Today we’re talking to self-published author Mike Brennan, who has been covering cyber security news for more than a decade at his news portal site, MITechNews.Com. This is what he had to say:
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
"Cyber Styletto" is the first in a series of novellas that takes an insider’s look at the security threats on the Internet today. The story – developed by a technology journalist, a cyber security expert and an award-winning novelist - focuses on super hacker Yvonne Tran, part of a secret government agency called CyberCom, who is brought in to investigate a malicious network attack that kills eight innocent people in California. She and her team follow the trail to Hong Kong and Afghanistan, where they must pinpoint the cause before the next attack, which could kill thousands more people in the United States.
The book is available now at www.cyberstyletto.com, www.lulu.com, www.smashwords.com, Barnes & Noble.com and iTunes. Soon it we will be available at Amazon.com, Schuler Books in West Michigan and on jexbo.com.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
We are breaking new ground in fiction, creating a new genre about cyber crime, and we didn’t think a traditional publisher would see the big picture until we sold a few thousand books on our own. We also wanted to get the book out quickly, since many of the facts in it are ripped from today’s headlines. We wanted to make more money and get paid faster than if we went the traditional publishing route, too.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
Marketing the book, getting the word out to the target audience worldwide. We’re still figuring out that part of the book publishing business. But we plan to have Cyber Styletto translated into German, French, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. I’m sure there are a lot of folks who would be interested in reading "Cyber Styletto" that are non-English readers.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
Total control over distribution and sales. We also earn a much higher profit than if we went the traditional publishing route.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Make sure you connect with veterans of the book self-publishing industry who can help you learn the ins and outs. We had Gian DeTorre, our novelist, who handled this part for the team.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Follow your dream. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. You can. You can achieve anything you believe.
Your book sounds very exciting Mike! Thanks for sharing your information, and good luck with book sales!
Self-Published Book Author - Interview with Saheem Wright
Today we’re talking to author Saheem Wright. Here’s what he has to say:
Tell us about yourself, and your self-published book and where it is available.
I’m from Chicago, born and raised. What made me start writing was the reality I was living in. My mother was doing drugs and my father was in jail most of my life. We lived in one of the worst parts of Chicago so writing helped me escape that.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
What made me decide to publish was as the years went on, I kept writing about things I’d seen, things I’ve been through and things my friends have been through. Like, I wrote something about my friend that lost her baby very tragically. Her baby was only two years old and ran in the street and got hit by a car. I thought people should know that. My book is available at amazon.com, barns&noble.com and iuniverse.com.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
My biggest challenge was getting it prepared, putting it all together, because this is years and years of my thoughts.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part about publishing my book is getting my story out and letting people know what I went through as a child. The hand I was dealt I had to play, and you can rise above all.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
My advice for new writers is to take your time, know what you want to say and tell your story.
Thanks for sharing your information with us Saheem, and good luck with book sales!
Do you have questions about self-publishing your book, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com/.
Tell us about yourself, and your self-published book and where it is available.
I’m from Chicago, born and raised. What made me start writing was the reality I was living in. My mother was doing drugs and my father was in jail most of my life. We lived in one of the worst parts of Chicago so writing helped me escape that.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
What made me decide to publish was as the years went on, I kept writing about things I’d seen, things I’ve been through and things my friends have been through. Like, I wrote something about my friend that lost her baby very tragically. Her baby was only two years old and ran in the street and got hit by a car. I thought people should know that. My book is available at amazon.com, barns&noble.com and iuniverse.com.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
My biggest challenge was getting it prepared, putting it all together, because this is years and years of my thoughts.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part about publishing my book is getting my story out and letting people know what I went through as a child. The hand I was dealt I had to play, and you can rise above all.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
My advice for new writers is to take your time, know what you want to say and tell your story.
Thanks for sharing your information with us Saheem, and good luck with book sales!
Do you have questions about self-publishing your book, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com/.
