Interview with Jenny Twist - On Writing, Publishing and Promoting Books

 

My early books and most of the subsequent ones were published by Melange Books, a small press publishing house which is one of the few prepared to look at unpublished authors. I found them through The Passionate Pen, which was then an essential website for authors seeking publication. They listed all the good guys – the ones who pay you rather than the other way round – publishers and agents. The site is now in semi-abeyance but one valiant follower is doing his best to keep it up-to-date here:- http://www.killerbookmarketing.com/passionate-pen/ This site certainly helped me avoid some of the nastiest pitfalls.

At that time I never considered independent publishing, as I assumed it would be difficult and very expensive.
Having discovered I was wrong on both counts I now publish all new works independently. It gives the author complete control and a much higher percentage of the profits.

 

I was horrified to discover I had to promote my own books. I always assumed the publisher would do it. They don’t, by the way- not even the major houses. Publishers only promote a book they believe is a bestseller, i.e. by an author who is already a bestseller or by a celebrity.

Promotion is mind-destroying. I presently spend far more time promoting than actually writing. Nothing is guaranteed but I can assure you that there is absolutely no point in paying for advertising. People buy books through personal recommendation. You need to get people talking about your books.

 

I use social networking sites and every so often do a free download on one of my independently published books, then promote the download everywhere I can. This usually results in a rise in sales for all my books.

 

Since I find I am spending all my time promoting, I have just introduced a new regime – today. From now on I shall only promote on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and dedicate the other days exclusively to writing. Well, I’ve written 2,000 words today so far. So far, so good.

 

I have been spending several hours a day promoting and sometimes going for days on end without writing at all. It certainly does take me away from the whole purpose of writing in the first place. But, as I said, I’m going to change all that.

 

I think it’s very important. When I am choosing a book, I first look for the author’s name – is it someone I have read before and enjoyed, or who has been recommended to me?

Then the title and then the cover. The cover must convey what the book is about and must stand out as a thumbnail. I NEVER buy a book with a half-naked couple on the front. They all look exactly the same.

 

I pay professionals. I don’t care how good you are. Nobody should attempt to edit their own work. I use Emily Eva Editing for editing and proof-reading, She catches everything and does not attempt to re-write your book in her own style. I used to have constant battles with editors at my publishers who used to actually introduce grammatical errors!

For covers I use Su Halfwerk at Novel Prevue: http://www.novelprevue.com/cover-art.html She is fantastic! Very talented and seems to be psychic when it comes to understanding what you want.

 

Neither of the above are expensive.

 

I think the two books I have produced independently are extremely professionally-presented, which was my most important criterion. I do feel, however, that I chose the wrong title for ‘Mantequero’. It doesn’t mean anything to most people. My other independent book, ‘Away With the Fairies’ outsells it by five to one, although the story in Mantequero is probably more commercially viable.

 

I use Twitter a great deal and Facebook to some extent. I used to use Yahoo groups but they changed their format and are now so cumbersome to use that I’ve more or less abandoned them. Since I won’t pay for advertising, Twitter and Facebook are my primary source, although I do a fair bit of blogging on other people’s sites.

 

I’m still working on it.

 

I haven`t yet found a sure-fire way of promoting, so I don’t really feel I’m in a position to make recommendations.

 

I’m really not the person to ask. I think you should ask Stephen King.