Interview with Nonfiction Current Events Author Joel Richardson

Joel Richardson is the author of Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah, a bestselling comparative analysis of Biblical and Islamic Eschatology and the co-author of God’s War Against Terror with Former Palestinian, Terrorist Walid Shoebat. Joel has lived and worked in three countries in the Middle East and has been involved in Christian Muslim interfaith dialogue since the mid 90s’. Due to his involvement in interfaith dialogue, Joel has received death threats to his life and to the life of his family. As such, Joel uses a pseudonym whenever writing or speaking on themes related to radical Islam. Besides writing, Joel also travels, giving lectures and seminars on issues such as the threat of radical Islam, Islamic apocalyptic belief and human rights. Joel is also a successful self-employed artist.

You can visit his publisher’s website at www.wnd.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Joel. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Thanks you. My first book was published through a Print On Demand (Vanity) Publisher called Pleasant Word Books. Pleasant Word is an excellent publisher for Christian authors who have something that they wish to get out there but do not have any previously published books or the energy to self-publish. To my surprise, Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah sold over ten thousand copies in the first two years. For a Print on Demand book, this is virtually unheard of, particularly in light of the fact that I did almost no marketing or publicity apart from my blog an occasional radio interview, all of which sought me out. Why We Left Islam, my second book was a fairly easy project. It is a collection of two dozen stories from those who have left Islam and why they left. Because I am the co-editor and not the “author” per se, there was much less work involved in this book. My third book, God’s War on Terror is co-authored with Walid Shoebat, and was far and away the most involved project that I have yet worked on. The final result is just over 200,000 words, roughly 800 pages. I also have a few books that are partially written which I may or may not complete in the future.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Antichrist was rejected by about five or six publishers before I went with a Vanity Publisher. Had I known about LuLu.com, I would have likely used them.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I expected the rejections for several reasons. Within the Christian market, books that are published are most often those that are authored and supported by a minister with a large public ministry and following. In the midst of my frustrations, I did some research and discovered that there are roughly twenty published books that are related to the subject of God and Golfing; gift books or meditations for Christian golfers etc. To me this said a lot about the market that I was trying to break into. As such, while I did give the various mainstream Christian publishers a chance, I was fairly well prepared to self-publish fro the get go. In retrospect, any publisher would have done well if they had taken my book. I knew that it was good and relevant and as such, the rejections didn’t particularly bother me.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

As I said, I wnet with Pleasant Word Books, because they offered all that I needed: Cover Production, copy editing, warehousing and they also offer book returns which makes it possible for bookstores to carry a POD book.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I was happy to be done and to have the book in my hands but I can’t say that I really celebrated. I think I took my wife and kids out to eat and we all celebrated that daddy wasn’t going to be on the computer so much anymore. I also started jogging to shed all of the “book weight” that I had put on.

What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?

Literally nothing. I started a blog and began posting articles. I made sure that the link to the blog was on the last page in large letters. Because the book took off so well, I soon had quite a gathering of regular readers. Today I have roughly eleven thousand visitors per month from all over the world.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I think I would have gone with Lulu.com. I f I had simply created my own cover and done my own editing, which I ended up doing anyway, I would have saved a few thousand dollars. I may not have sold quite as many books, but I would still have done better in terms of expenditures. In the end, nobody compares to Lulu in terms of economy production.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I’ve learned a lot. The final stages of editing are always the most tedious, but the most crucial. I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing and all that goes into it and certainly some tricks. Having now worked with an agent and having been published by a mainstream publisher, I have also learned several lessons there as well. In the end, no matter which way one goes, I think that one should make every effort to produce a work that is perfect and rely as little as possible on anyoe else to “fix” your work. While the editors at World Net Daily did an excellent job, in the future, I will always avoid the mind-set that says, “Oh the editor will take care of that.” Its better I believe to go that extra mile and make your work perfect by your standards and then let the editor catch only those things that you may have missed.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I did choose that other profession, which is an artist. I love painting and hate writing. But because I write about sisues that I am very passionate about, and feel are very important, I have the ability and drive to push through and get the work done. But I would always rather be painting.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I hope that I never have to give up my art. It will always be my first love.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Ideally, I would love to see myself and my family freed up to travel and work with orphans and the persecuted Church in the third world.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Some people say that one can either read or write. I disagree. I believe that if one wishes to write that they must also read. Read everything that there is to read about the entire process. I will not say to “never give up” or any other such platitudes. Instead, if you really dream of being published then make it happen and whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. Someone once said that if you do what you love, then you will never work one day in your life. I say nonsense. If you wish to do what you love, you must work to make that happen. And beyond that, I would also say that you should only write about that which you are passionate about. Write about things that matter and all of your efforts will be worth it.

Interview with H. Peter Nennhaus, Author of QUO VADIS, ISRAEL?

H. Peter Nennhaus, a retired surgeon and Illinois resident, was raised in Berlin and became a U.S. citizen in 1961. He is the author of Boyhood, the 1930s and World War II, Memories, Comments and Views from the Other Side. Among his various interests, the study of the history of the 20th century, the Holocaust, and anti-Semitism has been a persistent focus.

