I’m working on a kids’ detective novel, geared toward
ages 7–11, called The Case of the Wilted Broccoli.
It should be out in March or April. I promised this
book to my children a year ago, when I realized they
book better).
One of the great advantages of indie publishing, like
can hire a new copyeditor, tweak a character’s words
or description of a scene. Even now I’m revising
Avogadro Corp to address some of the issues with
my writing craft.
Cory Doctorow, who writes what I think of as “smart
a traditional publishing company in Germany,
you’re one of those writers who have their
end of the year.
publishing. Could you tell us the pros and cons of
both methods as far as your experience goes?
out more at www.williamhertling.com, where they
I’m also a quarter of the way done with my next adult
William: One of the biggest advantages of traditional
publishing is being on shelves in bookstores. That’s
nearly impossible to achieve as an indie author. It
means exposure to a whole new group of readers I
couldn’t have reached otherwise. Being translated
into German, with my book already selling well in
English, means even more readers will be able to
enjoy Avogadro Corp.
S.E.: Thank you for joining us at the Mash Blog,
William. You’ve addressed some crucial points
in many writers’ careers. I personally love your
strongly recommend to all our fellow writers,
have provided on your blog is a lifesaver.
Goodbye for now.
But indie publishing is also great. Besides bypassing
the gatekeeper to bring a book to market, I also enjoy
Quick Fire Round
with William Hertling
it on sale, I can. Traditionally published authors can’t
do that.
My passion, except writing, is … building and
inventing, anything from constructing a new garden
shed, to making parts with a 3D printer, to writing
software.
The royalties on self-published books are also much
greater than traditionally published books. A selfpublished novel will likely earn the author $2.00 to
$3.00 or more per sale, while a traditionally published
My parents always told me ... I could do anything,
and I embody that in much of my life. In fact, one of
the greatest motivators for me is when a person says
something is impossible, or that I can’t do it. I just have
to prove them wrong.
One favourite childhood memory … was me walking
back from the library with my mom. I’d have my head
buried in a book, and she’d hold onto one arm to
steer me and stop me from walking into the street. I’d
enough to support full-time writing. By comparison, a
traditionally published author would need to sell four
times as many books to earn a similar amount.
S.E.: What’s next for William Hertling? What
should readers expect?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given … is
William: The audiobook for my most recent novel,
The Last Firewall, will be out in February. Many
book, don’t stop. Keep writing. It causes you to grow as
Audible.com and iTunes.)
self-published), then you still have options.
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