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Kelly Crenshaw
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Publishing?

Blog Posted by Kelly Crenshaw: 9/2/2016 9:51:00 PM

Have any of you actually published a book? Self published? What have your experiences been?

What about literary agents?
Seems like most of what I have found online in the way of vanity publishers or self publishing companies are about 2 steps away from criminal. Scammers at best. I was just wondering if any of you had experienced any of them.
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Strand Avatar
Brian
Strand
Date: 9/4/2016 2:48:00 AM
One other reason Kelly that I self published on kindle was to get low cost publicity for the many short forms I had created here on PS(eg my footle form).This was to complement my blogspots on these forms which get many more hits .My idea was to encourage the use of the forms.In the case of the footle this has certainly achieved my objective as google now clearly shows.
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Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi
Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 10:04:00 AM
I have a children's book being considered by a publisher (fingers so crossed that they are knotted.) I had sent this traditional publisher (they pay me, not I pay them) a picture book manuscript. The editor said they receive over 1,500 manuscripts a year and only publish 6 picture books. However, she thought my book had "potential" and asked me to revise it as a first chapter book. I did (and thoroughly enjoyed the writing process!) If it is accepted, I would receive 10% royalties and this publisher has subscribers (schools, parents, libraries) so I'd be guaranteed 'some' sales, at least. Self-publication is a great option for those who are not in it for the money. They can have a book printed for their families, friends. My advice is to determine first why you want to be published and what are your writing goals. Now, as far as literary agents, I'd pick up a copy of the writers digest markets. I am not sure if most agents would work with any developing poet (at least the reputable agents) because there are so few markets interested in traditionally publishing poetry books and ,2, the agents would want to see that you have a publication history (not self-publication which is not seen as a publication credit.) So... if interested in getting a book of poetry published my advice is to first try for literary poetry journals. Study and read poetry being published. Last thought, people really should reverse when/how they self-publish. Get books published traditionally and have dedicated readers, THEN go for the self-publication. The fans will follow!
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Kimathi Avatar
Teddy Kimathi
Date: 9/6/2016 4:20:00 AM
Hi Cyndi. Thank you for your great insight. You should be having your blogs in PS often. I wish you luck in your next Children's Book series!! ;-)
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/4/2016 8:18:00 PM
Tom... HOLY CRAP! No... I had no idea! I have just been impressed by some of the Friesen books! That is big bucks.. hmm... what the hey does 2K buy??? Is it editing? It would explain the quality of the writing, at least. I have no intention of self-publishing, though. Thanks for the eye-opener!
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 8:40:00 PM
If I were to self-publish, it would be with Friesen Press... good representation, an honest approach. I've read several Friesen books and have found them well written. If a self-publisher can't refer to themselves AS a self-publisher -- they are just grifters.
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 8:35:00 PM
(took, not told) I dislike it when an author says, "I've had six books published" IF they have actually self-published those books. Instead, I'd prefer, "I've self-published six books and have enjoyed the venture." Just as bad? Calling a self-publishing service or a self-publisher a "publisher."
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 8:22:00 PM
I bought the book. It's crap! Badly written...and self published. It's self-published BECAUSE it is badly written. Instead of working on improving his game, he caved... told the fast way to publication.
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 8:21:00 PM
... my pet peeve is PRETENSE. Few months back I went into a Chapters store (big bookstore/chain) and there was a table and an author signing. Talked to the guy for a while. Picked up his book. He talked about his "publisher." He seemed like an interesting guy and his book sounded interesting.
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 8:17:00 PM
Hey Tom-- thanks for the encouragement :) Yes, its tough to get that contract! I have purchased some self-published poetry books and enjoyed them (one, Debbie's, and the other, Elizabeth's) Still, I've also been suckered into buying total garbage. So I have a pet peeve...
