tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post22250723760211887..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Why I’m Happy with My Small Press PublishersMarta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-69783513533994008832011-10-18T02:29:53.599-04:002011-10-18T02:29:53.599-04:00Excellent post. I think it's a good idea for e...Excellent post. I think it's a good idea for every writer and author to sit down and figure out what they do and don't want out of being an author. For you, that means small press and not having to deal with all the formatting and making/buying covers. For others, it'll mean other things. But to have it worked out already takes a lot off the mind, eh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-52440401766811048672011-10-17T09:45:28.213-04:002011-10-17T09:45:28.213-04:00Hi, Marilyn! Just back from a non-Internet weekend...Hi, Marilyn! Just back from a non-Internet weekend visiting my mother in Mass, so I'm late commenting. Loved your article - so many truths in there. I'm crazy about my small press publisher - Twilight Times Books. It's nice to have a pub who is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and who is featured off and on in Publisher's Weekly Magazine - it's a genuine nod of "approval" from the big boys out there. <br /><br />I will check out your new book - I have several of yours on my Kindle to read - can't wait to get to them! Thank you so much for being here with us at MB4, we love it when you are our guest!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-88879767782997191882011-10-14T18:37:32.686-04:002011-10-14T18:37:32.686-04:00Jenny, I know that you'll do well, I just got ...Jenny, I know that you'll do well, I just got too old and had written too many books to wait for one of the big 6 (if that's how many are left now).<br /><br />Jacqueline, it's great when any of us can find publishers we're happy with--and are happy with us.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-49732465730092399972011-10-14T17:29:34.314-04:002011-10-14T17:29:34.314-04:00Hi, Marilyn,
Like you, I am published by two diff...Hi, Marilyn,<br /><br />Like you, I am published by two different independents. They edit my work in a professional manner. Although I have input into the cover design, they create professional covers for my work and send it out to many reviewers. I'm a bit too tech challenged to start doing my own e-books. However, I greatly admire those who can create a quality product on their own.<br /><br />Jacqueline Seewald<br />THE TRUTH SLEUTH--check it out at your local libraryJacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-5392605987120019472011-10-14T14:33:09.793-04:002011-10-14T14:33:09.793-04:00I'm glad there are a range of publishers--from...I'm glad there are a range of publishers--from self to the big 6--so that writers can find which one fits them at this particular time, and for this particular book. It's upsetting when there's a disconnect, and the writer feels frustrated either not being able to be at a bigger house--or not being able to get rights back and go out on his or her own.<br /><br />I waited 11 years, trying to break in, before getting a deal with a traditional publisher. It will still be 15 months before my book is out. That's one of the drawbacks to that route.<br /><br />But the excitement of having a whole team behind you, as Marilyn says, an editor who knows my book better than I do, the marketing people who know *everything* better than I do ;) makes it just the right path.<br /><br />I'm glad you've found your right fit, too, Marilyn--and hope that every writer here does as well.Jenny Milchmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04410805792044518458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-38982803341414015712011-10-14T13:44:07.844-04:002011-10-14T13:44:07.844-04:00Hey, Carl, thanks for stopping by.
