GUEST POST by AUTHOR JO LINSDELL
Best Selling Author Jo Linsdell Talks about Self Publishing
For me the decision to self publish was Plan A. Partly because I wanted to learn as much as possible about the publishing process and being a hands on kind of learner this seemed like the best option, but also partly because I’m a control freak. I liked the idea of calling all the shots.
The stigma attached to self published books has changed drastically over the years. It’s no longer for those who got rejected. It’s a conscious choice that even big names in the industry are opting for. Stephen King, Jackie Collins and a whole host of other world famous authors have turned down their publishers and gone it alone.
People like Amanda Hocking are inspirational examples of how independent publishing has changed in recent years. Of course not all indie books will have that kind of success but it shows it can be done and brings credibility to the industry.
When I published my first book, Italian for Tourists back in 2006, I knew I wanted to self publish it. I was eager to know as much as possible about everything to do with the publishing industry and wanted the experience of doing it all myself. If I’m honest it started out as a bit on an experiment. People had told me I should write a book millions of times over the years and then when I moved to Rome, Italy requests for a phrasebook followed quickly. I figured I’d give them what they asked for and use it to see if I had what it takes. Turns out I did. The book has been (and continues to be) a constant seller since it was released.
Having had a successful experience I’ve never looked back. Sure I’d consider going a different route if a Publisher offered a million dollar contract (who wouldn’t?). For now though I’m very happy and proud to be a self published author. My children’s books are doing great. Out and About at the Zoo is still a best seller (it hasn’t left the lists since it’s release last year) and my latest book Fairy May (another rhyming children’s picture story book that came out on 1st February this year) is also doing well.
Self publishing isn’t a taboo or a last resort. It’s a choice and one I’m happy to have made.
Jo Linsdell is an award-winning blogger and freelance writer living in Rome, Italy. She is also the author of several books including the popular Italian for Tourists, A Guide to Weddings in Italy and the best selling children’s picture book, Out and About at the Zoo. Her latest book Fairy May was released on 1st February 2013. You can find out more about her at http://www.JoLinsdell.com
It is my pleasure to welcome author Jo Linsdell back to my blog home! This time she is here in celebration of her second bestselling children’s book, FAIRY MAY. Be sure to purchase a copy of the beautiful story on Amazon and Createspace!
1) Please tell us a bit about Fairy May.
Fairy May is a rhyming children’s picture story book about a fairy called May that dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy. She struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong but with hard work and determination she prepares for her tooth fairy exam.
2) What lessons does this book carry for the reader?
The story carries two main lessons for the reader;
A. To follow your dreams. Just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved.
“But Fairy May tried and tried for she had a special dream;
one day she’d be a tooth fairy, the best you’ve ever seen.”
B. The importance of dental hygiene. The text subtly introduces the reader to how to take care of their teeth correctly.
“She learnt how to brush and keep teeth clean
and how to floss right in between.”
3) What was your inspiration for this book?
This book is dedicated to my niece who, after seeing that my last book Out and About at the Zoo was dedicated to my two sons, asked if I’d write a book for her too.
It needed to have fairies in it and so I brainstormed on ideas and came up with Fairy May. I wanted her to be a little girl fairy and to show that it’s OK to not be perfect. I wanted young children to be able to relate to her and to encourage them to go after their dreams.
The tooth fairy part came about because several of my 5 year old’s friends have recently lost their first tooth and he has been full of questions on the subject. My 17 month old is also teething at the moment and so the topic of dental hygiene comes up a lot in our house at the moment.
4) What did you learn while writing Fairy May?
The importance of having the right direction for my story not just a good text. In the original version the text worked fine as a story and rhymed nicely but the overall message wasn’t as strong. After rewriting the last part I was much happier with the focus of the story. Simple changes can make a big difference.
5) What projects are you working on now?
I’m busy with several projects at the moment. “The Bedtime Book” which is another rhyming children’s picture book. “The Writers and Authors Guide to Social Media” and “Virtual Book Tours” which are two non-fiction books. 2013 is going to be a busy year for me as I have lots of other ideas too.
Fairy May
Written and illustrated by Jo Linsdell
Fairy May dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy but she struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong. With hard work and determination she prepares for her test. Will she realise her dream and become a tooth fairy?
Release Date: 1st February 2013
Product details:
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1481951424
ISBN-13: 978-1481951425
Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
Purchasing links:
Amazon
Createspace
About the author:
Jo Linsdell is a best selling author and illustrator, award winning blogger and freelance writer. Originally from the UK, she now lives in Rome, Italy with her husband and their two young sons.
Author website: http://www.JoLinsdell.com
Contact details:
Email: webmaster@jolinsdell.com
Social Media Links:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
LinkedIn
YouTube
Goodreads
Amazon
Little Jessica
Little Jessica
I never raised
girls
like Baby Sister sitting next to me,
Lil Av grown with a girl and a boy of his own.
Both Lil Sis and I sit, fanning Florida heat
and insects
while we
gaze at football hurrah
spilling across a fenced field
before our shaded bleacher.
Both of us watching her
baby boy,
my nephew Trevor, play.
Nope, we never had a Jessica
though I have a grand,
a Little Laila Lou,
as her Auntie Glenda
sings whenever she comes around.
Mind you,
Glenda will re-name anyone, including
you, if you should choose to spend
an hour or two in our presence.
I am Too-Too
or Lil Tootie
or Tootsie
and Baby Sister is O My Pretty Girl
or Thee-Thee
or Thera
though she wants to be called Lil Sis
like our older sis
is Big Sis,
but I will answer to just about anything
as long as it isn’t
derogatory
which will be “calling me out of my
name,”
as Grandma might say
But Little Jessica does not
seem to mind
who calls her what
as she pops out of the crowd that
Saturday to strike up
a conversation about how well she can read and how pretty her nails would
look
if I painted them
same as I was painting
mine
A pixy, pretty and cordial, and decidedly
smart for a person
under six,
she has determined Lil Sis’ container of rainbow
enamel
is too much to overlook.
I see this and resolve not to
fan her like gnats,
So I invited her to please go
find her Mama and get her okay
before I paint her
teeny-tiny nails.
Later, Lil Sis and I aren’t
surprised
when
before long she’s back,
Mama, equally friendly and built like a sistah, in tow.
Together, they talked up
a small storm
and I paint
Jess and a few of her friends
before the heat and game end,
allowing me to close
the makeshift salon
I never realized I was opening when
I sat down and
engaged Lil Sis in conversation.
Though I never raised
girls,
same as Lil Sis and
Chicken,
our sister Bernadette.
I laugh with Lil Sis and realize
Bubba, my twin,
Glen and our Baby-Baby Sis
Katarina all have one girl each,
same as Lorenzo and Delton
have several.
My Mama knew what it was to have a house
of one boy and all things
sugar and spice
though all of it couldn’t have been
nice
considering the whippings I
caught.
Still
I wonder what a girl would have been—
a goddess
a bookworm
a tomboy
a siren
a terror
an Amazon—
had I
raised her?
(c) Claudia Moss 2/7/13
