Self-Publishing
Continued from Submissions/Rejections
Looking back, I don’t really know what madness possessed me to take such risks. In all honesty, it’s the same madness that keeps me here working on Luthiel’s Song still. Part of it must be love for the thing. The other part, just determination to make it where I’m headed. Hopefully the top of that mountain. Or at least the next foothill.
But I did the crazy thing. The mad thing Ray Bradbury wrote about when he talked of jumping off cliffs and trying to build a set of wings before hitting ground.
I quit my job as an editor. I moved to Portsmouth. I tried to make a living as a writer.
What was I thinking?
I was self-published in the worst kind of way. I had 1,000 books in my storage shed with no way to sell them other than to my friends on myspace or out of the trunk of my little Saturn. Marketing managers would probably look at me cross-eyed and some folks in the publishing industry certainly did.
Yet I sensed I had something a little special and I believed in this story enough to put feet to road and do my best. Myspace itself was a huge help to me. I had a small but loyal group of fans who kept screaming about the book to their friends. Many are still screaming now. After about two years, you’d have thought they would have screamed themselves hoarse.
The second piece was a willingness to go out and promote. I couldn’t really get into bookstores at first. Some local indies picked me up and one — The Heritage Store — has sold over 120 copies in the past two years. Some folks there picked up the book, read it, loved it and continue to speak highly of it and bother me about book 2.
Only the odd bookstore and myspace alone weren’t going to cut it for me. Though I owned the book and was making a high portion of the profits, the return on the about 100 books a month average I was selling at first was only a small fraction of what I needed to survive.
Then I read about a remarkable young man by the name of Christopher Paolini who sold about 10,000 books before he was picked up by Knopf. He’d really struggled as a self published author. Over time he managed to get venues. Conventions, bookstores and schools. He spoke highly of schools and how helpful they were to him as a new author. So I started trying to book school visits.
I really struggled at first. I lacked any real kind of legitimacy and had to call about 30 places before I landed a visit. But that first visit was amazing. I sold 50 in one day. The reader responses were fantastic and I received a full in-box from students asking about future books.
Now here was a formula I could use to survive as a writer. If just barely.
I hit the road. Some of the school visits were amazing. Some weren’t. At one I sold 8 and today that is my minimum. At another I sold 154 which remains my record. The students there seemed to think I was some kind of rock star. Even better, a good number of the schools paid me a fee for speaking.
Like many things in my life, something unexpected happened here. I thought I’d be selling my book — and I was. I thought I’d be making a name for myself as a writer — and I was. But in doing all that I was doing something even more important. I was inspiring students to read. There was a level of personal reward here that transcended any kind of monetary pay off. A student’s eyes would light up and they’d say something like “I read Luthiel’s Song and then I read 8 more books. Luthiel’s Song was the first big book I’ve ever read.”
It was an epiphany for me. I remembered having trouble reading. I remembered falling in love with “The Hobbit.” Here I was doing the same thing for these students. And even if it made a difference to just a few it was life-changing. Empowering. I began to feel as if I was doing a good and necessary thing. I got there by following my love for this story.
Now, two years have passed and I’ve sold well over 7000 books. But the real achievement is the more than 10,000 readers, many of them students who’ve never read a novel before, who will now go on to read more. There’s also a little recognition now too. Nothing grand. But Borders, Waldenbooks, and Barnes and Noble sellers across the state and in places where I’ve presented are picking up Luthiel’s Song. One B&N sold over 30 copies in less than two months.
It is all nothing short of a small miracle. I have no publisher. No official publicist. No promotional budget. Only my wife, some amazing friends, and two Maine Coon cats.
The book itself has now been nominated for three teen fiction awards. And I’m doing my best to have book 2 out as soon as possible because there’s a small army of people who will have my head if I don’t finish soon.
So do you think it’s over for me? I sincerely hope you don’t! Even better, I hope you’ll join me, Luthiel, Othalas, Vanye, Melkion and a host of others.
