- Have you ever felt like you were far removed from your publisher and book project?
- Have you paid a publisher who promised all the bells and whistles, only to feel like you lost money and were taken advantage of?
- Or perhaps a publisher helped you publish your book, but then you were left wondering, “Now what?”
If you relate to any of these questions, I want to tell you this: it is not your fault. You are not stupid, dumb, or gullible.
As a best-selling author turned publisher, I cannot tell you how many clients I hear these stories from. Since I have been a victim of “publishing professionals,” I know your pain all too well. I felt the same humiliation and disappointment that you have, which is why I entered this industry.
I was a survivor and a woman on a mission. After surviving 17 years of child abuse and learning how to thrive versus just survive, I was ready to speak out and help other survivors who felt they were stuck. I wanted to speak to my audience who were standing on the ledge of life and contemplating whether to jump off. I wanted them to know that they could take back control of their lives and the beginning steps to do that.
I knew nothing about publishing a book, so I did my research and attended a weekend class. I implemented the steps the various speakers taught and even hired a professional editor. I will save you the time for a story you know all too well, but I definitely did not know what I did not know! While I cringed at the errors that resulted, I learned you can always recover from less than ideal situations. I should have pointed to my life as an abuse survivor and applied my lessons learned to my less than desirable publishing professionals scam experience.
The truth is:
- I was part of the two percent club: only two percent of people who dream of publishing a book ever do. Errors or not, I had mustered the courage, faced my fears, broken my silence and shame, and fulfilled the dream I spent close to two decades procrastinating over.
- I didn’t haphazardly try to self-publish my book: I did my research and hired professionals. Other than one person, they all did their job (or what they knew). As an industry professional, I now know why I received the limited services: they didn’t know what they didn’t know either.
Any industry is dynamic (constantly changing), and “professionals” continuously educate themselves in their field. Many times, publishing scammers teach whatever information they either Google or grab from someone else’s program, which is often outdated or wrong.
- Error-filled, my first book still made an impact. I became a professional speaker, podcaster, award-winning entrepreneur, Amazon bestselling author, copywriter, international editor, ghostwriter, publishing consultant, and magazine managing editor, and non-profit executive, all of which led to 100 percent self-employment. Apparently. I did something right!
I still remember the fan mail I received telling me the impact that it made on individuals’ lives and various people of all ages who felt comfortable enough to whisper that truth in my ear. I cannot tell you how heartbreaking it is to have women in their 60s and 70s thank me and tell me their horrific stories of child abuse. For most, it was their first time revealing their truth while they purchased my book for their grandchildren, hoping they could break the cycle.
This is why I want to encourage you not to let past publishing frustrations, scams, or disappointments prevent you from writing, publishing, and sharing your stories with the masses. Someone needs your wisdom, words, and solution(s) to change their life. You are meant to make a ripple in the sea of life. Answer the call by 1) forgiving yourself, 2) releasing the shame, pain, and blame of past mistakes, and 3) beginning again.
Listen to our client’s story, author Bridgette Alfred, who proves that there is hope after a bad publishing experience. This one made me tear up because her words confirmed that the passion, dedication, and heart that I put in my company and clients are understood and felt. And should you desire the same type of experience as Bridgette, please reach out to me at FruitionPublishing.com/contact-us/.
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services™
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speaker
