How a Publications Specialist Became a Published Author

Publishing has always been in my blood. I was ecstatic when a poem I wrote in 6th grade was chosen for publication in the school’s literary arts book. I wrote short stories I was sure would become novels if I just developed the characters. And I designed family newspapers out of craft paper and colored pencils.

So it was no surprise when I graduated from college with a degree in publication management and landed a job in corporate communications. But the desire to be creative remained. I was 22 and was newly diagnosed with a digestive illness. I had so many ideas and a drive to help others who were in my situation. But I didn’t have the maturiy or tools to make anything happen. Sure, I put some things on paper and had a false start or two. And then life happened.

I changed jobs and became more active in the community, taking on a closet-full of hats. I became a “yes” girl, saying “yes” to every opportunity to get involved that was presented to me. The problem was, I was overextended. Saying “yes” when I didn’t have time for something meant something else was not going to get done. So I learned the art of keeping a work calendar to prioritize and balance my professional duties, but that did nothing to help me out at home. Even my social calendar was stressing me out!

And then it hit me. A multi-tasking calendar was the answer! It correlated with the ideas I had had 10 years before at age 22. It would help me personally, professionally and medically, and might help others as well. And now I had the skills I needed to turn it into a reality.

It took sixteen months from my “aha” moment until I had the finished product in my hands. I wrote a business plan and asked family and friends for advice. I researched the library and Internet to see what my competitors were doing, and I learned how to protect my intellectual property. I designed draft after draft of my book. I trademarked my product name, without the help of an attorney.

Through my research I discovered that most self-publishing or print-on-demand companies use the same printer. But many of them charge inflated printing mark-ups on both ends of the process and retain all ownership over your work. After reading a book called The Fine Art of Self Publishing I found which companies to avoid and which could be trusted, including one run by a well-known writer and blogger, Angela Hoy (writersweekly.com). I submitted my book to her company, Booklocker, for consideration and was turned down. However, Angela recommended another company, Virtual Bookworm.

I submitted my PDF to Virtual Bookworm online and checked my email daily. Finally I received the message that they would print my book! I had found a publisher! I worked with the Virtual Bookworm owner through email to approve my book for printing. He was very kind and helpful, pointing out things that might not look right when printed. After a month of exchanging emails my book was done. I was expecting my first official copy of the book from my publisher in the mail any day. On a whim I went to amazon.com and typed in the name of my book. And there it was! My name in lights! I was a real published author!

I can’t tell you how successful I have been in selling my book yet because this is all still very new. I’m modifying my business plan, updating my press release and brainstorming marketing and promotion ideas. But I can tell you to be diligent in your research. Break your plan down into manageable chunks and take your time. When you think you can’t visit one more Web site, read one more book or refine your business plan, don’t give up. And don’t be afraid to ask others for help and advice. Everyone has to start somewhere. After all, it took me 12 years to birth my dream.

Angela Shipp is the author of bluehealer® diary, a unique daily planner that provides a way to track not only daily work and family activities, but also exercise and health events on one page, all at-a-glance. By doing so you can bring order and peace to your life and even make a connection between stress and your health. Bluehealer diary is available at www.bluehealerdiary.com.