Sally Doherty
My middle grade book Toby and the Silver Blood Witches, illustrated by Sarah Jane Docker, flew into the world in July 2021. The idea for Toby crash-landed into my head over a decade ago as I lay in bed with severe ME. It was many years before I could begin to write and many more years until I had a query-ready manuscript. I took an offer from a small press but unfortunately, the press closed unexpectedly just a few months before my book was due out.
As you can imagine, I was gutted but then I decided to self-publish. I wasn’t ashamed – I was excited and empowered and taking back control. It always felt so important that I got the book into readers’ hands. It’s an exciting magical adventure but it’s also more than that. It’s the story of a young carer as he comes to terms with his mum’s illness (ME). It’s representation of an illness which is still misunderstood today. And it’s the first real achievement in my life of fifteen years with severe ME.
Initially, I intended to do a short print through a reputable self-publishing company such as Matador (www. troubador.co.uk/matador). However, I discovered that I would actually make a thirty pence loss per book sold on Amazon. If you plan to sell most of your books directly, then a self-publishing
company could be right for you. As I’m housebound, however, Amazon would be my main point of sales. A successful selfpublished author suggested using KDP print-on-demand (to sell on Amazon) and IngramSpark (to sell to bookshops).
It was important to me that the cover fitted into the traditional market. I found my illustrator via Twitter. As well as illustrating my cover, she drew a map and chapter headings for inside. I also hired a proofreader and a formatter who provided a PDF (for the paperback) and an ebook.
It helps to build up a social media network. I find the writing community on Twitter extremely friendly and supportive. Through Twitter, I’ve connected with bloggers, indie bookshops and teachers. Take every opportunity you can to get your book and your name known. I’m currently reaching out to local media in the hope of doing a piece on my book for Halloween with the witchy theme. Also consider partnering with a charity whose work relates to a theme in your book. Ten percent of my profits go to the ME Association.
I’ve made about forty percent back of my expenditure so far, but at the time of writing this, it’s only been two months. The cost of the illustrator, proofreading, formatting, ISBN, etc, adds up. I could have done it cheaper by proofreading and formatting myself and using an illustrator for the cover only, but I wanted to make
my book the best it could be. I hope to break even within a year.
If I had done one thing differently, I would have sold pre-orders through my website. By selling copies directly, I make twice the royalties. I’ll definitely do this for book two in the trilogy.
Toby and the Silver Blood Witches is available from Amazon, Waterstones online or you can order through your local bookshop. Signed copies are also available directly through my website.
Best single piece of advice: Believe in yourself and your book. I feel like the industry has taught us we’re only good enough if we have a traditional deal but it can be so hard to break into the market. So, if you’ve written a good book and have made it the best it can be (with an editor or critique partners – don’t skip this part), then you are worthy of having readers and success as much as any other author.
Top tips
• If you’re going to spend money anywhere, spend it on your cover
• Be prepared to work hard for sales. You’re no longer just the writer, you’re the business manager too.
• Don’t be afraid to network. Reach out to bloggers, bookshops and schools. The worst they can say is no. And they might well say yes.
• Enjoy the process. Every sale and positive review feels wonderful. Website: www.sallydohertyauthor.com