My
experience with Self-publishing my books
I started self-publishing because I could not reach
any publisher who was interested in my books. One thing I discovered as I
matured as an author was that I was always in haste, the result is that my
books were always full of many mistakes. One time I gave somebody my typed out
manuscript and he asked me if I went through the manuscript before bringing it
to him. This was because of the obvious mistakes I could have seen and
corrected myself. Another time somebody who was going to buy the second edition
of my first book commented that the first edition was better than the second.
It is either that I never knew that there were
professional editors or I preferred the hasty editing my friends and family did
for me. Then I will rush to a printer whose only interest was the money he will
make. He has no technical knowledge about books. He will look at the manuscript
and quote a price while I am emphasizing that I must have the book by xxx date
because we are having the anniversary of my ministry. Then I will negotiate and
I cannot remember anyone turning down the book, they simply gave me what my
money was worth and that is by their definition. The cost was always more than
I could afford and that will lead to the second side of the gamble; “Ok,
pastor, bring what you have (meaning money), I will print the book for you and
give you as much as your money is worth or a little over (by his estimate);
when you have sold you can come and take more after paying your debt”. So I
will hit the street trying to make more money for the printer. When I started
self-publishing, I discovered that my first installment had covered his
production cost and he was only waiting for additional profit.
I had some experience as a printer, so added that
up. I gave my manuscripts to typists in a business center and you already know
the story. With very meager income it took me a long time to produce the book.
Take a look at the kind of thing you read in my finished book those days –
“So
Goat said to Elijam, get us from where you ate siting ans speak thus to Arab
So
Elijah sold to te prophet of baal, fire came down”.
I
know you would be wondering what level I stopped my school to write so poorly.
But wait let me show you what I actually wrote for the typist –
“So
God said to Elijah, get up from where you are sitting and speak thus to Ahab.
So
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal,…………
There
were omissions and the typist continued from where she liked. Anybody who tried
self-publishing in those days will obviously have similar story to tell.
Luckily today things have changed. All over the internet there are those who
will help you in self-publishing and there are software programs that will help
minimize such errors. To my joy today I type my books myself on my laptop or
PC.
Another
challenge with self-publishing is marketing; let me confess that God really
assisted me in marketing my books. How to Be Delivered and Remain Delivered was
eighteen pages at its first edition (it is a bigger book now). The initial
title was How to be Delivered but Dr. B C Mbata added, AND REMAIN DELIVERED.
Prof. Fyne Nsofor did for me what I do for authors today; even though I was
ready to run to the press, he told me that my book was just skeleton.
He
said, “Emma this is only skeleton, go and give flesh to your book. The information
is good but will rarely make sense to your readers”.
That
was the first time I heard that kind of comment. All others who saw the book
screamed and said, “Emma, this is great! When will you print it? Please I will
like to have a copy.”
Having
printed after obeying Prof. Nsofor’s instruction I went out to try to market. A
brother in St. James Anglican Church, Uzii Street, Moses Mbagwu who was doubling
as leader of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) and
Scripture Group leader was the first person to introduce my writing to
Scripture Union. I gave out many for free and those I gave appreciated with
cash. Within three months the one thousand copies were gone but to be candid they
were not all sold out. Some were lost in circulation; I got tired of following
up for payment for some. Yet, the money I got for encouragement covered my
cost.
Most
authors will confess they were not so lucky. Rev Okey Akiri of Oil of Joy
Ministries Port Harcourt decided to write a book when he observed how his
members rushed for my books. He printed five hundred copies for a trial. One day
I went to visit him;
He
said, “Brother Emma, please can you tell me how you market those books of
yours. The five hundred I printed are still intact, save for the ones I gave
out free”.
I
have to point this out because I believe God’s grace followed my books. Besides
God’s grace there are technicalities in book writing, making and publishing
which enhance sales. Some of the books that are above hundred pages today were
eighteen page books. In the view of my critiques I sold them expensive but they
don’t know why people will buy eighteen pages book for hundred Naira but will
not pay fifty Naira for two hundred pages book.
Some
of these secrets I will be teaching in my coaching classes for young authors. Confronting
Witchcraft in the Neighborhood, How to Overcome Spirit Husband/Wife Problem, Right
Ways to Fast and Pray were all eighteen pages books which I sold for hundred
Naira. They were written while in Port Harcourt. They neither were full color
nor digitally designed but they sold fast.
Most
young authors think that all they need to get their books sold is to make it
beautiful. How wrong they are. Again what amateur mind may call beautiful may be
disgusting to a professional.
One
last thing before we move over, even if your books have no problems in
packaging, self-publishing can only assist you when you have few copies. As my
writing ministry grew so were the demand and the cost for reprint. Sometimes people
will call from a far away city asking for ten copies of my books. In this case
the cost of transport will be far above the cost of the book. But if you cannot
get the book there you only make room for pirates. One day Prof. Kontein Trinya
called to tell me he saw my book, Pastor Lucas’ Church in Ibadan and I asked
him to buy some copies. There were other callers from Lagos and other South
West Cities of Nigeria.
I
remember that I sent self-published copy of the book to Scripture Union Press
and Books with the help of Rev. Cefas who was heading SU regional headquarters
in Port Harcourt then. I proposed we discuss terms for publishing but before I knew
it was in the market. They wanted God’s Word to run fast but I point out that
due process should not be taken for granted.
I
will be pouring out my heart in this coaching process, I will reveal all my
secrets and guide you on how to take advantage of who you are, where you are
and what you know and develop yourself into a successful author
Tighten
your seatbelt.
Emma
your brother @PNUR
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