And now for the news!
Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing, specifically interviews with or articles written by self-publishing authors and experts!
It’s not every day you see the expression “unexpected author,” but thanks to Alex Brown of the Lewis County Chronicle, that’s exactly what we’re hearing this week. Brown covers the story of Stefanie Bridges-Mikota, whose book By His Hands “unexpectedly” reached publication this year. Self-professing as “not a person who likes to just sit and do nothing,” Bridges-Mikota got into writing as the inevitable consequence of reading–specifically modeling reading for her kids, a practice which took on a life of its own as her kids grew older and she began reading as much for her own reasons as for them. Writes Brown:
Her tale follows the path of Allie, who’s fleeing an abusive situation, set the amid the Great Fire of 1910 that burned through the Northwest. The intertwining of history and fiction was spurred by Bridges-Mikota’s genealogical research, tracing her great-grandfather’s death as a railroad worker in Montana. The region and its past proved fertile ground for her creative energy.
After having no luck with the traditional publishing route, Bridges-Mikota heard about, then pursued, self-publishing. “When you actually hold the book in your hand,” she says, “it’s just a feeling of completion.” With her children now just as involved in the self-publishing process as she is, those long hours investing in reading to and with and for them seems to really be paying off. And yes, there are more books on the way!
Speaking of worthy causes, here’s one out of Fort Wayne: teenager Madison Turpin has written and self-published a work of science fiction geared towards tackling tyranny in all of its forms, including that of the digital space. (And if that’s not timely, we don’t know what is!) According to KPC News: “It was a passion of mine, definitely, from the start,” Turpin said. According to the article, she began writing at age 5, and when she turned 11, she announced to her parents her intentions to publish a book before graduating high school. And she has! Her first book, Wired: The Original Resistance, tackles issues which will be familiar to many of our readers. According to KPC News:
“Wired” is a futuristic, science fiction novel which follows the journey of Bree McAnderson as she navigates a world dominated by electronic devices all produced by a single company. What seems like an age of great technological advancement has a dark secret as these electronics start to take over the minds and bodies of all human beings. Bree joins a rebellion dedicated to ending the electronic company and its devices’ power over humanity, but Bree has secrets of her own.
If you enjoy stories of young heroes overcoming systemic obstacles and beginning new lives, then you might enjoy the story of Madison Turpin. Oh, and you might like Wired: The Original Resistance, too. And when push comes to shove, it’s authors like Turpin who are the future–not just of self-publishing, but of publishing at large and the social movements which enable widespread, positive change. We’re cheering for her!
As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry.This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Monday to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.
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