You can visit his website at www.outskirtspress.com/quovadisirael.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Peter! Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I published one book in 2002.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Is was entitled Boyhood, The 1930s and the Second World War, Memories, Comments, and Views from the Other Side. It deals with my childhood, which I spent in Berlin during the war.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I was stubborn. I must have sent it to 20 publishers but it was rejected by all of them. I then accepted an offer by a subsidy publisher.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

It was very discouraging. I was wondering whether the text was considered politically not correct enough or whether the quality of my writing was the reason for rejection. English is my second language, so that was a possibility. Nevertheless, I didn’t give in.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

It was published by Chandler House Press of Worcester, MA. I went through some soul searching but in the end decided, this was my only chance.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I received my author copies three days before Christmas and thought that was most appropriate. But there were early misgivings: Once the whole order of 300 books was delivered and I took them to my basement, I realized that getting them into the book trade was up to me as the publisher, apart from giving some advice, washed his hands of it.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

Being a novice in the field and lacking any sort of business instinct, I struggled along with contacting bookstores, suggesting book signings and talks, contacting newspapers, and offering it to local libraries, but encountered little echo. There was one Barnes & Noble book signing but it was attended by only a single couple. The most successful event was a talk I was invited to give at a synagogue. An adventurous undertaking, I felt, for a German to tell a Jewish audience of 85 listeners about his experiences during the war and Holocaust, but it was well received with praise and many thank-yous. Nonetheless, the books I exhibited in the local bookstore never sold.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I certainly would choose a demand self-publisher such as the one I used for my present book, Outskirts Press, as they render a flood of assistance in book promotion after the book is out on the market.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I love to write, it gives me pleasure. I also paint pictures, landscapes, botanicals, portraits and that gives me pleasure too. It’s the art of creating something beautiful or intelligent, and so is writing. It’s arduous, though, for like painting a portrait, it’s got to be perfect.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

Blessed if I know. Writing is like creating a flower garden. You design it artistically as best you can, but you still have to accept what nature makes of it. The creativeness is in your mind and your heart, you’re stuck with it. Don’t try to change it, it won’t work.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

It is the remarkable approval of my first book that keeps coming in at a steady pace. They tell me, in standard publishing the success is prompt and brief, whereas in self-publishing the echo grows slowly. That has certainly been the case in my Boyhood book where the approval rating has been most gratifying.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

In my case, it’s the other way around. I used to be a surgeon and it has been only after my retirement that I have had the time to enjoy this most satisfying life of an artist and a writer. That’s what I will do the rest of my days.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

Right now, I wouldn’t change a thing. This is it!

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Now that’s an interesting question. My writing career will very definitely be subordinated to my longevity. I definitely hope to be around then and still writing.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

By all means, go for it! If you find a mainstream publisher, so much the better. But it looks to me, because of the internet, self-publishing is wide open today and different from what it was twenty years ago. Maybe you will not succeed, so what? The fun is in the effort to express your thoughts and feelings. Reach out for the stars – even if you fail, its beats watching television.

Interview with Hillary Quote Book Author Tom Kuiper

Tom Kuiper is a political activist who has followed Hillary Clinton’s career for many years…and is not impressed. Prior to “Yankees Fan,” Kuiper created the “Hillary Quote Deck of Cards” sold on the popular NewsMax site. His present book, I’ve Always Been a Yankees Fan: Hillary Clinton in Her Own Words, is published by World Ahead Media.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Tom. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Thus far, I’ve only done one book, I’ve Always Been a Yankees Fan: Hillary Clinton In Her Own Words. I may do another Hillary quote book, depending on events in 2008.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

“Yankees Fan” is my first book. (The Deck of Hillary, mentioned above, was my first published work, though)

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I was rejected by at least 4 publishing houses before I found my publisher of “Yankees Fan” which is World Ahead Publishing, based in Los Angeles.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I was not too surprised I had a hard time getting published, since I was a first-time author. What was surprising for me was the fact that even the conservative publishing houses did not publish it, even though the Foreword of my book was written by Bill Clinton’s former political advisor.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

World Ahead Publishing, which specializes in conservative titles, decided to publish it in the spring of 2006. I chose them because I wanted someone with solid conservative credentials with access to the conservative media.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

Obviously it felt wonderful to be a published author. Two great thrills were to see my book listed on Amazon for the first time, and to see it on my shelf at the bookstore. We celebrated by having a book signing in my hometown.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I wrote a few articles for some conservative publications, appeared on many radio programs, and even appeared on TV a couple of times. (CNN and MSNBC)

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I would probably have held out for a mainstream publisher, instead of a smaller, specialized publisher.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have not done any more books, but have done some articles for a number of conservative websites, which include Newsmax, WorldNetDaily, and HumanEvents.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I only wish I had gotten hooked up with a mainstream, competent book agent. I had an agent for a short time, and I did not like him.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

My research has been used in a number of Hillary books in the past couple of years. Former Clinton advisor Dick Morris is the most famous, thus far. I sent a copy to Vice-President Dick Cheney a few months ago and got word back that he loved it. I also know that Rudy Giuliani is a fan of the book, having mentioned it on the campaign stump.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Talk show host, or producer. I like getting the facts and telling people about them.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I’m hoping to combine them, at some point. I would love to do either a radio or TV show based on “Booknotes,” the C-Span program that talks with authors about their books.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I hope to be my own boss within 10 years, either doing more books or my own radio/TV/internet shows. As I said earlier, I enjoy getting the facts and getting them to the people.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Keep at it. It most likely will take years, but the first one is the toughest.

Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, Thomas D. Kuiper, I’ve Always Been a Yankees Fan, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton