There is a saying among writers: your first book teaches you about writing, your second book teaches you about publishing.
For author Craig Jaftha, from Rondevlei Park, Mitchells Plain, this lesson came all in one package. He wrote and recently published a fantasy novel with Christian themes, The Cynewards and the Serpent Trials, through Blue Weaver.
The book is a supernatural tale that weaves mythology, magical realism and personal experience. Jaftha said the process was an eye opener in terms of publishing, adding the process was mostly positive.
“I decided to go with assisted publishing because I was still new at writing, and particularly this calibre of project, and I wanted to put the best possible final product out.”
Jaftha said from now on he would probably try the traditional publishing route instead.
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“Hard as it may be I would love to try traditional publishing. I’ve seen the additional work that goes into making one’s book a success after it’s been published, and I now have a deeper respect for the process. What one doesn’t find out until after the book is published that the hard part has just begun. Launching promotions campaigns, advertising, finding the right distributors, social-media obligations and just plain building an online presence, definitely a lot of work one has to juggle with a full-time job.”
Publishing streams
Helen Holyoke, who does niche public relations for authors, publishers and book sellers said each publishing stream has its own pros and cons.
With decades of publishing experience under her belt, she advised that authors do thorough research before choosing which stream to pursue.
“One of the biggest pitfalls for independent authors is signing with a publisher offering ‘packaged’ publishing contracts that do not include essential professional services, such as proper editing, production and printing. A potentially strong book can be undermined by inadequate editing, which is detrimental to the author’s credibility and can be costly, often with little return on investment.
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“The main advantage of traditional publishing is that the publisher cover the costs of editing, production and printing. However, debut authors often struggle to secure a contract, and those who do must work within the publisher’s schedule and creative parameters, including decisions on design, editing, cover and print runs.
“Independent publishing gives authors full control over the process and the timing of publication, including design and presentation, but the major drawback is all production costs are carried by the author.
“Assisted publishing can offer a middle ground, provided the services are professional, transparent, and deliver real value.”
Traditional publishing
Children’s author Makhosi Dewette Dludla, who recently published her fourth book, said landing a traditional publishing contract can be a lot of hard work.
“At first I didn’t know much about publishing, so the journey involved a lot of trial and error. I rewrote my work many times, asked for feedback and faced many rejections along the way. It seemed as if I had sent my first manuscript to every publisher in South Africa,” Dludla said.
“My first book was published by Ndalo Publishers, but unfortunately the company later went into liquidation. Despite that setback, I kept going, and eventually my second publication lined up. Seeing my work published with Penguin Random House South Africa made all the challenges worthwhile.”
Dludla’s most recent book, My Unicorn Speaks Zulu, was published earlier this year.
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Publishing overseas
For Goodwood fantasy and romance author Shameez Patel, the traditional publisher route looked different and came with other challenges.
“My publishing journey has had many ups and downs,” she said, “and I am deeply aware of how this is only the beginning. I’ve come to understand that publishing success, whatever your version of success, is a marathon and not a sprint.”
Patel has published five books, a fantasy series, The Selene Trilogy, and two inter-linked romance novels, the most recent of which, Next Level Love, had just hit the South African shelves.
She had eventually got her books on the shelves by applying to publishers overseas.
“I have had the privilege of working with two publishers and one distributor. I got my first publisher by cold-calling, emailing. I spent many hours researching publishers who publish in my genre and submitting to those who were open to unsolicited manuscripts. I was unagented at the time.
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“After securing a deal I went on to publish with a small press, and since the publishing territory was USA and UK they reached out to a local distributor to distribute my novel locally.
“Afterwards I submitted a new manuscript to agents, whom I found via thorough research. The one I signed-up with submitted my manuscript to the publisher I have currently. This publisher also works through a local distributor to reach a South African audience.”
Indie publishing
For indie author Nuhaa Bardien the journey has been a lot of hard work. She had wanted total control over her romance novels Better Once Than Never and Till This Night.
“I don’t want someone to tell me when I need to write or when I need to get edits back to them, and I don’t want someone to tell me, ‘no, you can’t have that new cover’ or ‘no, you can’t have that in your book.’ I thought, ‘no, I’ll do it myself’.”
The drawback though is that Bardien has to do all the work, while holding down a day job and caring for her family.
Advice for authors
Despite their varying publishing routes all the authors agreed publishing is hard work and not lucrative, unless one is JK Rowling.
“The journey to publication can take time, and there will be moments of rejection or self-doubt, but persistence is key,” Dludla said. “It’s also important to understand that being published doesn’t mean your work will automatically sell itself. As an author one plays a big role in marketing one’s book, and without that effort there may be little or no royalties.”
Regarding the hard work publishing entails Jaftha said: “There will be days when one’s ideas run wild and days when they conflict with the plot, but seeing your completed work and hearing people’s honest thoughts are some of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced. If you have a story that’s itching to be told, don’t let anything hold you back from telling it.”
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