.author.reprint

It’s been a busy time since November, 2006 when I received an email from Lyndale Secondary College pleading for 250 copies of Chemical Leak!

An excited phone call from me to the publishers requesting a reprint was greeted with: “No. There’s not enough demand.”

So began the long journey ...

I rang the librarian from Lyndale and we discussed the problem. The book was already on their Year 7 list for 2007 and the teachers were looking forward to using it as their Year 7 novel. I couldn’t offer any immediate help, but we came to an agreement:

IF she was sure they would still want Chemical Leak! for 2008, I would request the rights back from the publisher and would guarantee to have it available for them in time for the 2008 school year.

Another Publisher? I spoke to a couple of other publishers. They were very understanding of my problem but said they would not be interested in re-publishing a book whose sequel was already in the hands of the original publisher.

And so — off on the Self Publishing road ...

Firstly I sought advice from various writing associations: Australian Society of Authors, Victorian Writing Centre, Varuna, etc. etc.

Secondly I bought a copy of: Self Publishing Made Simple by Euan Mitchell — absolutely invaluable!

Then I began asking for quotes from a number of different printers. Once I had the information I needed, I had to:

• learn how to prepare the manuscript for printing
• proofread and check it for all the editing changes
• design the new cover
• persuade my husband to do the new illustrations
• decide upon and register a business name
• seek advice from the Tax Office and register for GST
• apply for a new ISBN and all the other legal bits for a new publication
• open a business bank account
• and I’m sure there are others that I can’t remember right now!

This was all very interesting and rewarding BUT SO TIME CONSUMING!

Not much time left over for writing — which is what I’d really rather do!