Hot diggety dog, my first novel is coming out by the end of this month. Terror’s Identity is Aidan Knox/Brent Walker’s story of how and why he had to move from upscale Lake Forest, IL, to solidly blue collar Dundalk, MD. The terrorists his father is tracking have threatened the family. Brent struggles to remember the lies he needs to tell to keep him and his family safe. And he worries about whom he can trust. It’s hard enough to be a sixteen year old boy, without having to worry about life-threatening issues.
I am not promoting a particular independent publisher, but rather giving those of you considering being “do-it-yourselfers” some information about the process.
Having lost many friends and 2 of my 3 siblings since 2013, I decided earlier this year to not wait around for a trade publisher to recognize what a gem my book is. But I didn’t want to submit to just any old “self publisher.” Though, of course, I have every intention of living a healthy and productive life for at least another 25 years, until I’m 99, there’s no guarantee I won’t be hit by a truck or struck by lightning before then.
With the help of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators’ http://WWW.scbwi.org enlightening information found in “The Book” about the dos and donts of self or independent publishing companies, I went with a North Carolina company located in Greensboro. I also checked on the “Preditors and Editors” website, http://pred-ed.com to see if there were any negative comments. There were none for the company I used, http://WWW.sablebooks.org , though there were some for http://WWW.Sablebooks.com.
The quality of other books published by my publisher impressed me. Plus I heard Daniel Krawiec speak at a conference in 2013. He was very informative. They bring some of their authors’ books to sell when they go to conferences, which also gave me the warm and fuzzies.
First I hired Teresa Crumpton to do a cover to cover detailed edit of my manuscript and boy was that worth the money. http://www.teresacrumpton.com/ She was very encouraging, but very thorough, giving me many things to do to improve the manuscript. She recommended my reading Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham. A great help and certainly something I will use with my other books.
Several months later, I finished Teresa’s edit and had all my critique groups add their $.02 worth. Then I contacted Sable Books and had Melissa Hassard do a line edit of the book. She did a fine job. So now Daniel Krawiec has shown me the initial draft of the interior of my book, including the map I asked him to draw. He also did a wonderful job with the cover—making it mysterious and poignant.
This book is going to sparkle so brightly you’ll need sunglasses to read it. Sable Books is also helping with the marketing and will store books for me so I don’t have boxes of books molding in our garage. They will make up bookmarks and cards for me. They also let me decide the size of the book run.
There are many non-traditional publishers out there, but do make sure you research whatever company you choose. The last thing you need is a company that charges lots of money for poor workmanship.
Sable Books is affordable and dedicated.
Hope this blog helps. Be sure to contact me, if you have questions you think I can answer or to order my book. WWW.sarahsbookreflections.com
Sarah Maury Swan, author of Terror’s Identity.
sarahsbookreflections 
COngratulations, Sarah. This book sounds thrilling. If you get ARC’s and need reviewers, I’d be happy to oblige. You are an inspiration! Cbaldwin6@me.com
Thanks Carol, I am supposed to get an ARC and would be thrilled to have you review it. Sarah
Congratulations, Sarah. I am very proud of you. I’m also glad that your husband supports you in your writing and publishing. Celebrate you. Thanks for sharing how you did it.
Never Give Up
Joan
Thanks for all your support, Joan. I got very lucky almost 42 years ago when I met Dale. He’s definitely a keeper.
Congratulations, Sarah – what a wonderful accomplishment! And thanks for the tips on the world of self-publishing.
My pleasure Derick. How are things with you in the world of publishing?
Sarah,
This is so exciting! I am impressed that you did your homework, had it professionally critiqued, and shared your process. It’s also good to know that SCBWI helped steer you on the right course. Welcome back to blogging too! I hope your book is a big hit.
Thanks Linda. The book is swimming along on the river to publication. I got first draft of the interior notes and back copy today. Now yet one more close perusal of the text itself for more errors. I’ve already spotted three in the first two chapters.
Good for you! And I hope you keep writing until you are at least 99. I have a small traditional publisher for my Tales from Farlandia books (Pants on FIre Press) but am really interested in how others approach book publishing and especially marketing. Thanks for the informative post.
Hey Judy, I love your “Tales from Farlandia” books. Thanks for reading my post. I don’t intend to publish my picture books through this publisher. I’m still beating my head and my fists and my toes against the iron and granite walls of traditional publishers for those. But my other novels may go through Sable Books, depending on how this first one succeeds.
As a traditional literary publisher(Jacar Press) who also works as an editor, I am thrilled you highlighted the need to work with a professional editor. That is the step most self-published authors skip, and the step that is most essential.
This is one of the more concise walk-throughs I’ve read about how to handle the process of bringing your work to print. If you have no objection, I’d like to save the link and show it to my clients, when it’s necessary.
I should let you know Jacar and Sable share the same designer. It’s unfortunate Sable Books shares a name with another press that has had some complaints. I am glad you showed the distinction between the two presses.
Thanks for reading my blog, Mr. Krawiec. And thanks for the kind words. Wish I wrote poetry so I could send you some. We’ve met a few times at the Pamlico Writers’ Conferences and I enjoyed Daniel’s presentation 2 years ago on the process of deciding cover design. He’s a son to be proud of.
I’m flattered you wish to use my blog. Help yourself. Sarah
Sounds like you did your homework and will be in good hands! Congratulations. I will look forward to reading your masterpiece! Hugs-Sheri
Thanks Sheri. When’s your next book coming out? Hugs to you as well.
Woohoo! Congratulations Sarah-that’s awesome. I look forward to reading TERROR’S IDENTITY 🙂
Way to go, Sarah! We are all proud. Can’t wait to read the book. Love
Thanks Ms. Betty. I’m proud of you as well. Love, Sarah
So exactly when were you going to tell me directly about this and e-mail me the book cover so I could include it in the Member News section of Carteret Writers newsletter and web site? Congratulations! What a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself.
Some where in my pea brain I thought I had let you know. That’s why I haven’t seen anything in the newsletter. I’ll send the press release to you as soon as the publisher sends it to me. Sarah