First Steps Publishing

Oregon Coast Publishing : For Authors Seeking a Solid Foundation

Self Publishing Authors

FIRESIDE PRESS- Self-Publishing Division of First Steps Publishing

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FIRESIDE PRESS (CM Publishing / Soul Fire Press), is the hybrid division of FSP, offering the same professional services. Our titles are regularly reviewed by First Steps Publishing for new, talented authors. While there are no guarantee of the number of titles First Steps will sign each year, this is a way to get your foot in the door.

Fireside Press (CM Publishing / Soul Fire Press)
Publishing with a Personal Touch

OPEN SUBMISSIONS

FIRESIDE SUBMISSION FORM

Starting Cost: $3499

Print/ Ebook Earning: 50% royalty.

What does the fee for Hybrid Publishing include?

PRICING: $3499

Hybrid and Self-Publishing Package includes:

  • Proofreading of final manuscript (one-time read through)
  • Professionally designed interior layout
  • An original, professionally designed book cover
  • Purchase and assignment of ISBNs
  • Metadata management
  • Inclusion in catalogs to libraries and the book trade internationally
  • Hardback, paperback, and ebook formatting
  • Free copies of the book (5 PBK, 1 HBK)*
  • Author book purchase at 40% above print cost* (Example: $5 print cost/book, Author price = $7/book
    • We want you to succeed in your writing career, so we keep your purchase price low.
  • 50% Royalties for Print and Ebook* (net sales)
  • Worldwide sales and distribution to brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries. Through Ingram Spark / Lightning Source, we are connected to the ordering systems of 40,000 independent and chain bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide, plus every major e-book retailer (including iBookstore, Kobo, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, etc.)
  • Promotion through Social Media, our newsletter*
  • Media Kit. We work with you to create a base media kit:
    • Print/Web headshots (S, M, LG)
    • Print/Web cover (full, flat, and 3D)
    • Interview Questions / Answers
    • Sales sheet handout
    • Social Media Banner Ad
    • Press Release

*Not included in self-publishing package

What are the criteria for selection of titles?

We base our initial decision on the QUERY LETTER and your writing sample, then decide whether to request the full MS.

Quality of the writing: We are seeking well-written manuscripts that are engaging, well-structured, and well-edited. We also consider whether the writing style is appropriate for the intended audience, such as thrillers, suspense, cozy, historical, contemporary, etc.

Marketability of the book: FSP wants to work with authors whose books will be able to sell well in the market. They consider factors such as the book’s genre, the target audience, and the competition in the market.

Author platform: FSP may consider an author’s platform, which is the author’s visibility and reach in the market. This can include an author’s social media following, their reputation in their field, and their previous publication credits. While not a requirement, FSP strongly recommends some form of online presence.

Feasibility of the project: FSP needs to consider whether a book project is feasible from a financial standpoint – considering factors such as the length of the book, the potential market for the book, and the production costs.

Fit with our publishing list: FSP has a specific focus and set of goals for our publishing program, and will consider whether a particular book aligns with those goals.

 

“Surviving ‘Uncle Hitler'” by Dorothea Wollin Null

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Surviving 'Uncle Hitler' by Dorothea Wollin Null
“Surviving ‘Uncle Hitler’ ~ Journey of a German Girl” by Dorothea Wollin Null

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Surviving ‘Uncle Hitler’ ~
Journey of a German Girl

“Many people bury their memories so they don’t have to deal with the pain. For whatever reason, my mother buried hers. I was hard-pressed to get any stories from her. She was not one who shared easily. However, one night was different. It was many years after the war, in 1987, and I was visiting my family in Germany. I felt there were things Mother and I needed to talk about, and I pressed for discussion. I was pleasantly surprised when we stayed up until the wee hours sharing memories.”

When American bombs demolished her German town, Dorothea Wollin and her family found themselves on a journey of survival across Europe.

This is a true story of a little girl’s quest for meaning in a dark world that led to faith in Christ, and to a freedom greater than that of country or politics.

What I want most for my story to convey is that the Lord led me through the trials and tribulations of my life in order that I could find meaning, joy, and peace. Because I am approaching the end of my life, I want to inspire my readers to question their own choices, priorities and values in order to find peace with the Lord and joy in their hearts.  — Dorothea Wollin Null

This is my story:
A Journey of a German girl

September 2017
Paperback, ebook,
ISBN: 978-1-937333-49-2

= = = = =

Available everywhere books are sold.
AMAZON  |  B&N

10 Tips for Selling Books at Book Fairs and Conventions

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The following article by Terry Cordingley contains great information for anyone planning on exhibiting their books.

The 10 Commandments of Selling Books at Book Fairs, Conventions, and Festivals

1. Register for the event as early as possible.

• Contact the event organizer.
• Find out the cost of the booth or registration.
• Register for the event and inform your marketing representative.

2.  Spread the word about your appearance at the event.

  • Online newspapers free event calendar listings
  • Free online listing at Craig’s List http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html
  • E-mail invitations to your address book
  • Church bulletin
  • Split the cost of the booth with another author, if festival organizers allow booth-sharing.
  • Decorate the booth with a banner and tabletop posters announcing that the author is available to sign copies of books.  Make the booth as attractive as possible!

3. Establish a family member or friend to help you during the event.

4. Be prepared with conversation starters.

  • Have a one-minute pitch ready to go that tells people who you are and what your book is about.  Practice it so that it seems natural and not forced.
    • “How did you hear about the event?”
    • “Are you an avid reader?”
    • “Do you live in the area?”

5. Have a guest-book on your table for people to sign their name and e-mail address.

  • By doing this at every event, you can create a large mailing list for e-blasts or newsletters about your book.

6. Practice good booth etiquette.

  • If you are sharing a booth, be considerate and polite to your fellow authors.
  • Don’t complain to your fellow authors if the event isn’t going well and you aren’t selling many books.  Attitude is contagious!
  • Work out ahead of time how you will approach customers at the booth so you aren’t overwhelming them and pressuring them to buy books.
  • Be friendly and approachable.
  • Don’t just sit at the booth and wait for people to come to you.  Engage passersby in conversation and offer them any giveaways you may have.  Use the opportunity to tell them about your book.

7. Arrive early, allowing plenty of time to set up for the event.

Items you will need for your booth:

  • Books. You will need to determine how many books you will need to have available for the event.  You can always keep extra copies in your car, if needed.
  • Giveaways. Just like at trade shows, attendees are always looking for free items.  Have a supply of bookmarks, business cards and push cards on hand to help promote your book if people don’t buy a copy on the spot.
  • Décor. Most festivals will give you a table and a chair, and not much else.  Find out if you’ll need table coverings, a tent or awning (if an outdoor event), or a power supply for any video or audio needs you may have.  Also make sure you have pens and posters to advertise who you are and why you are there, preferably with a photo of your book cover on it.  You may even want to have a banner made for your book that you can re-use at future events.  You’re only limited by your imagination.

8. Have book ordering information available in case you run out of books.

  • Business cards and push cards can be used for this purpose.

9. Send a thank-you card to the organizer after the event.

  • If the event was especially successful, send a letter of commendation to the event organizer. They may ask you to be a featured author next year.

10. Book early for next year’s event.

For more information about book marketing and promotion, read Terry’s Cordingley’s self-titled blog at http://terrycordingley.blogspot.com.

 

Originally Published March 24, 2017 on ChristopherMatthewsPub.com. Christopher Matthews Publishing is a division of First Steps Publishing.