I want to keep track of my experience with the publishing world. I'm just beginning now and figure this will help me remember what all occured during this experience and may help a new author out as well.
It all started one day while I was teaching my class. I was modeling an assignment I wanted them to do. So I began writing a story in front of the class so they could see what they were expected to do. My students enjoyed it, so I shared it with another class. That teacher used it for her class as well and said they liked it. Later that week while at home, I noticed a site -writing.com and explored that. I decided to try and remember my story and type it there so I could use it again next year to teach with. I changed a few things and then posted it. I received comments including one from a lady saying her child had read my story and loved it. She said if I ever publish, her daughter would be the first to buy it. I smiled and went on with life.
I said a few prayers about wanting to write a book, and that the idea for a story would have to fall into my lap as well as the publisher. Awhile later, I went back to the writing site and read other comments. I then found a link to a publisher. I looked at their site and thought, "Why not." I submited my story and never told a sole. I didn't think anything would come from it.
About two months later I received an email saying they were in the process of reading my book. They would contact me within a week. Again, I didn't think anything would come from it. Two weeks later I was checking my mail and noticed an email from someone I didn't recognize. She asked if I was still interested in publishing and that I hadn't responded to her previous email asking for my address. I then realized I must have deleted her first email without ever reading it. So I went ahead and sent her my address still not expecting anything.
Two days after I sent the email, I came home after a long day at work and saw a parcel by my front door. I opened it up and it was a contract from them. I was surprised and excited all at once. I brought it in and quickly glanced over it. The first person I showed it to was my oldest son. He didn't say much, just smiled. Then I took it to my dad so he could look it over. He told me to do some research on the company. My husband came home and I told him about it as well. He agreed I needed to do some research. So I did.
I checked the better business rating and they had an "A+". I searched throught sites that had positive and negative comments about them. I continued to pray about it as well. The contract due date was approaching faster than I wanted. I emailed my contact back and asked for more time. She gladly gave it to me.
After praying about this over the past weeks, I realized that I should do this. The next step was convincing my husband. He thought I should self publish and gave me many sites to back up his claim. I don't think I really ever got him to see it my way, but he did say I could do what I needed to do.
I told a few friends about this adventure and they all said I should do it. One asked me to send her my story. I actually was surprised at how I felt about doing that. I didn't want to do it. I felt "exposed". I emailed it to her anyway and then waited to hear back. She said she loved it. It is funny that I didn't think twice about letting unknown people on the web read it, but it bothered me to have a friend read it. I guess I was afraid she may not like it. I'm glad I was wrong.
Anyway, I emailed my contact some questions and also spoke to her on the phone. Liking what she had to say, I went home after work, read the contract again, and then signed it. It had to be in the mail the following day. (Nothing like waiting till the last minute.) So today after work, I put everything together and drove to the UPS store and after saying a prayer I sent my contract off. They should get it tomorrow. So now my adventure begins.
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