Last year I asked members for their suggestions of reputable publishers. Can I just say how pleased I am with Publish Me in New Plymouth who supported me to bring to life my book "You're A Dick Mummy"about my journey as a mother who struggled for timely, appropriate rehabilitation for a son who sustained brain injury in a car accident. It would have been all too easy to bale out but the emails and confidence shown in me kept me strong when I needed it most. The book can now be viewed on their website www.publishme.co.nz
http://www.publishme.co.nz/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=574

Congratulations, Ann.

May I be nosey and ask you how much it cost to self-publish your book?

Did `Publish Me' help you promote your book or did you have to do that yourself?

If you could give me an approximate `breakdown' of costs involved I'd appreciate it.

Post deleted at 02 Jul 2010 1:54pm by GrownUps Administrator

My book of poetry was published on a friend's computer and while I offered to pay any costs, my friend assured me that the costs were minimal and I should not even think of paying anything towards it. I imagine that Ann had a similar experience.

You write poetry, Gigglebyte?

My dad used to write poetry and lyrics to songs (as a hobby).

I sometimes write silly verse but I'm not good at expressing myself so `proper' poetry is out.

My forte is short stories.

If you are thinking of publishing I suggest you get in touch with Publish Me or other publisher and ask for a quote as you are charged on number of pages, photo's, type of paper etc. When you self publish you are responsible for marketing/selling etc although some internet sites will sell copy for you eg Fishpond You may also incur cost to get manuscript up to print standard. If you are thinking of doing something along these lines make enquiries. Copy Press in Stoke Nelson also do books and I am sure there would be some companies close to you that do likewise....as they say nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Thanks Ann.

Have you published yourself?

Yes I self published our story of living with and advocating for brain injury. As it is said personal stories often have the best impact and if feedback is to be believed then maybe I did the right thing. I would encourage anyone to write whether they choose to publish or not...there is much merit in just getting it out of your system.

Most, most encouraging and heartening are words from Steve Braunias in his personal bests for 2010 .... You're A Dick Mummy is Best book of self published non-fiction. This certainly put a spring in my step.

Hi. I am a freelance publisher. www.ampublishingnz.com. I produce a lot of books for people like Ann. I am amazed at the number of people out there writing "their stories", real-life or otherwise. The most important thing for would-be authors is to make sure your writing is of a high standard, as "professional" as it can be, and is thoroughly checked by a professional proofreader - not your cousin's best friend who's an English teacher. It just doesn't work, I'm afraid. (It's a good idea if you haven't done anything like this before to find a writing course as a starter. There are plenty around.) Also, please don't try and produce your book yourself in Word. There are many self-published books out which have been done in this way and it is too easy for them to ruin it for those following. Bookshops just don't want to know. It isn't a cheap process but it can be done fairly cost effectively and small quantities of hard copies can be done these days pretty cheaply - and of course we can make it into an ebook, if you're into that, which saves any printing at all. You do have to do your own marketing and selling of course. Your subject is fairly important too - non-fiction is always easier to sell than fiction because you have that niche.
Congrats, Ann, on your book.