Comment

Comment by Judith Marshall on February 17, 2012 at 5:33pm

Good for you for hiring an attorney.  It will serve you well, I'm sure.  Best of luck in your new venture.

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on February 17, 2012 at 4:38pm

@Judith...I hired an attorney who is very diligent about getting me on the right track and keeping me there.  One of the things he mentioned is making sure that he reviews the drafts of my contracts when I'm ready to take on new authors.  It is a little scary to think of taking on so much responsibility, but I pray that I'm up to the task.  Of course, I'll be keeping you all posted.  And please, keep me and this whole idea in your prayers.  :)

Comment by Barbara K. Richardson on February 17, 2012 at 1:10pm

Thanks, Lynne! I'm not trying to scare anyone, just showing the creative process of a different sort of composition: visual. Juliet--How heartening is your cover tale! The final version of your cover is wonderful. Worth the nail-biting. I really appreciate knowing it all came together in the final hours.

Comment by Autumn on February 17, 2012 at 12:25pm

Valerie ~ I'm glad you pushed through and posted it, ty for sharing it. 

Comment by Judith Marshall on February 17, 2012 at 10:42am

Regina,  I wanted to do the same thing that you're planning; that is, set up a small publishing business.  One thing you need to look into is the legal liability issue.  I spoke to an attorney and he cautioned me that as a publisher, I would be liable should someone sue an author for plagiarism, slander, or any other such offense.  You'd want your authors to sign some kind of indemnity agreement.

I decided against publishing other authors.  I didn't want to incur the risk.

Comment by Juliet Greenwood on February 17, 2012 at 12:56am

Ahem. Advice, not advise. I shall take your advice, Barbara! (slaps wrist, goes back to the work in hand in shame) 

:)

Comment by Juliet Greenwood on February 17, 2012 at 12:54am

Barbara - I've just read your blog about creating your own cover - ooer, ouch!

I thought there were some lovely images in there, and I loved the one in the snow. I thought that had real atmosphere. Hey ho. Deepest sympathy. I'm sure it will work out in the end. I found it hard enough with the publishers doing the cover for my book. The cover was changed at the last minute. I know exactly why they did it, and I utterly and totally adore the final one. 

This was the first version: 

And this below is the final one, finished just hours before it was due to go to the printers - with a dire mistake on the back spotted only at the 11th hour. (twitch)

It was worth all the trauma in the end - but I shall take your advise and never offer to do it myself! My experience felt nerve-wracking enough, especially the hours waiting to hear if they'd managed to rescue the mistake and avoid utter humiliation and me spending the rest of my life under a paper bag. ARG! 

But I'm a very happy bunny now. You'll get there!

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on February 16, 2012 at 9:14pm

@Tia...Thank you!  I appreciate the encouragement.  A small press sounds right to me.  It's going to be called New Renaissance Ink.  I do hope it becomes a significant part of this new wave in writing and publishing.  And I agree with your assessment of the old school publishing business models.  They position themselves so that "house" is always the winner.  I want to offer good products, but take the business into another direction that focuses on authors, artists, readers and community.  Now seems as good a time as any to finally take action on it.

@Valerie...Thanks for that.  It's funny that I have degrees in business, but seem to have no real head for the rat race, money first mentality.  It took me years to "get" that my craft is more important than the money I stand to make from it.

@Susan...Thanks!  That would be great.  The weird thing about where I am in life is that my perspective and my money are in a good place.  My full-time job sustains me, so I can really focus on my love of the craft.  Public libraries are definitely on my list of organizations that I want to support.

Ten or so years ago, I would have never thought of starting a business about which I didn't care about turning a profit.  What a difference the last few years have made.  God has blessed me with the means to take some pretty bold, but hopefully, careful steps.  All that's left now is to manage my time and money in a way that will make this venture successful.  The website is here.  It's a work in progress, but it's getting there.  And not bad for a free website, either.  I'll be sure and reach out to you for upcoming projects.  I expect 2012 to be a busy year.  I'm learning as I go, so bear with me.

Comment by Susan Helene Gottfried on February 16, 2012 at 7:46pm

Regina, I'd be honored to be one of your editors. One of my dreams is to make enough money from my books to establish my own foundation, which supports public libraries around the country. Among other literary endeavors. Of course, first, I've got to write a big enough backlist to generate those royalties...

Comment by Lynne Favreau on February 16, 2012 at 6:44pm

Barbara, your post is required reading!!!

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