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Molly Jo Realy is a writer, editor, social media ninja, and producer of the weekly Firsts in Fiction podcast. She has been featured in children’s magazines, on blogs and devotional websites, and her short stories have earned her awards and scholarships from nationally acclaimed writing programs. She is the founder of New Inklings Press and author of THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK: Ideas for Feeding Families One Meal at a Time, and other books available through her website and on Amazon.
She's here today to tell us about her book and here self-publishing journey. Thanks for stopping by Molly Jo.
Thanks Chris. Glad to be here.
First of all, how long has this book been germinating in you?
It was an idea I had for about three years before I started really putting it together. When my daughter was young and I was unemployed, we learned to be very creative in the kitchen. Friends would often ask for my recipes and after a while I realized I could do this, I could write a cookbook.
After you committed to writing it, about how long did it take to get it completed?
The process took about two years, from collecting and creating recipes to formatting the Cookbook to finding a printer who could do everything we wanted done. The easy part was picking the recipes. Then came the fine-tuning, editing and accuracy. Then came the Cookbook design. My brother is a graphic marketer who develops catalogs and internet websites for other companies. A cookbook wasn’t on his radar but when I explained the layout I wanted, he was able to run with it and after some months of going back and forth, he created the wonderful design.
Were you intimidated at all about going the self-publishing route?
Yes and no. I absolutely wanted to be traditionally published but I also didn’t want to spend a lot of time shopping it around, nor did I want to give up commissions for a book that an agent or publisher didn’t sweat over. I also wanted to keep the cost of the Cookbook more affordable, and was worried that a traditional publisher might mark it up. Since this was the first of what I knew would be many book-babies for me, I wanted to keep the control of it to myself. Sure it would be nice to have a publishing house knock on my door with an offer, but if that doesn’t happen I’m still satisfied.
How did Christopher J. Lynch’s self-publishing seminar help you?
I self-published The Unemployment Cookbook (print) and four Kindle titles several years before meeting Chris. I’ve been to two of his presentations and each time have learned two things: The first is I’m doing it right. My approach to self-publishing and marketing is efficient and productive. The second is, there’s always something new to learn. While some authors are inexperienced, he doesn’t make them feel stupid. His genuine excitement at being able to share his knowledge is helpful, encouraging and manageable. He allows the writer to give themselves permission to take that step without being too intimidated through the process, and he makes himself available for feedback long after the seminars.
How do you feel now that you have a book published?
Crazy excited. About two years after the print release, I published it for Kindle. I get excited every time I log in to my account and see the graph tic up, indicating more sales. It’s also a feeling of satisfaction, a feeling of strength and my own “atta girl!” There’s a confidence that comes when your goals are met, and I’m thrilled to be still climbing that ladder and not just looking up at it.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on what I call a “location mystery”, a story set in a place where the environment is as much a needed character as the protagonist. I have a series in mind. My first and current work in progress is NOLA, a story of a young woman who takes a trip to New Orleans and finds herself caught up in the aftermath of another woman’s death. There’s drama, romance, conflict, a touch of Voodoo and superstition. And lots of good food.
I currently work with other authors in developing their social media platforms, and produce Aaron Gansky’s weekly podcast, Firsts in Fiction.
My goal for 2016 is to publish NOLA, start writing my next location mystery which will be set in Central Park, New York, and continue to help other writers reach their audiences.
It sounds as if you are really busy, so I guess I better not take up too much more of your time. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your experience with us.
No problem Chris.
To order a copy of THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, click on the image above or here.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and her blog, Frankly, My Dear . . . where she share her thoughts on Faith, Family, Food & Fun, and pretty much tell you what goes on in her corner of the world affectionately known as Bedford Manor (the lesser known one, of course), named after Bedford Falls of “It’s a Wonderful Life” because, after all, it is a wonderful life, isn’t it?
She's here today to tell us about her book and here self-publishing journey. Thanks for stopping by Molly Jo.
Thanks Chris. Glad to be here.
First of all, how long has this book been germinating in you?
It was an idea I had for about three years before I started really putting it together. When my daughter was young and I was unemployed, we learned to be very creative in the kitchen. Friends would often ask for my recipes and after a while I realized I could do this, I could write a cookbook.
After you committed to writing it, about how long did it take to get it completed?
The process took about two years, from collecting and creating recipes to formatting the Cookbook to finding a printer who could do everything we wanted done. The easy part was picking the recipes. Then came the fine-tuning, editing and accuracy. Then came the Cookbook design. My brother is a graphic marketer who develops catalogs and internet websites for other companies. A cookbook wasn’t on his radar but when I explained the layout I wanted, he was able to run with it and after some months of going back and forth, he created the wonderful design.
Were you intimidated at all about going the self-publishing route?
Yes and no. I absolutely wanted to be traditionally published but I also didn’t want to spend a lot of time shopping it around, nor did I want to give up commissions for a book that an agent or publisher didn’t sweat over. I also wanted to keep the cost of the Cookbook more affordable, and was worried that a traditional publisher might mark it up. Since this was the first of what I knew would be many book-babies for me, I wanted to keep the control of it to myself. Sure it would be nice to have a publishing house knock on my door with an offer, but if that doesn’t happen I’m still satisfied.
How did Christopher J. Lynch’s self-publishing seminar help you?
I self-published The Unemployment Cookbook (print) and four Kindle titles several years before meeting Chris. I’ve been to two of his presentations and each time have learned two things: The first is I’m doing it right. My approach to self-publishing and marketing is efficient and productive. The second is, there’s always something new to learn. While some authors are inexperienced, he doesn’t make them feel stupid. His genuine excitement at being able to share his knowledge is helpful, encouraging and manageable. He allows the writer to give themselves permission to take that step without being too intimidated through the process, and he makes himself available for feedback long after the seminars.
How do you feel now that you have a book published?
Crazy excited. About two years after the print release, I published it for Kindle. I get excited every time I log in to my account and see the graph tic up, indicating more sales. It’s also a feeling of satisfaction, a feeling of strength and my own “atta girl!” There’s a confidence that comes when your goals are met, and I’m thrilled to be still climbing that ladder and not just looking up at it.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on what I call a “location mystery”, a story set in a place where the environment is as much a needed character as the protagonist. I have a series in mind. My first and current work in progress is NOLA, a story of a young woman who takes a trip to New Orleans and finds herself caught up in the aftermath of another woman’s death. There’s drama, romance, conflict, a touch of Voodoo and superstition. And lots of good food.
I currently work with other authors in developing their social media platforms, and produce Aaron Gansky’s weekly podcast, Firsts in Fiction.
My goal for 2016 is to publish NOLA, start writing my next location mystery which will be set in Central Park, New York, and continue to help other writers reach their audiences.
It sounds as if you are really busy, so I guess I better not take up too much more of your time. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your experience with us.
No problem Chris.
To order a copy of THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, click on the image above or here.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and her blog, Frankly, My Dear . . . where she share her thoughts on Faith, Family, Food & Fun, and pretty much tell you what goes on in her corner of the world affectionately known as Bedford Manor (the lesser known one, of course), named after Bedford Falls of “It’s a Wonderful Life” because, after all, it is a wonderful life, isn’t it?
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