I’ve tried not to be overbearing in my book promotion. I know some of you are in possession of The Famous One and are either presently engaged in reading it or wishing you didn’t have a copy or it’s at the bottom of a formidable “to be read” pile. Whatever the case may be, it’s time I gave my thankful recognition to Pleasant Word, a division of WinePress Publishing, for their creation of my second novel The Famous One. The staff at WinePress/Pleasant Word is tremendous to work with from start to finish. They offer many services and packages, but it’s really the value of the individuals who are there for the client all along the way deserving of gratitude and credit for producing the book I wanted.
Really the absolute most difficult thing about self-publishing, whether it’s bulk or POD (print on demand), is marketing. And I’m a self-confessed terrible marketer. Otherwise, there is no longer a difference in quality, unless you find a self-published novel where you feel the writing is inferior. One could probably point out an equal number now which have survived pub boards and appear in print. Anyway, subjective opinions of content and author talent aside, the finished product of the book is in no way of lesser quality. It took only one slight re-working of the cover to get the present book face. I had the choice of eleven templates from which to choose (the spacing of the print on the page). The editing changes were approved by me. I went over every single typeset copy to search for errors, and there were a few which were corrected the next time around. I wrote most of the back cover copy and revised what I didn’t like. It’s just a genuine thrill to be a real part of the process. These people strive to put out a professional product, and from my perspective they have succeeded.
Yes, they’re expensive. No, I didn’t want to chance Lulu or the other “free” publishers. I didn’t have enough information to convince me I’d end up with the kind of product I wanted when it was all said and done. I could be wrong.
It’s interesting that the entire process of creating the copy and design of the novel was done via e-mail. No mailed manuscript pages. All electronically transmitted. A book designed and communicated and assembled for the printer via e-mail. People really can create their own books with advanced computer skills. Not me but probably some of you.
Anyway, I just want to publicly recognize my first contact Tammy Hopf and my project manager Tim Noreen along with all the contributing designers, editors, and staff at Pleasant Word, all of whom made the process personal and meaningful and encouraging. Thank you from my heart.
Father, please bless the efforts of all those who work for your glory in the profession of putting books together. Help them to keep the perspective of serving you throughout the process. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*
Comments