By Heather Emberley
September is Literacy Month in Canada and what better time to explore self-publishing.
If it was good enough for Margaret Atwood, Stephen King and Eckhart Tolle, it was good enough for me. As the proud owner of a short attention span, I couldn’t wait for a traditional publisher, so I opted to have my children’s book, Who Hid the Raisin Bread? printed by Friesen’s Press. Because the book is a fundraiser for Bear Clan Patrol Inc, I needed a quick turnaround. I attended a presentation by Debbie Anderson, publishing consultant at Friesen’s Press hosted by MWG to compare notes.
Unless you are printing copies just for family and friends, be aware it is a business, and your business is to promote and sell your beloved book. After reviewing a history of self-publishing that began in 1843 when Charles Dickens self-published A Christmas Carol, through to the present day, Anderson helped to dispel the notion that self-publishing is driven by vanity. Her advice to those seeking a press is to check Google reviews, consult the Better Business Bureau and read the fine print.
Because my book has many photographs, my advice to those who choose photos over illustrations is to be very familiar with Adobe. Friesen’s accepts AI-generated illustrations but again, read the fine print of your contract. Familiarity with social media is a must.
The main question Anderson thinks authors should ask themselves is how much control do you want in the creation of producing your book? Friesen’s is a service, so it is up to the author to ask questions throughout the process. The average time from initial inquiry to finished product is usually six months. Authors at Friesen’s can choose the price of their book and receive a higher rate of royalties than from traditional publishers. One possible disadvantage for some authors is the upfront costs.
The advantages of self-publishing are many. Getting your book out there can help it getting picked up by a traditional publisher or an agent. Friesen’s employs 50 editors from most every genre to assist clients. There are many price point packages to choose from at Friesen’s and one has to be prepared to market one’s book to break even and make a profit. Financial assistance can be applied for via the Canadian Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, and Winnipeg Arts Council. One advantage of self-publishing is that the days of having boxes of unsold books in your attic are gone due to print-on-demand.
I sold my book on consignment (Whodunit Mystery Bookstore) and outright (The Zoo and the Leaf gift shops). Writing a pitch for Winnipeg Public Library and Human Rights Museum gift shops has taught me how important it is to customize one’s approach to each vendor. Because my book is a fundraiser, I enjoy having a table gratis at various events such as the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord. Readings by Winnipeg Blue Bombers at schools didn’t hurt either.
Friesen’s has many suggestions for authors who are prepared to do the work. Debby Anderson welcomes questions from MWG members and can be reached at: 1-888-378-6793, ext. 108, or danderson@friesen press.com