I edit my own books. I was trained to edit in college when I was pointing to be an English professor and learned to edit when I was an editor at Doubleday. I can be dispassionate about my own work.
Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No, I plunge ahead. Editing takes so much time so I just push through.
Who edited your book and how did you select him/her?
Not applicable
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
This book was first published as an ebook. The publisher did a pretty good job on the cover, but for the paperback I wanted something more fun and more lurid. The inspiration was a 1950s scifi film poster. I think I got what I asked for.
Who designed your book cover/s?
My publisher
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely. Unless you have a highly recognizable name, it’s the main reason potential readers look at the book.
How are you publishing this book and why?
(*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
Small press
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
I self-published my first book but it was a lark anyway. You have a lot more control but you may wind up embarrassing yourself because you don’t have multiple brains working on your book.
How do you market your books?
Oh, marketing. I’ve done this for decades for other people. Quite another story to do it for myself. I wrote a marketing plan and am working my way through implementing it.
Why did you choose this route?
I’ve marketed other people’s books so just toddled on without thinking.
Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I will, when I’ve finished my first general fiction book.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
My advice is ask someone else. I don’t trust myself yet to pass on information. But, yes, one bit of advice: Get out there. Read in public wherever and whenever you can. If nothing else, you’ll get readers’ reactions, which may help you write.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
Not enough. I should be spending a third of my time marketing.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
You have to take any review as one person’s opinion and—good or bad—not make it your opinion of your work.
Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
There are no amusing stories about marketing books.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
Excellent and no expensive.
Which social network worked best for you?
I use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Facebook is still the most effective for me.
Any tips on what to do and what not to do?
Write every day. Write in the same space/place, if possible. Don’t worry about the quality of your writing during the first draft. Don’t try to edit during your first draft. Hire an agent, if possible. Aim high when it comes to publishers but accept lower if that’s the reality.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
I am on this book.
Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
No.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Food and drink at my launches.
Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
I wouldn’t spend money on ads unless they’re in social media.
Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Many well-written books don’t really tell an interesting story, and many that do are just not found by readers. It’s so difficult to bring your book to the attention of readers so they might buy it and read it and recommend it to friends.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
Too far astray from writing for me but a good idea if you can get yourself to do it. We live in an increasingly visual world. I may make myself try this at some point.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
Maybe. There’s so much you can do on marketing. With anything you do, you have to think: how am I going to get people to look at this?
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
It depends. If the recipient is influential, in print or word of mouth, yes. If they’re going to blurb your book, yes. If they’re your mother, yes. Otherwise, no.
Did you format your own book?
No.
In what formats is your book available?
Ebook and print
If formatted by someone else, how did you select them and what was your experience?
My publishers formatted them in both cases.
How do you relax?
I have a large garden. Gardening is very zen. I stop thinking when I’m gardening. I love to walk and to think about playing tennis. I go to a lot of other people’s readings; I love being read to. I listen to classical music. I love chamber music, the symphony, opera, and ballet.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
Do it!
What is your favourite positive saying?
“Love is always there, all around you. Be aware. Accept love, not the lack of it.”
What is your favourite book and why?
Pride and Prejudice, because it’s so funny
What is your favourite quote?
I’m not much for quotes.
What is your favourite film and why?
2001, A Space Odyssey, because it is beautiful and weird at the same time
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
I see myself publishing my fifth book.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t take yourself so seriously
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville together. I admire their work tremendously and am intrigued by them personally. Most authors don’t intrigue me, their stories do.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Leviticus. I’d leave Queer people off the list of abominations.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t write unless you feel compelled to. You won’t receive much notice or money for your work, and it’s hard work and so many people are already doing it. The world does not need more writers, unless they can tell brilliant stories. The world will always need that.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I think we’ll be going back to clay tablets and cave walls after climate disaster.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Thank you for your interest in my book and in me!
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I don’t have a website. Isn’t that terrible? But I do have a Facebook page. Here’s the link: www.facebook.com/richardmaywriter
