This is the final section of Rita Sexton's interview on her experience of self-publishing. To get your own copy of MY JOURNEY TO MY HAPPY HOUSE, visit Amazon.com or B&N. com

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

Sandi: As you may know, editors/publishers don’t or won’t recognize ‘self-publishing” as ‘credits’ when it comes to pitching a book proposal. Some editors/publishers won’t even accept a query from an unpublished author—some agents, as well.
Again, I understand why you wrote ‘My Journey to My Happy House”, but how do you feel about not being considered a ‘real’ author—especially since I know you’ve already had several book signings.

Rita: It’s not about being anything more than what I am. I had a story, I’ve told it – it’s being read. It doesn’t bother me if the world sees me as an author or not. I did something I was suppose to do….I can say one thing – I had a mother she had nine children – obviously she was impregnated, carried each child, went through the birthing and delivery, and that’s where it ended, however the world considers her a mother.

Sandi: Other than telling your story, did/do you have the desire to continue to write? If so, are you interested in any one particular genre?

Rita: It’s amazing the positive effects of an accepted submission. The blood, sweat and tears put into your ‘first born’, just like childbirth, are forgotten, and the desire once again to put pen to paper (or typed word) is rebirthed. I haven’t a particular genre, my thoughts often because of daily events, spawn ideas of all kinds. Mostly my writing desire is motivational and or spiritual (both of which, in my world bear the same message).

Sandi: Well, again, I want to commend you on your book and reiterate my own congratulations for finding your ‘happy house’. Thanks for sharing your insight with us regarding the publishing process.

Rita: Thank you for this opportunity and certainly for your heartwarming comments.

For information about Rita’s book, visit www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com and search for Rita Sexton’s
“My Journey To My Happy House”.

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

Sandi: Once the book was finished, what was your total cost and how is the book ‘marketed’?

Rita: Officially the book cost a total of $3,900 to publish, which included the editing, layout, cover design, etc. After the initial cost, I received some free starter books. I now pay $5.20 for each book. The selling price of my book is $12.99. The book is marketed through a distributor, which I believe is Tennessee-based.

Sandi: What do you do on a personal level to promote your book?

Rita: Book Signings, Church, Civic Clubs, Book Clubs speaking engagements. I have also spoken at Dinners with several hundred people, as well as, Conferences of several thousand.

Sandi: What have you enjoyed most about the entire process? What have you enjoyed the least?

Rita: First and foremost, the realization that God has taken something so very ugly and used it to benefit others going through similar circumstances by allowing them to know they aren’t alone. Second, by allowing me to say because of the positive difference it’s making for others, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so honored to be used in such an uplifting way. Third, the way people have accepted my mistakes with love and mercy is so healing; I see God smiling every time someone shares that love and mercy with me.

Sandi: Continuing with my question, what about this Company did you like the best? The least?

Rita: I liked my story being accepted the best!!! Whether I earn enough to pay my sweet husband back is irrelevant because it’s more about breaking the lies and ties that bind so many. Events that consume our lives that make us merely breathing beings instead of the realization we’re blessed beings. What I liked least was waiting…..I continually reminded myself, “In God’s timing not mine” and “patience is a virtue”.

Sandi: What about ‘rights’—who owns your book?

Rita: The Company’s representative made it very clear in the beginning, the ‘rights’ to my book are mine and will always be.

Sandi: Back to the submission process, those of us who could paper a wall with rejection slips, was the process you went through to publish your book painful, at all? Did you know, for example, they would ‘accept’ your book from the beginning? Do they accept all submissions?

Rita: Once my book was submitted I received an email stating they would either return my manuscript to me with a rejection letter, OR they would contact me via email of acceptance. They made me aware they received over 15,000 (that’s fifteen thousand) a year and only accept 4%. To say the least, I watched for my manuscript in the mail. However, six weeks later I received an email along with an attachment of contract and agreements which said – “Congratulations on being part of the 4%”. I cried.

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