Publishing Next Step is as Publishing Next Step Does

~ John W. Howell

Wednesday is a good day. I am working to mail off the Galley pages for my novel My GRL to the publisher. I got them last Thursday with a request to get them back by today. As for most requests made of me by the publisher, I need to make the deadline. I still don’t have a release date as yet. The next step should be cover design and I think then we will be ready to go.

I don’t know about you, but when I opened the galley file and came upon the title page I almost lost it. I can hardly believe that after first thinking of the story many moons ago it is almost time to see that story in print. I know you vets are really used to this kind of thing, but as a newbie I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be near the point of publication. Once published the real work will begin, but I am ready for that next step.

Here is a screen shot of the title page. It is no coincidence that a star burst appears near the Martin Sisters Publishing name. They are divine.

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I started the book in April of 2012 and finished the first draft in August of that year. After a bunch of edits, I finally got the courage to start the query process. I began with agent queries and picked up a suitcase full of rejections. While I was trying to attract an agent, it came to me to try a different tactic. I subscribe to Writer’s Market so I punched in a search with the parameters set at publishers who accept un-agented work and are not vanity presses. http://www.martinsisterspublishing.com contacted me after I sent them a query and wanted to execute a contract. You can imagine how long I pondered the prospect. I signed the day it came in and have never looked back.

So now I wait for whatever is next and am still editing my second novel. It is sequel to the first and a story of the character John J. Cannon attempting to survive threats against his life and the security of the US. The second has more bullets and mayhem and prepares us all for the third book in the series.

Well enough of me and my book I hope y’all have an easy hump day.

42 thoughts on “Publishing Next Step is as Publishing Next Step Does”

  1. What do you mean, “once published the real work will begin”? It’s plenty hard work just coming up with the nonsense one writes down and then to make it presentable! 😉

    I can only imagine how it feels. I hope by this time the year after next I can write a similar post. Enjoy every moment.

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  2. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing one of my books go live, even if I’m self-publishing. It’s hard work getting it ready to go. Though, you are right that the real work is promotion and selling. Wish it was the other way around.

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  3. Well, you’ve made my hump day that much sweeter 🙂 It’s wonderful to hear how much closer you are to publication. I also appreciate hearing about your publisher. Sounds like you might have found a sweet spot between self-publishing and agent-assisted publishing.

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  7. What a big deal! I am so very excited for you that this moment is almost upon you…to see the book as a “finished” product. Having my book come out in paperback seems so much more real to me than simply the eversion. I can’t wait to see your cover. Another exciting moment in the process.

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  14. Well done John! Having never had anything come even close to this stage, I can only imagine how thrilling it must be. And you still manage to write a piece for The Paperbook Collective each month. Fantastic stuff.

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  18. You have been doing real work for a good long time. Not to mention, fine work. When you’re rich and famous, do me one favor? Give me Piers Morgan’s cell phone number. I want to text prank him something awful. I won’t tell on you, seriously, I won’t.

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