Publishing your own first book – your experiences?

PocketCompass

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82144744#Comment_82144744

I can definitely understand the appeal of finally holding a physical book with your own name on the cover! I'm not expecting to make much money from it either, although I'd still like to see whether I can find a route where I'm not simply paying to have the book published. The local side of what you describe does appeal to me though. Readings and approaching independent bookshops are things I could actually imagine doing, much more so than trying to build a following on social media. It's interesting to hear that some of your friends have managed to get their books stocked that way. Do you know how they approached the independent bookshops? Did they simply go in and ask whether they'd be willing to stock a few copies, or did they already have contacts there?

martindow

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82151710#Comment_82151710

Local bookshops were happy to host events where they read. It suits both really - the book shops are pleased to get people through the door and see it as beneficial for them. The authors also enjoy the opportunity.

If you look online you will be able to see what sort of things your local bookshops are organising and you may well find that they want to show how they are integrated to their community. Most seem to have a section on local history and local authors. You may find yourself pushing at an open door!

twopenny

The novel I'm reading is about someone publishing books (weird eh 🙂) and there is a link there about a way to send manuscripts, like a clearing house for collages. But it's back somewhere. I have a quiet day tomorrow 🙏 and I'll see if I can find it.

I do remember a colleague who published a book. The eternal repeat editing she had to do put her off writing any more but she wasn't young then and everyone is different. Otherwise we wouldn't have our favourite writers.