“I wanted total artistic control over the publication, and very quick distribution. It was a great way to get my feet wet.” -Betsy Riley
How did you get started writing your book? Or what inspired your book?
I wrote the original text during therapy after my second divorce. I began by describing some of my feelings, then rewrote to be sure I made a happy ending possible. I had friends going through nasty divorces and I wanted to share it with them, as a positive message.
What was the hardest part about completing your book?
I spent the most time getting the images exactly the way I wanted them, and formatting the text to fit with each illustration.
Did you learn any lessons in the book creation process, if so what where they?
I learned a lot about Print On Demand, ISBNs, copyrights, and marketing. I also learned that having a finished, physical copy in my hands was a great morale booster.
Did you enlist support in getting your book done? If so, what kind of support?
Lots of moral support from family and friends. Lots of technical advice from colleagues on LinkedIn, including exceptional help in converting to epub format.
What tips or advice do you have for aspiring authors?
First, finish your book. Then explore your options. Self-publishing is very inexpensive these days.
If you self-published, what made you self-publish?
I wanted to experiment with the technology, and I had a short piece ready. I wanted total artistic control over the publication, and very quick distribution. It was a great way to get my feet wet.
If you had to do your book all over again, would you?
Yes, I would do it again, and I would self-publish again — for THAT book. Part of it was proving to myself that I could finish a project, and distribute it in a professional manner. I give away a lot of copies, because with this particular book, it is spreading the message that is important.
Are you writing or planning to write an additional book(s)?
Yes, I have several works in progress. “Street People” is a collection of narrative poetry and a few short stories about a community of people. “The Grimmer Goose” is a collection of warped rhymes and stories set in the world of fairy tales and talking animals. “Zombie Call Center” is an urban fantasy. “Queen of the Zombies” is a prequel to “Zombie Call Center”, describing the genesis of the various types of zombies in the world I have created. I am also working on short story collections about two different serial killers.
What else would you like to share about you or your book?
I’m a nerd and a gleek, love scifi and musicals, and have owned a ballroom dance studio.
How can people find out more about your book?
See my website, http://brws.com
You can find out more about my writing at my blog, http://brws.com/wordpress
Excerpts from my other writings, and award-winning flash fiction are posted there.
The Comet is now sitting at #12 in its category on Amazon. And my latest book, an anthology titled “That One Left Shoe” is in the top 100 of fiction anthologies and flagged as a “Hot New Release”–great success from an unknown SP author!
“Street People Tales” is now out, as are 3 more books I’ve worked on. See http://BlueDragonPress.com for the full list.
There will be a “Free Fridays” promo for the kindle version of “Street People Tales” on 3/30 and 4/6 2012. I’ve also had poems and short stories published in several periodicals.
This sounds like a wonderful show and really worthwhile interviews. Having self-published multiple times, I have learned how the process is very different based on the purpose of your book.