We have a extra special guest on the blog today! Author Sherri A. Dub is dropping in to share some information about her experiences in e-publishing. She's the author of Goddess Cottage and The Witch Ball. Sherri and I "met" on twitter a few months ago and I've enjoyed following her progress since the launch of Goddess Cottage. She's kindly agreed to drop in for a chat so here goes.
Katie: Welcome Sherri, it’s an honor to have you visit the blog. Tell us a little bit about yourself and about your two books, Goddess Cottage and The Witch Ball.
Sherri: Thank you, Katie for inviting me. First off, I’m an avid reader and writer of Paranormal Romance. I have a BA in Anthropology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and I’m a happily married Grandmother.
I wrote my first book, Goddess Cottage approximately 3 years ago. Then, this year I finished my second book, The Witch Ball. Both are Para/Rom’s and only available on Ebook formats. I chose to self-publish because it left me in control of my work, and gave me the freedom to start my career, without wading through the slush piles.
However, I don’t believe self-publishing is for everyone. I believe I have a lot of writing experience, a great track record with RWA and FF&P memberships and meetings, and my peer group has been very persuasive. If you feel you are ready after you’ve submitted to agents, publishers and contests; and been told that your work is publishable, then I say go for it.
Katie: What inspired you to write these stories?
Sherri: My inspiration always comes from a mixture of my childhood memories and my passion for archaeology. When I grew up, with four other siblings in California, we were entranced by the magic of Disneyland, camping and horror movies. I read Nancy Drew books early on, but quickly grew complacent with her “goody-two shoes” outlook and became engrossed in Steven King, John Saul and Alfred Hitchcock.
I was the kid that wanted to dig up the backyard looking for treasures, or try to stay up past bedtime to catch ghosts in the house. I think I was just born with a natural sense of adventure and curiosity for the promise of something supernatural to come into my life.
Katie: We’re seeing the e-publishing market exploding with new books. What influenced your decision to use e-publishing instead of traditional publishing to bring your stories to readers?
Sherri: Again, I chose to E-publish because the time was right for me. After having been requested in full and encouraged by Kensington Publishing, having two years of good Golden Heart scores and 4 years on the college newspaper, my husband and I made the decision together.
He jokes that he’s my publisher, but without him, I don’t think I’d have been as comfortable with my choice. He has helped me set up my website, sell my books and choose my covers. He’s the best support system a writer could ask for, and don’t even get me started on how wonderful he is as a husband.
Katie: How has your experience using this technology been?
Sherri: I read a lot about the industry and different venues for Ebooks before I chose to go with Bookbaby. It’s easy to use, and they can do your cover art, which has been the case for me on both of my books. The cost is reasonable, and they compensate you 100%, after the four main distributors: Amazon, B&N, Sony and Apple have paid them. Each time your balance is $20 or more, you can have your money direct deposited into your account every Monday of the month.
What I didn’t know, that I wish I would have read in the fine print, is that any book that is priced at $1.99 or less only receives a minimal percentage of the retail price. If you want to increase your earnings, you have to earmark your books at $2.99 or higher. However, as a side note, I have found that the readers in the UK will not pay over $1.99 for a book unless it is on the NYT Best Seller list.
My debut novel, Goddess Cottage is priced at $1.99 and it has outsold my second novel three times over, because I priced The Witch Ball at $2.99. So, you have to feel out your readers, the economy and practicality issues before setting a price.
The largest piece of advice I would give to people about self-publishing, is to have your work edited. And to be prepared to put in the face time on your PC with the various outlets, such as: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.com and so on. Also, you have to do many giveaways, radio shows and blog visits to conjure an audience when you’re starting out as an unknown. It can be costly, so be prepared.
I have not begun to produce revenue in the black, as my costs for monthly websites, giveaways and such has been greater than the intake of profit. But, I am meeting new people, getting my name and my work out there, and I am continuing to build up a published list of my works.
Katie: Any new works in progress or upcoming releases you can tell us about?
