Flying solo: after success with big publishing houses, some authors see advantages in self-publishing.

Self-publishing, once considered the minor league of publishing, is attracting the attention of writers who have already had success with publishing houses. Kenji Jasper, who has had three novels published, plans to venture out on a larger scale. "Although there are many great things about being with a mainstream publisher, I was disappointed in the marketing machine," Jasper says. Jasper is the author of Dark (Broadway, June 2001) and Seeking Salamanca Mitchell (Harlem Moon, July 2004), urban novels with a literary flair. [See BIBR, July-August 2004, "Hot Summer Reads."]

Jasper's goal has always been to have his own publishing house. "I want to provide an outlet, not just for myself, but for others who may not be receiving fair representation," he says. He is not ruling out working with bigger houses again, however. "I think building my career through my own publishing company will give me credibility," he adds. "When I return, I'll be taking results with me. I have marketing ideas that no one else has tried, and I'm anxious to test these ideas."

"The urban and hip-hop authors on the street have marketing budgets that are just a pittance of the major publishers," says Jasper. "Yet these authors are selling thousands upon thousands of books--by taking it to the streets. That's what I plan to do."

Setting Her Own Pace

Another author taking this leap is Margaret Johnson-Hodge. The author of seven novels, she self-published This Time (Sutton Place Publishers) in May 2005. "What is required with a mainstream publisher, for example, being on the road, publishing one book each year, was too much for me because I wanted to spend more time with my children," says Johnson-Hodge, who was recently widowed. "Self-publishing gives me the chance to focus on my family, but still do what I love to do." Her most recent book was A Journey to Here (Dafina Books, October 2003). She has also had books published under the Kensington and St. Martin's paperback imprints.

The author says that what she learned by being with major publishers "has helped me." She added, "One day, I may return ... but for right now, this works well." Johnson-Hodge is working on four other novels, which she plans to self-publish as well. "But I can publish my books at my leisure"

Desire for Control

Having control was also something that novelist Darrious D. Hilmon wanted. "My first self-published project, Mad Love: Four Tasty Tales of Lust, Sex, and ... Wedded Bliss, will be released in September 2005," Hilmon says. His first novel, 5 Dimes (Penguin/New American Library), was published in July 2003, and Divalicious was published by New American Library in July 2004.

"I love to write, but I want to have control over my writings," he adds. "I wanted to put out a project that was my vision, one that was not censored by twelve different editors." Mad Love, a compilation of four short stories that he did not think would interest major publishers, "is my idea, my vision, my project, and I believe, one of my best works," Hilmon says.

He believes that self-publishing will help his sales numbers for the previous books.

"My agent is currently shopping my new novel with the mainstream," he says. "But at least once a year, I'm going to publish my own work, to keep my creative juices flowing and to keep my name in front of readers. It makes good sense--from a promotional point of view--and this will benefit my publisher as well."

Hilmon knows that self-publishing is right for him now. "I know about distribution, promotion and sales. I know how to make a book work," he concludes.

Victoria Christopher Murray's latest book is Grown Folks Business (Touchstone, May 2005).