It is my pleasure to share a post by author Morgan Brice who shares musings on...
Paths to Publishing
by
Morgan Brice
Authors today are very fortunate
because there are so many ways to bring a book out to reach readers!
While Witchbane is my first book under
my romance pen name of Morgan Brice, I’ve been publishing for more than a
decade as Gail Z. Martin. As Morgan Brice, I write urban fantasy MM paranormal
romance. As Gail Z. Martin, I write epic fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk,
comedic horror and more. Over the years, I’ve worked with very large publishers
and small presses, and also done self-publishing. All paths can work—you just
need to know what you want.
Working with a big publisher gets your
book into bookstores, and means that there is a staff handling your cover,
editing, and some (but not all) of your marketing. You still have to do most of
the marketing, regardless. But once you turn the book in, and the edits are
complete, the process is out of your hands until the book comes out and you
need to promote it. On the other hand, you don’t get much—if any—input into the
cover, and if the editor wants you to make changes to the story, you mostly
have to make them, whether you agree or not. That’s how the game is played. You
also don’t control pricing or distribution, so there are some promotional
opportunities that have to be handled through your publisher if you’re going to
participate. And to land a deal with a big publisher, you usually have to get
an agent to shop your manuscript, so while you gain a valuable ally, you also
will pay a portion of your earnings to that agent for managing your contracts
and doing the deals.
Working with a small publisher gives
you some of the best parts of the big publisher scenario, without some problems
(and with other new ones). A legitimate small press will still take care of
doing your cover and editing without you having to pay for it or arrange for
it. You’ll probably have more input into the cover, and you may be able to have
more dialog with the editor if you disagree. But small presses generally don’t
get bookstore placement, and some only publish ebooks, not print versions. Many
small presses can do just as nice a book as a big publisher, so quality isn’t
necessarily a problem. But small publishers are more vulnerable to financial
troubles, and there are horror stories of presses that suddenly disappeared,
locking up author’s rights to their books for years. You probably won’t need an
agent to query a small press, but be sure to do your homework on sites like
Writer Beware and Predators and Editors to make sure the press you choose is a
good one.
Self-publishing gives you a lot of
freedom to bring your books out on a schedule that works for you, however fast
or slow. You can write whatever you want, without getting hung up in the pitch
process. You’re in charge—and that means you get to hire the cover artist and
editor, maybe even a publicist. You also get to pay for them, because you are
the publisher as well as the author. Don’t try to go cheap by doing things
yourself that you aren’t good at. Self publishing only works if your book looks
professional. Self-publishing is more work, because you have to manage every
step in the process, but you have more control and may also be more satisfied
with the results.
I always recommend the Writers’ Digest
Books resources on publishing to authors who are just getting started. They are
very useful, and provide a good foundation. Get to know published authors at
book conventions, and attend the writing track of panels for great free advice.
Look for Facebook groups on self-publishing, and check into Meetup groups in
your local area.
Most of all, have fun! Write the
stories you want to read, and enjoy the process!
Watch for the sequel to Witchbane, Dark Rivers, later this
spring!
And a second, all-new series, Badlands, will also be out soon!
I’ll be a Supporting Author at Gay Romantic Lit Retreat in
October, so please look me up and say hello!
Witchbane is available in ebook on Kindle, Kobo and Nook
and in print. We’re working on audiobook.
******************************
by
Morgan Brice
- Print Length: 244 pages
- Publisher: Darkwind Press (February 19, 2018)
- Publication Date: February 19, 2018
- ISBN-10: 1939704685
- ISBN-13: 978-1939704689
Blurb:
Seth Tanner and his brother Jesse’s fun evening debunking local urban legends ends with Jesse’s gruesome murder. Seth vows revenge on Jesse’s killer–too bad the murderer has been dead for a hundred years. Seth uncovers a cycle of ritual killings that feed the power of a dark warlock’s immortal witch-disciples, and he’s hell bent on stopping Jackson Malone from becoming the next victim. He’s used to risking his neck. He never intended to risk his heart.
Excerpt:
Read a free excerpt here
Buy links:
About the author:
Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions.
On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.
Watch for additional new series from Morgan Brice, and more books in the Witchbane universe coming soon!
Follow Morgan on:
Twitter
@MorganBriceBook
Check out the Morgan Brice Books and Stuff board on
Gail’s Pinterest page
You can find more about Morgan at the Morgan Brice website
Blog site*****************************
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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My review:
4 out of 5 stars
Witchbane by Morgan Brice is the first book in the
‘Darkwind’ series. Seth Tanner has a traumatic and tragic introduction to the
paranormal world, prompting him to use his military skills to pursue ending a
monstrous reign that has targeted a slew of unwitting victims. His fortuitous
connection with Jackson Malone complicates his mission to protect the man who
is oblivious of the danger and his significance in the struggle against evil,
but they must become a team if either is going to survive long enough to make a
difference.
This adult m/m urban fantasy story is a dark action-packed
and erotic tale featuring two main characters who each has had to overcome a
troubled past to reach this point in life. Those who are squeamish should be
advised that this is a gritty story with a fair amount of violence, although
much of it is off-stage. The descriptions are vivid and breath-stealing, so my
advice would be to read this in the daylight if you tend to be a little jumpy,
lol. There are a fair number of strings still dangling, as this is the
beginning of the series, and I look forward to learning more about these
charismatic guys, who are still a little two-dimensional to me but entertaining
to read about. I have enjoyed this author’s alter-ego’s stories and I am
delighted to have another series to read that is penned with her characteristic
flair for exciting and captivating stories.
A copy of this story was provided to me for review
*****************************
Please visit other stops on the tour:
I Smell Sheep 4/23: Excerpt, spotlight and giveaway
Bayou Book Junkie 4/24: Guest Blog, giveaway
The Million Words 4/25: Q and A, giveaway
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