I was going to post this next week but it seems people have been finding my new Facebook page already. (thank you!) So the announcement is happening now.
Okay, so I decided to self publish. The Adventures of Viola Stewart Journal #1:Doctor Jack and Other Tales was my first foray into the madness. First in eBook formats, then as a paperback. This is not surprising, as I am also a bit of a control freak. There, I admit it. But there is something extremely satisfying looking at the final product and knowing: I did that!
I also enjoy creating things. Every fibre of my being craves to create. If I don’t create, I get grumpy. Sometimes I think I spread myself too thin – art, photography, film, costume-making and writing – and that is not including all the things I have tried in the past, or want to try in the future. Life is definitely too short.
The fantastic thing about my writing adventures is I get to use all of my interests and skills – not just writing. I get to design, photograph and create covers. I get to film and create the book trailers. I get to publish my work, in many forms, including books!
With Doctor Jack and Other Tales, I took the less complicated (and less expensive) route; I used ISBNs available to me via Smashwords, Amazon and Createspace. Technically I am still an independent publisher, but their name is on the ISBN.
Now I want more.
This month, I have taken the next step. I have registered my own business – a name to put in that blank spot labelled ‘Publisher’. I will have to acquire my own ISBNs – a relatively small cost. That is the only significant difference; I have already tackled writing, formatting, cover design and book trailers. The printing will still be via Createspace, with paperbacks sold via Amazon, Barnes and Noble and associated distributors. Ebooks will still be sold via Amazon, Smashwords and their distributors.
I am also delving into an even bigger pond. I am hoping to have The Department of Curiosities also printed via Ingram, in Melbourne. This will keep the postage down for Australian readers and open up orders to bookshops that may want to order my books. Watch this space for more info.
To complete this new phase of my writing adventure, I have a business name. Next time you see one of my books, it will be published under Kraken Publishing and you may spot my logo:
I even have a tagline (thanks to my Dearheart):
Kraken Publishing: Books that grab you.
The website is up and running. Kraken Publishing is the business side of my book writing. The site will be updated with information on upcoming books, publication, events and book-related merchandise.
This website will remain the same, with my main blog and other writerly and arty information. Have you bookmarked the new address yet? www.karenjcarlisle.com
Why Kraken Publishing?
Most of you will know my affinity for cepholapods – ocotpuses, squid. All the cool names I wanted were taken. I’ve had the icon burned in my brain for years now – the pen nib with tentacles issuing forth – I just needed to find a name I could use. Why not kraken – a juiced up ocotopus? It alludes to my preferred fantasy/steampunk genre and is actually an (almost) anagram of my name (just remove the extra ‘K’).