Today I’m going to utilize a few of the blog prompts from Laura, the fearless leader of the Phoenix Book Publishing and Marketing Meet-up Group, to which I belong.

Did you publish your book as a traditionally printed book, an eBook, an audiobook, or all three? How did you come to your decision?

When I finished writing my memoir, “D Is For Dysfunctional…and Doo-Wop,” I knew that I couldn’t pursue traditional publishing options, primarily because I’m nobody…well, certainly not very well known outside of Fort Branch, Indiana. (And I’m becoming less well known in that town as my relatives and high school classmates die off.) At seventy-three, I also knew I didn’t have much time left to spend on seeking an agent and a publisher.

I recorded my book to be read in installments on Sun Sounds of Arizona, radio for the blind and print-disabled, but I have no plans to market this book as an audiobook. However, my novels that are based on the antics of my comedy barbershop quartet, Lilac Crazy, will be available on audio books…as soon as I finish writing them.

Which company did you use for printing, formatting, editing, and distribution? How did you select them?

I chose to self-publish through Abbott Press, a division of the parent firm that publishes Writer’s Digest magazine. I spent more money than I should have, but I told myself I was paying to learn about the process. They did a fabulous job, and I have hardcover, softcover, and e-books of which I am quite proud.

Interestingly, several other self-publishers have approached me, wanting to publish my next book. It suddenly dawned on me that their telephone numbers and addresses were in the same location, an area in Bloomington, Indiana. I questioned one of the representatives, and discovered that several companies (at least Abbott Press, iUniverse, and Westbow Press) are all part of the same company. Duh!

Here’s a note about editing: My book had been read and critiqued by my writers group, The Scribblers, and carefully edited by my “special” beta readers and me. However, I decided to pay a professional editor at Abbott Press to ensure that my book would be flawless. When I received the edited copy, I compared it word for word with the copy I had uploaded. There was only one change––a long sentence had been re-written into two shorter sentences. I’ve decided that my writer friends and I are pretty good editors.