Read my 3-part interview with Rita Sexton on self-publishing...

Welcome back to my interview with first-time author, Rita Sexton, on the pros and cons of ‘self-publishing’:

Self-Publishing:
An Interview With Someone’s Who’s ‘Been There, Done That…Bought The Book’’
Forward:
I’ve known Rita Sexton for many years. We worked together; I saw her on a regular basis. So imagine my surprise when I heard she’d written a book. I read the entire book in one sitting, alternating between tears and laughter. The contents of the book are not the topic for discussion today, but let me say, it’s definitely a ‘journey’. My interest today is the process involved in self-publishing a book, and Rita has graciously agreed to this interview:

SDU: Rita, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. As you may be aware, ‘self-publishing’ is a hot topic among writers today. The very process of submitting to agents/publishers is daunting, to say the least. Let’s get past the experience of the first draft and re-writes; did you ever consider the ‘normal’ submission process?

Rita: You’re welcome and I appreciate the opportunity. To be quite honest, I had no idea of the difference between ‘self-published’ or ‘normal’ once it was time to submit my manuscript. However in recent months I have found the route taken in the ‘self–publish’ method was one which yielded more benefits for the first time author. It was at times exasperating to say the least. While my story was one of a personal journey, it wasn’t one that I chose to do freely-- that in itself was extremely difficult. So in answering your question, “no” the path I took was one chosen for me. However, now that I’ve experienced the ‘self-published’ route, I would, if I choose to submit for publication again, entertain or investigate the path of ‘normal’ publication.

SDU: How much control did you have over ‘edits’? Can you describe that process to us?

Rita: I had total control, although suggestions were made. Because the staff at the Company I chose was such a professional team, I moved in favor of their suggestions unless it changed the meaning or truth. In actuality, not many changes were suggested by them. However, it was left up to me totally – the suggestions were there for consideration. From a legal standpoint they watched out for my benefit due to the very nature of some of the personal events.

SDU: Can you describe for us the process from submission to proof of final product? And how long did it take?

Rita: Once I began writing, I stopped frequently to recover. The pain and re-surfacing issues at times were too much to handle... As I mentioned in the book, often times I would sit typing with my eyes tightly closed, I just didn't want to revisit what I was writing. The process was a long one, but the publishing aspect was the longer of the two, editing approval, cover approval, content approval...everything was managed tightly, which was very professional. It took approximately 18 months from start to finish.

Join us next week for part two of Self-Publishing: An Interview With Someone’s Who’s ‘Been There, Done That…Bought The Book’’

The truth about SELF-PUBLISHING

Self-publishing is the publishing of books and other media by the authors of those works, rather than by established, third-party publishers. Although it represents a small percentage of the publishing industry in terms of sales, it has been present in one form or another since the beginning of publishing and has seen an increase in activity with the advancement of publishing technology, including xerography, desktop publishing systems, print on demand, and the World Wide Web. Cultural phenomena such as the punk/DIY movement, the proliferation of media channels, and blogging have contributed to the advancement of self-publishing. - (2008, July 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:20, July 14, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=3&oldid=223389944:

You’ve finally finished the book! You’ve written and re-written, proofed and re-proofed. Every word smacks of wonder and amazement; every punctuation mark defines the genius you are; every anecdote brings a wry grin; every sub-plot weaves magic; every…you get the idea.

Now it’s time to ship that puppy off to the hundreds of markets that spelled out in black and white they were just waiting with bated breath for this very story. Then the waiting begins: grass grows, paint dries, seasons change. Finally you receive a form letter that clearly wasn’t meant for you. Surely, this cold, indifferent, vanilla-coated letter couldn’t sum up your blood, sweat and tears in one check-mark: “not for us.”

Many have fallen victim to the infamous ‘rejection letter’. It’s enough to drive some people to drink…or even self-publication. Because of the difficulty to break through the ‘slush pile’, many are throwing caution to the wind and bearing the expense of self-publishing and ‘print on demand’.

Is self-publishing so bad? Or is it the ‘way of the future’? Join me next week for the first of a four-part interview with first-time author Rita Sexton who made self-publishing her first choice.

Nancy Kelly Allen's final interview on CRITIQUE GROUPS...

SU: Nancy, I've learned so much from you and the others in our group. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this 3-part series on how a critique group works.

NKA: A critique group is vital to the development of a writer, not only in the realm of the craft of writing but the emotional ups and downs associated with publishing. Here's an inside look at the critique group to which I belong.

Members of my group provide emotional support for each other. If a member has a manuscript rejected or another personal problem, we listen and provide words of encouragement. When a member receives good news, we perform a chocolate dance in celebration.

Each month, a member is responsible for generating a weekly newsletter that provides news about grants, conferences, and all aspects of writing, marketing, and promoting our work. Since my group consists of four people, I will be responsible for the newsletter three months (twelve weeks) per year.

The primary purpose of a critique group is to read and evaluate works in progress for each member. My group submits manuscripts, a maximum of 1,000 words per submission, on the first and fifteenth of each month. That means that each member critiques three, 1,000-word manuscripts every two weeks. That also means that each member receives three critiques per manuscript every two weeks. Critique groups require a vast amount of time and effort from each member to be successful, but the rewards gained are invaluable.

If you decide to join or form a critique group, set guidelines. How often will members submit work? What is the time period for critiquing and returning each manuscript? What is the maximum number of words per submission? How extensive are the critiques, line-by-line or general overview? Set guidelines on allowing additional membership once the group is established. Remember to critique the manuscript, not the writer. Be respectful of the writer at all times. Be honest in your critique.

I want the members of my group to be honest in each evaluation of my work and react to my manuscripts as an editor would. Anything less than total honesty is of no benefit to me. I want to know WHY my manuscript didn’t get the contract and HOW I can improve it. If I could figure out WHY and HOW on my own, I wouldn’t need a critique group. The honesty of each member and their varied viewpoints can only make my work stronger, better, and more likely to be accepted for publication. Therefore, I have a responsibility of not taking the criticism personally. I wear my rhino hide when I read the critiques and often think AHA! She’s right! When I read a criticism or a suggestion. Why didn’t I see that? Because I only see from one perspective—mine.

SU: In a few weeks, I'll be posting information about Nancy's new book, THE TRUTH ABOUT PRINCESSES. Can't wait to grab that up for the 'princesses' in my life!

Be sure to catch my interview with author Rita Sexton on her experience with self-publishing.

Nancy Kelly Allen continues her thoughts on critique groups...

NKA: You’ve pounded the keyboard day after day, week after week, creating your story. You’ve spit-shined the revisions, rearranged the sentences, and typed the last word. Now you’re ready to kiss your manuscript good-bye and ship it off to strangers, AKA editors.Not so fast! Mailing you’re manuscript at this time may be a little premature. Consider joining a critique group. Not only will group members view your work with new perspectives, they will also provide feedback, positive and negative. The critique group will hone in on areas of quality writing, praising your efforts, and will offer examples for improvement in areas that need revision.

I’ve been writing for publication for twenty years and have had thirteen picture books and one chapter book published. During that time, I completed revision after revision, relying on my skills, alone.

A couple of years ago I joined, via the Internet, a critique group composed of four children’s writers. In that short period, my critique group has provided professional input into picture and chapter book manuscripts, making each work stronger. This group completes line-by-line, in-depth critiques, rather than general overview critiques. For me, the more specific the evaluation, the better.

Next week: Nancy gives details on how 'our' group works. You won't want to miss that!