Sherri: Currently, my 3rd book is set in Alaska and it is a very anthropological, paranormal romance. I can only say that it is about shape-shifters and the Tlingit natives of SE Alaska. It has been a true labor of love for me, as I’ve spent nearly 20 years in Alaska and have been adopted by this group, personally. So, I am walking a fine line with my version of their mythology and my own imagination.
THE WITCH BALL A paranormal romance, with a twist~
When antique shop owner, Charlie Chase is given the lead on a fine pick at a Victorian mansion in Placerville, CA, she can't resist heading up there in the middle of a February snow storm.
Finding a place to stay until the weather dies down is one thing. Renting the only cabin, complete with a hunky landlord, is another.
Buying a cursed trunk and its mysterious contents won't be the end of her strange adventures, either.
Together, she and the hot landlord are forced to solve the mystery of THE WITCH BALL, or she'll become its next victim.
ISBN# 9781617929700
GODDESS COTTAGE
A paranormal romance novel set in Alaska, where witches and werewolves depend on one another to survive. Keeping their world veiled from outsiders is one thing, but falling love with each other is another.
ISBN# 9781617924675
Hope you guys enjoyed hearing about the e-publishing experience from someone who is making wonderful waves in this ever expanding market. Sherri, I wish you loads of continued success and I’d like to say a HUGE thank you for taking a moment to visit with us here on the blog. For more information on all her work you can visit Sherri's website: http://www.sheropatra.com , follow her on twitter and Goodreads.com @Sheropatra and for sure drop in and “like” her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/sheropatra/114153548669270.
If you like a chance to win either of Sherri's novels in Kindle format, just leave your name and email information in the blog comments box. A winner will be chosen on October 15th, 2011. The ebook of your choice will be sent to the winner of the random drawing.
Till then,
Katie
Hey guys :) Just a quick update. I have a new page on Facebook. I'd love for you to visit and give it a "like". Just click on the link below and it should take you straight to it. Have a wonderful weekend and check back often for more updates.
Thanks to everyone who left messages for Sherri. I really appreciate you visiting the blog and please come back again real soon. A huge shout out to CARRIE ANN RYAN. She won a copy of GODDESS COTTAGE. Enjoy Carrie! Thanks to author Sherri Dub for taking a moment to chat with me on the blog, hope we can do it again real soon. 
Hey folks! Hope your week is chugging along peacefully. Little tid bit of news for y'all. The blog has officially topped 3000! *confetti, cheers, balloons and cake all around!* I would've never imagined a number like that last November when I wrote that first rambling post. LOL! And the cherry on top is the added bonus of new friends from Cyprus, Lithuania and Ireland. Thanks for visiting guys and please come back again real soon ;)
Kami Garcia, (on left) co-author with Margaret Stohl (on right) the Beautiful Creatures novels. Kami is a absolutely lovely lady who I think adores Black Sabbath according to most of her answers. I also have a suspicion Black Sabbath is her version of potato.http://beautifulcreaturesnovels.com/
Simone Ekeles, author of the Perfect Chemistry novels. Simone is a really quick wit and her answers had everyone rolling despite the fact that she answered with "the Fuentes brothers" more than once. The horde of teen girls in attendance didn't mind one bit.http://www.simoneelkeles.net/ woohoo for super hot bad boys! LOL! 
Melissa Marr, author of the Wicked Lovely books. Melissa held court and the microphone out in the audience fielding questions for the Hutchinson ladies and guests like me. She kept the funny rolling and was a treat to finally meet in person. http://www.melissa-marr.com/ 
Kelley Armstrong, author of the Otherworld series and the young adult trilogy Darkest Powers and other titles. She served as moderator for the evening. It was a real pleasure to have the chance to meet her. http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/
Jennifer Lynn Barnes author of the Raised by Wolves novels. Jennifer took all the newbie ribbing the ladies dished out with nothing but good humor. Her monkey impressions were hilarious too. Don't ask me how old she is either because they used one of those Men in Black thingies to wipe that from our memories at the end of the night. *Wink* http://www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com/ 
