The following interview was reprinted with permission from writerswebworkshop.com.
Alison: What caused you to decide that self- publishing was your path?
Denise: I tried going through a publisher and was accepted once then the publisher went out of business. Basically, I wanted to “make it happen.” So many people I knew had books published.
The whole industry is maturing so it is much easier to self-publish now.
Also, the timeline for going through a publisher was unacceptable to me; it can take years. I wanted to get my ideas into book form as quickly as possible.
Alison: Can you tell us something about your choices? Hard copy books or e-publishing?
Denise: My book is a children’s picture book – soft cover. I might consider putting it in ‘e’ form at a later date.
Alison: What have you found most successful for promotion?
Denise: Word of mouth through friends and associates, my website, several libraries have bought my book, there are testimonials on my website linked to others’ websites, I mailed out book marks, visited groups, been a guest reader at malls, plus the Print on Demand company I use distributes my books to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Chapters/Indigo.
I also sell on consignment through independent book stores.
As you can see I use multiple approaches but it’s too early to tell which approach or combination of approaches is most successful.
Alison: What would you do differently if you could start over again?
Denise: Work with a book designer.
Alison: And please add a bit about your books!! Website details, or how we can find them
Denise: Today is the Day to Run Away is the story of a big toe’s desire to run away and see the world. What would happen? Where would Big Right go? What about the fate of the other toes? This whimsical story will pique children’s imagination. It’s all about the management of competing demands, anticipation and change. Your readers can check out my website, www.bigtoepublishing.com.
Denise, thank you for sharing your inspiration and your work!