The Success of Self-Publishing Your First Book

Having led a full, exciting, and some would say institutionalised life, I decided, towards the end of my career, that I wanted to tell people about it, so I trained to become a professional speaker. 

This was such a success that the natural consequence was to put it all down in writing.  I thought that the people who came to my talks might be interested in knowing more. 

With a great deal of encouragement and support from my wife, my authorship began. 

The actual writing part was 'relatively' easy.   All I had to do was draw on my memory bank and try and record in a, hopefully amusing and humorous way some of the numerous adventures I had experienced in a career at sea lasting almost 49 years - plus a few years on top of that as a speaker. 

That done I then started to investigate a market, which was to me, an entirely new world: the world of book publishing. 

It was fairly evident from the outset that none of the named publishing houses would be interested in my efforts and so I turned my attention to the self-publishing world.     And what a minefield that turned out to be! 

The more I researched the more I discovered that the majority of self-publishing houses were really only interested in 'what was in it for them' rather than how they could help the author, an attitude I do not admire - after all it was me who lived the life and it was me who took the time and trouble to sit down and write about it! 

Because of my background and my high profile successful sea-going career, the standards by which I have lived by all my life did not match the standards I was confronted with in this difficult world of book publishing.  And because it would be my name and photograph on the front cover of the book, I needed to ensure my professional reputation would not be compromised in any way. 

There was one self-publishing company in particular which caught my eye.  This was Writersworld, based in Oxfordshire and run by Graham Cook. 

After carefully researching Writersworld and after several long telephone conversations with Graham, I decided that this company's ethics and standards were compatible with mine and so took the plunge and signed a self-publishing contract with them. 

I had thought that the book had essentially been finished but then, much to my consternation, I discovered the real work was only beginning. 

Writersworld is a company which sub-contracts the editorial work to people whose standard and ethics match their own, and in a very short space of time I was allocated my own copy-writer, cover designer and website designer, each of whom I found very easy to work with. 

The copy-writer was the one with whom I had most direct contact and going to meet him personally did much to cement a mutually professional respect and trust. 

That is not to say everything ran as smoothly as a well oiled Rolex, but overall, the operation from signing the contract to having the finished article in my hand was not only well organised and very professional.  Everyone in the team encouraged and nurtured me along the way. 

Coming from my well ordered life in the Services, I initially found, and still do at times even now, that the world of book publishing is extremely frustrating - to say the least. 

It is said that everybody has at least one book in them, and I believe this to be true. 

Having had absolutely no exposure whatsoever to this world, I have learnt that a self publisher, with the right self-publishing company behind them, can be successful provided the author believes in him or her self, and has both the will and tenacity to go out in public and market their book.  In such a competitive market, I realised early on when trying to sell my book, that every refusal I encountered was not directed at me personally.  The book market is saturated and obviously not every bookshop can stock every book, whoever publishes it. 

When my book was published and printed, I was 'flying by the seat of my pants' as I had no idea what to do with the 100 complementary copies Writersworld provided me with - apart from giving some away to members of my family. 

Here again Writersworld showed their true worth.    I was supplied with numerous practical suggestions of where to start and with nothing to lose I set out on the quest to publicise my book, wherever and whenever I could. 

This led me to a number of book signings at various Waterstones' book shops with accompanying publicity in both local press and radio including a live broadcast with Libby Purves on her BBC Radio 4 programme 'Midweek'.   My book is on the shelves in many Waterstones shops and is available through their on-line services as well as W.H.Smith and Amazon.  

Every quarter, I find to my continued amazement, that another royalty cheque has found its way into my bank account!   As a Self Publishing company, Writersworld is not the cheapest, but I believe you get what you pay for.   To the best of my knowledge Writersworld are the only company of its kind who guarantees the author receives 100% of their royalty payment as well as ensuring the books printed, are charged to the author at cost price.  With all the help and advice Graham Cook continues to provide me with, my initial investment has been repaid within one year of signing the contract. 

My book has been reviewed by a number of interested parties including the internationally eminent daily shipping newspaper Lloyds List.  It has been forwarded to a number of other national papers, magazines and other literary organisations, awaiting review.  

The success of my book has far exceeded my expectations.    There have already been several reprints with, perhaps a 2nd edition looming up. 

In summary, looking back over the past 18 months since the idea to write an autobiographical account of my life was put into practise, I can see how much this has changed my life. 

The book publishing world really is a minefield and people like me, who know nothing about it can easily fall prey to the 'not so scrupulous'.   Therefore, it is my firm belief that anyone who has written a book, whatever the subject, and who wants or needs to self publish but does not know where to start, should without hesitation contact Writersworld.