Your first published experiences

[Wayne J Street Jr]

Hello Everyone

I've written my first book titled Game, Set, Life.  It is a memoir about my struggles with Crohn's and Cancer. 

My 2nd book will be released in October or November.  It is children's book titled  Summer of the Goose

Just curious to see what your experiences have been for you with your first books?  If you would be willing to share that would be awesome.  

Please feel free to check out my blog too.    www.waynestreetbooks.blogspot.com  

Thanks 

[Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith]

Know your audience for your book; get in front of them; involve yourself with them, and put your best foot forward. If they like you, they will buy. If they don't, anything you do won't matter. One opinion.

Bill ;-)

http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/
Author of "Back to the Homeplace"
and "13 Ways to Tell Your Ancestor Stories"
http://www.examiner.com/x-53135-Springfield-Genealogy-Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-58285-Ozarks-Cultural-Heritage-Examiner

[Wayne J Street Jr]

Thank you Bill. I agree with you. I am narrowing down my audience and getting in touch with them

I love genaology. It is great

[Jason Coleman]

Wayne,

My wife and I released our 1st book June 1st, called, "Discovering Your Amazing Marriage." www.youramazingmarriage.com
It's been a very eye-opening experience, as we never thought there was so much involved! From the editing, to the format/layout/cover design decisions, it's been interesting. We went with Mill City Press, which appears to be like a cross-over. The books don't scream "self-published" like they do from Author House and the finished product looks very professional. Our imprint is Seraphina Press and we are distributed thru Ingram and several other national distributors. I've found when we approach book stores, they first ask who the publisher is and if it is available thru Ingram. So far we haven't met any resistance from independent book stores, but the national chains haven't picked us up yet. We spent about 3K on a 60-day media blitz and have garnered 5 radio interviews, but I was able to secure two on my own. So far, I've had more luck myself approaching individual Borders Bookstores asking if we can do a book signing event, than my publicist has had with the national outlets. But, we've been on the market for only a couple months and I know it is a marathoin, not a sprint.

If only my wife's name was Sarah Palin... LOL.

Best of luck to you on your work.

~ Jason

[Lisa Eichlin]

Who was your illustrator? Looks like a great book!

[Wayne J Street Jr]

The publisher (Tate Publishing) has their own full art department.

[Lisa Eichlin]

I know about the art department. My illustrator through Tate was Benton Rudd he did a fantastic job on my pics!

[Sheila Deeth]

I love the illustration on your cover, especially the neat little details like the gap in his teeth. Very nice.
I've been self-publishing with Lulu for a while--I had dreams it would be actuallybe a way to earn money but really all it earns is the right to pay taxes and enjoy an overly expensive hobby. I did get an eBook published with Gypsy Shadow a few weeks ago, so I'm enjoying my first real experience of being published--it's strange how much harder I'm willing to work on advertising when someone else is invested in the result. I'm not sure what that says about me or the getting published thing, but I just thought I'd mention it.

http://www.sheiladeeth.com
author of Refracted from http://www.gypsyshadow.com/SheilaDeeth.html
and Inspired by Faith and Science books from http://stores.lulu.com/sdeeth

[Wayne J Street Jr]

Thanks for the compliment. The artwork did turn out great.

I will look up your book too. It is a hobby for me as of now, but I am hopeful that it can be more than that

Thanks