Hybrid and Loving it by Peg Herring
In 2006 I signed a contract with a respected publisher, and
since then they’ve released six of my books. When I found I could write more
than a book every two years, I signed with an additional publisher who liked
two ideas I had for a series. Soon I had three series going.
Though hectic, it was lovely to be a traditional author—and actually
still is. The publishers handle the publishing part, and I simply write books.
I don’t earn the massive amounts of money people think authors make, but there
is money, and besides, I get nice press from reviewers, and I have readers who
wait eagerly for the next book in each series.
A few years ago word began circulating that traditionally
published authors were venturing into the world of self-publishing. At first I
thought, “How could they?” but as time went on, the question changed to “How
could I?”
Publishers and agents look for books that will sell lots of
copies. That’s understandable from a profit standpoint, but it means they
ignore plenty of good books in the quest for that million-seller. Having been
through the query-rejection merry-go-round before my first book was accepted, I
asked myself, “What if I forego the middlemen and self-publish the book that’s
forming in my head?” A little afraid of what might happen, I chose to publish
under a corruption of my grandmother’s name: Maggie Pill.
Suddenly I was a hybrid writer, with books that are
supported by publishing houses and books that depend solely on my efforts and
knowledge of the book-selling business.
The Sleuth Sisters
took off almost immediately, and people started writing to ask when the next in
the series was coming out. I hadn’t planned on a second book, but who am I to
question readers? I wrote 3 Sleuths, 2
Dogs, 1 Murder, which sold well too. I’d intended to do only e-books, since
that’s pretty easy, but in 2014 I attended PubSmart, a conference that helps
people understand publishing and connect with sources that assist in the
process. There I learned to make inexpensive print books through both Amazon’s
CreateSpace and IngramSpark. (One gets your books into Amazon. The other makes
them available to bookstores.) Once I had print books—and I’ll admit that took
time and practice—a fan suggested I should put the Sleuth Sisters books on audio.
Making audio books with ACX was easy and totally free, since
I don’t mind splitting the profits with the actresses who read the sisters’
parts. The production company, Cerny American out of Chicago, got behind the
books and helped spread the word. Once it had many favorable reviews, BookBub
accepted The Sleuth Sisters for a
promotion, and more people downloaded it than I could ever have imagined.
In the meantime, I’m still writing historical novels for my
original publisher. Royalty checks and advances come in from time to time, and
I appreciate their dedication to promoting my work.
Still, I like the combination of security and freedom I have
as a hybrid. My traditional publishers give me confidence. When they publish a
book, I know someone believes it will make money—what better assurance could I
have that they think it’s good stuff? In addition, they’re able to get reviews
from Historical Novel Society, Kirkus,
and Library Journal, which brings both
recognition and justification.
My self-published books provide a different sort of pride.
I’m responsible for everything from inception to production. I hire the artist
and approve the cover. I hire the editor and decide if her advice makes the
book better (It usually does). I can even format nowadays—if I must. I decide
what the book’s price will be and when it will be discounted. I publish when
it’s the right time for me and promote when it’s going to work best.
Recently I published a stand-alone mystery (as Peg Herring).
Somebody Doesn’t Like Sarah Leigh is
the story of a fifty-year friendship gone bad, resulting in murder. Typically
of good self-published books, it doesn’t fit the big publishers’ model. Its
focus is local, it’s not cute enough to be cozy and not tough enough to be noir.
It’s simply a well-plotted mystery with interesting characters. One reviewer
said, I always
know I've read a particularly good book when I can't quit thinking about the
characters after I've finished it, and this is one of those. Another
reader’s comment is telling: I didn't expect it to be so good.
Why? Because it’s self-published,
perhaps? You have to give a writer like me credit for learning the ropes in
traditional publishing. Hybrid writers know what we’re doing, but we’ve decided
to work for ourselves--at least part-time.
Bio: Peg Herring is a former educator from Michigan. Her
love of history led to *Macbeth’s Niece* (Five Star Publishing, 2008). Since
then she’s garnered nice reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, the New York Journal of
Books, and Library Journal as well as a Best Mystery Award (EPIC) in 2012 (*The
Dead Detective Agency*). In 2014 Peg stole her grandmother’s name and began a
series of cozy mysteries as Maggie Pill. Maggie is younger and much cooler than
Peg, but they usually get along pretty well.
Links:
*The Sleuth Sisters* at amazon:
*Somebody Doesn't Like Sarah Leigh* at Amazon:
Peg and Maggie are both on Facebook and Twitter too
Comments
Good luck, y'all!
I've been where you are, working with care-giving duties at home, twice for a couple years each time. It's so draining! Writing is often cathartic, but promotion is, as you say, pretty much impossible. Good luck with your writing.
GBPool,
I'm glad you included "apply yourself". Nothing in publishing is the breeze some think it must be, where the words flow onto paper and the masses rush to read them.
Thanks, Marilyn, for including me on your informative, friendly blog!