SORTING THROUGH OPTIONS

MORNING INSPIRATION AT CASA CHIARA

The options for publishing WIDOW'S WALK seemed to be three: 1. A big publisher such as I had for ALTAR MUSIC, but this would require getting a new contract with my former Literary Agent. 2. A small literary publisher with a long queue of already accepted manuscripts. I was told to expect a 3 to 4 year wait. 3. Independent Publishing.

The agent didn't even acknowledge receipt of the manuscript. I was told by a writer-friend that non-response is the new normal. Maybe that is true. I'd promised myself that I wouldn't spend too much of my precious and limited time trying to find a new agent.

And I really like Independent Publishing! Marketing is difficult for me, but even the large publishers now expect authors to present a marketing plan. So...I will learn. And I brought up my Amazon.com/CreateSpace account. They have acted as printer for six of my books, and I've enjoyed the process. The only problem is that I haven't sold many. Marketing again! My technique leaves a lot to be desired.

When I taught high school English and was about to plan a new section--The Romantics, for instance--I began with a bulletin board design. So in publishing I start with the book cover. I Googled images, and I looked in my own photographs. Nothing satisfied. Then I thought of Shiloh Sophia! Now an artist of international renown, she and I met in the mid-1990s and became close friends for over ten years until life with its resettlements left large spaces of time when each of us followed separate dreams. We did come together briefly for shared creative work. Neither of us ever doubted the love and responsiveness of the other. So I emailed her.

Her generosity was overwhelming. Not only could I use one of her paintings, she would also give me ideas for a marketing plan! This comes as good, good news.

WIDOW'S WALK should be out in the beginning of the new year.

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