Today, I’m jazzed to introduce Leanne Dyck, another West Coast islander and a talented, determined and gutsy BC author.

Leanne made the difficult but ultimately positive decision to self-publish her novels. Today, in the first of two posts, she’ll begin explaining how and why.

Self-Publishing a Book

Mark Twain did. Why would you? Why did I self-publish?

My reasons were two-fold: to retain control and for educational purposes.

1999 was a tremulous year for me. The death of my mom sent me into a deep depression. Seeking a place to heal, my husband and I moved to Mayne Island. It was on this magical island that I began to rebuild my life. I longed to learn more about my new home and found Marie Elliot’s writing. Her article “The Japanese of Mayne Island” seeded my imagination and I began to write Maynely A Mystery.

As I wrote, my vision for this book grew clear. I knew who my target reader was and I felt I knew how to reach them.

I grew wary of involving someone else in my plans. Would they love this book as much as I do? Would I have to compromise my vision? Fearing the worse, I felt self-publishing was the only solution.

The longer I considered this route the more benefits I saw. I’d never written or published a book. Self-publishing would educate me on all aspects of the industry from designing the cover to marketing.

Maynely a Mystery

In June 2009, I self-published Maynely A Mystery. My target readers did find me.

Here’s a review:

“Rumours of gold, a secret lover, ghosts and other mysteries create a labyrinth of intrigue as Maynely A Mystery traces the lives of the story’s animated eccentric characters. Author Leanne Dyck knows her craft, her audience, and her setting. Her novel provides a voyeuristic glimpse into human character and island life.’” Terrill Welch (Leading Raspberry Jam Visions: Women’s Way)

Maynely A Mystery is sold in bookstores on Mayne Island, Salt Spring Island, and McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m thrilled at the success my cozy mystery has achieved.

Would I self-publish again? Yes, but…

It’s expensive. It costs approximately seven dollars to print each copy.

There is, of course, a solution to print: ebooks. Ebook publishers, such as Smashwords, take a percentage of sales.

The other problem I encountered in self-publishing was marketing. I didn’t hesitate to think outside the box. I organized a book launch/party. I contacted magazines, radio stations, ezines, and book reviewers. I visited bookstores. However, with my limited resources and sales skills I meet roadblock after roadblock.

Frustrated, I sought an alternative. Where did this search take me? Please read my next post, to be published soon.

The Sweater Curse

Leanne’s next book, The Sweater Curse, will be released by Decadent Publishing on November 12th.

It explores the birth, life, death and possible redemption of kick-ass knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson.

Bet those knitting needles stitch some intriguing tangles! Drop that ball of wool and check out Leanne’s work.

EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Coalition™ (www.epicauthors.com) is delighted to announce that your entry, Unnatural States, is a finalist in the Science Fiction Category of the 2011 EPIC eBook Awards Competition™.

2011 EPIC finalist

These awards, presented by the Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), honour the finest electronically published books of the year.

I’m delighted and excited; a wonderfully unnatural feeling.

UnnaturalStates

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 6: Still Missing Part 1

I’m delighted to announce the release of the first of my three-part conversation (click link above or below) with Vancouver Island’s best-selling novelist, Chevy Stevens, author of the terrifying and unsettling debut thriller, STILL MISSING. (duration ~16 minutes)

I met Chevy earlier this year at a book event in Victoria, BC, and was impressed by her intelligence and self-deprecating humour.

A publishing phenom, with a six-figure advance, 150,000 hard-cover first print run, sales to over 20 countries and a movie deal to her credit, Chevy generously reveals how she mined her own personal troubles to drive her protagonist’s voice and which professional editor helped hone her manuscript and eventually land her an agent.

Plus, find out what selling real estate and using a hammer has to do with Chevy’s writing process!

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 6 – Chevy Stevens

Catch up on Chevy’s thriller:

Discover Renni Browne’s self-editing secrets:

Secret Path

Received a positive rejection from one of the agents who was giving the first twenty pages of my feel-good inspirational series, The Sisterhood of Shepherds, a look see. Though she praised my writing and suggested that I submit to her in future, she isn’t a fan of the cozy (at least, not my cozy!).

Yeah, it’s a bummer. I don’t have anything else to submit so it’s like receiving a kiss from your brother (no offense, guys). Now waiting on three other agents who are still reviewing (soooo slowly!) the entire manuscript.

But while indulging in some chocolate fudge, I received a congratulatory email from a local bookseller regarding an article I had been expecting in Senior Living magazine.

Judee Fong, a lovely and talented writer and attendee of my mystery writing course, has kindly penned a few words about moi.

So, thanks Judee for an excellent and entertaining article. Now get back to finishing your whodunit starring the fabulously-named detective, Newton Figgsbee.

I wanna know why the killer shoots twice!

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 5: The Bowdancer Part 2

Just uploaded the fifth episode where I finish my two-part chat with the prolific and genial North Dakota fantasy writer Janie Franz. (Duration: roughly 23 minutes)

Listen (above or below) as Janie generously reveals the twists and turns in her long journey into the publishing light, offers some insight into the fantasy genre and provides a few solid marketing tips.

Discover how Janie’s work as a music reviewer provided her with a novel marketing opportunity for the book launch of Warrior Women, the third in The Bowdancer Saga. You’re gonna wish you could be there!

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 5 – Janie Franz

If you would like to hear my other Novel Experience interviews, please click The Novel Experience Podcast.

Buy Janie’s book:

Now, I’ve just launched a new book trailer for your enjoyment. It was an interesting challenge: my first non-fiction trailer. I decided to forgo music and go with narration.

Have a gander below. Love to know what you think!

Click here for more info and places to buy Youdunit Whodunit!. And thanks for your interest.

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 4: The Bowdancer Part 1

Just launched the fourth episode where I begin a two-part chat with the prolific and genial North Dakota fantasy writer Janie Franz. (Duration: roughly 19 minutes)

Listen (above or below) as Janie generously reveals the twists and turns in her long journey into the publishing light, offers some insight into the fantasy genre and provides a few solid marketing tips. Discover which aspect of writing challenges Janie the most and what she does to survive it. (And no, it’s not eating chocolate fudge!)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 4- Janie Franz

If you would like to hear my other Novel Experience interviews, please click The Novel Experience Podcast.

Buy Janie’s book:

Cover for mystery writing primer, Youdunit Whodunit!

My little mystery writing primer, Youdunit Whodunit!, grabs these English kudos so bloody well done!

You may check out Youdunit and my other work at Amazon across the pond.

Cheerio!

Here’s the blurb and a link to Camosun – Publish Your Own E-book to register.

Thinking about publishing your writing but struck out with traditional publishers? Don’t fancy the headache of self-publishing in print? Then it’s time to join the latest publishing sensation.

You can publish your magnum opus (or cookbook, or romance, or…) in an electronic book format, sell it through major online booksellers and receive above average royalties as easy as a,b,c…well, almost.

This course will introduce you to all things e-book including set-up and formatting, online bookselling sites, e-reader choices, cover image basics and marketing possibilities.

And it’s only $49.00 (plus the dreaded HST). We had a full house last time so register early. Love to see you there!

The Novel Experience Podcast

If you’re interested in words, writers and storytelling or if you’re a writer seeking sound advice from published authors to help you get published, please give it a spin at PodcastPickle.com. My latest guest is the Saskatchewan crime writer, Anthony Bidulka.

Click here for more info or if you want to listen via this blog or other podcasting services, such as iTunes and Podcast Alley.

Love to know what you think. Email me @ epubbing (at) shaw (dot) ca. Cheers!