Hello, everyone.
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but prior commitments have kept me from it. Now that I’m here, I want to take a moment to introduce myself directly.
Name’s Todd. I’ve been involved in self/indie publishing for the last 7 years. I had my first taste of it in college, when I interned for my university’s under-funded literary journal. That same year I raised money to do a very limited, offset run of my first short story collection. In ’07 I utilized Lulu’s services to release a novel; in ’10, I utilized Kickstarter to fund a new, revised edition of that same novel, and in the process I established my own publishing imprint, Precipice Books.
I have a wife and a son. I have a day job that pays the bills. I was honored when Henry asked me to step in for him. I know I have big shoes to fill, and I’ll do my best.
Last time I checked, SPR has 831 active members (myself included). Some of those could be spam accounts, but I want to believe that most of you are real human beings. With that in mind, I want to turn this over to you for a moment. Introduce yourselves. Tell me what you expect of me, what you’d like to see in terms of new content, and so on. More feature articles? More interviews & success stories? Digital focus? Print focus? Speak up!
Since I have that day job, my hours of “operation” on SPR are limited to evenings and weekends, Eastern Standard Time. If you have a question or comment, send me a message here at the site. You can also reach me by email: todd [at] toddkeisling.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
TK
About the Author: Todd Keisling
I’m a two-time recipient of the Oswald Research and Creativity Prize for fiction. Born in Kentucky, I now live with my wife and son somewhere near Reading, Pennsylvania. Contrary to popular opinion, I am a cat person. I wrote a couple of books called A LIFE TRANSPARENT and THE LIMINAL MAN. They’re the first two books in something I call the Monochrome Trilogy, and you can buy them in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle formats. You can get more info here.
Cathryn Grant said on January 16, 2011
I’m one of the real human beings, I think. I’d like to see all of the above: features, interviews, success stories since I visit here for information and inspiration. (not very helpful, I know). Right now, I lean toward a digital focus.
Todd Keisling said on January 16, 2011
Thanks, Cathryn! I’ll see what I can do to keep things interesting.
Ron Fritsch said on January 16, 2011
Here’s another member who thinks he’s a real human being. I agree with Cathryn: all of the above. It seems to me the real value of this website is the interactions among the members. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to say something provocative — but civilized — once in a while.
Todd Keisling said on January 16, 2011
I’m a big fan of civilized discourse. Hopefully we can keep the conversations going.
Lovelyn said on January 17, 2011
I agree with Cathryn too. I love reading interviews with successful self-published authors. I learn a lot from their experiences and they give me inspiration.
Belinda Kroll said on January 18, 2011
Agreed with all of the above! Like all indie authors, I think, I struggle with marketing and getting my name out there. I do my best but I’ve been at this for three months and I’m unsure what I’m doing that is helping and/or hurting me.
Ron Fritsch said on January 18, 2011
Belinda, please excuse my use of a very old cliche, but you and I seem to be in the same boat. I’ve been at it for about three months now, and no word describes me better than “unsure.” I think the best advice is to just keep trying whatever you can and (another cliche) never give up. Best wishes as an indie author!
Vicki Hopkins said on January 19, 2011
:waves hand: Human here! I enjoy success stories and marketing tips. I just started my own imprint and opened an account with LSI, so I could use some hand holding. Also, I enjoy reading industry new and other informative blogs.
lenox parker said on January 19, 2011
i am a robot.
pleasure having you, todd.
i love your book.
ok i’m not a robot, but i wish i was. but i don’t write scifi or fantasy.
lovelenox.
Craig Lancaster said on January 22, 2011
I’ll echo what the others have said: interviews, success stories, how-I-did-it pieces, etc.
I long ago grew weary of the “we’re not a bunch of talentless, know-nothing punks” arguments that many indies continually wide into on various sites. It seems pointless. For one thing, the people who argue the opposite aren’t bloody likely to change their minds. For another, and more important, all you have to do is point at the scoreboard. The publishing world has changed. Denial of this is futile.
So, in that spirit, let me suggest that the best possible role a site like this can serve is as a clearinghouse for actionable information and advice on being better writers, better publishers, better marketers, more informed businesspeople. There’s still a lot of dreck in the self-publishing world (although I’d posit that the trad realm has a lot of its own shit to clean up before it points fingers). We can’t do anything about that. But we can raise the bar on what professional-quality self-publishing looks like.
– CL
(I should add this disclaimer: I’m not at all suggesting that this site has failed in this mission. On the contrary, it’s been a remarkable success.)
Ron Fritsch said on January 23, 2011
Craig, I agree with everything you say in your comment. I only wish I’d said it myself.