"Notes from An Alien" Author Interview
Today we’re talking to Alexander M Zoltai, author of “Notes from An Alien.” Here’s what he has to say:
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
This is what reading Notes from An Alien promises.
And: This Story Could Help Earth…
You can read it online, get a free digital copy, plus buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble and for the iPad by going here: http://notesfromanalien.yolasite.com/contact-us.php
Why did you decide to self-publish?
First, because Notes from An Alien is a radical “niche” novel.
Second, because I don't “trust” the mainstream publishing process.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
Taking on the never-ending job of self-promotion.
Why? Because, even on the Internet, I'm quite the Introvert :-)
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part of self-publishing is that the book is out there, available, and I'm controlling the promotion.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Make absolutely sure you get as many eyeballs on the manuscript as possible.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I have a forum for discussing the issues raised in the story here: http://notesfromanalien.yolasite.com/forum.php#/
Plus, I spend at least 20 hours a week in the virtual world, Second Life, attending to various levels of self-promotion...
Thanks for the information about your book Alexander, and good luck with book sales!
For help with your self-publishing efforts, please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. Thanks!
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
- Start with a 500-year InterWorld War.
- Continue through ecological disaster and the decimation of populations.
- Follow the institution of a Worlds’ government, bringing a glimmer of hope.
- Discover the challenges and failures of unifying three very different Worlds.
- Explore what it takes to give birth to a lasting peace.
This is what reading Notes from An Alien promises.
And: This Story Could Help Earth…
You can read it online, get a free digital copy, plus buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble and for the iPad by going here: http://notesfromanalien.yolasite.com/contact-us.php
Why did you decide to self-publish?
First, because Notes from An Alien is a radical “niche” novel.
Second, because I don't “trust” the mainstream publishing process.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
Taking on the never-ending job of self-promotion.
Why? Because, even on the Internet, I'm quite the Introvert :-)
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part of self-publishing is that the book is out there, available, and I'm controlling the promotion.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Make absolutely sure you get as many eyeballs on the manuscript as possible.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I have a forum for discussing the issues raised in the story here: http://notesfromanalien.yolasite.com/forum.php#/
Plus, I spend at least 20 hours a week in the virtual world, Second Life, attending to various levels of self-promotion...
Thanks for the information about your book Alexander, and good luck with book sales!
For help with your self-publishing efforts, please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. Thanks!
An Interview with Jim Miller of "Mined Your Own Business"
Today at jexbo we’re talking to Jim Miller, author of “Mined Your Own Business.” Let’s see what he has to say:
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish for a number of reasons. In no particular order, but of equal importance are; royalties, more overall control of my novels, the ease of publishing today and a kind of ego related, "I did it all".
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
The biggest challenge for me was the initial hurdle of getting a book published. I have been writing for many years, but my novels all seemed to get stuck on disks or manuscripts in drawers, all waiting for the best time for me to move. I would often tell people that the marketing side of writing was where I didn't apply myself. I was doing tons of writing, but not much of 'getting it out there'.
A friend who worked for a small press asked if I had anything ready for print that he could have a look at. I gave him the story 'Mined Your Own Business' and after a couple of weeks he emailed me and said that the publisher wanted to offer me a contract to put it out as an ebook. At that time I was busy working on entering the self-publishing world, but I said okay.