Strand Avatar
Brian Strand
Date: 9/3/2016 1:37:00 PM
Well done Cyndi.Yes from the earlier pub night poets we looked at earlier in the year Canada is more financially supportive of poets etc than UK and US .Even so it would seem poetry is less read(readable?) to book buyers in general.Poetry is an elitist pastime in popular myth.
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 10:20:00 AM
Finally, I have a day to myself... thought I'd stop by blogs and then tackle a laundry pile that looks like it could hide a quarterback. I am currently working on another children's book-- first in a series.
Strand Avatar
Brian
Strand
Date: 9/3/2016 9:24:00 AM
Actually Kelly the more difficult question is how do you 'unpublish' book when your 'development ' as a poet has moved on! (the same applied here with one's PS back poems fromyears back).With kindle you can opt which one to continue to show thereon.Happily I'm still happy with the two isbn books I had published.
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Strand Avatar
Brian Strand
Date: 9/3/2016 9:27:00 AM
In regard to my PS anthology I see it as a useful /convenient receptacle/library of my 'poetry bio' which I can reuse/readapt into the longer formats that I have 'progressed?' onto
Strand Avatar
Brian
Strand
Date: 9/3/2016 5:16:00 AM
Kelly,I published an isbn book as editor of Wiliam Soutar's American Cinquains,at a cost of 150 sterling by a reputable Scottish poetrysite to which I subscribed (circa 2000).Sold some privately and a few via Amazon.Most of my own poetry I have published foc on kindle (ie Amazon minimum 99c) designing and preparing on my laptop.I have also had printed a number limited editions via a local printer,including my 'Retrospective' of my earlier blogs that folk may remember from 2007-9 all of which Folk here were kind enough to buy.
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Kimathi Avatar
Teddy
Kimathi
Date: 9/3/2016 3:41:00 AM
Hi Kelly, I have two published books already; "The Milky Way In Words" and "Eve and Other Sci-Fi Stories", poetry and fiction books respectively. They are published by Booktango. It's a very good publishing firm. You can select any pictures from the site to make your book cover, select any pictures from your own photo collection, or hire one from Booktango designers for $150. The final book product is free, but there's some fee in marketing of your book, if you want Booktango to market the book on your behalf. The books are available in various online stores for free. They only publish eBooks.
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Kimathi Avatar
Teddy Kimathi
Date: 9/5/2016 4:44:00 PM
You're right, Tom. "Back on Earth" is focused on time travelling in different paradigms. I used few words, so as to engage the reader in deciphering the mystery life of the main character in the story. Once again, thank you for checking out my work! ;-)
Arnone Avatar
Tom Arnone
Date: 9/4/2016 7:20:00 PM
I started, "Eve." "Back On Earth" is a great concept, but I think it has too many complexities (plot lines?) for such a short write. I think it might really blossom in a longer form. I'm certainly no expert -- just my two-cents. :-)
Kimathi Avatar
Teddy Kimathi
Date: 9/4/2016 6:28:00 AM
Thanks Tom!! :-) I would be glad to get your reaction regarding it. I like your honesty in expressing your thoughts.
Arnone Avatar
Tom Arnone
Date: 9/3/2016 11:42:00 AM
Why, in God's name, is there still no way to edit Blog Replies?!
Arnone Avatar
Tom Arnone
Date: 9/3/2016 11:37:00 AM
Teddy, "Eve and Other Sci-Fi Stories" is available on Amazon (Kindle version) for $4.99. I think I give it a spin. :-)
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 10:41:00 AM
In "Producing Canadian Literature: Authors Speak on the Literary Marketplace By Kit Dobson": The average number of poetry books sold has gone down in Canada, but it is not hard to sell 800 to 1,000 books, but it does take three or more years." I'm not sure about the UK or American book market.
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 10:33:00 AM
www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2015/4/9/poetry-bestsellers.html (has Canadian poetry sale statistics.)
Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 9/3/2016 10:30:00 AM
Brian... traditionally published Canadian poetry books that are not bestsellers can still generate fair sales. I figure that a $3000 earning, though not a life-changing figure, is still fairly decent. What is needed are good reviews of the poetry. Poetry can sell well... if it catches the imagination of the reader.
Strand Avatar
Brian Strand
Date: 9/3/2016 8:54:00 AM
Yes thats true TS,but then most 'publisher' poetry books only sell a few and get remaindered .Also many ominibus collections of the 'great and the good' end up on the remainder talls in garden centres etc.Simply fact is poetry does not sell ..period.

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