This is the introduction thread where you give us an idea of your view on publishing, what you've done to build your brand, and options that you are seeking. I will update this first post with a summary of all the members who post below so we can have a quick list to reference. This could be helpful if one person has used Create Space, then you could go to them with specific questions via pm that you wouldn't want in an open thread. (Not sure what that would be, but sometimes people miss new threads, so pm'ing them might get their attention faster.)

I’m really excited about this new part of the forum. I love helping out with publishing and sharing things I’ve found in my research, and I'd especially love to help fellow HWers.

Basically, I’ve been an indie publisher for four years. I started out with my first book using Pleasant Word and their self-publishing services. They are a nice Christian company, although I wouldn’t really recommend that route (extremely pricey). But I did learn a lot through that experience that I use now. Since then, I’ve re-published my first book and the three following books using Create Space. It’s been perfect for me, and unless something new and better comes along, I’m sticking with them, though I think I will eventually use Lightning Source as well for better distribution.

I’ve gone through some times where I’ve considered traditional publishing. I even tried once for an agent, but my query was rejected (Yay! I’ve officially been rejected. ). But almost immediately after I sent the letter I knew that wasn’t what I wanted or the path God had planned for me. I love the freedom in indie publishing. I’ve always been a very do-it-yourself kind of person (I think it comes from being homeschooled). I can’t imagine working for so long, pouring so much into a story, and then giving it up to someone else and not having a say on things like the cover, not to mention basically selling your rights to the story.

I also just don’t agree with the whole publishing system in general. I’m not sure how else it could be done, but it doesn’t seem right for one person to decide what’s worth publishing and can be sold. Look at how many bestsellers are rejected before someone finally picks them up. How many more great stories never do get picked up? Indie/self-publishing leaves it to the readers to decide what they want to read, and I’m all for that.

I’ve pretty much done it all: interior formatting, cover design, ebook formatting, and marketing. Still working on the marketing bit, but I’m a lot further along than I was four years ago. I have two websites and a blog I promote from, plus various other social sites. I also make a lot of marketing materials with Photoshop like bookmarks, business cards, and posters that I have printed for book signings and other events.

So I’m open to any questions about indie publishing or things I’ve learned in researching traditional publishing.

I haven't been published (yet) but I'm more on the web side of things. I'm a web designer (http://www.mosaic-web.com) and I love making beautiful websites (including the one for my brand, which is coming this summer). Um, I also have quite a bit of experience with Blogger and how to work that, and I can also design templates for Blogger.

(Um, seems you're looking for more writing-related stuff. I don't have much, if any of that, so I will now quietly leave )

eru

No, you're fine. Any talents people have that fit with this subforum are game. It's good to know who's good at what so we can team up. I'm glad we have web designers on here because that's a talent I lack. I stopped by www.intothebook.net today and thought it looked great!

My views on publishing are that I'm pretty much open to anything that I think has a chance of being successful. I'm currently revising a novel that I hope to seek publication for.

My publishing credits so far are three short stories published in Fear and Trembling Magazine and on the Holy Worlds Blog, and a poem in TeenAge Magazine. I also have a blog that I update once or twice most weeks.

I just wanted to say (and couldn't find anywhere else to say it) how grateful I am that Tim and the rest of you have developed this side of the forum. When I get over my rewrites, I intend to post all over the place in here. I'm just so grateful for the Herald’s Hall and I can't wait to crawl around in here!!!

We can't wait for you to crawl around here, either! It's awesome down here! One of HW's best subforums ever.

Well, I'm just a resident book cover maker (though I'm considering trying to design interiors too - have to look into it though). So far one of my covers has been published with (our very own) Bethany Faith's book: What Lies in the Dark.
Along with Eru, I have yet to be published, but enjoy working on the "behind the scenes" until then

I have a blog (like most people) where I post writing relating things. I also have a website that is undergoing a re-design at the moment, but I hope to post more book/world information on it once it's done.

*anticipates Airianna posting "all over the place" in the Heralds' Hall*

And what an epic cover it was, Vili! Has thou links to your sites?