So! You’ve written the next greatest artistic work, and you’re looking to become a published author. Let me share my experiences. First off, in answer to a quote, I hear a lot, “You don’t look like an author.” I never feel insulted, but I do ask, “What’s an author supposed to look like?”
Maybe I misread the assumption, I actually hear, “You don’t seem like an author.” Is there a type? I’ve been published since 2022, and to be honest, I still can’t believe I’m an author either.
I have certain practices to feel like an author now. I only feel like a novelist when I sit at my laptop keys. I don’t have to work in my office, but that’s my comfort zone. I don’t type fast, and there is modern tech that could help that, but I veiw voice to text as a cheat. I guess even I have an envisioned view of an author. I see someone at the keys of a typewriter. Im.glad those days of old are gone. I’d waste A LOT of paper!
This blog is created on my smartphone. Maybe there is no writing difference, but I feel there is. Poking at a smartphone just doesn’t give me an author vibe. Authors have written novels with their phones. I’m an author by a laptop and a blogger by phone.
My editor/ publisher is also an author. Jack LaFountain told me “There’s a certain feeling to hold a book and see your name on the cover.” Can I be honest? After two books, that feeling still hasn’t come to me. Of course, I feel pride. If anything, I feel a responsibility to my readership. I’m motivated to write more for their enjoyment.
There are basically two styles of becoming a published author. Self-publishing is one route. The term explains what that is. The author has complete control of every phase. Editing, publishing, and marketing are all handled by the author. There are hired guns that will assist, but that costs money. An old saying comes to mind “If you want to make a million dollars, you need two million.
There’s a stigma to self publishing, that’s probably why it’s termed vanity press. Readers may judge the quality of work as being poorly written. After an explanation of traditional publishing, that reasoning may be easily understood.
Now, let’s discuss traditional publishing. The author submits to a publisher. After the publisher determines whether the book is worthy, a contract is signed. In layman’s terms, the publisher leases the book. It may be the authors work, but the publisher has controlling rights to edit, creating a marketable read. Once the novel is released, the publisher markets the book. Publishing houses make money from the book sale. Obviously, they want quality saleable reads.
Some authors never make it past submission for a contract. I wouldn’t know the frustration of a rejection letter, however. I simply lucked out! It’s a story in itself that I found my publisher by accident.
I was very green, but I was ready to start the first step. I found Jack LaFountain by watching a YouTube interview. Jack was discussing one of his recent published novel that YouTuber Cam Buckner had narrated. After watching I decided to attempt a pitch.
How I became a published author was an exception and not the norm. I’m grateful for my experience, I did everything wrong and still managed to gain a contract.
House of Honor isn’t a large, well-known publisher, but they still are a traditional one. Including Jack, there are only a small handful of authors. Jack tends to contract with beginners, giving them a chance. Sadly, Jack has contracted with authors who didn’t work out.
HoH mave have contracted control, but the author has a vested interest. Editing is interesting. During this phase, the author and editor can have a back and forth on what stays and what needs to be removed. I don’t know if all publishers work with the author, but that’s our practice.
I’ve learned a lot within publishing my two books. Can’t go Home was cut shorter, and my current manuscript is actually the continued storyline. The final outcome was from Jack’s advisement. I didn’t easily see his wisdom, but I’m glad I overcame my diva attitude.
In my opinion, traditional publishing is the superior route. There are more eyes in editing, which leads to fewer mistakes. The final outcome is a more professionally done novel.
New Perspectives went through editing with no hiccups. That’s pretty good for a brand new author, so I’m told. There were a lot of revisions, but I learned.
Can’t go Home did have a couple of hiccups. I’ve already confessed it’s shorter than the original manuscript. That works out for the story. It turns out there’s more to the story I couldn’t share….I can now!
There was a heated discussion over the cover for Can’t go Home. That wasn’t the cover I wanted. Again, I needed to curb my diva enthusiasm and see reason.
You can’t always get what you want…but you get what you need ~ Rolling Stones
Judy Snyder saved my book by winning over Jack with a much better suited cover. Thank you, Jack, for your patience. Thank.you.Judy, for a great cover. Judy created both my covers, by the way
From the outside looking in, the advantage may look to favor the publisher. Maybe, but then again, maybe not so much. The publisher has a larger monetary investment and does more work towards marketing.
House of Honor is small. The company hasn’t been in business long, either. When I earned my first contract in 2021, there were only a half dozen authors. Keisha Willi, Julia Yeoh, and Judy Snyder were some of the fine authors who were in editing and the same time as I was. Considering Jack does primary editing, he can manage several authors in what he deems rotation. Jack edits a chapter at a time.
A good majority of HoH’s catalog is available on Audible. That’s an alternative to those that have no time to read. New Perspectives is available narrated by Dean Mehling.
Finally, there is the review. This step is in the hands of you, the reader. I’m blessed with a local following. I have had several praise my writing personally. So far, no one has told me my work is garbage….to my face... Trust me, my skin isn’t that thin. I can take constructive criticism. I also quickly discovered that I can’t please everyone
My most cherished reviews came from two friends who claimed not to be readers. Both gave my books a chance simply for the sake of friendship. Both told me they greatly enjoyed the novels and couldn’t put them down. If I introduced two people to the joy of reading. I feel an accomplishment…. by no means am I done writing, though.
Antique Iron Media 