What 55,000 Self-Publishers Know That You Need To Know

Valerie Connelly presents a comprehensive and inspiring program on the choices facing new authors in this high tech age. Next venue, SKOKIE PUBLIC LIBRARY

(PRWEB) April 6, 2004 --In March 2004, Valerie Connelly presented a series of talks in the Grayslake Library, the Lake Villa Library, and at the Vernon Hills Barnes and Nobel store, addressing their authors and writers workshops with the compelling topic: What 55,000 Self-Publishers Know That You Need to Know."

Nina Kenny of the Lake Villa Library said, Valerie Connellys program is an excellent program. She presented the material in a most professional manner and related very well to the audience. I highly recommend the program."

As an author of mystery thrillers, with a touch of fantasy, it took ten years to bring Ms. Connellys first novel into print --- having battled the gauntlet laid down by the traditional publishing industry. She finally researched and discovered the freedom of self-publishing with Lightning Source, Inc., in La Vergne, Tennessee. As one of their publishers, the books are available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, online at www.amazon.com, www.BN.com waldenbooks.com and at the website www.nightengalepress.com . The books are in Bowker's BooksInPrint, making them available to bookstores and libraries nationwide.
   
Several new authors are working to bring their books into print with Nightengale Press, because this small publishing house is approaching the publishing business of with an author-friendly mission --- every person has a story to tell, and every tale deserves to be published fairly and with profits going to the creator: the Author. Nightengale Press is not a subsidy publisher. They strive to facilitate the publishing of author's works and accept manuscripts in a variety of subject areas: Fiction, How-To, Children's Books, Young Adult and Teens, Romance, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and more.

Ms. Connellys experience as an author and now as a publisher are the subject of her talk where she addresses the process of writing her novels, how she has published them, and the growth of the print on demand revolution now overtaking the publishing industry. One interesting detail she discusses is that both Borders and Barnes and Nobel now have agreements with Lightning Source to order POD books directly from the printer, side-stepping the warehouse distribution system which has so often stymied POD and small press sales.
When Tracy Shields O'Reilly contacted Ms. Connelly on behalf of the Skokie Public Library , they set a program date for Tuesday, July 13, 2004.

I am very interested in meeting as many interested authors as I can, and the libraries offer a wonderful opportunity for making connections and helping new writers find their way in the world of publishing. We are interested in changing the experience new authors have when they try to get published. Promoting good community relations is part of the job, and we are pleased to do that as well," Ms. Connelly said. But I believe in beginning right where you are, and with the good relationships we are building with the local bookstores and libraries, we find their enthusiasm for our efforts very welcoming."

SIDETRACKS SYNOPSIS:
Seriously injured in an apparent bathroom accident, successful business- woman, Hannah Sebastian, is rescued by a delivery driver, Peyton Staley, who arrives at her home to deliver some flowers. A burglar assassin assaults Peyton in order to steal a lockbox from Hannahs home office and shoots them both just before escaping into the morning fog.
   
Hannah and Peyton meet on a train on the other side of reality. With the help of a cast of otherworldly guides, they travel back in time to learn how they became the people they are and to choose the most crucial point in their lives where they could have taken a different path. They then follow their Sidetracks to live what might have been.
   
In the real world, attorney Lynn Hargrove and Detective Jim ORiley join forces to solve the crimes that placed Hannah and Peytons lives in jeopardy. Lynn uncovers the greed infested family secrets that drive Hannahs psychotic brother to extremes. Detective ORiley tracks down the one link that explains Paytons self-destructive decline and plants the seeds for his redemption. SIDETRACKS is a fast-paced mystery/fantasy that makes the reader wonder how life might have been different, for better or for worse.

SIDETRACKS by Valerie Connelly
March 2004 -- Paper back, 260 pages -- Published by Nightengale Press
US $13.95 Paperback ISBN: 0-9743348-2-0