And for the writers — perseverance does pay. It may not pay in endless riches. It may not pay in national fame. But it does pay in recognized stories and readers who love your work.
If I had any advice it would be to take your time. To do your best to write a wonderful story. To pick those friends who will challenge you as a writer. The ones who’ll give you just the right amount of adversity to make you grow. If all you want is to be the next sensation, this profession isn’t for you. View that sort of thing as equivalent to winning a lottery. Only both the very fortunate and the very talented reap that kind of reward. There is no harm in striving. But if fame and fortune are the sole purposes of your writing it will come out hollow and contrived. We all hope our stories will become so renown. And there is no harm in hoping either. But if you wish to be a writer. Love the writing. Love the journey. Love the ways it challenges you to grow and become more than you are at this instant.
To you all — readers and writers both — I hold my sword high in salute! You are the reason I am here. I hope I’ve been at least some small inspiration.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
This is exactly what I needed to read on a day when I’ve reached so many mental lightbulbs in regards to my own writing. I just know this is only the beginning for you, and your “becoming a writer” story will go on and on and become better and better with success and happiness all around you.
August 24th, 2007 at 12:28 am
That’s what writing is about bro, reaching people and inspiring them to read and write … and maybe paying some bills along the way
August 24th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Well, I must admit that it is all quite true. Even though I am not a Christopher Paolini fan, I will admit he did something great. Your book will one day fall into my lap, if I must rob B&N dry to find it (and purchase it, of course).
I can only hope that you will one day see my book up there competing with yours, racing for the number one spot on tomorrow’s charts.
Have a fantastic day.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:18 am
You don’t give yourself enough credit. You started your own publishing company. Now you’re the most successful and visible self-published author I’ve heard of.
Your book is amazing. The best I’ve read this year.
August 24th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I spent several years self publishing, but never went the school route. It seems like a logical choice though. Right now I’m helping a friend publish his first book, and plan to refer this write up to him. Very encouraging!
Cheers!
August 24th, 2007 at 7:40 am
In the past few weeks, I have decided to self-publish my series of books when I am complete with the first one. I was waiting on this blog so I could have a somewhat of a guideline. I have a question though. Do you use a specific company to have your books printed out?
August 24th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Good read and better advice. Thanks for the encouragement! Write on!
August 24th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Thank you for the story of your struggle. It has been a long road for me, but I now find myself on the verge of actually putting my first novel into print. I love writing and have so many stories within my mind, left untold to the world. I am honored to meet you, your strength and passion speaks highly of who you are.
August 24th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Rob,
Very inspiring! My love for kids and that story definately jerked on some strings underneath my hard exterior.
I asked you about publishing because of a friend of mine who has also written a book, that I have been fortunate enough to recieve a copy is on the same path. His book entitled Driving TO THE END OF THE WORLD is of his on personal story and accounting of how he decided to take the plunge into adventure and chase down his dreams after being faced with his own mortality. It is an amazing story that is full of real life situations and humor that is both inspirational and enjoyable.
I hope you and other inspiring writers that visit this blog take the time to get acquanted. I’m sure there is a lot that there is a lot we can learn from each other in this community.
You can visit Mark McMahaon at
www.myspace.com/markmcmahonbooks
Tell him James sent ya!
Best wishes,
James Allen
www.myspace.com/jamesfallen
And for that litle boost that won’t have you wigged out when you need some juice to get writing. Check out KABOOM INFINITE ENERGY! The worlds first organic all-natural energy juice.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Well I here I was about to send you a message about your writing and this more or less answered it. ^^
When I read the famous author’s incites they seem to not get through to me as to what I need to do but oddly enough what you have said has. Then again it may also be due to what is happening in my life at the moment (it can be read on my myspace). My novel I plan to get published whether it be by my hand or a publisher’s is…well lets just say not for the easily offended.
