We asked our clients to share their self-publishing journey and provide suggestions for new authors.

Author: Ranny Grady
Book: Grandpa’s Magic Carpet & The Lost Treasure

Website: http://www.ogradypublishingcompany.com/Welcome.html

Please tell us a little about yourself and what prompted you to write a book:

I am an old retired preacher. I have a Master of Divinity from Cincinnati Christian University…1980 I have been married to my sweetheart for 51 years: Denise. I have two adult sons and five grandchildren. I am a Navy vet. I have been a certified public teacher and coach. I worked for Prentice Hall Publishing when it was its own entity. I have published three books to date: Lou’s Dirty Dozen, The Rookie; and Grandpa’s Magic Carpet and The Lost Treasure. I have three Manuscripts in the works and I’m seeking an agent/publisher at the same time. If I cant find a agent/publisher to publish my books, I plan to publish all three in 2015. The biblical America I grew up in is passing from history. All of my stories are designed to point the reader to the bible and to Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. If the Watchman doesn’t call out ‘dander’ who will?

Please tell us a little about your book:

My first book is a narrative from my mother’s family’s history. He mother, Lula Bell (Lou in the book) : Lou’s Dirty Dozen, was a Godly widow during the Depression with a dozen kids. I have tried to get media people interested in the book; but have failed. Its story came to me via my mother (the story-teller) when I was fifty years old. I promised Momma I’d write the story when I retired. After I published Lou, God came to me in a dream and gave me my other stories. The Rookie is a spiritual journey that explores the idea that failure in man’s eyes may not be what God sees. The two central characters are an old retired preacher: Elijah Satchel Johnson and a Theophany sent to rescue the preacher as he attempts suicide…in the physical presence of a Cinnamon colored CAT, name Scooter. The twist for the book is that it contains a Trivial Pursuit theme about the Negro League Baseball history…featuring its greatest star: Satchel Le Roy Paige. I published my first book in a three book series: Grandpa’s Magic Carpet and the Lost Treasure, two years ago. I will publish the second book in 2015: Grandpa’s Magic Carpet and the First Christmas. The Lost Treasure story took Grandpa and his grandchildren on a sea voyage to find Mr. Rainbow to find Lost Treasure. They find it: friendship with Jesus Christ. I have finished the first or second draft for four other fiction stories. If the Lord allows me to live long enough, I may publish them.

How long did it take you to finish your book?

I have been writing steadily since 2005. It took me a year to write my first book and prepare it for publication. I wrote the ‘first draft in four months…the first edition. It took me a year to write its second.

Do you offer your book as an ebook? Yes

What has been the most challenging aspect of self-publishing and what suggestions would you give to a new author?

Answer the question: Why do I write? If you write because you love to write…regardless if others read what you write, then the outcome the vast majority of Self-published authors realize: very little success; less monetary, you will enjoy life and find contentment in a world of words and ideas. If you write for success and to influence others, then you are probably going to be miserable. You can expect your costs will far exceed your profits as a Pond Scum writer and publishers. Pond Scum is an appropriate definition because this is how you will be treated by media…with a rare exception here and there. You will be scammed at every turn if you don’t provide and produce all info that is necessary to publish a book. I can tell horror stories I sure hundreds of thousands of others have experienced. I have been able to earn a profit from my books because I sell my books directly to Librarians in fifteen different states…making ‘cold turkey’ calls. The retail market seldom will embrace a ‘Self-published author. You can spend a lot of money promoting a book and not realize any profit!