Indie Publishing and Distribution

For writers that publish independently, it is important to pick the best "Print on Demand" (POD) publisher to fit one's needs. In 2006, after four years of pursuing the traditional publishing route, I decided to pursue the independent/ POD path with my debut novel, Proximity. I chose Xlibris (http://www.xlibris.com/) for a few reasons. First, I obtained one or two books from Xlibris. Physically, they were well constructed, they appeared as good as anything I purchased from a traditional publisher. Second, at the time, Xlibris was a subsidiary of a traditional publisher - Random House. Currently it is part of Author Solutions, which is owned by Penguin Random House. Why is this ownership important? I imagined and my Xlibris sales person confirmed, there was potential for a successful book to be obtained by the traditional publisher - parent company. (Note: I've never actually heard of this happening.) Third, Xlibris at the time touted distribution through Lightning Source (https://www1.lightningsource.com/), an Ingram Company. It turns out, this has huge impact on book availability.

Books reach the market through a book distributor. Bookstores and libraries may have a contractual relationship with only one distributor, or more importantly, may not have a connection with the book distributor that your independent publisher / POD firm uses. Written another way, I've had indie author friends who tried to place their book in a specific brick and mortar store, only to be told, "Your publisher does not really matter to us, it is your distributor...we do not have a relationship with them. Therefore, we cannot carry your book."

Of note, Lightning Source is connected to major retailers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Thus, readers can order my indie novel from both stores online, and can even order when in a B&N store through their computer kiosks.

So, when heading down the indie publishing path, ask about the associated distributor and determine where that distributor's books are available.

Army-Navy

For generations, the Army-Navy football game occurred on the first weekend in December. This was a good time slot for the Brigade. It was normally a week after Thanksgiving break. Often the last week of school before finals. For this reason, emails, facebook and You Tube are populated with the latest spirit spots already.

Since the game is now held the second Saturday in December, today is the real start of Army-Navy Week. As it begins, please enjoy this section of The Recipient's Son that describes the meaning behind this game.

                                 

"Every Army-Navy game is momentous. Many suggest it remains the last remnant of purity in college football.  Perhaps it is the recognition that the players are only in it only for the game. Many used their skills on the gridiron as a vehicle to get into college, but it was with an ultimate goal of service, not scholarship. Such a choice is fully embraced by the two student bodies, and all alums. Thus, like no other athletic team, the mids and cadets truly represent their respective schools. Then, this extends even beyond the alums as any veteran can lay claim to the game as they see future leaders darting down the field with the ‘Screaming Eagle’ of the 101st Airborne or the ‘Jolly Roger’ of Fighter Squadron 84 sewn on their shoulder, a reminder that those on the field will soon rely on each other in battle.

            The sibling rivalry between young men in such circumstances is simply unequaled."

Signed copies of 'The Recipient's Son' and 'Proximity.'

Fans of military fiction, especially those interested in stories about the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community often seek signed copies of The Recipient's Son and Proximity.

 

Signed copies of each can be obtained from Stephen Phillips through the online market - https://squareup.com/market/stephen-phillips

Put your specific inscription request in the 'note to seller' text box at checkout.

4th Annual METAvivor Author's Luncheon

METAvivor supports those who are enduring metastatic breast cancer.  On September 7, 2013, 11:00am -2:30pm at the Doubletree Hilton in Annapolis, I will join authors Priscilla Cummings, Lisa Veronica Pires, Erika Roebuck, Jeanne Slawson, and Elissa Brent Weissman at the METAvivor 4th Annual Authors Luncheon. At this fundraising event author Tom Dowd will moderate a discussion about our books, we will sign copies, and everyone will enjoy a great lunch. Proceeds will benefit METAvivor. I hope you will join us for this fun and supportive event. Details on the attached flyer and at www.metavivor.org

Bill McDonald Review on Amazon.com

Bill McDonald is the founder of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). He wrote a review of The Recipient's Son on Amazon.com entitled "Feels Like an Insider View of Academy Life!" You can read more here.

I am honored to receive such high praise from Bill.

Book Signing at The Mid Store

The Midshipman Store welcomed me on Monday of Commissioning Week. It was a real honor to meet midshipman and their families. Congratulations to the Class of 2016 for completing Herndon and to 2013 for their Graduation and Commissioning.

Signed copies of 'The Recipient's Son' by Stephen Phillips

Would you like a signed copy of The Recipient's Son? It can make a great gift for a prospective midshipman, a Naval Academy Alum, or any fan of military fiction. Steve is happy to write any personal message such as, 'Thank you for your service to our nation,' 'Fair Winds, Following Seas,' or 'Non sibi sed patriae.' To start the process, send an email to Steve at eodauthor@gmail.com. Cost will be $28.95 plus shipping and handling. Credit cards are processed through Square.

