Fifth and Main

Have you ever opened a neighborhood store or small business? Tied up your personal money into a venture that you believe will give you satisfaction?
Today, after perusing my morning edition of PMP I begin thinking about all of the "so-called" doom and gloom stories about the world of self publishing. Cloaked in each story is the advice about the average number of books sold by self published authors. Becoming an internationally famous author has about the same odds as winning "power ball". Some one will win, but the chance of it being you is nil and none. On my morning route I passed several new stores opening in my area.(by the way, that's a good sign in these financial times.) How many of these enterprising store owners do you think have hopes of becoming Macy's? Isn't this also true about those of us who write a novel geared for a specific market and willing to put in the sweat equity to find and sell to that market? I believe you get my point. Rarely will you read that small businesses have little or no chance of success. Its seems in publishing that the "Traditional Big Houses" (translated Big Boys/or Girls) don't want any competition even if the self published in a niche market offers no real competition. Now comes the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say. All of a sudden all of the Big-a-Boys are opting to open up Self Publishing branches of their own. Most of them hold out the carrot that maybe, just maybe the Good Witch of Publishing will tap the Self Published with a magic wand and the writer will be whisk into the stratosphere of mega success. How misleading and how insulting. I lived for over 35 years working in one of the most demanding and elusive professions, A working actor in national TV and Movies. I had a ball and enjoyed a successful career without ever being what is known as a "Movie Star". I wasn't alone, many of my friends, faces and names you would recognize plied their talents in sound stages across Hollywood and New York happily reaping the benefits of their endeavors, much like those writers who believe in their work and will work tirelessly to find that niche market that will reward their efforts. Self Publishing is here and its growing daily. No one wants to see the demise of Harper, Random and their cohorts..but we also would like a small slice of the pie.

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Getting it right......

Oh, the joys of self publishing. This morning came the news that our pages were about 1.10000th of a cm out. Oh my...same with the bleed area. I am thrilled though that with these corrections we will be able to hit the Christmas market with the novel. People have ask me why a book about dogs. I answer, "I thought of making them vampire dogs or dogs in various stages of romance heat, but since I believe there is much drama and adventure in letting dogs be dogs..I concluded that Bandits life story was enough to thrill readers who love good stories about good characters. A recent reviewer wrote to me, "You are to be admired in not trying to build any superficial values into what is a clean and worthwhile story. Daily our advanced sales are piling up..now if we can just rectify our graphic design challenges we will have books in their hands in a couple of weeks. I must admit with all the pitfalls doing it yourself has a lot of pluses...

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"Giving it our all........"

Several things are flitting around in my mind this morning. One is primary. The Bandit Book, "Down from the Mountain" is being printed and soon will be available both on Amazon and Kindle. Other outlets will be added in coming weeks. This whole process has been so satisfying. When you decided to publish a book yourself you are adding to you enjoyment(as well as your tedious work). I was astounded daily about the nooks and crannies that are needed in just getting the manuscript ready for publication. The more adroit you are with your word processor's system the more money you can save, but if you count you hours as income you are spending a lot. At the same time we are preparing our website (www.thebanditproject.com) to become more of a virtual book store...with loads of information about the book, the subject matter and ways to bridge the gap between the book and the ability to let it work for you or your organization. Lastly, the folks at the charities that Bandit's book will support have been gracious and helpful...Please read more on the website..stay with us..this is a wonderful ride.

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"And the winner is....."

Believe me, after researching and probing for over a year I finally made a decision on a publisher for my novel "Down from the Mountain". I truly weighed all options and sought some wonderful advice. October of 2009 is certainly different for publishing than October of 2008 or 2007. Many new options and services exist today that weren't too kosher a couple of years back. There has been a change in attitudes, a change in direction for most writers and a change in market's that should benefit us all.
In consulting with agents, I found Chip MacGregor to be the most forthright and willing to share his business expertize with me. Chips view of publishing opportunities is extremely focused. His advice to me about the marketing venues for a novel such as Bandit was invaluable.
I knew from the start that an adventure story about an Australian Shepherd in the mountains of Montana would never be on the list of "hip things to write about" but I loved this story and the characters. In sharing this beautiful story of love and devotion I am narrowing my potential market down to those who love dog stories and have a feeling for the world the wild and rural. The mountains of Montana are a wonderful place to escape to, even if its only on the printed page. All of that being said, My choice of how to bring this story to life, to market, depended on whether or not I published myself or continued to search in these trying financial times for a special publisher who was a like mind and kindred spirit. I have alluded to my past experience in Motion Pictures and TV and my over 40 years working with theatrical agents. Believe me there is only one similarity between a theatrical agent and a literary agent and that is whether or not they get you a job. In my experience the motion picture business has moved eons away from literary in recognizing the importance of independents. Again all of this played into my decision to self publish, manage my book's career and my own. One more comparison ...today's movie stars usually all produce their own movies...because if you were to hire them...they would be way too expensive. Now managers act as rep's of the bankable stars production companies. Soon that may be the case with literary agents..bundling a group of successful writers and representing their publishing companies.
On the business side, after making the decision to self-publish I looked for the publishing service that offered me a sound and financially profitable business plan. I found that at Book Surge with a talented rep named Allison Brown. She is great and has guided me all the way through this process for over a year. (anyone willing to work with you that long cares about your project.) In the coming weeks I will announce when "Down from the Mountain" will first be available on Amazon and Kindle. Once that launch is complete, our sell through website is moving merchandise I will branch out to other e-servers and distributors. In the mean time...I am excited, just as excited as the first time I drove on the lot at 20th Century Fox to preform in the first TV pilot I was hired for. I can only hope my writing will be as successful as my theatrical career.

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The more things change..the more they are different.

I am amazed at the naysayers who loudly defamed the e-book reader who are now talking about how e books may save publishing. Barnes and Noble's nook is quite interesting and the more new apps for the e-reader the better in my opinion. The Huffington post has a unique viewpoint on 'book reviews" its well worth a read..

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Jim MacKrell - Biography

Birthday: October 12, 1937

Jim MacKrell’s broadcast career has spanned decades and has included every aspect of communications.

For the four years of its run, Jim was the star of the hit NBC game-show “Celebrity Sweepstakes.” He also hosted “The Game Game” (CBS), “Quiz Kids” (Columbia Pictures TV), plus numerous other shows.

Jim’s theatrical credits include such memorable films as Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” Albert Brooks’ “Defending Your Life,” “Semi-Tough,” “Gremlins,” “Harry’s War” and “Teen Wolf” with Michael J. Fox. He has had guest starring roles on television in “Dallas,” “Soap,” “Moonlighting.” and “Golden Girls,” amongst over 40 others. His Made For TV movies include “Miracle in Caulfield,” “Walk don’t Run” and “Reason to Live.” Jim was also a regular on “ General Hospital ,” “Capitol,” and “Days of our Lives.”

With acting, hosting, writing and producing highly motivating sales films and to having most of his life laid out in Video Rental Stores across the country, there is not an avenue of entertainment or marketing in which Jim MacKrell has not excelled.