On May 12th, Bruce Hardy and Mike Lamonte, Local Authors from NH, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Process of Writing a Book. Bruce is owner of Brookdale Farm in Hollis - pen name McIntosh Steel. Mike Lamonte published two books on “Epic Fantasies” through Amazon.
Bruce described how he became a writer. He was always a day-dreamer dreaming up stories. He was also a Star Trek fan. Covid provided a lot of free time and this was when he began to write. While most writers use an outline Bruce does not. Bruce wrote half of his first book during Covid and then completed it with the encouragement of friends. Marketing and publishing is a challenge. Ideally a traditional publisher like Simon and Schuster is used but these are hard deals to get. In the old days you sent your manuscript to many publishers but now many books are self-published. Nowadays self-publishing companies are used. The self-publishing company does everything with distribution through Ingram.
Mike Lamonte published two books on “Epic Fantasies” through Amazon. The self-publishing route keeps costs down and gave him complete artistic control over all aspects of the publishing: editing, art work, negotiation, etc.
Bruce once used a self-publishing company where money is spent up front by the author and then distributed through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It was not very effective other than draining his pockets.
You can spend a lot on getting it out to reviewers and publicists but the key now it to get your book on the internet, Facebook, Instagram and social media. They have found that the self-publishing makes more sense.
Mark McKay in Concord is a publicist and has been coaching Mike. Mark is only 17 years old but knows a lot about hashtag and getting the word out.
Mike enjoys writing a good story. His epic fantasies are all about the characters. Once the characters start caring about the characters, he realized that he was on to something.
Bruce realized how poorly he actually writes using repetitive words but has improved. He has discovered his own idiosyncracies as a writer.
Questions
How do you deal with the legal part: copyrighting ? He uses Author House. They do all the filing with Library of Congress. Obtaining an ISBN number with Author House. Mike got 10 ISBN numbers online for $124. He does print on demand so he does not have to pay for a lot of inventory.
Books are available on Amazon. Bruce’s books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Author House. His book available at Avern house on Amherst Street and at the Brookdale Farm.
Jack Tulley asked where they get their inspiration. Mike gets it in his sugar shack in back of his house. Bruce has his office in his house. He tried writing on his laptop on the Nashua River but there’s too much glare.
Mindy asked if more profitable as an E-Book. E-book is the best with 70% margin. Audio Book options are also good but are very expensive to produce. Direct sale of his own books are the most profitable.
Charlie Hall asked Bruce what his book is about? It’s about conflicting wars but then found a planet on the periphery of the world and found an old man who would not blow up the planet and where there is peace.
Mike wrote about Dragons and wars but then they find peace. Mikes book is called “Forged in Dragons Blood”; the other is called “Wrapped in the Bread”.