Memoir Authors discussion

My name is Angela K. Durden. I've written my memoir. I've been shopping it to publishers for a couple of years; no legitimate offer has come in. The reason? Well, as one agent told me, "You're a nobody."

That is not an insult. It is a marketing problem. No platform, she said. Can you get one? I told her I wasn't about to kill someone and go to prison and tie that into the book. And I wasn't about to try to boink somebody famous and tie that into the book.

So, hey, I guess that just little old me, who wrote a heck of a story in an interesting fashion, will just have to do it herself.

That was a year ago and I've been busy as aitch, ee, double-hockey sticks, but have bit the bullet. The layout is just about done; editor is on his last go through. I've been looking at various portals through which I could make the book available.

Someone told me to look at Book Baby. But after reading the terms of service and member agreement, I found they sounded too much like CD Baby (they are owned by the same company), and decided against them. I reviewed Createspace's TOS and they are what I want.

So, I'll probably release through them, not use my own ISBN from my stable, but use their ISBN just so I can get a wider distribution channel.

I'm now looking for reader groups who might have members that want to be a pre-reader of a PDF galley and send comments and feedback.

If any in this group have gone that route and have any suggestions as to where to point me, or any suggestions as to how to guide that process with readers groups, that would be awesome.

Thank you all.

www.angeladurden.com
Twinkle: a memoir

Angela I am happy to help. I've also published my memoirs all by myself. I was a professional writer for over 30 years, but writing novels is a new genre for me. I've also proof read professionally in my time. If you want to send me a mobi or e.pub or pdf file, I will look through it - No charge. It may be 10 days or, say 2 weeks before I get back to you. Also I will invite you to join a FB Group called We Love Memoirs a really great bunch of people - you do have a Facebook page? Let me know about that too. Also you can try Reviews and Promotions on FB, a group that gives reviews. also try Review Seekers, another FB group. Anyway let me know if I can help.

Hi Angela -first, congratulations on writing your book! I too, am a "nobody" (in the context of being an unknown writer) - and so I understand and sympathize. I would like to suggest you look at She Writes Press (www.shewritespress.com) because they are a "third way" - a hybrid of traditional publishing (lots of resources and help) and self-pub (author pays a fee). I went with them and am very happy. When you submit portion manuscript to them, they'll put you on one of three "tracks" (described on their website.) In my case, they decided I needed some developmental editing before I was ready for prime time, so I chose one of their editors (they give you a list and their background, etc.) and have been really pleased with the result. My memoir is being published in September ("The Coconut Latitudes: Secrets, Storms and Survival in the Caribbean") - early reviews are in Goodreads, plus Goodreads is doing a giveaway this month. But I'm not writing to pitch my book to you..just to say I've been in your shoes, wish you the best, and hope you might also consider a hybrid publisher like She Writes. Rita

Thanks, Lucinda. I went to the FB pages you said and liked and joined. This is my FB address:
facebook.com/angela.durden1

I can send you the PDF. If you'll email me privately, I can send it to you. angeladurden@msn.com will work fine. Thanks!

Thanks, Rita. I'll look at them and see what they do. I've been in the book business for a long time, but more on the business and children's side of things. Memoir is completely different for marketing purposes.

Hi Angela,
Congratulations on finally doing it yourself! Many on this group, including myself, self-published with CreateSpace and I am very happy with them. It's free and easy.

The best way to get reviews for your book is on groups and websites like this. Authors are usually very willing to do review exchanges too.

All the best with your book! I look forward to hearing how it goes.

Leila