Monday, March 20, 2017

Jansina's Publication Story + Q&A

Books have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents read to me as a baby, and as soon as I learned I started reading on my ownevery book, every paper, and every sign I found. I was the kind of kid who pulled out grammar books in the summer and wrote research papers "for fun." (No joke.)

When I was around eight years old, I finished my first story: a short one, about a monkey and a gorilla (you can read it here if you really want to). I added clip art photos, my mom had it bound into a "real" book (okay, she stapled it together), and I showed it off to everyone I knew.

My dream was to be a published author. As with most of my dreams, I had a well-thought-out plan. I would write Christian romance and would submit it to a local Christian publisher that specialized in that genre.

As, thanks to NaNoWriMo, I neared the end of my first complete novel, I learned that "my" publisher had changed their policy: No outside submissions would be accepted. 

When my plans are changed by outside forces, I reevaluate them entirely. Although I could have chosen a new publisher, instead I began to research whether traditional publishing was the route I still wanted. 

It wasn't.

For a variety of reasons (freedom of creativity, larger royalty share, unlimited print run), I chose to self publish via CreateSpace. I learned to format, used my graphic art hobby to create the cover, and published within the year.

For me, the "I'm a published author" moment didn't happen. I expected it to when I hit "submit" on CreateSpace. I expected it when my first copy arrived. I expected it when I pushed the book out into the world, and then when I had my first sale, and then when I had my first fan mail. The realization didn't hit all at once. But, at some point, it was there. 

Now, I've published three novels and two short stories, and I have several more in progress. All my novels and short stories (with the exception of Life is Crumbly) are within the same "world" and share many of the same characters.

After journeying the publishing landscape alone, I began my editing and publishing business, Rivershore Books, in 2012. My ultimate goal is to continue the publishing aspect but also create a physical location: a bookstore and coffee shop; an inspirational haven for my fellow authors.

So many steps led to where I am now, and I truly feel it's what Papa (my affectionate name for God) wants me to be doing. My goal is to honor Him in my writing and encourage other authors to do the same with their own.


Q&A Time!


I would like to open the floor now for questions. Feel Free to ask Jansina any questions you might have about writing, her writing, her writing process, her publishing company, or anything else you can think about. She'll be around sometime today to answer them!

19 comments:

  1. Hey all! I'll be checking in throughout the day/week. Helping authors is my passion; all questions are welcome!

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  2. Hi, Getting slightly overwhelmed by the whole POD thing. It seems to require entirely different formatting than for ebooks. How does it all work?

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    1. Hi Sarah! I understand; POD was overwhelming for me when I first started, too. You're right that the formatting is very different from ebooks. What I've found as a good way to think about print formatting is that what you see on the screen is (more or less) what you'll see in print, while ebooks are far more fluid.

      You can format Using Word (I prefer InDesign, but I realize that can be cost prohibitive), then save a PDF and upload to CreateSpace (or your choice of printer). You'll also need a cover, which can be a PDF or a jpg file. I recommend using Gimp or Photoshop (Gimp is a free option - with the limitations you'd expect in a free option, but still very good).

      Some authors choose to hire the formatting and/or cover creation - that's actually what I started my company to help with - rather than learn how. I also offer lessons, which can be helpful if you plan to publish multiple books.

      CreateSpace has a step-by-step upload process, which makes that part easier.

      Do you have specific questions I can help with?

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    2. Specifics no! It's becomming one gigantic blur of questions...I've handed off book one in series to be proofread/edited and she should take care of formatting for kindle..there is so much to consider. I'm pretty much floundering about trying not to panic...I just want someone to step in and say this is how you print on demand, this is how it gets distributed etc...like a step by step guide..I'm pretty much on my own here all the way over in New Zealand.

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    3. See I can't even spell becoming! And thank you for your reply! Just looking at your website...do you offer a package for formatting, and uploading just for print on demand?

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    4. I'm happy to be that person for you! I do offer just formatting for POD - I charge $150 for paperback or hardcover formatting (I recommend paperback, since I haven't found an affordable hardcover printer and you're more likely to earn authors with paperbacks or ebooks). If you opt to do both paperback and hardcover, the cost depends on a few factors we'd discuss, but it would be less than $300. I'd charge $25 to upload.

