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.