Xlibris Publishing returns with Lane R. Warenski, Grizzly Killer: The Making of a Mountain Man.
This first book sat on the shelf for nearly three years before it was published. I didn’t even know where to start. I found I enjoyed writing so much I wrote a sequel to it before I ever really thought seriously about getting it published. Friends I had read the manuscript encouraged me to publish and so I started looking for a way to do so.
I would like to express my heart felt gratitude to everyone that has read Grizzly Killer: The Making of a Mountain Man and especially those that have taken the time to comment on it through the reviews. Without readers, an author’s effort goes mostly unnoticed and it is extremely encouraging to read all of the positive comments that have helped make this book an early success. As of this writing it has received 29 reviews on Amazon with an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars and 60 reviews on Goodreads with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was in the top 100 Kindle westerns for nearly two months and at one point was in two of Amazon’s top 100 lists.
I found Xlibris Publishing on the web and after comparing their publishing packages with several others, I chose to go with them. With my first book I needed a copy editor and the Xlibris package I chose had the editing included. Not knowing anything about publishing a book didn’t matter, as their professionals walked me through each stage of the publishing process, from the formatting of the manuscript to the permissions for the cover graphics. At first I didn’t even understand the terminology of the publishing world but that did not matter as they guided me through each step.
The moment I received the first printed copies, both paperback and hardcover, and seen my efforts as an actual published book, was a time I will always remember. The books are high quality and everything I had hoped for.
The sequel to Grizzly Killer is almost ready to go to a publisher and I am nearly completed with a third book of the series as well.
The distribution of the book by Xlibris, I believe has been a big factor in its success so far. I have read reviews from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and from all around the United States. I have promoted it on Goodreads with good response in the form of the reviews and I am in the process of having it promoted on Doveler and hope that will help promote the book further.
Any unpublished authors that are hesitant about getting started, don’t be. No one could have known less about getting published than I did. Be persistent with your efforts and most importantly believe in yourself. Make sure your book is the best it can possibly be. Have friends and family read it and give honest critiques. Do not be discouraged by criticism, learn from it. Listen to what they have to say and rewrite areas that may need it. Once you are satisfied with your book, find a publisher like Xlibris and follow their instructions. I cannot tell you how good it feels to have a book you have written be on one of the best seller’s lists of the largest book store in the world.
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