Today in our self-published-author interview series, we talk to Barack Levin, author of the book, “The Diaper Chronicles.”
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
My book is called, “The Diaper Chronicles.” It’s a stay-at-home Dad's quest for raising great kids and it is available on my site at http://www.baracklevin.com.
The book is my personal story on how and why I decided to become a stay\work-at-home Dad. It describes my 12 months with my son and my successes and failures in raising him. The book is full of tips and advice to other parents on how to raise great, independent kids while busting some common parenting myths along the way
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I wanted to publish my book with a publisher but had several things going against me. First, the economy. I figured that in this economy less people buy booksm and publishers will not queue up to publish my book.
Secondly, I am a first-time author, and as such, the chances of landing a deal with a publisher are very low.
Thirdly, I am a man writing about subjects that are usually covered by women.
Fourth, it takes time for a publisher to review the book, make changes and committ to it. I simply did not have the time to wait. And lastly, I like to be in charge of things. I thought it would give me more control over the marketing and promoting of the book.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
To my surprise, the actual self-publishing was a breeze. Within four weeks of submission, I had freshly printed copies in my hand. Furthermore, even now, it takes my publisher about one week to send me new copies. The process itself was painless, fully automated and simple.
The most challenging aspect of self publishing by far has to be the marketing and promotion. I self promote the book, and it took small strides to get to the big guns to cover my story. I started submitting queries to small web sites, volunteered contact and articles, and soon enough, bigger and more recognizable media outlets started to be interested in the book and the story, but it does take a lot of patience.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part is that I control my destiny. I make all the decisions (good and bad) and learn from my mistakes as I go along. The most rewarding feeling is when a piece or an article is published about me and the book, and it contains compliments and recommendations to buy the book.
Surprisingly enough, I am more excited about this part than the actual book sale since I never dreamed anyone would be interested in my personal story, but I guess I managed to touch on many feelings.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Try, try and keep on trying. There is a saying: If God closes a door, he opens a window. This phrase is right. Do not be upset at negative or no responses. Keep on sending queries, keep on using your network, and keep on contacting the media.
With time, you will get to the right person who would love your story… which leads me to the second thing you need - patience and lots of it. Self-promoting your book takes a lot of time, and people do not put you on their priority list, so just keep on trying and be patient. If your story has a hook to it, someone will catch it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I never knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to write my book. I thought that it would only be for my own archives, apparently not. The story is everything. If you have no story, you have nothing.Make sure your book is appealing to your targeted audience.
Try to figure out what will cause them to buy this book. If you were in their shoes and saw your book, would it interest you? If not, then change it so it is more appealing.
Thanks for your great tips Barack, and we wish you all the best!
Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I can help!
Self-Published Author Interview Series – Autobiography By Carolyn Mosby-Williams
Today, in our self-published-author interview series, we talk to Carolyn Mosby-Williams. Carolyn wrote an autobiography called “Unflappable” that sounds very interesting.
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
“Unflappable,” is currently available online at www.unflappable-book.com and documents the first 40 years of my life as a Gary, Indiana-native. Born into a family already seasoned with age and older children, I introduce readers into my “coming of age” story in an honest and sometimes humorous way. In childhood, I was prepared for life’s twists and turns, including mortality between my parents when both faced battles with cancer.
As a somewhat rebellious teenager, I highlight the various tests of discipline, respect and focus demanded from the late John Oliver Mosby, Sr., my retired father and my mother, the late Indiana State Senator Carolyn Brown Mosby, whose workaholic background passed down to her daughter. “Unflappable” also reveals the benefits and the angst of sometimes living in my mother’s shadow and fighting to become my own person.
