Torri Heat - Traditional vs Self-Publishing Experience

Name: Torri Heat

Author

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Publishing type: Traditional and Self-Published

Publisher: Changeling Press

There are two major ways to publish. Traditional publishing where you query a publishing house and hope that you get a book deal. Self-Publishing is just as the name implies - you are the publisher of your own books typically through Amazon or IngramSpark. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

I interviewed Torri Heat who has been both traditionally published and is currently self-publishing for the first time. Below are her experiences with both sides of the publishing world.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you end up working with a publisher?

Torri Heat: I knew I wanted to write, and I knew I wanted to be published, so I just started looking up different romance publishers who I thought might be a good fit for my completed manuscript -- at that time it was called Darkling (what is now Nyctophilia and Caligo, as my publisher does novellas.) I actually got a couple of different offers for Darkling from different publishing houses, but Changeling was the best fit for me. Don't be afraid to say no if something doesn't feel right.

JFG: What are the benefits of working with a publisher? drawbacks?

Torri: All of the money I make off of my books is mine to keep. I'm not paying out of pocket for editors, cover design, proofreading because all of that is paid for. I also have the backing of a company to help me promote my books, and to help me along. As a new author, that alone was priceless, because I would have been absolutely lost. I've also learned a TON from the Changeling community, so making the leap to self pubbing for Blood Crown wasn't as scary. Drawbacks? My royalties are less, and I have less control over my cover, which for me is a big deal. I'm kind of picky. I also work under deadlines! With Changeling I have a novella due every two months.

JFG: What are the benefits of self-publishing? Drawbacks?

Torri: Lots more control. Beth (my co-author) and I were able to set our own deadlines for Blood Crown, and have all of our ideas come to life. It's been REALLY cool seeing it all come together from start to finish, and I'm excited to have those skills tucked away in my back pocket. Downside? It's all on you. I have no one to tell me "hey, maybe that DOESN'T work there..." (we used an editor, but self-pubbing editors seem a lot more leery to hurt your feelings hahahaha) so I've found myself stressing a lot more, and constantly scouring my manuscript to make sure it's perfect.

JFG: Do you have a preference between working with a publisher and self-publishing? Why?

Torri: Honestly, I love both for different reasons, and I think I'll keep doing both! The structure and support from traditional publishing are really great to have for my own personal mindset and goals, as well as everything I get to learn from authors 5, 10, 20 years in the business. Self pubbing has been great for my creative side, and for my own personal development independently. Combining the two has been wonderful.

JFG: What advice do you have for those who want to work with a publisher?

Torri: Don't get yourself stressed out about all the stories you read online. Traditional publishers are NOT all bad and scary, and if you truly want to be traditionally published it'll happen. It just takes trial and error to find the right publisher for you. When you research, do the right research. Just because "Jane Doe" from Reddit is mad that a publisher passed her up, doesn't mean it's going to happen to you. Stick to the web pages that tell you who might be interested in your manuscript, and how to apply it properly. JUST DON'T GIVE UP!

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Torri: My query letter was a disaster. My daughter stepped on my keyboard sending a half-finished email. Literally, half-finished. I frantically resent the email but never expected to hear back. Lo and behold, my publisher sent me back an email that night. What I had thought was a disaster turned out to be that little detail that made me stand out of the proverbial "slush pile." Don't discount your mistakes.

Here’s how to find Torri Heat:

linktr.ee/torriheat -- it's got it all!!

Blood Crown is live today! Order your copy now on Amazon.

Pat Goldys - Writing during the pandemic

Name: Pat Goldys
Author
Genre: Children's Books Publishing type: Self
Latest book: If Grandma Were President

I wonder how many of us started writing or decided it was time to pursue getting our work published in the midst of the pandemic. I have been writing for a long time, but it wasn’t until this past year I decided to move forward with writing and accomplishing the dream of holding my own book in my hand.

I interviewed Pat Goldys who wrote an astonishing 15 books during the pandemic. She was an educator for 39+ years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, but she started her writing career at 64 years old. Even after 15 books, she still has many more ideas for future children’s books.

Read our interview below as we discuss writing books during the pandemic.

JFG: What got you started writing during the pandemic?

Pat: I have always wanted to write books. I thought I would write educational books about teaching strategies because I was a teacher and principal for many years.
But when the pandemic came, grandparents were told to stay at home. I couldn’t see my granddaughter, Mila! So sad and scary. I started telling Mila stories that started to blossom in my mind. The stories were written on my phone. Then these stories were made into children’s books once I found some great illustrators. It was such a joyful and invigorating process and I was productive and fulfilled.
The quarantine brought boredom and writing books brought enjoyment.

JFG: Had you ever written a book prior?

Pat: I wrote all the time, journaling, letters, and poems for special occasions. When I was a principal, the teachers and I would collaborate on learning manuals, presentations, and even wrote a chapter book about restorative practices that never got published.

JFG: What were some of the inspirations to your stories?

Pat: The quarantine, stay at home, and isolation actually gave me the time to write and write and write. My creative juices were flowing and I dove right in the deep end and learned the process of authoring a children’s book! To date, I wrote 15 books.

