bottom line, they all wanted money, a lot of it.  They had promises of fame and fortune, but I was skeptical.

I received an e-mail response from Anne Rice, not too long after I sent it.  I was blown away, to say the least.  She has been my hero since I was 19.  I started reading her books back then, and she had me since the first book.  She is magical!

Her advice surprised me, she said that what I had in mind was correct.  I was leaning towards self publishing through Blurb.  I had found out that the priest who gave me up for adoption had passed, while looking for him online in 2001.  I found out someone wrote a book about him, a picture book.  it was published through Blurb, that is how I discovered Blurb.

Anne Rice said that times are changing, and this is the way to go.  That publishers are very picky, and for a new author it is very difficult to get accepted.  She added that, most publishers we find online that do want us newbies, they want money.  They want us to pay to print many copies of the book, that we ultimately have to sell ourselves.  

And what about the promises of fame and fortune, of  success?  Well, the publishers will print the book, but we authors have to do our own leg work.  We still have to promote, and network, and promote some more.

Besides all that advice, I also learned through her words.  I wrote to her later on to tell her that we had self published my husband's book, and thank you for her advice.  I had other small communications with her.  She encouraged me to write.  When I doubted myself, she made me understand that, I may not be the best, I may not be the worst.  I shall not compare myself to other writers, i am me, I am unique.  I should go ahead and write what I wish without fear or doubt.   Just go forward, and write what I feel like writing.

I have done just that, and somehow, I was able to finish two novels with the help of my Daniel, and the encouragement of my husband.  I have just touched our books on Sunday for the first time.  it feels incredible!

I wrote a comment to Anne Rice today, and shortly after, I had a response.  I am touched and grateful.  She is a kind sweet soul.  I want to offer any other new authors that would like me to tell them how I did it, I can guide them, show them how I did it.  I want to help others how Anne helped me.  I can only pass on the knowledge I have, it is little, but it may help someone.

~Sam