Trusting your instincts: Crystal Winslow followed her heart to become an author.What do you want to be when you grow up? It's the proverbial pro·ver·bi·al adj. 1. Of the nature of a proverb. 2. Expressed in a proverb. 3. Widely referred to, as if the subject of a proverb; famous. question asked of every little kid and like many, Crystal Lacey lac·ey adj. Variant of lacy. Window figured responding "a lawyer" was a real crowd pleaser crowd pleas·er also crowd-pleas·er n. Informal A person, spectacle, work, or idea that appeals to popular taste. . "The first reason I wanted to go [to law school] was to please my family," says Winslow, 24, who majored in legal studies at New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. Technical College and had interned in·tern also in·terne n. 1. a. A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training. b. at a law firm. "The second reason ... was because law seems challenging. I felt like I had something to offer." As she toiled under night lights, studying court cases and legal propaganda, the thought hit her: "Am I really doing the right thing?" Winslow's instincts prompted her to change course three years ago to pursue her dream of becoming an author. Writing was a lifelong passion that made her truly happy, so she decided to forego law school to write and start a publishing company. "Once I'd made the decision, it was like a weight had been lifted," says Winslow, "The very next day, I sat down at my computer and decided to complete a novel I had started in high school." The result: Life, Love, and Loneliness, a contemporary work about an aspiring actress who has an affair with the mayor of New York City The Mayor of New York City is the head of the executive branch of the Government of New York City. The office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within the city. . Although she was averaging three hours of sleep from working two full-time jobs over the course of about 15 months, Winslow never lost focus of her dream. "I used to always say I can't do it anymore but then I didn't have enough capital so that's what kept me going," she says. "The fear, uncertainty ... came from [my] jumping out as a full-fledged businesswoman and I hadn't taken one business class." But she pushed past the fear and in 2001 founded her company. Melodrama Publishing L.L.C., investing $50,000 of her earnings into the business. Shortly after; she printed 10,000 copies of her novel at $15 each. "That was a huge chance I took [as] an unknown author. I didn't have any distributors whatsoever," says Win slow, whose publishing expenses included $19,000 on printing, about $5,000 lot promotional items Promotional items or promotional products refers to articles of merchandise that are used in marketing and communication programs. The items are usually imprinted or decorated with a company's name, logo or message, using techniques such as Embroidery, Silkscreen, or like posters and bookmarks, more than $2.000 for her company's limited liability" status, and more than $1,000 in ads. About three months alter the book was printed, she found a distribution company. She quickly sold all 10,000 copies and printed another run of the same size. She oversaw o·ver·saw v. Past tense of oversee. all aspects of marketing, such as booking all of her own book signings and formulating a book tour schedule. At the end of 2002. Melodrama Publishing's net profits were more than $75.000. To date, she has sold more than 60,000 books and has grossed about $240,000. As a result of her success, Winslow expanded her business success by opening Melodrama Books and Things in Far Rockaway, Queens Far Rockaway is one of the four neighborhoods on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens in the United States. It describes the easternmost section of the Rockaways, usually the area east of Beach 77th Street, comprising the neighborhoods of Bayswater, , in August 2003. Getting Your Book to Market Today, there are mere options than ever to get your book published. You can self-publish; try the traditional route and submit your manuscript to a publishing house; or try e-publishing, especially for writers who want to reach new audiences. Whatever route you choose, it must be tailored to meet your goals. For more information, check out these resources: BOOKS * How To Get Your Book Published, Inside Secrets of A Successful Author by Robert W. Bly Robert W. Bly -- often referred to in the trade as "Bob Bly" -- is an authoritative writer on the subjects of copywriting, freelance writing, and other marketing/writing subjects. (Roblin Press; $14.95) * Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents 2003-2004 by Jeff Herman (Prima Lifestyles; $24.95) WEBSITES * Xlibris.com is an e-publishing site. www.xlibris.com * iUniverse.com offers a virtual roadmap to publishing. www.iuniverse.com/jahia/jsp/index.jsp Tanisha A. Sykes E-mail: sykest@blackenterprise.com |
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