First Post-ever

[James Brady]

This is the first time I have made contact with any writing group and I'm not sure exactually what to say. I self published with Tate Publishing in Dec. 2006. I was 62 and Tomorrows, the name of the book, was my first work. I learned a lot by following suggestions the Tate editors gave me.When I started writing Tomorrows I visioned a best seller and could see the money rolling in. I'm still waiting.

The money I spent was not as important as getting my first novel in print. I would like to see it do good and I believe it will. All responses I've had from people that read Tomorrows have been very good

As for my self, I am now 66 years old, semi-retired, first time author, a single father with a 21 year son at home, waiting for my book to get some reconization, with another book ready to go.
James

[lynnmosher]

Welcome, James Brady, to our writing family. Check out the TOS, guidelines, FAQs, and stickies to help guide you through the site. If you need anything, just give a holler. So, make five posts and you can start submitting your work for critiques. You'll be hooked soon. Blessings on your writing. !thumbsup!

[quark]

Hello James, Leon Mentzer here. Being a first time author is not for the faint hearted. I should have stock in Malox. I have found out that being successful in selling your first book involves being very proactive in the marketing of your book. While my publisher ( which is Tate ) placed my book with the distributors who placed it on the data bases and sold the book to stores, I had to be very active in book signing, speaking engagements, etc,. I have written a new Book "AMEN A Simple Guide To Self-Marketing Your Christian Book", if you'd like I'll send you a free copy. Just give Tate permission to send your address to me and I'll personally send it out. I believe in the squeaky wheel gets oil thought. As long as you keep squeaking about your book, you will sell one.

As to advise: Hm-m-m-m.... to be successful my goal is only to sell one book at a time, and when I sell two.......wow I'm really over my goal.

Blessings to you and your book.

[Gravity]

James, our friend Leon gave good advice. If you wish to sell one book at a time, self-pubbing, or vanity (the terms aren't quite interchangeable, but for most folks they mean the same) will do the trick. Also self-pubbing can be quite profitable if the book is non-fiction, your speaking platform is big enough, you price it right, and don't mind hand-selling it at the end of your address.

For fiction, things tend to get a bit more...complicated. Without a catalog, a motivated sales force, deep store discounts, regional shelf placement, and national reviews, it can be quite daunting. The comeback might be, "yes, but it's listed on amazon, B&N, and other sites." Which is true, but how often does a person seek out a book online, and BUY IT, from an author they've never heard of and worse, without the ability to thumb through the book and see if it's a good read? It happens, but not enough to pay the rent..or in most cases buy a pizza.

There's the conundrum.

[James Brady]

Tomorrows is an early american fiction. One lady compared it to L'amour and most readers say they enjoyed reading it. I work at Wal-Mart and I sold several copies to the associates there. One day I was in the break room and happened to glance over at another table. An associate was reading my book with interest. I felt like I had accomplished something. I sole a copy two days ago and two more today. I plan to keep plugging away.

Thanks for the advice I have received from some of you. I have had several book signings. Some were delightful and some were catastrophes; that's to be expected I guess.

Thanks

James

[David Meigs]

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[Keith Wallis]

Welcome to the melting pot. Enjoy the site.