March 17, 2009

Patricia Hamilton

Patricia Hamilton, owner of Park Place Publications in Pacific Grove, put the self-publishing world in perspective for members and guests on St. Patty's day. The following quote from Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper by author and artist, SARK, formed the preface for Patricia's handout and speaks to the essence of her presentation:

"To publish merely means to make public. Explore your reasons for wanting to share your writings, and ask yourself if it's coming more from your mind or heart. If you wish to be published, choose why and how, and adventure into it with your FULL HEART."

The avenues open to authors for publication today are more numerous and rich than possibly anytime since Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press in 1436. The impact of Gutenberg's genius on the literary and scientific world of the time was tremendous. Not only did the press drastically reduce the cost of producing a book, but the wave of printed material being produced drove information to the people and helped generate an explosion of innovation in seemingly unrelated fields such as science and the arts. Cost effective mass production of ideas and the rapidly accelerating dissemination of those ideas... sound familiar?

The digital revolution, including myriad non-traditional book production formats such as e-books, audio books, digital printing and print-on-demand, has the potential to create as drastic an impact on how books are produced and consumed in the near future as the Gutenberg press did almost 600 years ago. This new technology has also changed the way an author's work is promoted and sold. Through web presence, professional networking sites, and a rapidly growing field called "virtual assistant" services, a self-publishing author can employ a full arsenal of targeted and effective digital/electronic promotional tools. One such leader in the virtual assistant arena, Susan Raab, President of Content Wheel, spoke briefly about these tools.

Patricia stressed, however, that all this new capability has done nothing to diminish the importance of craft, style, and a well edited manuscript as the all important first step in the process. A professional editor, such as CCW member Mari Lynch Dehmler (Fine Wordworking), is essential to bring your work to the highest level.