Along with her strengths, “Unflappable” also follows my own challenges and opportunities, including working with notable individuals such as the late Rev. Charles Williams (no relation), president of Indiana Black Expo, Inc., a man I called mentor and friend. With exposure to media, celebrity and corporate America, I express how I unknowingly built a wall of protection around myself until an outsider told me that my foundation was crumbling. Readers will go on the journey and learn of the necessary decisions that changed my life and allowed me to rebuild. The journey also includes a look inside the family’s connections with Black and American history over the generations.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self publish because large, publishing houses rarely accept unsolicited manuscripts. In addition, as a publicist I had represented many authors who also self-published and was aware of some of the benefits as well as the pitfalls to take care of. I found a self-publisher that approached things a little differently. Instead of publishing any and every manuscript that came to them if the author was willing to pay, this self publisher only selected up to 12 books a year, and they actually read the manuscript to determine if they thought it was a good story. I still paid for everything, but they were the objective voice that you don’t always get when self-publishing.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
My biggest challenge was finding the right self publisher. I wanted to make sure I had a quality product even though I didn’t have a big publishing house behind me.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part of self-publishing is that I am in complete control – creatively and from a marketing and PR perspective. I have a strong background in marketing and PR, and I have represented other authors. In addition, I don’t have to share the proceeds from the sale of the books.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Research all of your options. Make sure you have a story that others will find interesting – not just you. Have it professionally edited, and if you can afford it, hire someone to help with PR and marketing
Thanks for your great insights on your autobiographical, self-published book Carolyn!
Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I can help!
Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.
“Unflappable,” is currently available online at www.unflappable-book.com and documents the first 40 years of my life as a Gary, Indiana-native. Born into a family already seasoned with age and older children, I introduce readers into my “coming of age” story in an honest and sometimes humorous way. In childhood, I was prepared for life’s twists and turns, including mortality between my parents when both faced battles with cancer.
As a somewhat rebellious teenager, I highlight the various tests of discipline, respect and focus demanded from the late John Oliver Mosby, Sr., my retired father and my mother, the late Indiana State Senator Carolyn Brown Mosby, whose workaholic background passed down to her daughter. “Unflappable” also reveals the benefits and the angst of sometimes living in my mother’s shadow and fighting to become my own person.
Along with her strengths, “Unflappable” also follows my own challenges and opportunities, including working with notable individuals such as the late Rev. Charles Williams (no relation), president of Indiana Black Expo, Inc., a man I called mentor and friend. With exposure to media, celebrity and corporate America, I express how I unknowingly built a wall of protection around myself until an outsider told me that my foundation was crumbling. Readers will go on the journey and learn of the necessary decisions that changed my life and allowed me to rebuild. The journey also includes a look inside the family’s connections with Black and American history over the generations.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self publish because large, publishing houses rarely accept unsolicited manuscripts. In addition, as a publicist I had represented many authors who also self-published and was aware of some of the benefits as well as the pitfalls to take care of. I found a self-publisher that approached things a little differently. Instead of publishing any and every manuscript that came to them if the author was willing to pay, this self publisher only selected up to 12 books a year, and they actually read the manuscript to determine if they thought it was a good story. I still paid for everything, but they were the objective voice that you don’t always get when self-publishing.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?
My biggest challenge was finding the right self publisher. I wanted to make sure I had a quality product even though I didn’t have a big publishing house behind me.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
The best part of self-publishing is that I am in complete control – creatively and from a marketing and PR perspective. I have a strong background in marketing and PR, and I have represented other authors. In addition, I don’t have to share the proceeds from the sale of the books.
What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Research all of your options. Make sure you have a story that others will find interesting – not just you. Have it professionally edited, and if you can afford it, hire someone to help with PR and marketing
Thanks for your great insights on your autobiographical, self-published book Carolyn!
Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I can help!
Self-Published Author Kennebrew Surant Reveals Self-Publishing Secrets
Today, we talk to self-published author Kennebrew Surant, who wrote “Life on the Line,” a murder mystery, available on jexbo at http://www.jexbo.com/items/48. Here’s what Kennebrew has to share:
Tell us about your self-published book.
