tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5429490396754175272..comments2024-03-28T13:07:54.572-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Adventures in Self PublishingJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24781347491929403382018-07-08T13:07:24.262-04:002018-07-08T13:07:24.262-04:00Rhys, I heart your historical novels!Rhys, I heart your historical novels!Bibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91664308376768842712018-07-07T18:49:03.685-04:002018-07-07T18:49:03.685-04:00It's sometimes more trouble to read on my Nook...It's sometimes more trouble to read on my Nook because I read during the commercials. Now watching some shows on Netflix, and I miss my commercials! I buy e-books that I can't get as paperbacks or that are cheaper but they are mostly from my regular authors. I've tried a few new authors that show up as free on Book Bub. I don't have time to search for new Nook authors.<br /><br />Jenn, I bought your e-book. Rhys, is there ever going to be a sequel to Dreamwalker?Sally from PAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649707016754971847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84646845713260461962018-07-07T15:39:49.065-04:002018-07-07T15:39:49.065-04:00I have a delicate question to ask about self publi...I have a delicate question to ask about self publishing. An acquaintance had to pay $$$$ to have his book published. it is supposed to be self published though it looks like it was a company that prints the books for you. I was shocked by so many grammatical errors that I think there was no editing of the book before publication.<br /><br />Thank you for a great post!<br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88239973946203591112018-07-07T14:55:50.126-04:002018-07-07T14:55:50.126-04:00Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Jenn. ...Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Jenn. I haven't considered it myself, but never say never! Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27586916031217652602018-07-07T14:21:31.162-04:002018-07-07T14:21:31.162-04:00Yes indeed, count me as one of those diehard Frank...Yes indeed, count me as one of those diehard Frank Bennett fans! Loving the Palmyrton estate series too!Judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06777683026890358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64664708472938337042018-07-07T14:13:18.584-04:002018-07-07T14:13:18.584-04:00Jenn, thank you for explaining self-publishing and...Jenn, thank you for explaining self-publishing and the benefits to it. One of my favorite authors switched to self-publishing, and I didn't really understand why. Now it makes sense. I do think those, including you, Jenn, that have given the self-publishing method a go are brave to do so, but if successful, the rewards seem to be very much worth it. Congratulations on To Catch a Latte. I love the cover. Off to look it up on Amazon.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7956589520186207202018-07-07T10:57:23.607-04:002018-07-07T10:57:23.607-04:00I think the important point here is the fact that ...I think the important point here is the fact that many of the most successful self-pubbed authors already had published books and a readership who followed them to the self-published world. (No worries, Jenn, your rabid readers will find you!).<br /><br />As a newbie, it's hard to get noticed. It's hard to find anyone to read/preview your work--to give it a blurb on a blog, a shout-out in a review that isn't just posted on Amazon, for example. You need more than a great story, great editing and cover-art to get noticed. Flora Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13289148096894506235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64295236999744391702018-07-07T10:43:44.777-04:002018-07-07T10:43:44.777-04:00Thanks, Julia! Frank has some die-hard fans. I'...Thanks, Julia! Frank has some die-hard fans. I've published one more in the series, and I'm writing a new one now.S.W. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775130052850737713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24954200636051183152018-07-07T10:42:12.141-04:002018-07-07T10:42:12.141-04:00YA that ties into mythology is a hot sub-genre now...YA that ties into mythology is a hot sub-genre now. She should definitely do it. The cash outlay doesn't have to be that great. It's all a trade-off between time and money. Interior formatting is easy--there are so many programs to do that, and a young person can master them easily. A professional cover is a must, so that she'd have to pay for. Four or five keen-eyed beta readers is the equivalent of one paid proofreader (it just takes much longer). Best wishes for success!S.W. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775130052850737713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71619729941598696932018-07-07T10:33:28.913-04:002018-07-07T10:33:28.913-04:00WOW! This is amazing. Amazing! I had no idea. WO...WOW! This is amazing. Amazing! I had no idea. WO! Congratulations.<br /><br />But you are so right that what you have in your corner is that you are GOOD. And well-known. AND that you did it right. <br /><br />As proof that it's lucrative, people always cite the success stories---but it's revealing that they are always the same ones. Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07630366214207785339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35941523195476402112018-07-07T10:28:37.874-04:002018-07-07T10:28:37.874-04:00I have some short-short Millers Kill stories that ...I have some short-short Millers Kill stories that have appeared on one website or another that I've thought of self-pubbing. I may wait to see what the Smithie's experience is. She has a wonderful YA fantasy trilogy (involving the Norse Gods) that didn't get any bites when she sent it around to agents. Now she has something of a platform (as a newspaper columnist) I suggested she try self publishing them. I warned her she would have to invest money up front - having a professionally edited and formatted product with actual cover art seems to be key.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26082451256695497502018-07-07T10:23:56.611-04:002018-07-07T10:23:56.611-04:00Susan, I was so glad to see your Frank Bennett mys...Susan, I was so glad to see your Frank Bennett mysteries come back! I'm delighted you chose to go the indie route rather than let a great series die on the vine.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86550881171657919022018-07-07T10:13:09.983-04:002018-07-07T10:13:09.983-04:00I exited the traditionally published world when my...I exited the traditionally published world when my first mystery series was not renewed by Simon and Schuster. I wandered in the wilderness, clawing at the doors of the Big 5 New York publishers for a few years before deciding to try self-publishing. I have never looked back. My Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery series, which was rejected by every publisher in NY, has been selling like gangbusters since 2013, and I also got back the rights to all but one of my Frank Bennett Adirondack mysteries. Although I haven't made enough (yet) to buy a second home, I make WAY more than I ever did as a mid-list paperback original author. I love having total control, and I promote, promote, promote! Indeed, all you Jungle Reds authors are keywords in my Amazon ads (those books that show up as "sponsored products" on your book's product page.) So far, Rhys has produced best for me--not sure why, as my books aren't historicals, but experiment and learn! And I also have the huge benefit of hiring the talented Ramona DeFelice Long to be my editor. So, welcome to the indie world, Jenn. Start promoting those new books!S.W. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775130052850737713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79082150201761858632018-07-07T10:09:14.924-04:002018-07-07T10:09:14.924-04:00Congrats, Jenn! I just bought To Catch a Latte and...Congrats, Jenn! I just bought To Catch a Latte and so have a weekend treat to look forward to!<br /><br />I've self-pubbed my last three books in the UK--I say "I", but my agent has actually done all the work, from formatting to getting a cover and putting the book up on the sites. We've decided it makes better economic sense in that market, as the traditional publishers no longer want to do paper format, and they are not willing to do any marketing on the e-books. So if I publish myself, I'm getting 75% royalties vs. 12 to 25%. Duh. <br /><br />I don't have any books that are not still in print in some format. Whether I would be willing to go to the trouble to publish myself if the rights reverted, I don't know.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-83709722576305554882018-07-07T08:55:08.077-04:002018-07-07T08:55:08.077-04:00Congrats, Jenn.
I go back and forth. I did like E...Congrats, Jenn.<br /><br />I go back and forth. I did like Edith did, collected all the short stories in "The Laurel Highlands Mysteries" I'd placed/sold after I got the rights back, and formatted them as both singles and a collection (with a bonus story). I don't promote them, their just listed on my website, and I get a couple bucks a month or so for them.<br /><br />I also self-published that middle-grade series when I got the rights back, but despite editing and what I'm repeatedly told a great covers, they don't sell much. Kid market is tough.<br /><br />Part of me likes the control and money; the other part of me says, "I don't have the time to do it right."<br /><br />Mary/LizLiz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16075808807721505682018-07-07T08:53:35.798-04:002018-07-07T08:53:35.798-04:00I think, as with all things, it depends on what yo...I think, as with all things, it depends on what you want to get out of your writing career.<br /><br />When I was a co-editor at Level Best Books, that was essentially a self-publishing experience, though we were publishing the works of others. Luckily I had others around me to do the things I'm not great at, like covers and text layout. It was highly educational, and a lot of work.<br /><br />I do think that since we all buy books by author name (or author brand, if you will), self-pubbing once you have an audience is an easier road.