by Laura Freeman, reporter
As a writer, I know how disheartening it can be to send a manuscript to a publisher and receive a rejection letter.
The personal computer made it easier to write, but then the onslaught of manuscripts forced publishers to limit submissions to a query first or through agents. The economy made it too risky for publishers to take chances with unknown writers and one-book authors. They wanted prolific writers like James Patterson or Nora Roberts.
How does a writer build a fan following when it seems impossible to even get one book in print?
Some writers have found a new way to become published: print on demand, similar to self publishing. With print on demand, a publisher prints shorter runs or one copy at a time in response to orders from the author or retail customers.
Some print on demand publishers include Create Space, Trafford Publishing, Outskirts Press, Lulu and Publishing Works. Many of them are associated with Amazon.com, which sells the book online. Some authors sell their books at independent bookstores or other venues. They are responsible for promoting the book.
Several local authors and an illustrator gathered Feb. 27 at the Learned Owl Book Shop on Main Street to sign books and discuss how to become a writer. All of them had utilized print on demand publishing.
Edgar Barmann of Twinsburg was a newswriter for 37 years for different papers. Through the Senior Guest Program, which is available to all seniors 60 and older at state colleges and universities, Barmann attended creative writing classes for free at Kent State University and wrote a book, "Dear Annamelia."
"I wrote a chapter each class," Barmann said.
Even though he was nearly four times older than them, the students treated him like a colleague and gave him helpful feedback.
Barmann, like many authors, sent his manuscript out to publishers and agents, but met rejection.
With the help of relatives and friends, he was able to publish it on Create Space.
Barmann wrote about the death of his sister and how his brother-in-law grieved and what happened to the children.
"Ironically, my own wife died last year, and I was in the same predicament as my main character," Barmann said.
Barmann and the other authors said mainstream book stores won't distribute their books because they are self-published, but independent book stores like the Learned Owl provide distribution and opportunities to promote their work.
Michael Samulak of Cleveland wrote "A Is for Africa," an alphabet book for children and is self-published through Trafford Publishing. He sells his book at an independent book store, Joseph Beth, and through Baker & Taylor book distributors on a per order basis.
Samulak says his book focuses on the positive multi-culture of Africa, and it took three trips to Uganda in 2006 and 2007 to complete his book.
"Writing has always been a passion, and Uganda was an inspiration," Samulak said. "It was a beautiful way to share my experience."
Karen Hasley of Cuyahoga Falls has written four books on "remarkable women and unforgettable love stories," which are self-published through Outskirts Press and available online. Her latest, "Circled Heart" is about a survivor of the Boxer Uprising and the Titanic who helps poor immigrant women.
Hasley taught elementary school for 11 years and was a human resource director until 2009 when she was laid off. She discovered she was more disciplined to write 1,000 words a night when she worked.
"Now that I'm not working, I can't get out of the habit [of writing at night]," Hasley said.
Poet Brandice Schnabel of North Canton self-published a book of poetry, "Columbus groove," at Lulu.com and created Web sites and bookmarks to market her work.
She said authors do more work when they publish themselves. She had to format the book and hired a graphic design student from the University of Akron to create the cover. She had to apply for the copyright and promote her book.
"It's difficult to get into Borders, even the local authors section," Schnabel said.
Schnabel sells her book at an art gallery in Canton and online.
Pam Spremulli of Chagrin Falls is a graphic illustrator and finished her first book, "Letter Birds," an alphabet book for children, which was released in January.
Spremulli studied graphic design at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and creates her illustrations on computer.
"The mouse is a paint brush," she said.
Spremulli had her start locally by designing a flag for Chagrin Falls in 2005.
"The response was so great, I started to do more [graphic] work," Spremulli said.
Spremulli said she had visions of birds in her head and began to draw them on computer. She turned the drawings into an alphabet book.
An independent publisher, Publishing Works Inc., published her book and she has been promoting the book.
"The response has been great," Spremulli said. "You want to hear little kids like it. It's all about the color and fun."
For more information about the authors, go to www.pamspremulli.com; www.edbarmann.com; www.columbusgroove.net; and www.karenhasley.com.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150