      If you're interested in publishing under Rivershore, that would include a few extras such as a final proofread, a printer proof review (I have a copy of your book sent to you and another to me and we both check for any issues that aren't obvious on the computer) and inclusion in a blog tour email list (I send a group of 25 bloggers and reviewers info about your book and it's up to them if they choose to post about it on their blogs). That would be $350 total for either hardcover or paperback.

      Probably more info there than you needed. Feel free to email me if you'd like to talk more in depth, though! Info@rivershorebooks.com

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    5. Thanks so much. I'll be in touch.

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    6. Great! I look forward to talking with you more.

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  3. Jansina - I don't have a blog at this point so I hope this comment comes through to you. My husband is writing a book which is educational/self-help for middle-grade kids. Curious about 2 things - do you have your bookstore yet? Would be interested in having you look at my husband's book, once it is completed, to consider having it in your bookstore. #2 is the main quest that we have right now.We have a wonderful editor, layout/design person and illustrator. However the one piece we are missing is someone to guide us in marketing/promotion. There are certain aspects that we can do ourselves - bio, press releases, media kit, phone calls for interviews, etc. What we are looking for is someone to give us in direction and guidance in the areas of marketing and promotion that we are lacking. Any recommendations? My name is Linda Mae Wilson Brownell on Facebook or you can e-mail me at my husband's e-mail nealgbrownell@gmail.com. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Linda! I don't have my store yet (I don't expect to for another 5 years or more - I just bought a house so that's taking up my savings for the time being), but I would definitely be interested in stocking your husband's book. I would also like to set up an online indie bookstore, so I'll get in touch with you about including the book there as well.

      Unfortunately, marketing is my weakest point, and I'm searching for a marketing expert to help with Rivershore, so I don't have any recommendations for you. I'll let you know once I find someone, though!

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    2. Jansina - Thanks so much for responding. We hope to have his book completed in the next 6 months or less We would love to have it included in your online bookstore,so please do stay in touch. God Bless and May Goodness & Happiness always find you - Linda & Neal

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    3. Wonderful! I just sent an email and I'm excited to continue chatting with you. Thank you!

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  4. What drove you to have an interconnecting universe in your stories? Do you ever find it limits what you can do in another book? And do you think it could potentially alienate new readers who may not appreciate the crossovers? Or does rewarding those sticking with you make it all worth it? (And as you know, I say this as a proud practitioner of this technique lol)

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    1. Hi, J.J.! I'm not sure what spurred it, but one day I was thinking about my works in progress (I have always had several in various stages of completion), and I realized the characters in one could easily be connected to the characters in another... And it grew from there.

      The biggest limitation I've found is in the timeline; I write across generations (e.g., one story is about how the parents meet, another is how their kid meets his wife), so I've had to keep a timeline in order to avoid introducing technology that wouldn't have been invented yet.

      I haven't experienced it alienating readers. I'm careful to be sure any of my books can be picked up without having read the rest, so readers likely wouldn't realize the books connect if they don't already know. I think you do the same with your books (though as someone who's read both, I may not be the best judge).

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  5. I LOVED reading about your publication story, Jansina! It was really neat to hear about ;). What is your favorite thing about being self published instead of traditionally published?

    ~ Savannah
    scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Savannah! I think my favorite part is that the feedback I receive is from those in my target audience... I'm able to adjust my writing based on notes from actual readers. And for the feedback I disagree with (for instance, if two readers say opposite of each other), I can go with what I believe is best for the story. I'm not sure if I would have that same freedom if I had published traditionally.

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    2. Ooh, good point - thanks for answering! ;)

      ~ Savannah
      scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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  6. I'm a bit late to ask questions, but thanks for sharing your story, Jansina! I always enjoy hearing about how authors got their starts.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! It's not too late to ask questions if you have any. :)

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Hi! Now that you've read my post, hast thou any opinions that thou wouldst like to share? I'd love to hear them!

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