Giving Birth to a Book

Yesterday, I met with my friend, Karen Dodd, the author of the delicious suspense novel, Deadly Switch. She’s been marvellous, coaxing me along, encouraging me, telling me that my book is more than ready. “It’s well overdue,” she said. She’s right. My novel, A CRY FROM THE DEEP, has been ready for months, and yet, I’ve been dragging my heels. Why?

Well, for one thing, I’ve been paying attention to how traditional books are published. My friend, Catherine Knutsson, got an agent, sat tight during a bidding war between two highly respected publishers for rights to publish her Y/A novel, Shadows Cast By Stars,  and then waited a few years for her story to reach the bookstore shelves. Giving birth to a book takes longer than nine months. It takes time to get it right.

With no publisher or agent to lean on, I embarked on my self-publishing journey with trepidation, realizing there would be countless steps to my destination. It helped that I was supported by similar travellers I met along the way. They kept me going with their generosity of spirit and willingness to share what they had learned. Especially Martin Crosbie, whom I met at the Surrey Writers International Conference a few years back. He is the author of How I Sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon’s Kindle, and someone I can now call a friend, someone who lives the philosophy of paying it forward.

Another self-published writer who has been more than generous is J. P. McLean, author of the mystery thriller series, The Gift. Jo-Anne, with her wonderful imagination, is always there when I call with yet another question.

And then there are those who shout their encouragement from their websites. Among them, Jonathan Gunson’s Bestseller Labs giving words of wisdom on how to write that bestseller and J.A. Konrath’s A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, with his in-depth column on the whole publishing industry, its quarrels and accomplishments.

But I’d be neglectful if I didn’t mention the River Writers, my writers’ critique group. I’ve been so blessed to be in the company of these wonderful writers: Kristin Butcher, Jocelyn Reekie, Shari Green, and Janet Smith. They’ve seen every stage of my novel, and their constructive comments have coaxed more out of me than I thought was possible.

And of course, I couldn’t have done it without my family, cheering me on every step of the way. Grandson and film director, Michael Stevantoni, did my book trailer, which I’ll be showing soon. My greatest source of comfort, though, has been Robert—my husband, friend, lover and soul mate. He’s shown such patience with all my turmoil.

Yes, the self-publishing field is a mixed bag. There are too many books that need further editing, or more story development, or more thought put into their book cover designs, but there are also many gems in this group as well. Gems that agents and publishers have let slip through their fingers. Ones that deserve to stand alongside any traditional book out there.

I’m now hoping mine will shine in this pile, but one never knows, does one?  Writing a novel is like any other art form. It’s up to the public to decide whether the artist’s output is worthy of attention or not. And that’s how it should be.

So, with all these thoughts jumbled in my brain, I’m set to launch my book baby into the world. Exciting times!

My novel, A CRY FROM THE DEEP, comes out on Oct. 15^th.

I’ll be doing a reading at the Campbell River Library, in Campbell River, British Columbia, on Oct. 21^st at 6:30 p.m. For this and other events, I’ll be sending out a newsletter. You can find my sign-up form on the right side of this page.

Are you thinking of giving birth to a book? If you are, I’d be glad to give you any tips that I’ve learned along the way, or steer you to someone who knows.

Any comments are always appreciated. 

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Indie Author Day Jumping into the Fray of Self-Publishing The Challenge of Book Covers Book Cover Wins Gold Star

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