Whose fault is it?

You've heard stories/rumors that small publishers really don't take the time like the big publishers to make sure and offer a thoroughly edited or fleshed out story, so you opt out buying from them to go and spend a few extra bucks to purchase from the 'biggies.'

You begin reading and some things jump out at you:

change of point of view from one character to another from one paragraph to the next

foreshadows you were waiting to happen but never materialized

typos - which are excusable in any sized house unless each paragraph contains typos

a storyline that's captivated you only to finish rushed, with no real finale

new characters introduced at a late stage to come save the day for the hero/heroine

So whose fault is this? The editors? The big named authors? The publisher's? All of them? Are they more laid back because they believe readers will forgive them because it's a popular author?

I'm ranting because although there are small houses that really don't care about their final products or rather don't take as much effort as another small house to perfect and offer as clean a book as possible, there are still these myths that the smaller house does not take the same time and effort in their books. That's not so.

Then you have agents who ask a prospective author if they are published and when the author excitedly replies, "Yes, with XYZ Publishing.", the agent says "Well, don't mention that because it won't weigh in your favor." Come again?

I'm not sure but didn't the biggies start off small?

Although big houses do get you on the bookshelves, the lifespan to remain on the bookshelf unless you sell tons is not all that great. The marketing aspect still remains with an author regardless where they are published. The big houses do offer advances which is great. Small houses for the most part don't have the budget for advances. So yes, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider. But the most important part is to find a good match for your book and one that matches your mentality as to what a house should be like before you sign a contract. 

I follow a few famous authors because their books have consistently been as clean as can be, with a thoroughly fleshed out story, no jarring point of views switches, or obvious boo boos because to me, and you may not agree which is fine, tells me that they take pride in their final product and don't risk the chance of offering a book to their readers if it's not a proper finished product.

Most of my ebooks and print books come from smaller publishers because I like what I read and fully satisfied as a buying customer.

Moral of this post: Don't take readers for granted!

Autism Epidemic: Shaking the System

Introducing My Two Picture Books

I'm thrilled to introduce my first two picture books to you.

First, just in time for Christmas, the best selling A Star in the Night is available at Guardian Angel Publishing, Barnes and Noble.com  and Amazon.com.

What's the book about?

David makes his way home on Christmas Eve and sees this is no ordinary night. Accompanied by a shimmering star and some tough decisions, David encounters three experiences that will change his view of Christmas forever. Join David on his wondrous journey home.



Excerpt:

A longhaired man with a beard clung to the curb inches away from the crowd of holiday shoppers. Softball sized holes engulfed his white clothes. The man spotted David and limped closer to him. A chill ran down David’s back. He knew he shouldn’t talk to strangers, and this one smelled terrible!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The second book, Teresa's Shadow was released at the end of October.
 
One night at bedtime Teresa discovers Corky, a furry visitor, in her room. Corky is no ordinary monster. In fact he seems just as scared as Teresa. Teresa soon realizes she must help Corky get home. But how can she when she’s afraid of the dark and Corky is afraid of the light?




Excerpt:


Teresa shivered in her robe and clutched her stuffed animal, Mr. Froggie. “It’s not real,” she said to herself. But her heart pumped as if it were about to explode. Her boney legs wobbled like jelly. With Mr. Froggie in hand, Teresa took a deep breath and pulled the doorknob. Instead of an empty closet, she saw glassy, yellow eyes staring back at her.