I always knew I wanted to write a book, but it didn't seem feasible from all of the stories I'd heard about how impossible it was to get a book published. So, when I decided to try anyway, I went the traditional route, and contacted over 100 literary agents. As the process evolved, I realized just how hard it really was.

Then, I slowly realized that even if I was lucky enough to get an agent and a publishing deal, it would require signing over my rights (and creative input to an editor) allowing the agency and the publisher to decide on my book cover, interior layout, formatting, pricing, release dates, all which could take between 1-2 years, maybe more. I was jumping through hoops, when I met an author in my genre that was "lucky" enough to be signed to a rather well-known traditional publishing house, and asked her about her experience. She shared with me that she had to sign over her rights, and was only offered a $3000 advance (that she split with a co-author). She said that although the company sold 20,000 copies, 15,000 of them were returned-and destroyed! The book was taken off the publisher's roster, and shelved forever.

Out of curiosity, I started to listen to book marketing teleseminars, and how there were several advantages to self-publishing. One day, I walked into a Barnes and Noble, and just for fun asked if they ever carried self-published books. The person directed me to their website, where I found an offer for a free self-publishing guide from Outskirts Press. Upon further investigation, it seemed that I could not only be in charge of my own pricing, interior, be involved in book design, set my own distribution discount, order authors copies at a deep discount, get a free website, but also be published within 12-16 weeks, all for under $1000. And that is precisely what I did! My book looks exactly the way I want it. The cover designer took my ideas and created something that was to my specifications, and even un curso de milagrosmy expectations. I did my own interior formatting-something I never thought was possible. I also received free marketing advice on a weekly basis. I now had a real product that was mine, and I own it 100%. It was available online, with national online distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor. And what a thrill to hold my book in my hands for the first time!

But now what?

I found out about the Amazon.com best-seller campaign, a course given by Peggy McColl and Randy Gilbert. So, I went about creating an on-line campaign, and took my book to the #5 spot on Amazon.com, where it's held court in the top 100 in it's category ever since. I made so many online friends, and got into a pool of authors who now ask me to promote their books by contributing mine as a "bonus gift" which creates even more online exposure on a regular basis.

I also took a course called "Sell Your Book by the Truckload" which answers the question: would you rather sell 10,000 copies of your book to 10,000 people, or the same amount of that book to one person? I was excited about going that route, but the cost per unit through POD (Print On Demand) was too high. Therefore, I purchased the cover art from Outskirts Press, found an off-set printer, and did a short run of 250 copies, to test the waters. By this time, I was getting more and more interested in book marketing, so I attended Steve Harrison's "Publicity Summit." I used these 250 copies as "calling cards" to give out to the media-a finished product that cost me only about $2.50/unit.

Because I self-published, I have gained media coverage from over 65 sources, ranging from radio and internet, to print and television. My book reached #2 in Weddings on Amazon, and I recently appeared on the nationally syndicated show, "The Daily Buzz." I was a featured expert on Martha Stewart Whole Living Radio and Dr. Laura, the #8 nationally syndicated radio therapist in the USA recommended The Daughter-in-Law Rules as her "pick of the week." The DIL Rules was also chosen as "Hot Book of the Week" in Star Magazine on Mother's Day, and the African Women Business Network has submitted a letter of intent to purchase 5,000 copies-one for each member of their organization.