Norah O'Donnell

Book Corner
They told me, “We’re going to change your life,” and they did.
They turned my book into a New York Times and USA Today
bestseller, helped make it a Costco “Pennie’s Pick,” a San Francisco
Chronicle Lit Pick, and got it on the “Best of 2011” lists in
the San Francisco Chronicle, The Providence Journal, Bookmarks
Magazine and Kirkus Reviews!
Santorelli: I started with the traditional publishing process
but was frustrated by the slow pace. I had seen the growth of
self-publishing and eBooks, and was confident in my product,
so I decided to self-publish. Baby Grand was published as an
Amazon Kindle ebook last May and I’ve been overwhelmed with
the warm reception from readers. I made the book available on
other eReader platforms, as a print-on-demand paperback and
as an audiobook. Baby Grand is top-rated in the mystery/thriller
category on Amazon, has more than 50 five-star reviews, and I
was voted the second best author on Long Island (right behind
Nelson DeMille) in Long Island Press.
What are your thoughts on the current state of books
Leavitt: I think people are hardwired to love and need stories,
and I truly believe books will always be with us. It’s part of what
makes us human. I see a lot of people with e-book readers—including
teenagers—and though I personally love the feel of a
book in my hand, anything that gets people reading is fine by me.
Santorelli: There is so much written about the demise of the
publishing industry, but I just don’t see it that way. I think it’s a very
exciting time to be in publishing because there are so many options for authors.
I like the control that we have as self-publishers, making decisions on everything
from the price of books to formatting to book covers and marketing.
Any advice for aspiring novelists
Leavitt: Never. Ever. Give. Up. Just because someone rejects your work
does not mean that your work is bad or that you won’t make it. Believe in
yourself. Never take no for an answer. I’m the poster girl for second chances
and I did not become a success until my 9th novel! Keep writing. Help
other writers when you can. Send stories out everywhere, from little literary
magazines to The New Yorker. Get Poets & Writers Magazine and enter
every contest you can find. And call yourself a writer. Claim it from the start
and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And if you get really discouraged,
email me and I’ll cheer you on.
Santorelli: Believe in yourself. There’s going to be a lot of rejection along
the way–by agents and editors, and by that nagging little voice inside of
you that keeps telling you that you’re not good enough. Don’t ignore everyone–agents
and editors offer excellent guidance–but you know your
story, and you have instincts as an author. And as for that nagging little
voice of self-doubt in your head: totally ignore that one. You are good
enough. Case closed.
Follow Caroline Leavitt at carolineleavitt.com and Dina Santorelli at dinasantorelli.com.
Dina Santorelli will appear at the Bryant Libray in Roslyn
on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:30 pm and will be teaching a workshop, “So
You Want to Get Published,” in July at Hofstra. For more information, visit
ce.hofstra.edu/publish.
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