Unlike many authors, T. Jensen Lacey was not a stranger to the world of publishing when she chose AuthorHouse to publish her latest book. She had already successfully published five novels with traditional publishing houses when she wrote her novel for young adults, Growing Season.
Why therefore did she choose AuthorHouse when she was ready to publish this book? Her main reason was one that she has in common with all AuthorHouse authors, as she explains here: “I wanted to keep my novel the way that I wanted it, and to say what I wanted it to say to readers.”
She adds that authors can’t achieve this when they use a traditional publisher, and it was by far the greatest influence on her decision to experiment with self-publishing. She researched the market thoroughly, and despite attracting interest from another self-publishing company, decided that she would prefer AuthorHouse.
“Growing Season is my ‘baby’, something special that I wanted to get out there, and I wanted to tell the story the way I wrote it,” she says, adding: “I do not look at it as vanity publishing; it isn’t. Everybody has something to say.”
Lacey continues: “AuthorHouse did such a good job on my book that it was the only self-published book chosen as a featured selection of the 2004 Amelia Island Book Festival.” She discovered this annual event when she was researching opportunities to market her book. The organisers at the festival are extremely fastidious when they consider self-published books, so Lacey says that their selection of Growing Season is a testament to the quality and commitment that authors can expect from AuthorHouse.
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As well as this, at least one film studio is interested in the story.
AuthorHouse is here for you
As a traditionally published author, Lacey was used to meeting deadlines. The fact that AuthorHouse was prepared to work to her timetable gave her a welcome change of pace. She says that she felt even more comfortable about the fact that she knew that a dedicated team of author advisers was only an e-mail or a telephone call away.
“I’ve never had a problem with writer’s block, and I like to keep busy, but sometimes that makes it harder to stay focused,” she says. “Everyone at AuthorHouse helped keep me disciplined by touching base with me on a regular basis to check on my progress. The crew working with me on this project offered gentle guidance and encouragement at every point, and was always sure to let me know what the next step was in the process. I can’t imagine how helpful that kind of support must be for others who have never published a book before. I felt as if there was always someone there to answer my questions. Everyone at AuthorHouse communicated with me clearly about all the products and services, but I never had a sense of being pushed. I like that.”
Asked what advice she would give to aspiring authors who are considering the self-publishing route, Lacey offers this:
“First, be willing to recognise your own limitations; know what you can do and what you can’t. Self-publishing with AuthorHouse is worth every penny, because it provides a level of accessibility that you just don’t get from other companies, traditional publishers in particular. That in itself is invaluable.”
Over the years, Lacey has been encouraged by many established authors, including W.E.B. Griffin, who is a family friend and the author of more than 35 epic novels. The late Alex Haley was her neighbour. She once asked him to what he attributed his success as a writer.
“He told me, ‘If people around you tell you that your work is good, don’t believe them. If they tell you it is bad, don’t believe them. Just keep writing.’”
Lacey says that she has taken this advice to heart, and adds: “I know that the more someone writes, the better they will get at it. More often than not traditional publishers don’t have time to nurture talent. AuthorHouse can make the difference between a dream and an ambition realised.”
To read more about T. Jensen Lacey, visit www.tjensenlacey.com.
