Why I'm Sticking with My Two Small Publishers

The first reason is time. Yes, time. I barely have enough time to write the two books a  year that I want to write. I am not ready to try and figure out how to format a book for Amazon and all the other places that you are expected to post it, design a cover, and do everything else that needs to be done.

Let me back up a little. I began writing in the typewriter, carbon paper, submit you manuscript in a box with another box inside with return postage days. I sent out queries and then the whole manuscripts, more time than not, having the manuscript bouncing back covered with wine and coffee stains and smelling like cigarette smoke.

I've been through crooked publishers, those that have died, at least three that have just decided to quit the business. Which of course results in looking for new publishers.

I've been through the do-it-yourself phase when it was costly and really you weren't doing it yourself, you were paying for someone else to do it for a certain fee--or a share of the fee.

For the last few years my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series has been with Mundania Press. They've been really good to me. My books are edited, the covers are beautiful, and all the formatting and production of the books for paper and e-books is done. My books can be purchased from a good looking website or from several online bookstores including Amazon. Most of the promotion is left up to me.

When I lost the third publisher for the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, I already knew Billie Johnson, the owner of Oak Tree Publishing. I asked if she'd be interested in picking up the series. She not only has published the latest but she republished all the earlier books too. And again, OTP has been good to me. My books are edited, I love the covers, all the formatting and production of the paper books and e-books are done. The books are mainly available from Amazon. OTP does some promotion and I do a lot myself.

I'm at a stage in my life where I am happy to let someone else do the publishing work for me. And besides, I want some time to enjoy my family and have a bit of a social life too.

My latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery is Raging Water if you'd like to see what kind of work they do--and me too. http://mundania.com/ and of course you can check it out any of the other places that sells books and ebooks.


Early fall I'll have a new Tempe Crabtree mystery out called Spirit Shapes. I need to begin my promo plans for that one soon.

 Or take a peek at my latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, Dangerous Impulses. Remember, I write this series under the name of F. M. Meredith.


I am writing the next in the series now and I'm reading early chapters to my critique group. Once they've heard them all, I'll have to do some serious editing and possibly some rewriting.

I don't have time to publish my own books.

Marilyn

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Need to Catch Up With My Blog Tour?

Meet Morgen Bailey from the UK

The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries By Heather Haven