How Does a Publishing David Stand Tall Among Industry Goliaths?

Put the authors' needs first. Authors get publishing information, marketing training, one-on-one product development of their books, most of the profit from their work, to teach them how to produce a publishing-ready manuscript, design a great cover, protect their work, and develop a marketing plan. Announcing forthcoming titles and other website updates.

Lake Villa, IL (PRWEB) July 7, 2004 -- In just one year, Nightengale Press has evolved from a self-publishing dream into an independent press reality. Starting with one title in July 2003 self-publisher, Valerie Connelly added her second title in May of 2004. Several library talks and book signings later, she has discovered a goldmine of talented authors who want Nightengale Press to publish their books. Nightengale Press captured the real time opportunity to become a revolutionary independent publishing company. Authors get publishing information, marketing training, one-on-one product development of their books, most of the profit from their work, and a true friend who helps them from the start. Ms. Connelly works with authors on producing a publishing-ready manuscript, designing a great cover, protecting their work, and developing a Marketing Plan.

Network, Network, Network.

Nightengale Press has come in from the publishing cold by avidly pursuing the publishing future with Print-On-Demand technology from Lightning Source, Inc. (10 millions books and counting) while benefiting from distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor. "An independent publisher must play by the big publisher rules when it comes to percentage discounts and returns, but the reward comes in being able to find the work-around solutions that bookstores require when new authors need shelf space and book signing dates," Ms. Connelly said, "especially because our books are printed on demand -- from one to several hundred at a time. We are striving to dissolve the stereotypes that have so constrained the independent publisher and the unknown author." Nightengale Press will also be among the first independent publishers to print interior color with Lightning Source this fall.

"I have made a point to meet personally with representatives of Lightning Source, Inc. and Ingram Book Company, both in LaVergne, Tennessee, R. R. Bowker in New Jersey and the Publisher's Marketing Association in California, to be able to provide Nightengale Press the same great connectivity with well-known online bookstores, availability through bookstores and libraries nationwide, and marketing options that the big publishing houses have."

The local Borders Bookstore in Gurnee, Illinois makes it easy for local authors to present their new releases to the buying public by providing Nightengale Press a rotating schedule for its clients. The local news media, most recently The News Sun in Waukegan, IL highlights Nightengale Press authors with feature articles. "We are planning to expand our book signings and press coverage beyond the local arena in the coming year," Ms. Connelly said. "Also, the Lake Villa Library and the Gurnee Borders asked me to develop an author forum, and so I invited Elysa Hendricks (a local romance author)to join me in hosting the forum on a rotating schedule between the two sites. This forum will begin on September 9th at the library, and continue at the Borders on October 14th. From then on, we'll be continuing the forum throughout the academic year."

Nightengale Press participated in the BookExpo America 2004 convention as a member of PMA (Publisher's Marketing Association), a marketing cooperative for independent publishers with a twenty year track record. As one of the four thousand members, Nightengale Press came to the expo, manned the PMA booth with other member publishers, held a book signing in the PMA booth, connected with booksellers, authors, publishers, printers and marketing specialists. "I came away from the Expo with information and connections that cannot be found any other way. My authors will benefit from this experience as much as I will, both as an author and as a publisher," Ms. Connelly said. "And Nightengale Press will go to New York for the BookExpo next year."

Visibility is one key to success -- which means a great website

The Nightengale Press website (www.nightengalepress.com) is another avenue for new authors to be seen, become known, and sell their books. "Forthcoming titles will release later this Summer and into the Fall. Nightengale Press is offering a broad range of interest areas to the book-buying public," Ms. Connelly said. "We also post readers reviews, links to organizations our authors belong to, and encourage our authors to expand on their bio pages with events they will be presenting to promote their books."

Nightengale Press offers authors, editors, illustrators and other service providers in the publishing arena a Free Membership where they can join to network with other members, get Nightengale Press publishing guidelines, submit manuscripts, and access helpful links to necessary services.

"Because of the Internet, people want to connect quickly, be informed with details, and decide what they want to do in just a few short minutes. We provide connectivity with service providers to build relationships between authors and the people they need to get their books ready for market," Ms. Connelly said. "Nightengale Press is all about informing authors, teaching them and giving them that essential confidence-building boost -- even when, or especially when they are tired of rejection from the industrys primary failing which I call the 'slush-pile triangle' -- that black hole that drains the author's optimism with rejection, tells talented authors they are unwanted, and denies the reading public a wonderful source of entertainment and expert information. I believe there are many more talented writers who never publish than who do. Were just finding the tip of the iceberg, and were doing this in a way that supports the author's efforts."