Mila, my granddaughter, inspired me to write about things she liked such as mermaids, fairies, birthday parties, and playing with grandma. I decided to have Grandma as a character in as many books as I could.

I expressed my ideas about current issues in my books as they were happening—the quarantine, racial unrest, jobs needed, first female vice president, community, and unity—in kid-friendly, relatable stories.

I wanted to develop stories about places where kids could visit during the quarantine so I wrote Zootiful Art, Park Prints and BFF Forever, Best Farm Friends to encourage outside adventures as a family.

I love storytelling and chose some real experiences to help children learn some valuable life lessons.
My son and I saved a dying baby dolphin which became Goldy: A Dolphin Rescue.
My friend had 3 sons like me and the middle son has Down Syndrome. The Three Brothers’ Discovery is about the normalcy of their lives, as well as the special strengths the middle son brought to the family.
I co-authored a book with a high school friend about a Signing Grandma, which incorporated sign language in the story for kids and parents to learn. We decided this will now be a series of signing stories.

I welcome and look for inspiration all around me, hoping to find meaningful topics that kids would be interested in reading.

JFG: How has the pandemic changed the way you get your books out into the world?

Pat: My goal was to read my books in schools, libraries, and book stores. Well, that couldn’t happen. So, I went in another direction and did virtual readings, Facebook lives, reading on a tractor outside on a farm, and taping video book writing lessons for teachers to use in their remote teaching.
I went to farmers’ markets, artisan fairs, and small boutiques to expose the world to my books. It was tough and still is tough marketing the books. Social media helps but it is a challenge building an emailing list of interested readers. I continue to learn about the book writing and publishing process through webinars, online sessions, and how-to books, as well as joining groups on social media that bond writers together to learn from each other, author to author.

JFG: Now that things are slowly going back to normal, will you continue writing?

Pat: I will never stop writing. It is in my heart and soul. It is now a part of who I am.

Find Pat on social media:

Instagram: @authorpatgoldys

Facebook: @authorpatgoldys

Twitter: @authorpatgoldys

Buy her books on Amazon.

Jensen Kristyne - Using Patreon

Jensen Kristyne, Author

Genre: Romance

Latest Book: With You

Publishing Type:

Self-Published

Publisher: Messy Modern Press

I recently had the chance to interview Jensen Kristyne, a romance novelist. While I love her books, I wanted to know more about the Patreon platform that authors are using to connect with their readers.

On its website, Patreon describes itself , “On Patreon, you can let your fans become active participants in the work they love by offering them a monthly membership. You give them access to exclusive content, community, and insight into your creative process. In exchange, you get the freedom to do your best work, and the stability you need to build an independent creative career.”

I wanted to know how that works for authors and their communities. See the interview below to find out more.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: As an author, what benefits does Patreon provide?

Jensen: Patreon provides me the opportunity to focus on a select group of writers/authors looking for a coach to help them through their journey to becoming published.

JFG: What do you offer your patrons with their membership plans?

Jensen: I have two different tiers I offer to my Patrons.

Tier One:

Grants them access to my patron-only writing community. (A Discord Channel called the Writing Room) There they can connect with me and other members, find help, and share their own tips and tricks! They get exclusive sneak peeks at behind-the-scenes information, cover reveals, new merchandise, and more!! And all members get ARC copies of my books before they’re published.

Tier Two:

Grants them access to my patron-exclusive WRITING RESOURCE LIBRARY, where they’ll find helpful print-ready resources and videos that outline each step in your publishing journey—from writing your first words to the day your book launches and what comes next! :) They will gain early access to all my authortube videos before their published! Be able to join in on our monthly live streams where I teach tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way through my own journey in publishing With You! Gain elite access to a private Author Club channel in The Writing Room community, where you can connect with potential cp’s and beta-readers, learn from other talented members, find tips on growing your author platform, social media support, and SO much more! And, of course, they’ll have access to all the previous tier’s benefits.

JFG: In your experience, what is the best way to build an audience?

Jensen: In my experience, the best way to build an audience is by being sincere and finding your own niche that sets you apart. Being original and using your experiences are important. Your followers want to few as if they can trust you and what you say, otherwise, they’ll go elsewhere.

JFG: Do you like writing or teaching about writing better?

Jensen: I love coaching others and helping them succeed, but my passion for writing is where it all started. I love creating a story that makes the reader feel for my characters, and I love seeing my little ideas come to life. There’s no feeling like the first time you hold your own book in your hands.

JFG: What projects are you currently working on?

Jensen: Currently I am working on finishing up book two in The Taken Series, For You. It follows Detective Matthew Hart and Logan Evans as they find love during his investigation. (Each book in this series covers a different view over the takedown of The Russo Crime Family)

If anyone ever has any questions about becoming a member of my Patreon account, my inbox is always open. I love helping others!

Connect with me on social!
Instagram: @authorjensenkristyne
TikTok: @authorjensenkristyne
Facebook: @authorjensenkristyne
YouTube: @authorjensenkristyne
Twitter: @authorjensenkristyne

Website: www.JensenKristyne.com
Patreon: Go to www.patreon.com then use @authorjensenkristyne to find me!