Hello everyone, I've just joined boomers and I am thrilled to be in your company. I wanted to share my long, strange copyright experience. In September of 2001 I was following the regulations regarding submitting manuscripts for copyright. On September 10, 2001, I sent my materials and my check. Lo and behold, many months later I had not heard from the government office. When I finally got through in March 2002, I was told that due to the terrorists attacks on September 11 and the bio-chemical threats, mail to that office had not been opened. All mail was being held up for at least 6 months! Finally, in August of 2002 I received my copyright. Later that year I submitted my manuscript to a print-on-demand publisher. Included in their overall costs was a fee for copyright, regardless of whether or not a manuscript had a prior copyright. So, my book has a copyright page which oddly states: "Copyright, 2002 and 2003!" Go figure! I guess I'd rather be covered twice instead of not at all. Love and Light, Lynn

Lynn, welcome to a safe haven for boomers! Glad you joined us.

About your copyright experience it is indeed strange... Talk about timing .

For all I know, AuthorHouse (formerly 1st Books Library) should have excluded the "copyright fees"- since you already had one.

Have you been able to promote and sell your book enough to cover the $ spent with AuthorHouse?
What has your overall experience with them been? Are you happy with the deal? Would you sincerely reccomend it?

Well, see you around!

See you along!

Hello Songbird, as you were posting to my copyright experience, I was posting a new topic about Authorhouse. I suppose I could have broken down the copyright fees with Authorhouse. I was confused, and wanted to be covered, so I didn't pursue a breakdown. Just be aware that they will get the copyright for you. Yes, I would sincerely recommend Authorhouse. I need to go back to your message to remember what you asked! Thanks for the welcome. Love and Light, Lynn

Hi Songbird, I have been promoting and selling my book and making enough money to cover the costs. But that's about it for now. I have learned that the way to sell books is via reviews and presentations. Well, talk about coming out of my comfort zone! I am a recovering shy person, so to ask for a review or schedule a presentation is difficult. But considering the topics I wrote about (abuse and its ramifications) I can't be shy if I want to break the silence surrounding these issues. Maybe others can share how they market their books. My initial cost to Authorhouse was not that bad. I consider the costs of the freelance editors as part of my publishing costs. I buy books in wholesale lots of 25 from Authorhouse. Then I sell them for retail at presentations. For example, our local college offers a social work course about domestic violence. My book covers that topic through my life experience. So, I was invited to speak to the class and sell books. I donate a dollar from each book sale to the local women's shelter. I literally sell books out of the trunk of my car. Here's an interesting story: I went to Kinko's to have a copy of the cover made. After the clerk made the copy, she asked, "Are you the author?" I said yes, and she said, "I heard about this book. How do I get a copy?" Well, I sold her one right there and then from the trunk of my car. I also went to get my car inspected for license renewal, and the mechanic saw the lot in the back seat of my car and bought a copy. My problem is that I rely on synchronicity. I need a business plan! What else did you ask? I get on a tangent and forget the original question! Love and Light, Lynn