In fact, due to POD technology the author's total outlay to publish a book is under $500, and that includes availability with online bookstores, distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, copyright registration, printing of a proof copy and ten authors books, one revision, and manuscript development. Nightengale Press accepts a partial payment only when the author is ready to submit a ready manuscript. Only when the development process is extensive, as with developing childrens books, the same partial payment is made during development to keep the contract viable. Nightengale Press also provides a very fair author royalty payment percentage: 70% of the publishers receipts after costs when going through industry channels (Ingram/Baker & Taylor/amazon.com etc) and a 50-50 split of the publishers receipts after costs for www.nightengalepress.com sales.

"Some in the industry might say we're crazy, that we can't make a living this way. But we believe in the author's right to profit, and we take our little portion with pride. We work in concert with our authors to make their results the best possible for the most reasonable price. Nightengale Press supports its authors even after publishing their books because their success is our success. We are confident this approach will be very sustainable," Ms. Connelly said.

"Marketing adds to the author's cost, but this option is on a voluntary, clearly informed basis, presented through a series of Marketing Seminars, which we provide free of charge. We are convinced authors are intelligent, hard-working people who deserve fairness, information, cooperation, and great service. So we provide them real industry marketing options, not just postcards and flyers."

Primary to a book's availability to bookstores is to be listed in R. R. Bowker's BooksInPrint catalogue, which goes to more than 10,000 booksellers and libraries nationwide every month. "We are applying the strategies of the PMA organization -- strength in numbers," Ms. Connelly said. Also, Nightengale Press offers the authors' opportunity to list their books in the Ingram Advance program, as well as online visibility on their Ipage site is available in the same manner. "We 'advertise' where the book buyers go to find books. If we are going to spend money to promote, then the promotion needs to be where it will bring the most visibility." Also, through the PMA, Nightengale Press provides tradeshow visibility, both here and abroad. "We publish with Lightning Source in the United Kingdom as well, so this year we are testing the European market to see what it brings."

Beyond this, Nightengale Press maintains a rapidly growing Ezine which publishes twice a month and generates press releases as new books, authors' events, and website growth occur. "Our local press is vigorous and enlightened, and they want information about great things going on in the area. We try to bring new authors and the reading public together by making the news available to all our local news sources, as well as worldwide by posting our press releases with online services that reach the media worldwide. "Marketing isn't just spending money, it is engaging the news media with a good news. Above all, we like to bring our good news to the public. We are going forward with plans to build a radio and television presence to bring our authors' names and titles over the airways as well."

Variety is the spice of independent publishing life.

Nightengale Press added an Art Greeting Card portfolio visible on the site, which offers 215 greeting cards on CD ROM for $14.95. The card imagery of original artwork (in block prints, landscape paintings, and topical photos) captures the variety of holiday and all occasion cards in a beautifully different way. The consumer can use blank note card stock available at office supply stores to print two cards at a time, anytime, for any reason right at home at a huge savings over card-store prices. "Imagine getting a whole year's worth of cards for less than five cards purchased in a store," Ms. Connelly said. "The quality is wonderful, the portfolio choice is extensive, and our cards rekindle relationships of all kinds. We will be increasing our card offerings on a yearly basis. Eventually, wed like to represent all our member illustrators in the collection."

We proudly announce our forthcoming titles and adding them to our current titles.

CURRENT TITLES:

SACRED NIGHT ($13.95) and SIDETRACKS ($13.95) by Valerie Connelly, are mystery thrillers, with a touch of fantasy and a bit of romance.

FORTHCOMING TITLES this summer:

WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK? ($14.95) by Michele Batz, is a motivational fitness book to inspire women to begin a fitness program with a sustainable strategy that works.

HOW WE SEE THE WORLD ($14.95), by Waukegan H.S. Students, is a collection of essays, short stories and poetry that reveal the vision and opinions of teens. This book will pull at your heart and open your eyes.

CRUMPET STRUMPET ($13.95) by Frank Sobo, is an anthology of humor-filled short stories that look at youth, maturity and aging with tongue in cheek wit and wisdom.

FORTHCOMING TITLES this fall:

PUNCTUATION PALS ($14.95) by Connie Olker with illustrations by Minerva Guzman, is a colorful storybook with five stories, with a companion CD ROM containing a coloring book, games and practice pages that teach punctuation to early elementary aged children in a fun and interactive way.

MANDARA POND ($14.95) by John Flynn with illustrations by Valerie Connelly, is the first of a series of illustrated storybooks that engage young readers in endearing tales about friendship, loss, fitting in, and forgiveness through wildlife characters who live on Mandara Pond. This book has a companion CD ROM with a coloring book and games.

There will be more growth and expansion in the coming year at Nightengale Press. Visit the website to watch and participate as we develop by adding more opportunity to the lives of new authors writing for the twenty-first century.

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