Advice on Self-publishing
Can You Offer Me Some Advice on Self-publishing?
Yes, I can. I should say first that this is not a math equation. One plus two doesn’t necessarily equal three. There are no guarantees here. You can do everything I did and not get a publishing deal. But I hope you do!
It’s important to know that a self-published book was not my goal. I self-published because I couldn’t make any headway on the conventional road to a book deal. My self-publishing goal was to demonstrate that Still Alice had an enthusiastic and sizeable audience. I wanted to give my book a chance to wave its arms in the air and yell at the top of its lungs, to create a buzz loud enough for the literary agents and publishing houses to hear. And at the end of my self-published day, I still wanted a book deal from a traditional publishing house.
So with that goal, in 2007, I paid iUniverse to publish my novel. I required no editing, no book cover design (thanks to my talented husband), and no marketing. They offer all of these services and more, but I had either already done these things or was willing to do them myself. I simply needed them to print the book.
iUniverse is a print-on-demand company, which means they only print books that are ordered by customers. There are no stockpiles in warehouses, which is why it doesn’t cost the author an arm and a leg. There are other self-publishing companies out there, but I didn’t use them, so I can’t speak with any insight as to their pros and cons.
Since STILL ALICE was not going to be carried in physical bookstores outside my local area, it was crucial to have it available for purchase online. iUniverse made Still Alice available for sale at a lot of websites, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I should also say that iUniverse did a great job producing a professional-looking, quality book. One reader, while holding the book in his hand and learning that it was self-published, said, “But it looks like a real book!�
So now I had a “real� book. Now what? iUniverse allows you to purchase copies of your own book at a discount. The % off retail increases as you buy more. Always have one with you. You never know who you’re going to bump into!
Get a website. Network online. Get on GoodReads! Write your own press release and post it for free at . Become viral.
If you can start to feel the vibration of a buzz and you have the money, you might want to consider hiring a book publicist to assist you in your efforts.
After being self-published for ten months, I found an agent who sold the book to Pocket Books. The Pocket Books edition of Still Alice came out on January 6, 2009. Barnes & Noble sold more in the first two days than I sold in ten months. And in its first week, it debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Brunonia Barry did it with The Lace Reader. Julia Fox Garrison did it with Don’t Leave Me This Way. I did it with Still Alice. It can be done.
Say yes whenever possible. Be tenacious. This is likely to be a marathon, not a sprint. Be sincerely grateful to everyone who helps you on your journey, because it will take a village to raise a self-published book. And remember to enjoy it all!
I hope this helps, and I wish you good luck!
Yes, I can. I should say first that this is not a math equation. One plus two doesn’t necessarily equal three. There are no guarantees here. You can do everything I did and not get a publishing deal. But I hope you do!
It’s important to know that a self-published book was not my goal. I self-published because I couldn’t make any headway on the conventional road to a book deal. My self-publishing goal was to demonstrate that Still Alice had an enthusiastic and sizeable audience. I wanted to give my book a chance to wave its arms in the air and yell at the top of its lungs, to create a buzz loud enough for the literary agents and publishing houses to hear. And at the end of my self-published day, I still wanted a book deal from a traditional publishing house.
So with that goal, in 2007, I paid iUniverse to publish my novel. I required no editing, no book cover design (thanks to my talented husband), and no marketing. They offer all of these services and more, but I had either already done these things or was willing to do them myself. I simply needed them to print the book.
iUniverse is a print-on-demand company, which means they only print books that are ordered by customers. There are no stockpiles in warehouses, which is why it doesn’t cost the author an arm and a leg. There are other self-publishing companies out there, but I didn’t use them, so I can’t speak with any insight as to their pros and cons.
Since STILL ALICE was not going to be carried in physical bookstores outside my local area, it was crucial to have it available for purchase online. iUniverse made Still Alice available for sale at a lot of websites, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I should also say that iUniverse did a great job producing a professional-looking, quality book. One reader, while holding the book in his hand and learning that it was self-published, said, “But it looks like a real book!�
So now I had a “real� book. Now what? iUniverse allows you to purchase copies of your own book at a discount. The % off retail increases as you buy more. Always have one with you. You never know who you’re going to bump into!
Get a website. Network online. Get on GoodReads! Write your own press release and post it for free at . Become viral.
If you can start to feel the vibration of a buzz and you have the money, you might want to consider hiring a book publicist to assist you in your efforts.
After being self-published for ten months, I found an agent who sold the book to Pocket Books. The Pocket Books edition of Still Alice came out on January 6, 2009. Barnes & Noble sold more in the first two days than I sold in ten months. And in its first week, it debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Brunonia Barry did it with The Lace Reader. Julia Fox Garrison did it with Don’t Leave Me This Way. I did it with Still Alice. It can be done.
Say yes whenever possible. Be tenacious. This is likely to be a marathon, not a sprint. Be sincerely grateful to everyone who helps you on your journey, because it will take a village to raise a self-published book. And remember to enjoy it all!
I hope this helps, and I wish you good luck!
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Rose
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Jul 22, 2009 11:29AM
Hi Lisa. I just finished your book and because I didn't want it to be over, I read all the interview material in the back. You mentioned that Diablo Cody recommended self publishing for would-be screenwriters. I was surprised to learn this. I understand, I think, how this works with a novel. But who reads screenplays? My husband just finished his sixth unproduced screenplay. He is brillant at this work...just something he came to late. He is 66. His mother sucumbed to Alzheimer's in 2002, and I am insisting he read this novel. He was an English major at UVA back in the stone age. haha. Just wondering if you have any advice for him?
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Dr Genova,I had a sub dural hematoma post VP shunt. I can identify with Sarah. Thank God I recovered to 63 % of my skills.
I had brain surgery for hydrocephalus in 1971 Ventriculostomy)
Cindy Hatcher
Hello Lisa, It's Andrea Marie Norwood! The last time I replied to you on one of your advertising sites I was in the middle of reading your book "Still Alice" I must say, my, my, my! That book is a great reads all the way through, and I am wishing you all the more luck and success in your other novels as well.
Thanks for the advice! Your publishing story is inspirational for those of us who self-publish.
I loved the book - my book club loved it too. I love it even more after reading what you wrote here. I love people who strive forward even when the odds are stacked against them. Congratulations on your success. I bet the book publishers that said no are regretting their decision now aren't they?
Such a brilliant depiction of the journey that is Alzheimer's!! Honestly Lisa, and you probably hear this a lot, I was freaking out that I too had alot of the early onset symptoms.....I couldn't remember where the hell John Black lived either!! My tiny little hat is off to ya mama....great, great story! Loved it!
