We asked our clients to share their self-publishing journey and provide suggestions for new authors.
Author: Richard Turner
Book: I Can’t Always See My Path…But I Keep On Walking
Website: http://rturnerphotography.com/
Please tell us a little about yourself and what prompted you to write a book:
I practiced law for over 40 years. I was blessed to have a successful practice. One day I told my wife I’d be back in a month. I ended up in the wilderness of Idaho and got a job on a cattle ranch in Montana. I came back and told my tolerant wife “I quit.” Quite by accident (another story) I became a professional nature photographer. My friends and customers, who know of my work and my poetry, said I should write a book joining the two arts, photography and writing. So I did.
Please tell us a little about your book:
The book is elegant and beautiful. It has 3mm boards, heavy paper, silver foil stamping on the hard cover, and a very attractive dust jacket. The book has been endorsed warmly by famous photographers and by Dr. Wayne Dyer, the author of over 40 books on self-realization and spirituality. It is a collaboration of my images from the natural world and my poetry and reflections. The theme of the book is that “We are one with all living beings.” As such we must care for all beings and the environment in which we live. Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photojournalist for over 20 years calls the images “stunning,” the words “deeply moving,” the book a “treasure.” Father Tom Weston, a nationally acclaimed Jesuit priest, calls the book “a masterpiece.” Wayne Dyer says “the words and images touched me at my soul.”
How long did it take you to finish your book?
I began taking the images 12 years ago and writing the poetry before that. the book project itself took about 2 years. I retained my own editor to help me with the copy and the graphics, putting the book together. I worked with Global Production to choose the physical aspects of the book.
Do you offer your book as an ebook?No
What has been the most challenging aspect of self-publishing and what suggestions would you give to a new author?
Assuming the book is a seller, of interest to other people, the most difficult part of the process is the marketing. After you’ve exhausted your family and friends as purchasers, how do you interest the general public. I’ve been lucky in that Costco carries my book in some of its stores (another story). The key is getting the book distributed and taking note of other people whose expertise it is to distribute and promote books. This can be very difficult. I recommend hiring a publicist or a company that specializes in this sort of thing. They exist. It is way too hard to do it all yourself, unless you enjoy living out of your car for a year! Social media can produce sales, but even here, it helps to retain someone who knows how to navigate the internet and its mysteries.( My publicist has just booked me on a nationally syndicated TV show.)
