Key to Success Multitasking/Multipublishing/

by Janie Lancaster
(California)

Julie and the Lost Fairy Tale

My book was published by an innovative publisher (Star Publish) so I am self published and have a POD book printed by Ingram.

My life crashed in ruins about five years ago. It was as though a fire had ravaged me. I was suffering from Fibromyaliga, Chronic Myofasial Pain, Post Traumatic Stress and Menopause. Needless to say I was overwhelmed. Writing became my therapy and my characters became my friends in the loneliness of my recovery.

I wrote my first book, Julie & The Lost Fairy Tale, in three days. (4,000 words a day) The story was wrapped around my dreams and fairy tales. I wrote pictures books and other novels as well as therapeutic poetry.

Then it came time to publish my written works.

I did a lot of research about the publishing world and went to many seminars and writing groups. I was not encouraged by what I found. I was told that my story would not be published for at least three years because of the process and waiting periods involved. This would not work for me. I knew I would have been published years ago if it had not been for the traumas I had suffered as a child and the survival mode I had entered into at an early age.

Publishing my book meant more to me then being known as a writer, it was establishing my real identityl--the creative side of me. So I went to Covington, Georgia where my story takes place and asked the local newspaper to print my story. They did. I finished my story in July 2004 and had it published in The Covington News September 2004. Then the editor told me about Newspapers In Education where they publish serial stories. I called newspapers around the country and got my story in many states and also in Canada.

Then I learned about Star Publish. I was looking for a publisher to publish a poetry chapbook. I read their contract. When I learned that I would have the freedom to publish my book, keep my rights and be available on-line and also in bookstores I made my decision to publish my Julie book. And I am glad that I did. I love Star Publish, they treat their authors with dignity, respect and kindness.

I don't think that self publishing or POD publishing is for everyone. It is not easy to go down the self publishing road. You have to be willing to multitask and become what ever is needed to publish and promote your book. I have had to learn to write press releases, create marketing materials, write articles, post on blogs and learn different ways to sell my book... and so much more.

I can assure you it is a roller coaster ride. Self publishing has its ups and downs, successes and failures. But I think no matter what way we choose, publishing is not "Easy Street" like it was at one time. I think we need to be willing to adapt and love our work enough to seek out innovative ways to find success no matter what we do in this ever changing world of ours.

Visit Janie Lancaster.