With so much discussion in the industry about reasons for authors to choose indie publishing over traditional, many authors and readers alike tend to overlook the fact that the end result of a traditional publishing deal only comes about after a publisher has signed the author’s book. After the first hurdle of signing with an agent, a lot of writers tend to perceive that step as being an absolute guarantee that the manuscript will see the bookstore shelves. As author S. R. Johannes discovered, that is simply not always the case.
After seeing four of her novels go to acquisitions with major publishers only to be later turned down despite the efforts of her literary agent, Johannes decided to self-publish her fourth novel, Untraceable. The sequel will be released this fall.
“It was a hard time and I wasn’t sure of my next step. Six months later, I decided to self-publish Untraceable out on my own. I felt if both of my books were good enough to almost be bought in the Big Six, then I was good enough,” says the author of the learning experience and her ultimate decision to indie publish. A second unrelated title, On The Bright Side, will be released next month, also through self-publishing.
This week’s Ebook of the Week Untraceable is a wilderness thriller for teens with a strong heroine, a mystery, and two cute boys. The main character, Grace, grew up in the woods but when her forest ranger father disappears while on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to prove he’s alive. Soon, Grace is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder and it will take more than a compass and motorcycle for this tough heroine to save all whom she loves.
To receive your free copy of Untraceable, email the author at sjohannes@bilaninc.com and put “GoodEReader” in the subject line.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
