THE PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE
GUEST POST BY JACQUELINE SMITH
When I first decided I wanted to publish Cemetery Tours, I had no idea how I planned to go about doing so. First, I thought about pursuing the traditional route: query agents, sign contracts with the big publishing houses, etc. For a while, that sounded like the way to go. After all, I knew nothing about copyright, barcodes, ISBN, or how I could turn my piddly little manuscript into, you know, a real BOOK. The whole idea was actually really overwhelming.
But then I did a little research. I went to the library and read every book I could find on publishing. I met up with a friend who had independently published his own novel and who also happens to be a lawyer. He gave me a run down of all the pros and cons of independent publishing. The cons being, of course, less publicity, less resources, and you had to do all the work yourself. But the benefits, I realized, were substantial. For one thing, I would be in total control over my books. Not only that, all the legal rights would remain with me. I wouldn’t be bound to any contracts or any bottom lines. I would be free to do with my books whatever I wanted.
As it turned out, making the decision to independently publish was the easy part. I didn’t realize that there would be a hundred more decisions to be made. For example, did I want to purchase my ISBN in bulk or did I want to buy them one at a time? Did I want to design my own book cover or did I want to hire an artist? I will spare you the gory details of every decisions I made and how I made them because, to be honest, it will probably bore you. Also, I’m a firm believer in what works for one person will not necessarily work for another person (however, I did buy in bulk and I did hire a designer).
The biggest piece of advice I can offer to any aspiring author is to go for it. Make your dreams come true. We’ve all heard that old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” That is 100% true. You can do anything you set your mind to. Fear and self-doubt are incredibly powerful, and they will try to get you down. Don’t let them. Persevere. Work hard. And most importantly, believe in yourself and in your abilities. Most of us are capable of so much more than we attempt.
I’d like to thank you, Danielle for this week and for everything you do for the literary and blogging community. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you next! I’m sure it will be great! Happy Blogiversary!
CEMETERY TOURS BUY LINKS:
BETWEEN WORLDS BUY LINKS:
ABOUT JACQUELINE
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Jacqueline E. Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Performance in 2010. Two years later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Humanities.
Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)
JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY
Jacqueline has generously provided (3) e-book copies of Cemetery Tours and (3) e-book copies of it’s sequel, Between Worlds. There will be (3) Winners who will receive one copy of each book. This giveaway will run until March 7th.
Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY
Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.
(1) Grand Prize Winner
- $25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
- (1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
- (1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
- (1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
- (1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
- (1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
- (1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
- (1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
- (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
- (1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)
(1) Prize Winner
- $10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
- (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
- (1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
- (1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
- (1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Prize Winner
- $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
- (1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
- (1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) Prize Winner
- $5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with my book review of Cemetery Tours and the announcement of the giveaway winner.
Tagged: Blogiversary, book giveaway, Giveaway, Guest Post, Publishing
Stories Unfolded 
Reblogged this on paulawalkerbaker and commented:
Jackie is the reason my book will be published this month! She is an awesome person and author!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on A Platform of Sorts and commented:
Loved sharing my experience in the independent publishing industry with Danielle at Stories Unfolded! Check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person