By Margaret Lea
If you are self-published or thinking about self-publishing, you need to meet our chapter’s Self Pub Coordinator, Tiffany Obeng. In fact, I recommend you go to her website right now at sugarcookiebooks.com. If you have some time (because you will definitely want to read many of these posts), click on “Blog.” You will learn much and also pick up money-saving and money-making tips.
For example, here’s a tip from her Dec. 6, 2021 post: If you’re selling at a vendor’s market event, give the customer the book they bought in a clear plastic bag, and they will be doing free advertising for you as they stroll the market!
The Jan. 5, 2022 post explains strategies to get your books into U.S. libraries. The Oct. 11, 2022 post is a “Cheat-Sheet for Creating a Fascinating Amazon Book Page that Captivates Buyers.” And the Nov. 17, 2020 post explains ISBNs. Did you know, for example, that if you get a free ISBN from Amazon or another platform, it’s only good for that specific platform? If you want to sell it anywhere else (bookstores, libraries, etc.), you’ll need another ISBN number. Also, paperback and hardback books for the same exact book require different ISBN numbers. And it’s much more economical to buy 10 or 100 numbers than just one. You purchase the ISBNs through Bowkers, and you do NOT need to pay extra for the barcode. The printing company will provide the barcode.
Tiffany even sells book-related merchandise on her website. She said the pillows sell well, but t-shirts are harder to make a profit on.
Tiffany grew up right here in Houston and has always been an avid reader. She wrote stories here and there, but it wasn’t until 2020– yes, the pandemic!— that she started researching self publishing. She published her first book Andrew Learns About Actors in 2020. This Career Books for Kids series has now grown to eight books, and she has published many stand-alone books too. In total, she has about 25 books currently on Amazon. Yes, you read that correctly— 25 books since 2020.
A lawyer by profession, and mom of two school-age kids, she’s not sure where she finds the time to do so much. She simply makes the time because she is passionate about writing books featuring African American characters in everyday situations. She strives to promote a “more inclusive and equitable society where every child feels valued, accepted, and safe.”
Her career-book series has been praised by many professional groups. And with her books’ positive messages regarding diversity and equality, she has been lauded as a “social impact author.”
Tiffany did not query agents or publishers but went straight to self publishing. She hires professional illustrators and editors, but has a knack for doing the marketing herself. She even created her own website using the WIX platform.
After her first book came out, she was approached by a work-for-hire publisher. She had a modest social media following on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest, but isn’t sure how the publisher found her. The first book she wrote for them never made it to the market, but she was still paid. That helped finance her second self-published book. Later, the same publisher hired her to write a chapter book about Maya Angelou. That one got published!
When asked about initial capital investment needed, she said picture books are more expensive due to color printing costs and hiring an illustrator if needed. She says a typical picture book will require an investment of $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Since publishing is so fickle, the gambling advice of don’t take any more money to the table than you can stand to lose also applies here.
Now, Tiffany is trying something new. After agent Sheila Fernley spoke at our Houston chapter meeting last November, Tiffany pitched her. It resulted in representation. She accepted an offer from Sheila at Storm Literary but has retained the right to self-publish too.
Whether you are considering self publishing or sending your work to agents or editors, prepare and polish to the best of your ability. Then, advises Tiffany, “Do it scared!”
If you are self-published and are part of the Houston chapter, reach out to Tiffany—she is here to support you!
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