<br /><br />As for me, I've already started and grown businesses as my first career. I have no desire to do it for my second.Barb Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16470220932617188498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39233869685409044882018-07-07T08:53:25.843-04:002018-07-07T08:53:25.843-04:00What I am wondering if there is any way to tell if...What I am wondering if there is any way to tell if a book is self-published. I've read a few books that the publisher's name looks like it might be something to do with the author. One particular book I heard of and could not find anywhere; I'd read another of that author's books and wanted the newer one. The library never heard of it; Amazon didn't have it. Finally I got it from the author and it was very good so I spread the word!Judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06777683026890358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81185612104485089092018-07-07T08:35:20.964-04:002018-07-07T08:35:20.964-04:00Just bought To Catch a Latte this week with no ide...Just bought To Catch a Latte this week with no idea it was self-published. Looks totally professional and totally funny and can't wait to catch up on your earlier stuff, Jenn. Congratulations!Wendall Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10302086879242837772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76160945800274918982018-07-07T08:32:06.566-04:002018-07-07T08:32:06.566-04:00A traditionally published writer told me that when...A traditionally published writer told me that when the copyright on his books returned to him, he started earning 70% by selling the ebooks. Wow! I think it works for him and your friend because they were already traditionally published. I know it will work for you, too. Congratulations!Cathy Akers-Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04614155858703731761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76573309891470659362018-07-07T08:31:45.136-04:002018-07-07T08:31:45.136-04:00PK, I'm happy to say that a large audience is ...PK, I'm happy to say that a large audience is lapping up my historical novels and I have contracts for many more!Authorrhysbowen@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11844065473614874365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67714693611171311062018-07-07T08:29:14.569-04:002018-07-07T08:29:14.569-04:00I'm interested to know what your traditional p...I'm interested to know what your traditional publishers feel about this, Jenn. I'm sure I have books I could get the rights to but I feel they are too far from my current brand and wouldn't be helpful. You're lucky that yours fits right in with your current comedy/romance/mystery blend. Good luck with it!Authorrhysbowen@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11844065473614874365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26469753348553731982018-07-07T08:28:54.974-04:002018-07-07T08:28:54.974-04:00Regarding your friend and historical mysteries. Hi...Regarding your friend and historical mysteries. Historical mysteries haven't dried up. We're desperate for good authors. Traditional publishers, IMHO, are after the blockbuster books just like what has killed movies. They follow the trends like a pack of dogs, not the readers or authors. Lately it seems they don't publish anything unless it's psychological suspense. PK the Bookeemonsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03478996122841311684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41416503039827957762018-07-07T07:48:36.641-04:002018-07-07T07:48:36.641-04:00Congrats Jenn, and I love your new cover! I have s...Congrats Jenn, and I love your new cover! I have some out of print golf mysteries, but I'm hesitant to put them back out without reading and editing. and who has time for that?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8623724121482950832018-07-07T07:46:22.845-04:002018-07-07T07:46:22.845-04:00Jenn, your story is so encouraging. I'm more y...Jenn, your story is so encouraging. I'm more you "before" - feels like Soooo much work. Your friend's story is amazing. <br /><br />But over the years I've very much changed my opinion about self publishing. It's a viable path for lots of writers. What I run into a lot at writing conferences are writers who've self-pubbed and now want to pitch to agents/editors and want to know if having self-published is a stripe for or against them. The hard news on that is that it all depends on how many of your self-pubbed books you sold. A few thousand of a title, and an editor or agent might be impressed. For most unpublished writers, that's a tall order.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62710726464348304002018-07-07T06:42:18.637-04:002018-07-07T06:42:18.637-04:00Chiming in from the wilds of Nova Scotia! Very spo...Chiming in from the wilds of Nova Scotia! Very spotty WiFi but it’s 54 degrees as opposed to the 116 at home - gah! - so yay! I think that part of my resistance to self-pubbing was that I’ve been burned by books that sounded great in a blurb but were horrible in the end. It’s such a crap shoot as a reader but a great avenue if you’re a writer who can’t find a home. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.com