If you don’t know, I run Current Words Publishing, a very small partner publishing house. I do primarily editing for authors who have completed books, fiction or non-fiction, and if they want to seek out traditional publishing, Dave writes them a query letter. If they just want to get their book out there, Dave creates an interior file and a cover, and we get the book published and distributed. The second option is one a lot of non-traditional authors take (sometimes authors are older, or young but with no publishing credits, experience, or MFA program mentors to help out, or poets, or diverse in some other way, so not as tasty for the traditional publishers and agents who are only considering the book in terms of its money-generating ability, and not at all choosing books solely based on quality of story, as we all wish they would. Sad, and very true.).
As Current Words Publishing I try to give authors what they tell me they need, so just an edit, okay. Advice only, okay, and always free. Full publication, sure. Publication, by any publisher, does not include promotion. Promotion, unless you already have a large following, comes from the author. The author must pivot from writer to marketer, and learn how to sell the book, even when given a shot by a traditional publisher. This is part of the inequality and difficulty of publishing for authors. It’s definitely not in the author’s favor. We do not contract for marketing, meaning authors cannot buy marketing services from us. Buying marketing services (getting a publicist) is incredibly expensive, and much of the time they simply give you a road map for DIY, so the author is still responsible for the book’s sales.
Dave and I charge for editing, and publishing, because sales for new authors are low, and we’re not college or grant-funded, so we have to stay in business in some way. But, we try to balance that with a lot of free advice, resources for our authors, monthly marketing meetings, and events to help promote them.
Yesterday we had a live event for Susan Burgess-Lent’s wonderful novel, When All the Girls Stopped Singing.
Susan has a long history of work in Sudan, where some of the book takes place. She also gave away three signed copies to attendees chosen at random.
Soon Dave will give us the video from the event. You’ll be able to see Susan read, and she’ll have a video she can share on her socials.
We had such a lovely time. I think everyone who attended (it was on Zoom) enjoyed it. Keep up with our events (always free and on Zoom) here.
Today I had the delightful surprise of a flower delivery from Susan. (Susan, if you’re reading this, I think this may be the first time in my life I have ever gotten flowers delivered!) What a surprise. I filled my lady-head vase with the bouquet, because that’s where flowers go around here.
The bouquet also came with a little succulent. I had recently bought a little Lucky Cat tea cup just perfect for a little plant, so in it went. Now I’ll be able to enjoy the flowers for some time, and the succulent forever.
Thank you so much Susan. I really appreciate your kindness.
If you’re interested in meeting Dave and I just to talk about your project, we are always happy to do a Zoom and talk. We always have a half hour to chat about what publishing is like, and give advice on setting up a website, social media, how to approach trying to land a traditional publisher. So if that’s something you’d like to consider, email me (dianne @ currentwords dot com). Just put that all together like an email address would typically be. Writing a book is a very “by myself” process. Editing and publishing doesn’t have to be. Helping authors like Susan is really one of the lucky joys of my life.
Dianne Pearce Writes 