My novel, Life on the Line, is a murder mystery that I wrote while working for Chrysler. I was a management trainee who spent a lot of time working in various factories. I've always loved to write and tell stories.
I would tell friends and family stories about different people I encountered while at work, and they really seemed to love these real-life accounts of what had become just another day at the plant. I begin journaling about my day. Every time something funny happened, or something happened to make me mad, I would just write it down. At one point, my notebook seemed to just be a big book of rants!
I worked 13 to 14 1/2 hours every day, six and seven days a week, at one of the largest stamping plants in the world and was exposed to so much that I'd never really expected to exist in a work environment.
When the notebook was filled, I thought, "I should write a book with all of this stuff," so I did. The book can be found at http://www.jexbo.com/items/48.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I self-published not wanting to wait to follow traditional means to get my book out there. I loved my story and wanted to share it with others. Every time someone reads it and comments about something I specifically did, like writing a certain way or using a certain voice, I am so flattered, not only because they read and enjoyed the story, but because it's like they also "got the story."
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
I really didn't find any obstacles in self-publishing. I hated my job as a manager in the auto industry, but I love to write, so for me, it was a matter of doing something I loved and working hard to complete it. I said I was working a lot of hours when I wrote the book. Well, putting the work into publish it was often on top of the 80 plus hours a week I was putting in at work. But it never drained me.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
I was excited to do it and very excited to find all the options out there available to someone who wants to publish their work.
What advice do you have for other, potential writers and self-published authors?
I would advise anyone who would want to follow the same path to make sure they do their research. I am happy with the company I chose to help me self-publish (Xlibris) but they might not be the best choice for all situations or all books. There were things about that company I liked for my book, but maybe not for my second, like they didn't design the cover. And though I am creative, I am not a visual artist, so I struggled with this decision.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Finally, I would like to add, that I first read about jexbo in the “Detroit Free Press” a few years ago and loved the idea of this website. I wish the founder of it the best of luck and I direct all my friends to it.
Thanks for your kind words and great insights Kennebrew! To read Kennebrew's book, visit http://www.jexbo.com/items/48.
And do you have an idea for a book or need help marketing your self-published book? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Tell us about your self-published book.
My novel, Life on the Line, is a murder mystery that I wrote while working for Chrysler. I was a management trainee who spent a lot of time working in various factories. I've always loved to write and tell stories.
I would tell friends and family stories about different people I encountered while at work, and they really seemed to love these real-life accounts of what had become just another day at the plant. I begin journaling about my day. Every time something funny happened, or something happened to make me mad, I would just write it down. At one point, my notebook seemed to just be a big book of rants!
I worked 13 to 14 1/2 hours every day, six and seven days a week, at one of the largest stamping plants in the world and was exposed to so much that I'd never really expected to exist in a work environment.
When the notebook was filled, I thought, "I should write a book with all of this stuff," so I did. The book can be found at http://www.jexbo.com/items/48.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I self-published not wanting to wait to follow traditional means to get my book out there. I loved my story and wanted to share it with others. Every time someone reads it and comments about something I specifically did, like writing a certain way or using a certain voice, I am so flattered, not only because they read and enjoyed the story, but because it's like they also "got the story."
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
I really didn't find any obstacles in self-publishing. I hated my job as a manager in the auto industry, but I love to write, so for me, it was a matter of doing something I loved and working hard to complete it. I said I was working a lot of hours when I wrote the book. Well, putting the work into publish it was often on top of the 80 plus hours a week I was putting in at work. But it never drained me.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
I was excited to do it and very excited to find all the options out there available to someone who wants to publish their work.
What advice do you have for other, potential writers and self-published authors?
I would advise anyone who would want to follow the same path to make sure they do their research. I am happy with the company I chose to help me self-publish (Xlibris) but they might not be the best choice for all situations or all books. There were things about that company I liked for my book, but maybe not for my second, like they didn't design the cover. And though I am creative, I am not a visual artist, so I struggled with this decision.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Finally, I would like to add, that I first read about jexbo in the “Detroit Free Press” a few years ago and loved the idea of this website. I wish the founder of it the best of luck and I direct all my friends to it.
