SELF-PUBLISHING TODAY
Self-publish
p
ing
oetry news
with author
Siobhan Curham
workshop
The awkward
bitch guide to
self-publishing
I
n this column I am frequently diagnosed with multiple sclero-
making comparisons between sis. I would start to tell people
the publishing and music indus- little stories about what I was
tries. The advent of the internet going through, acting out each
and downloading has opened hilarious or sad part. As I would
up a world of opportunity for tell people the often bizarre
both self-publishing authors and stories of my life, they would
musicians. This month we meet always say ‘You should write this
Marlo Donato Parmelee, who has all down,’ or ‘I think you should
drawn upon her experiences as a write a book.’ I finally took their
musician to help self-publish and advice and started writing it all
promote her inspirational new down and the book came pour-
true-life book, Awkward Bitch – ing out of me.
My Life With MS.
Did you try submitting
Tell us a bit about your your work to
background, Marlo. traditional publishers
I have written poetry and songs or agents?
Marlo Donato Parmelee
since I was 12. However I stud- I did indeed. I landed an agent,
drew on her experiences as
ied to be an opera singer from the and for seven months after that, a musician and MS sufferer
age of 15, and put my writing to she tried to get the book pub-
the background. lished with major publishing
Then in 1999 my father passed houses. Almost every one she way to go, and then like many expand once the writer starts to
away. I sang to him on his submitted to liked the book! authors, you could get a deal after do well on their own.
deathbed and it was a poignant However, they didn’t feel that your book starts to sell.
moment in my life. I realised that they could sell 100,000 copies, so How does your
I no longer wanted to sing other each said no. The same scenario As a musician, do background in music
people’s stories. I had my own to happened when I submitted to you see any parallels help you as a writer?
tell. I gave up opera and started several publishers on my own. between what is As an opera singer I also studied
pouring my thoughts out on They did not feel they could happening in the drama so that I could develop
paper and in sound. ‘guarantee’ that 100,000 copies publishing world and the characters I was playing. This
I released my first EP, Marlo, in would sell. They did not want to the music industry? has inspired me to think about
2001. I also started experiment- take a chance on a new author. There are many parallels. In the writing from the character’s per-
ing with short stories. I had ideas music industry, the major record spective. I think about what the
for several books, and decided What conclusions labels want finished products. character’s background is. What
I would move from my home did you draw about They are no longer willing or have they seen in their lives?
in America to write them in the current state of able to take on a new artist and It also helped me edit my cur-
England, as many of the stories publishing from these nurture them. They want to see rent book, because I was able to
take place here. Little did I know experiences? that you already have a follow- remove parts that weren’t work-
that the first book would actually It seems to me that you have to ing. They want to see that you ing and add bits that were more
be about me as my life was about prove yourself before a publisher have the songs, the looks, the interesting, or that moved the
to change drastically. will take you on. Especially in the website and the audience. story along better. In addition, my
current financial climate, they are Major publishers seem to be musical writing has helped my
What happened? not willing to take a chance on going along the same route. They dramatic writing immensely. The
I started losing my eyesight or at least nurture a new writer. don’t want to take a chance – they
▲
in 2004, and was eventually I think self-publishing is a good want a finished product they can Continued on page 27
Writers
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FORUM #99 25
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