A few weeks later, in May, 2011, he notified me that 'Mined Your Own Business' was up on Amazon. After the thrill of seeing it up there and both my wife and I purchasing a copy I settled down and realized that I was now a published mystery writer. That realization gave my level of confidence a boot upwards and when a few reviews showed up and people actually liked it, I was ready to accept the fact that I could be a writer for real. Notwithstanding that I had had a ton of articles published in newspapers and other little clips, friends telling me who good my work was. All of that didn't seem to matter to some inner me. But, now? Now I've got the confidence to go out and self-publish with enthusiasm.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
I think that some of the above fits this category. But the sense of accomplishment was huge. A kind of validation of myself.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
I can't say enough about just going for it. Without that little bit of a shove from my friend I might still be storing up manuscripts and writing for myself. I have to admit that I do re-write a lot, and put long hours into making it the best I can. My inner voice will tell me, "Nope, that scene, Jim, it sucks." And try as I might to shut him, up, we both know it's not the best I can do. So I go back and re-do it. It might be days before I finally accept the fact that if I left it, I was only fooling myself. So, in summary, write it as many times as is necessary - you shut up that little voice, and then you ignore the next little voice that says, "You ain't good enough." and you do it.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Yes, Jerry Cleaver, a writing teacher has a book out, 'Immediate Fiction' and in that are two rules a writer needs to live by:
I can do it!
Whatever writing problem you have there will be a writing solution.
A bit about the ebook selling. The evening of the book launch on Amazon I got an email from my editor who said, "We've been up for four hours and already sold two copies of 'Mined Your Own Business'."
I had to reply, "Yes, I know, Bev bought one and I bought the other."
My temporary blog site is rabbihawkins.blog.spot.com
'Mined Your Own Business' is on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XMZXX0
Thanks for sharing your information with us Jim, and good luck with book sales!
If you’d like to share your self-publishing story with jexbo readers, please write to me here. Thanks!
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish for a number of reasons. In no particular order, but of equal importance are; royalties, more overall control of my novels, the ease of publishing today and a kind of ego related, "I did it all".
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
The biggest challenge for me was the initial hurdle of getting a book published. I have been writing for many years, but my novels all seemed to get stuck on disks or manuscripts in drawers, all waiting for the best time for me to move. I would often tell people that the marketing side of writing was where I didn't apply myself. I was doing tons of writing, but not much of 'getting it out there'.
A friend who worked for a small press asked if I had anything ready for print that he could have a look at. I gave him the story 'Mined Your Own Business' and after a couple of weeks he emailed me and said that the publisher wanted to offer me a contract to put it out as an ebook. At that time I was busy working on entering the self-publishing world, but I said okay.
A few weeks later, in May, 2011, he notified me that 'Mined Your Own Business' was up on Amazon. After the thrill of seeing it up there and both my wife and I purchasing a copy I settled down and realized that I was now a published mystery writer. That realization gave my level of confidence a boot upwards and when a few reviews showed up and people actually liked it, I was ready to accept the fact that I could be a writer for real. Notwithstanding that I had had a ton of articles published in newspapers and other little clips, friends telling me who good my work was. All of that didn't seem to matter to some inner me. But, now? Now I've got the confidence to go out and self-publish with enthusiasm.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
I think that some of the above fits this category. But the sense of accomplishment was huge. A kind of validation of myself.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
I can't say enough about just going for it. Without that little bit of a shove from my friend I might still be storing up manuscripts and writing for myself. I have to admit that I do re-write a lot, and put long hours into making it the best I can. My inner voice will tell me, "Nope, that scene, Jim, it sucks." And try as I might to shut him, up, we both know it's not the best I can do. So I go back and re-do it. It might be days before I finally accept the fact that if I left it, I was only fooling myself. So, in summary, write it as many times as is necessary - you shut up that little voice, and then you ignore the next little voice that says, "You ain't good enough." and you do it.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Yes, Jerry Cleaver, a writing teacher has a book out, 'Immediate Fiction' and in that are two rules a writer needs to live by:
I can do it!
Whatever writing problem you have there will be a writing solution.
A bit about the ebook selling. The evening of the book launch on Amazon I got an email from my editor who said, "We've been up for four hours and already sold two copies of 'Mined Your Own Business'."
I had to reply, "Yes, I know, Bev bought one and I bought the other."
My temporary blog site is rabbihawkins.blog.spot.com
'Mined Your Own Business' is on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XMZXX0
Thanks for sharing your information with us Jim, and good luck with book sales!
If you’d like to share your self-publishing story with jexbo readers, please write to me here. Thanks!
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