Namesake

Earlier I posted the story of how Laura and I came up with the name Orange Fedora Press. If you missed it, be sure to read it. Well, I wanted to share with all of you photos of me wearing the original orange fedora at the Corn Palace. As you’ll recall from the origin story, we did not buy this one. However, I do have one that looks just like it that Laura bought for me a couple of years ago.

 

Its Coming Together

I have to say that there is something extremely satisfying in seeing this project come together. I have no idea how successfull we’ll be in this venture, but the process of putting all of these pieces together has been fun. Laura and I have worked hard and sent tons of emails and texts back and forth in trying to work out a title, cover design and, most recently, back cover blurb. And each time we finalize something new, I look at the whole thing and think, “WOW, this looks more and more like a book you could pick up off the shelves of any bookstore.” Wait… no, “this looks like a book you would WANT to pick up…”

We’re getting so close to this becoming a reality. I do hope it continues to be as fun as it has been up to this point.

 

Answers to Questions

I had a friend ask a few questions yesterday that she was curious about.  I figured I would post the answers here just in case anyone else was wondering the same things.  I think you’ll be able to figure out what the questions were from context.

1. I don’t think drama is a book category, but that’s how I would describe it.  I’ve never read the Twilight books so I can’t compare them.  There is no love triangle going on in this story.  You don’t have to choose Team Edward or Team Jacob.  There is a love story element, but so much more to it than just that.  Aside from the typical ‘coming of age’ themes, some other heavier themes are dealt with as well.  I can’t really say much more without giving away major parts of the story.  It is not a horror story though.  It is written as Young Adult fiction, so think of it as being written on the level of Hunger Games as opposed to Les Miserables.  We don’t have an official back cover blurb yet… but here is what we have right now (I wrote this… not Laura):

Jack didn’t know anything about her, except that she was always on her front porch when he rode his bike past her house.  Being new to the neighborhood he also didn’t know anyone he could ask.  He wanted to know more, but how does a 15 year old boy just start talking to an attractive girl he’s never met before?  Well, sometimes fate can help an ill-conceived plan. Jack could never have predicted what would happen after meeting Emily.  She introduces him to some fun and interesting people.  He introduces her to his large, loving, and sometimes hysterical family.  He shows her parts of life she’s never experienced and she shows him things he’s never seen.  But, sometimes, in the course of getting to know someone, you end up having to go face to face with their demons.  As they have fun, learn, grow and mature together both wonderful and horrible things follow.  Secrets are revealed and walls come down.

2. Yes, she does have a editor.  A very talented individual named David Measel.  Unfortunately we will probably not be able to afford a professional editor for this book.  The story has gone through some rewrites as a result of different people reading it and giving suggestions.  I’ve been the last one to read it multiple times looking for grammar, typos and plot issues.  I’m sure I’ll read it a couple more times before printing.  I’m personally comfortable with where the story is right now.  And how it sets up Book #2… which I have also already read, requested some changes and re-read after the rewrite.

3.  As far as printing goes there two methods of printing.  The traditional method is off-set printing which requires large orders of thousands of copies at a time, but costs less per book.  It also is high quality as it is the way printing has been done for years.  There is a newer method called print-on-demand.  You can order only the copies you need at that moment even if it is just a couple.  When print-on-demand was first introduced quality was noticeably less than off-set.  However, print on demand quality has improved drastically which makes it a nice alternative for self-publishers or new publishers.  I know you didn’t ask about printing methods, but they are closely related to you’re question concerning e-publishing because when you’re comparing traditional publishing to e-publishing printing methods go hand-in-hand with traditional publishing.  Anyway… traditional publishing means choosing a printing method and establishing a distribution network to get the book out into the public’s hands… whether that be through large chains like Barnes and Nobles, online through Amazon or through small independant book-sellers.  E-publishing means you get the book converted into an eBook file which is then downloaded by people to their iPads, Nooks, Kindles, etc.  The only real difference is you don’t have to print physical paper copies of the book.  You still have to work with a distributer to get the book into the market through eBook retailers.  Remember, both Laura and I are new to this and will be learning as we go.

4.  Marketing is probably going to be the most difficult part for us.  Being brand new we don’t have an established network within the industry on which to rely.  We also don’t have a ton of money to work with.  So, its going to have to be a very grassroots thing using personal networks, doing book signings at local bookstores, trying to get the book into the hands of people who can write reviews.  As far as getting reviews written we’ll again have to rely on smaller, local reviewers as getting someone at the New York Times will be just as impossible as getting the book published by Scribner.  Of course, social marketing is a good option as well.  If we can get the book into the hands of bloggers that have a relatively nice following to have them do reviews that would be nice.  

If anyone has any insights into these areas and wants to share, please do.  As I stated above this will be a learning process for both Laura and I, but you have to start somewhere.

 

Going Slow

Sometimes I get myself too worked up and excited for my own good. Once I start planning something my brain automatically goes to, “how could this not be a HUGE success.” Such is how it is with our current funding campaign. In my head I was thinking, “I’ll post the link to my facebook page and all of my friends will rush to contribute, especially considering the perks we’ve included.”

Of course, it has not worked out that way. And that’s OK. I need to remember to keep my pie-in-the-sky tendencies in check so that my realistic side can be heard through all the cheers and bright flashing lights of the huge success that my idealistic side is conjuring up. Laura wrote an amazing book. That’s true. But it’s going to take time and effort to get to where we want to be.

Campaigns like this are tough. We’re not asking for contributions to help sick kids or start a non-profit that fights for equal rights. We’re asking for support in a business venture. I would hope our family, friends and whoever else happens across our campaign believe enough in us to support us. But still, given limited budgets and lots of options for what to do with the money, I can see how it would be hard to justify giving to this campaign. I like to believe that if the tables were turned I would be willing to help. I think I would. But its hard to tell exactly what you would do until faced with the situation.

So my realistic side is finally breaking through and I am seeing that we’re going to have to work hard over the next 100 days to convince people that we are serious about following through with this venture. And that’s good. Nothing should come too easily. You should have to work for things. It’ll only better prepare us for movning forward, cause future steps in this process won’t be any easier. Of course that super optimistic side of me is already painting pictures of this book becoming a best seller within days of being released, interview requests from Ellen and Oprah and Today and Good Morning America, deals being offered left and right for the story rights to make it into a movie, etc.

Baby steps, Dave… remember… baby steps… crawl, walk and then run.