September 9, 2014 - 6:30 pm - Tampa, Fl.
How did I go from an unknown, self-published, first time
book author to becoming a well known, respected published author in less than two
years, selling hundreds of books and speaking around the country?
First, I needed a plan.
Secondly, I needed to set new goals for myself and third, I
needed to develop my Author Platform.
I figured I had pretty good idea of how the book publishing
industry worked. In my past life, I worked in the NY music industry with such
artists as John Denver, Lee Holdridge, and the Starland Vocal Band, to name a
few. Simple, I thought. While working
at Cherry Lane, our artists
would write and submit their songs to me for copyright. I handle the
licensing and administration on a world-wide basis. (We did not have CD's back then or computers).
I learned the workings of the royalty
department and WOW, was I impressed
with those huge checks!
My assumption was the same when I finished writing the
original manuscript on my mother's biography based upon her personal journal
that she wrote when she was in Country Service Camp (Landjahr Lager). She
grew up in Austria before WW2. In 1938, it was mandatory that she join the girls
division of the Hitler Youth called the Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM).
Years had passed since I left Cherry
Lane and until "Through Innocent Eyes"
was published on Nov. 20, 2012,
exactly twenty-three years on the anniversary of my mother's passing.
Boy, have things changed in the publishing world!
I knew that once I received a contract with a publisher they
would handle all the work for me. In turn, I would become an overnight success,
just like John Denver! Simple,
I thought. I sent the manuscript to the publisher. In turn, they
copyrighted and published the book. All
I had to do now was to wait for those huge royalty checks to start rolling in. I
waited and waited, and then, the BIG DAY finally arrived!
I treasured this moment, holding the precious white envelope
in my hand. I thought about my mother. I thought about the past 23
years and what it took for me to research, write and invest the thousands
of dollars to print my book. I wondered how much money was inside the envelope.
I wonder how many books I sold. Am I going to have enough money to pay
off my house, buy a new car, and maybe, even move into one of those fancy
gated, deed-restricted communities where every house has a pool? (I live
in Florida and a pool is
mandatory. Something I do not have).
As I slowly opened the envelope I was dreaming of all the things I can do with my first
royalty check. I imaged myself on stage receiving an Academy award for
"Best Film of the Year,” and being recognized as a “New York Times
Bestselling Author.” My imaginary
acceptance speech included thanking God and my mother first and foremost, then,
my family, friends, publisher, director, producer, and the cast and crew. This is what I long waited for and at last,
the moment has arrived!
I removed the check from the envelope and looked at the
amount. I blinked my eyes once, then
twice. I removed my glasses, rubbed my
eyes, and looked again. Can this possibly be right? I thought to
myself. Really? Is this all that it is?
I said to myself out loud. What happened
to the million dollar first royalty check I was suppose to receive just like
John did on his first royalty check with “Take Me Home Country Roads?”
I instantly knew that
at I had to make a plan, go outside of my comfort zone, and figure out how
first time authors became well know New York Times Bestselling authors with a
movie to their name.
Now, I am selling hundreds of copies of my book and being
invited to speak. I am proud to say that
I have moved from the self-publishing, pay the publisher world, and into the
professional book publishing industry, receiving royalties from the publisher,
world.
I look forward to meeting you at the Aspiring Writers Publishing and Marketing Meet Up group on Sept. 9, 2014, 6:30 pm, and discussing your goals, plan, and author platform with you!
