KL Brady author of The Bum Magnet spoke on POD

Sounds like a good book and an imaginative, hard-working author. Might have been a mistake not to pursue agent/commercial publication.

--Ken

I'd be curious how much she spent overall - the numbers provided are just for the listings, but she had to have paid for POD copies of her book to send out, etc. for the reviews and for publicity and so forth.

It's a fine story, but I think the initial investment is much higher than listed here. And for many authors it may be out of their financial reach once you figure in the cost of mailing out review copies, getting those copies printed, buying advertising, etc.

jmo, of course.

Hey guys...it's funny, this came up on my Google Alert! So, I decided to pop my head in to say hello.

Thanks, for the compliment research guy! I'm nothing if not hard working. lol I did try to take my book the traditional route. Not nearly 2 years, but enough time to think at the time that I didn't want to let the publishing industry determine my worth as a writer. Plus, every agent I spoke with (or nearly every agent) said the process would be easier if you build a platform and an audience. In hindsight, they are absolutely right...even for self-publishing. It's hard building everything from scratch...but not impossible. It's a lot of work but it never feels like work to me.

Sheryl, I place my costs into three categories. There's publishing, distribution, and marketing/sales. Publishing and distribution deal with putting the physical book together and getting it to retailers and marketing deals with building demand. The first two phases are very cheap. Honestly, marketing doesn't have to be expensive but it is VERY time consuming. If I put a dollar amount on each hour I spend marketing, the costs run VERY high. But, for example, to send my book to a review costs $6, including the cost of postage. Giving away a code to download an ebook is free, just an email. I haven't had to buy advertising (nor have I had the cash), but my sales are going pretty well just based on the free and low-cost (around $50-$75) that I've been able to do. Costs vary, but they certainly don't break the bank in my case---I can't afford it!

I've started a new blog called, Indie Publishing on the Cheap. I'm going step by step through how I got my book published, distributed, reviewed, marketed and into bookstores. I always get SO MANY questions that I wanted to have one resource where I can post everything I know and have done and can point folks there.

If you're interested in checking it out, it's at www.cheapindieauthor.blogspot.com . It's all free to authors. Just a little something I'm doing to pay my blessings and good fortune forward to other authors who are trying to accomplish their goals.

www.klbradywrites.com

Thank you for stopping on by!

I hope you'll continue to visit and contribute to the rest of the threads and the other forums!

K_L_Brady said:

Hey guys...it's funny, this came up on my Google Alert! So, I decided to pop my head in to say hello.
. . .

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Nice to see you here! We have at least some things in common -- I, too, was an analyst for government (Calif. State in my case) for quite a while.

You might want to check out Underground Books, in Sacramento. Tell Mother Rose (aka Georgia West) that I referred you. The Bum Magnet looks like a natural for her store.

I'm now one of your Facebook fans.

--Ken

P.S. check out the conference mentioned in my sig. block below. Could be right down your alley. And if you arrange some signings in this area, might make for a good trip all around.

Wow, thanks for the welcome Sheryl and Ken!

You know, it's so funny you mention Mother Rose. I have a friend who is a poet that also referred me to her. I've been so busy with the east coast promotion I haven't ventured out west yet...but I WILL!

I'll also check out the writer's conference too. I'd definitely like to get some booksignings set up. I'd like to take my son to San Diego at some point while I'm out there so I will put this on my agenda.

K_L_Brady said:

Wow, thanks for the welcome Sheryl and Ken!

You know, it's so funny you mention Mother Rose.. . . .

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I saw Mother Rose on Saturday, at Underground Books, and recommended that she look into The Bum Magnet for the store. Please do follow up with her. And I very much hope to see you at the conference. List Absolute Write Water Cooler on the "organization" line and I'll vouch for the member/affiliate discount price -- but the Feb. 17th postmark deadline for early-bird price is FIRM.

--Ken