Wendy, I'm...Hey, Carl, thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />Wendy, I'm with you, I'm struggling to find the time to write--but I'm doing it.<br /><br />The Daring Novelist, I've been so fortunate with my latest two publishers.<br /><br />And Coco, I've been on panels at Bouchercon, LCC, and all the smaller cons. Sometimes I have to bring my books, other times not. But at the big cons, you probably aren't going to sell many books, too many big name authors--have fun and meet readers.<br /><br />Again, thanks, Marta. Love this blog.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-30986862048136119032011-10-14T13:38:48.759-04:002011-10-14T13:38:48.759-04:00Marilyn, welcome back to Murder By 4! It's al...Marilyn, welcome back to Murder By 4! It's always such a pleasure to host you.<br /><br />My affiliation with a small press began in 2007 when the published the first book in my Sam Harper series and I have to say, they've been very good to me. They have an excellent editorial team and graphic artists. They've also been instrumental in promoting my novels, and getting me interviews and reviews. I agree with you that no matter how large the publisher, the bulk of the marketing and promotions falls squarely on the author's shoulders.<br /><br />Coco brings up an excellent point too. I used to get so frustrated when my novels weren't showing up at conferences. I don't like the limitations either, but I've come to accept them only because my readers enjoy the books and in the end, that's all that matters!<br /><br />I have a stand alone book in the hands of an agent (no news in a while though). I also considered trying my hand at self-publishing, but the idea of not having a publisher and editor backing my work makes my skin crawl. So, I'm staying where I am. :)<br /> <br />All the best with "Bears With Us!"Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-17288262865746333232011-10-14T12:14:10.251-04:002011-10-14T12:14:10.251-04:00One word of caution. I am with a small publisher, ...One word of caution. I am with a small publisher, too, and have found out I am not eligible to be on a panel or recieve an award at some mystery conventions because my publisher is not approved by Mystery Writer's of America. Convention booksellers also will not order my books. They have to be consigned. If I had it to do over, I'd try to get a publisher who is listed on the MWA site.Coco Ihlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02200793687248191078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-21099357881053280432011-10-14T11:57:38.310-04:002011-10-14T11:57:38.310-04:00I'm sticking to self-publishing for the time b...I'm sticking to self-publishing for the time being, but I hope (and expect) to see that as changes shake through the system, small publishers will see a real blossoming.<br /><br />Small publishers provide a personal touch for both authors, and _readers_, and also have a more flexible business model.The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-33826778441529796202011-10-14T11:40:22.587-04:002011-10-14T11:40:22.587-04:00Interesting post Marilyn. Like you I barely can fi...Interesting post Marilyn. Like you I barely can find time to write. I seem to be obsessing about promotion. I don't want to learn how to do my own publishing!<br />Wendy<br /><a rel="nofollow">W.S. Gager on Writing</a>WS Gagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02278366853908626596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-91320105876469767002011-10-14T11:38:25.594-04:002011-10-14T11:38:25.594-04:00Good col. Marilyn. Sage advice re editing and rewr...Good col. Marilyn. Sage advice re editing and rewriting.<br />Folks, don't sell Smashwords short! If your books makes it to their premium calendar it goes to a bunch of e-tailers and that can only increase your circulation.carl brookinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16400731716746662544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-19180133877713370902011-10-14T10:36:32.376-04:002011-10-14T10:36:32.376-04:00Oh, and a P.S. Mark Coker of Smashwords started ou...Oh, and a P.S. Mark Coker of Smashwords started out with doing the work himself, then he had to have his wife help him, and when I talked to him after his talk, he said he had to hire 6 more people.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-24218710177088100942011-10-14T10:35:14.787-04:002011-10-14T10:35:14.787-04:00Hi, Anne, I wish I had time, I'd try it, but I...Hi, Anne, I wish I had time, I'd try it, but I barely can get done what I need to do each day.<br /><br />Cheryl, you're a peach for many reasons.<br /><br />Jean, I admire the fact that you're doing it on your own--but I notice you said "we"--I don't have anyone who could possibly help me with Kindle and Nook.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-85410158520848909382011-10-14T10:25:04.720-04:002011-10-14T10:25:04.720-04:00A number of my books were recently orphaned and we...A number of my books were recently orphaned and we've been busy placing them back online in print, Kindle and Nook. The process is time consuming but worth the effort. Photoshop makes designing book covers easy if you're good at taking photos for the background. Kindle produces the most sales and I've heard from other writers that Smashwords only accounts for about 5% of sales, so we haven't gone there.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-12254977422161405752011-10-14T10:13:23.800-04:002011-10-14T10:13:23.800-04:00Thanks for having Marilyn as your guest today. Thi...Thanks for having Marilyn as your guest today. This is a great topic. I know I love my small press publisher too. Like Anne, I think it's an exciting time to be an author.<br /><br />Wishing you the best,<br /><br />CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-65558212096778860432011-10-14T09:27:57.292-04:002011-10-14T09:27:57.292-04:00Food for thought, Marilyn. I agree with the advice...Food for thought, Marilyn. I agree with the advice of editing and having a great cover. Like you, I'm happy with my publisher, but also curious about trying it on my own. <br /><br />It's an exciting time to be an author. So many possibilities!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-80940477781343256452011-10-14T09:00:20.498-04:002011-10-14T09:00:20.498-04:00Thank you, Murder by 4 for allowing me to speak my...Thank you, Murder by 4 for allowing me to speak my piece. I'd love to hear what others have to say.<br /><br />MarilynMarilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.com