In Baring it All : The Ins and Outs of Publishing , twelve industry professionals , national bestselling and award-winning authors ahare their insight . . . no holds barred .
But let ’ s explore more of those authors who did what it took to get their stories out there . Mary B . Morrison left a six-figure government job to write , publish and promote her own book , landing a six figure deal with a major house shortly thereafter . The late , great E . Lynn Harris , famous for his “ pop the trunk ” sales technique where he went door-to-door to beauty salons and other local venues with his first selfpublished title , eventually landed a deal and had several books on The New York Times list as well . Kimberla Lawson Roby , too , enjoyed success as a self-published author before an agent landed her with a major house . After years of success , she eventually commanded a million-dollar deal . Zane gave away her short stories on a website , then self-published before landing a book deal and slamming onto The New York Times list . She began to publish other authors and eventually became an imprint of a major house .
See a trend here ? I certainly did . Self-publish , learn the industry , set some goals , build a name , then spread your wings . The people mentioned in this article inspired me to follow in their footsteps . In 1999 , I decided to write . Though I never aspired to be an author , I believed I had a story to tell . I self-published in 2000 and published other authors from 2001-2005 .
Though I enjoyed the control self-publishing gave me , I wanted a book deal with a major house . At the last minute , as I prepared two other authors for Book Expo America ( BEA ), I threw a book together in a few days – writing four Fridays in a row from eight o ’ clock p . m . to six o ’ clock a . m . at a little hole in the wall on the South Side of Chicago . I had the book professionally edited , and a month later the finished trade paperback was in my hand .
That last minute book , Every Woman Needs a Wife , landed a book deal with an imprint of Simon & Schuster , and was later on the national bestsellers list . The novel even became required reading at Indiana University .
Although self-publishing does have its challenges , as does any new venture , it can be rewarding . Authors who are with major houses have their own set of challenges to deal with , so each side of the coin is a lesson in patience , diligence , and perseverance .
As an aspiring author and avid reader , I don ’ t honestly know how people survived without this book . Written by a group of some of the best authors , and editors that I ’ ve ever come across , this book should be required reading for anyone attempting to put pen to paper . I can ’ t even begin to list all that I ’ ve learned in the short time that I ’ ve had this book in my possession ; if you are an aspiring author like me , you ’ re hungry for tips , advice , and hints to hone and develop your craft . This book is definitely a must-have ! I recommend this book to everyone : author , reader , writer ; if you are in the industry , you should have a copy of this book !
-- Kiera J . Northington
In Baring it All : The Ins and Outs of Publishing , twelve industry professionals , national bestselling and award-winning authors ahare their insight . . . no holds barred .