This post is third in our series of interviews with those involved with self-publishing. If you’re interested in being interviewed for the series, give us a shout!
In our interview series so far, we’ve talked to Simon Cheshire, a published writer who is now self-publishing his backlist, and Stephen Tiano, a book designer who has been involved in the publishing industry for years.
This week, we speak with Deb Scott, an author who has lived through the self-publishing process from start to finish. In her non-writing life, she’s a lifestyle and motivation coach with twenty years of experience in sales and business. Her first book, The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue is all about turning your upside-down world right-side up, and we were thrilled to share her happiness, inspiration and enthusiasm with our readers.
So, without further ado, on to the interview!
On Writing & Publishing
- What inspired you to choose the topic for your first book?
- Life. I wanted to transform the sour events in my life, into a diamond I could always love! Hey – why not get positive value out of all that suffering?
- How does your experience with sales and public speaking help and/or influence your writing?
- The skill set and passion seem to compliment to magnify the mission. If you believe in the value of your message, you will naturally want to share it with everyone you meet. We all are sales people in a way, reflecting the message we live ourselves. Genuine enthusiasm can never be kept in isolation!
- How do you make time to write?
- I begin by beginning. Good habits and discipline to write is a must do, just like getting up in the morning. Scheduling time to write, no matter the feeling, is a must do. I like to write early in the morning when my mind and heart are fresh facing the discovery of a new day.
- What made you decide to self-publish?
- Passion. My passion to get the message out quickly (vs traditional publishers), and the ability to manage the message, cover design, and marketing. I have learned no one in life is ever as passionate about your message as you!
- Please tell us a little about your personal self-publishing experience. What was the easiest part of the process? What was the most difficult?
- It was all a labor of love. The hardest part was the copy editing, because I was determined to have a traditional copyeditor (Lisa Tener) dig deep to bring quality, value, and clarity to the message. This requires dedication and good old-fashioned hard work. I can’t even tell you how many times I re-wrote fine tuning the book with my copyeditor.
- Would you self-publish again? Why or why not?
- Good question. Yes and no. Yes, if readers want more of the story, or would like to share some of their own transformation success stories. No, if I can find a publishing company who shares the message with similar vision without diluting the value.
- What advice would you give to other authors thinking of self-publishing?
- Ask yourself, “Why am I writing this book?” We all have different motivations for our effort, and answering this question will give you the tools to understand what you have to do, and how you have to do it. Always envision how you will feel when the book is finished, you hold it in your hands, and give it to one of your readers.
- What have you learned from self-publishing your first book?
- No pain, no gain. Writing a book is hard work, like anything else worth doing. No one just happened to fall out of the sky and land at the top of the mountain, why would the celebration be any different with writing your book?
- What marketing techniques have you used to promote your book? Which has been the most effective?
- I love promoting my book! It’s fun. I try to do a radio show every week, write blogs regularly, and speak as often as possible. Since my book only hit Amazon this January, I am still in process of discovery. My experience is in cardiac surgery sales for the operating room, having been a biology major at Regis College. Authoring a book, and knowing how to be own book marketing hit parade show, is all new to me. I go where I believe my readers are, and do that.
- Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to tell us a little about?
- I am working on creating seminar tele-conferences for people who want to learn more about practical steps to transforming anything bad into a great good. Stay tuned!
Duolit Hot Seat
Now it’s time for the just-for-fun Duolit Hot Seat questions. Let’s learn a little more about Deb, outside of her thoughts on life, writing and publishing.
- What are your non-writing hobbies?
- Long walks with my 2 mini schnauzers – Beijo and Zu-zu. Working with terrific teens at my parish. Meeting new fun people.
- What’s the last movie you saw?
- It’s A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I have it on video, more than just a Christmas story – this movie always makes me feel happy.
- If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
- Wow – that is a bomb of a question. I think Samantha Carter in the [Stargate] SG-1 television series. Funny, smart, reliable, always engaging in a great save the world moment with happy endings with the Stargate team and the banter back and forth with Jack O’Neil is filled with wit and charm.
- If you could have any superhero power, which would you choose?
- How long does it take you to come up with these wild questions? Hmmm.. Who does time travel? That would be fun to do – there is so much I want to see and do.
- What’s the most interesting trip you’ve ever taken?
- Medjugorje Yugoslavia. It’s in the book…
- What’s your favorite junk food?
- Ice cream – is ice cream really a junk food?
- Do you have a favorite sport and/or team?
- Boston Red Sox – it’s in our blood up here.
- In the movie of your life, who would play the lead role?
- You have some brilliant questions here…Let’s see..Sandra Bullock or Nicole Kidman. I can’t decide. I admire and respect their genuine commitment to be the best version of themselves.
- Would you rather go on Dancing with the Stars or American Idol?
- Dancing with the stars. Who wouldn’t want to gracefully fly in the arms of one of those handsome men, wearing more glamour than anyone has a right to sparkle! Oh yes – and I’ll take the figure those gals have too!
Thanks for a wonderful interview, Deb! To learn more about Deb or to purchase her book The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue visit her website or follow @GreenSkyDeb on Twitter.
Do you have any questions or comments for Deb? Let us know in the comments!
We're 