Thanks for your kind words and great insights Kennebrew! To read Kennebrew's book, visit http://www.jexbo.com/items/48.
And do you have an idea for a book or need help marketing your self-published book? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Need to Save Money as an Entrepreneur? Interview with Self-Published Author Lisa Sims
Are you an entrepreneur trying to save money?
Well, as part of our self-published-author interview series, today we talk to Lisa Sims. Lisa wrote “Stretching A Dollar To Save And Make Thousands: An Entrepreneur’s Guide To Doing More With Less.” Here are Lisa’s tips:
Tell us about your self-published book.
My self-published book is titled, “Stretching A Dollar To Save And Make Thousands: An Entrepreneur's Guide To Doing More With Less.” In my book, I share many of the money-saving tips that I used in my own business to do more with less. It is currently available on Amazon.com and other online book retailer’s websites.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-published because I wanted to have complete control over the project and wanted to make it available to readers faster than with traditional publishing.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
The biggest challenge that I've had to overcome in self-publishing my book is coming up with creative, low-cost marketing techniques to get the word out about my book to my target audience.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
The best part about self-publishing my book is that it has created many new opportunities that were once not available to me. For example, I've done numerous Internet radio shows and even created my own Internet radio show on Blogtalkradio called “Stretching A Dollar For Entrepreneurs” (www.blogtalkradio.com/stretchingadollar).
What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?
Although it can seem like a lot of work to self-publish your own book, it is definitely worth it. There is no greater satisfaction than to hold your finished book in your hands, and see it appear on various, online book retailer’s websites. It is a great sense of accomplishment. No matter how hard it seems, never give up on your dream. Learn from other great writers, and use social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to learn valuable writing techniques.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For more information about me or my book, visit www.stretchingyourcash.com or follow me on www.twitter.com/bizmoneysaver.
Thanks Lisa. We’ll check out your money-saving, entrepreneurial tips!
Do you have a self-published book you’d like to tell others about? How about questions on how to sell books online and self-publishing? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you and give you some free publicity! Thanks!
Well, as part of our self-published-author interview series, today we talk to Lisa Sims. Lisa wrote “Stretching A Dollar To Save And Make Thousands: An Entrepreneur’s Guide To Doing More With Less.” Here are Lisa’s tips:
Tell us about your self-published book.
My self-published book is titled, “Stretching A Dollar To Save And Make Thousands: An Entrepreneur's Guide To Doing More With Less.” In my book, I share many of the money-saving tips that I used in my own business to do more with less. It is currently available on Amazon.com and other online book retailer’s websites.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-published because I wanted to have complete control over the project and wanted to make it available to readers faster than with traditional publishing.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
The biggest challenge that I've had to overcome in self-publishing my book is coming up with creative, low-cost marketing techniques to get the word out about my book to my target audience.
What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
The best part about self-publishing my book is that it has created many new opportunities that were once not available to me. For example, I've done numerous Internet radio shows and even created my own Internet radio show on Blogtalkradio called “Stretching A Dollar For Entrepreneurs” (www.blogtalkradio.com/stretchingadollar).
What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?
Although it can seem like a lot of work to self-publish your own book, it is definitely worth it. There is no greater satisfaction than to hold your finished book in your hands, and see it appear on various, online book retailer’s websites. It is a great sense of accomplishment. No matter how hard it seems, never give up on your dream. Learn from other great writers, and use social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to learn valuable writing techniques.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For more information about me or my book, visit www.stretchingyourcash.com or follow me on www.twitter.com/bizmoneysaver.
Thanks Lisa. We’ll check out your money-saving, entrepreneurial tips!
Do you have a self-published book you’d like to tell others about? How about questions on how to sell books online and self-publishing? Please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you and give you some free publicity! Thanks!
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