It touches slightly on religion and well to put it in a nut shell it uses the plotline of “What if satan was a good guy?” The many people I have spoke too have said with an unique plotline such as that, it would gain attention and turn heads as long as I write it well enough. Unfortunately it is set in medieval times with a lot of action, blood, gore and torture which when read sounds like I have tried to mimic Frank Miller’s graphic novel 300.
When I started the novel a month before the movie was released I didn’t even know it existed and only knew Frank Miller from watching Sin City.
Sorry I like to ramble on (luckily not in my story projects) but I was more or less wondering if you advise going straight for self-publishing or to at least try and get picked up by publishers and if you say the publisher route then is there any companies that come to mind that deal with the fantasy genre?
I am no where near finishing and with my creative mind I tend to gain new ideas for other projects while in the middle of another so I have around 6 unfinished projects at the moment but I do plan to take my time. It has already been close to a year since I started Paradise Province
August 24th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
When I read your work, I had no idea you were self-published. I said your book was my favorite without realizing. Now your achievement makes your work mean that much more to me.
There are so many times when I’ve picked up a book by a self-published author that was just terrible and lacked so much finishing. But yours had none of these problems. In fact, the book was far better than the professional books I’ve read this year or even last.
I do have some questions though. You said you started your own publishing company. How? And how have you managed to get into Barnes and Noble. I know they’re very discriminating.
August 25th, 2007 at 12:11 am
LOL! I always notice other authors promoting on your page Rob. I guess it’s the price of fame.
I’ve got to agree with all the folks saying you’ve done such great work. You really have. I also agree you’re the most successful self-published fantasy author I know and one of the best writers too.
Someone should give you a PHD for all the work you’ve done. It’s really in the true spirit of learning. What really gets me is it seems that all the people who were supposed to help you along the way — professors, agents, publishers — just stood in your way.
But you stepped over them like they were a hill or sand dune or something.
It’s like that blog you posted a while back. Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Keep it up Rob. Maybe I’ll be there with you one day!
August 25th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Thanks for posting this, Rob! I didn’t know how much work it took to get Luthiel’s Song published, and I find your story very encouraging.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Would you happen to remember promoting at Burley Middle School?
You came there last (school) year, on one of the few days I was sick, and spoke, according to my friend. That same friend eventually lent me your book.
I keep kicking myself for getting sick then, of all days.
I also have a vague feeling that my school may have been the one that only sold eight copies. Was it?
Thanks.
August 26th, 2007 at 2:50 am
LOL! I remember Burley fondly. I think I went to a few classes rather than having the event in the library. All the teachers were delightful and the students were fantastic.
As for sales, Burley was not the one with only 8. So no need to worry. Actually, it was my own High School. The one where I am an alumni.
I’ve been in contact with your school over the spring and they’re interested in having me again this year for a larger event. So hopefully you won’t be sick if I come again? Although, since you’ve read the blog some of the things in my presentation may sound a little familiar :).
August 26th, 2007 at 8:02 am
ARG! I wouldn’t be able to see it. I’m in high school now, and I won’t even ask you to come to my high school. Everyone would probably be rude and disruptive and not care. That’s just how they are.
August 26th, 2007 at 8:04 am
(continued…this got cut off)
I thought Burley was an all-black high school? Perhaps I just am not entirely informed on the history. :/
August 28th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Robert, you most certainly did have something “a little special” I love Luthiel and Mithorden…I almost feel like Mithorden is a wise facet of R.F.
?
August 30th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Mithorden as my wise side? I guess that’s possible. I had another writer say Luthiel represented me as well. I’m not sure if I could even begin to trace where all the characters come from. They are the children of my thought. So I think it’s natural that some of them might resemble me or the people I know and care for.
December 9th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
I love your story, man. Your bio, that is. You’re the real stuff. Keep going.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Wow. You know, the funny thing is, from all the stories that I’ve heard from writing teachers about never self publishing, I find it amazing that you’ve gotten so far with what you’ve got without a publisher. Bravo… bravo indeed.
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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