The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund

Summary: Sue was so convinced by Kim Staflund's book How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price! that she was tempted to give it a go - and she hasn't even written a book. When Kim popped in to see us she had a few questions to ask.

Date: 14 August 2014

Interviewer: Sue Magee

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Sue was so convinced by Kim Staflund's book How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price! that she was tempted to give it a go - and she hasn't even written a book. When Kim popped in to see us she had a few questions to ask.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, who do you see?

Kim Staflund: I imagine the readers of How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It WORLDWIDE Based on Value, Not Price! as serious-minded authors who wish to produce a book that presents them as industry experts/professional writers within their fields/genres. Their goal is to produce a professional-quality book that they can sell commercially, and they are determined to earn a profit and learn what it truly takes to produce a reputable bestseller while maintaining 100% copyright ownership of the finished product.

Writing a book is a creative process and publishing it is a business venture; however, the most successful authors are the ones who approach the entire process with an entrepreneurial mindset. These individuals and businesses are the true audience for this book: entrepreneurs of all kinds, all around the world.

• BB: There are a lot of businesses offering to publish books by independent authors - some people have suggested that there might even be too many - what persuaded you to enter such a crowded and competitive marketplace?

KS: My original plan, way back when, was to become a bestselling author. So, no, I never set out with this destination of book publisher in mind at all. It is something that evolved over a twenty-year period as I experienced, firsthand, the traditional and vanity book publishing business models from the vantage point of both service provider and author. Quite by accident (or possibly by fate?), I eventually combined the best of both business models into an author-friendly business model called supportive self-publishing. The pros and cons of each of these models are discussed in detail in this book.

Back in 2013, I had written and published the prequel to this book, titled How to Publish a Book in Canada . . . and Sell Enough Copies to Make a Profit!, to address the frequently asked questions that are specific to Canadians wishing to publish their work. It is in the preface of that book that I provided all the details of my twenty-year journey to becoming both a bestselling author and a book publisher. The reason I wrote that preface was because I recognized that, if I'm going to call myself an industry leader in the book publishing field, I'd better be able to back up my claim with a curriculum vitae of sorts. So, I started at the beginning of it all and took my readers step-by-step through my own personal journey from childhood dream to reality.

A funny thing happened when I went back over that preface and read it back to myself for the first time. I felt chills run down my spine as I viewed the very clear path that had brought me from point A to point B — a path that, at the time, had felt anything but clear to me. There had been so much frustration along the way, and so many times when I'd questioned whether or not my dreams would come true. But as I looked back over it all these years later, I could see exactly why it had all unfolded the way it did. I couldn't have gotten to where I am now if I hadn't gone in one direction to experience and learn from that, and then back over in the opposite direction to experience and learn from that. It was easy to see that all the little twists and turns in my journey were meant to be all along, and they had brought me to a place that is more fulfilling to me than any other singular place I'd ever been to before. It seems I was meant to do more than simply produce my own bestselling book; I was also meant to help others do the same. I absolutely LOVE what I do! :)

• BB: What inspired you to write How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price!

KS: This sequel came about as a result of several questions I received from aspiring authors all across North America and even “across the pond” in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe following the publication of the first book. These questions came to me via LinkedIn and emails sent directly to my company's website.

More specifically, the first book caters to Canadian authors with information specific to our industry here (for example, it addresses the issues that arise in a socialistic, government-run book publishing business model). It contains copyright information specific to Canadians written by me. By contrast, the new book goes into more detail regarding online selling techniques, the types of review copies, the types of editing, Kindle vs. Kobo for selling eBooks, and the difference between publicists and agents. It contains a comparison of various international copyright laws written by an intellectual property attorney out of California.

• BB: Your book is very polished (no pun intended - but it is appropriate!) - where and how do you write?

KS: The creative process for each of my books has been a little bit different. Sometimes, when the inspiration hits, it provides me with the ending of the story first and invites me to figure out where it begins and write to that ending. Other times, the whole “skeleton” from start to finish comes to my mind straightaway, and then it is up to me to build the body around it.

A book usually comes to me in little bits and pieces, one thought at a time. Usually, it starts out very slowly and I jot down the thoughts as they come to me. As time goes on, those thoughts come to me much more frequently and in greater detail. That's when I know the book is ready to be written, and I make the time to write it around my regular job (evenings and weekends).

I can usually redirect these thoughts as they come. What I mean by that is, if a thought comes to me when I'm otherwise occupied at work and unable to jot it down right at that moment, I can usually say to it, “I'm a little busy right now. Please come back to me on Saturday morning, and we'll start together then.” Usually, the thought obliges. :)

In the case of last year's How to Publish a Book in Canada . . . and Sell Enough Copies to Make a Profit!, the thoughts came quickly and ferociously right from the start! And, when I tried to redirect them to another time, they would have none of that! They seemed to pelt me even harder, with more and more details, as though telling me, “Now is the only time to write this book. Do it now!” So, I took a week off work and locked myself in a quiet room in my home and wrote from 8 AM to 10 PM every day for eight days straight. I got enough of the book out for the thoughts to give me a break and allow me back to my other responsibilities during the day. I completed the rest of that book as I do most of them — in my spare time on evenings and weekends, over the course of a few months.

Of course, writing the book is one thing; but, for the authors who want that polished finish, many other experts need to be brought in to help with the publishing process. I hire professional editors, designers, and proofreaders for every single one of my books. They make all the difference to the finished product. Professional book publishing is truly a collaborative team effort.

• BB: When you read for pleasure, what do you read? What are you reading now?

KS: My reading tastes have always been very different from my writing tastes. While I was busy writing lots of poetry and fiction through the years, I was busy reading non-fiction in the form of autobiographies and self-help types of books (e.g., how to write a book, how to publish a book). Whenever people ask me, “Who do you read?” or “Who's your favourite author?” I'm always at a loss for words. It's never been any particular writer or writing style that has interested me; it's always just the topic. Whatever I need at the time is what I'll read. Sometimes, a public figure has caught my interest, so I want to pick up a book about him or her to see what makes that person tick. Other times, I have a question that needs answering, so I'll buy the book that appears to have the best answer.

What I'm reading right now are two of my competitors' books that I purchased from Amazon. I want to see what they are saying about our industry so I can make sure I'm in the loop at all times. I want to ensure my company is on top of all the industry trends at all times — not only for my company's success but for the success of all my authors.

• BB: Have you ever considered writing fiction?

KS: As a matter of fact, yes. I am the author of three new age fiction novels and two non-fiction books. I mention all of these books inside How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It WORLDWIDE Based on Value, Not Price!.

• BB: What was the last thing you Googled?

KS: I regularly Google the status of my books with various booksellers to keep track of my sales. I highly recommend this practice to my authors, too. As soon as you see your book land on a coveted bestseller list, you need to document that and promote it! The best way to increase your sales and to stay on top of them!

• BB: You've got one wish. What's it to be?

KS: I want my book publishing company, Polished Publishing Group (PPG), to be recognized as the industry leader that it is all around the world. I would like my company to grow and expand with even more talented authors, editors, designers, proofreaders, indexers, and ghostwriters joining our team over time. I desire the privilege of being able to travel the world to help aspiring authors everywhere realize their dreams of publishing successful, professional quality books just as I was able to do. And, of course, I want to continue writing and publishing more and more of my own books. I must write just as I must breathe.

• BB: Thanks for chatting to us, Kim and good luck with all your plans.

You can read more about Kim Staflund here.

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