Stephen Phillips and 'The Recipient's Son" on WNAV and at the Mid Store

On Monday, 20 May 2013 at 09:30am, I will join Bill Lusby on WNAV - AM1430 to discuss The Recipient's Son. Afterward I will be at the Mid Store at 11:00am to sign copies. It will be a great way to start Commissioning Week at the U.S. Naval Academy. I hope to see you there!

The Recipient's Son Q&A

I was honored to join a book club for brunch and discuss The Recipient’s Son. After, I began a correspondence with one of the club’s members, continuing our Q&A via email. Jim has agreed to allow me to share this discussion with others who are interested in the book and the writing process.

Jim:  I love chapter 8 (Running), and how the scenes went back and forth, it was like reading a screen play to a movie...brilliantly done!  In fact, your book should be made into a movie!  I love your writing style and your descriptive way of writing.  I remember you saying that you like the person reading your book to get a sense of what is happening in the scene.

Steve: Thanks for your kind words. You are not the first person who suggested that The Recipient’s Son should be a movie or that my writing style implies a screenplay. I like to start a chapter or a new scene with a rich physical description. In The Recipient's Son, I hoped to enable alumni and Annapolitans to reminisce while simultaneously putting those who have never been on the Severn's shores, Naval Academy candidates primarily, into this unique environment so that they enjoy recognition upon arrival. I think this creates that sense that you describe.

Jim: In your book on page 83, you mentioned “Goat Court?”  I have never seen this and/or know where this is? Is it tucked away from the public?  I love how his classmates came out to support Durago here.

Steve: Goat Court is a real place. There are in fact two of them and neither are visible to the public. If you look at a map of Bancroft Hall you will notice that 3rd and 4th wings are shaped like a square. The interior is a court, though it is not intended for normal traffic. There are no doors, only windows that face the court. In the 90's these rooms were normally occupied by plebes and youngsters since second and first class mids would covet rooms that looked outward. It was a common punishment for plebes that committed serious offenses to be sent by an upperclass to march around the court as Simpson did...with the intended response that is described in the book. This is important to note...this event actually happened on more than one occasion to include classmates joining in to draw fire in support their brethren.

Jim:  On page 93, I felt bad for Durago wetting himself but, I love the scene when Washington was twelve years old and thought the Marine was a state trooper. It was very touching, for I can see a young person saying this. Again, I can see this seen on the bus as a flash back in a movie.  When your book does become a movie, make sure you have full control over the screen play or write it and the scenes!

Steve: Jim, I am glad that you picked up on the perspective I sought to create. While there is only one main character- Donald Durago - and perhaps a lead supporting role in Jan…there are other characters in The Recipient’s Son in important roles. Clearly, this includes Master Chief Strong. Midshipmen Second Class Simpson and Washington are two others. To give them depth, I needed to make them a little sympathetic. To do so, I shared some details of their backgrounds. I even contrasted the two. Simpson comes from a military family...yet wants to break from his father's reputation and establish himself. Washington is the opposite...someone with no military background. So, I thought, “How would this guy become interested in the military?” From there I started to build the whole picture...a watershed moment on a bus, nurtured by great books written by former Marines. It actually is not an uncommon story and was fun for me to construct.

The Recipient's Son on blogtalkradio this Sunday!

This Sunday 5:00-6:00pm EDT I will join Navy bloggers CDR Salamander and EagleOne on their program "Midrats" on blogtalkradio to discuss The Recipient's Son. Their program can be found here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/midrats

I previously joined them on Midrats for Episode 40 along with CDR Lippold who was the CO of USS Cole when she was attacked in Aden Harbor. Then, I was able to discuss Proximity. You can listen to that program here: Episode 40.

The Recipient's Son is available as an eBook!

The Recipient's Son is now available as an eBook through Amazon.com for Kindle users and through iTunes for Apple's line of iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Annapolis Area Authors Highlighted in The Capital

 

Theresa Winslow wrote a very nice piece about four Annapolis -area Naval Institute authors to include Claude Berube, author of The Aden Effect, and myself for The Capital. It features in Sunday edition in the Lifestyle section. http://www.capitalgazette.com/lifestyle/

The Recipient's Son - now in stores

The Recipient's Son is now available in brick and mortar stores. It can be found at Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million retailers. If your local store does not have a copy they can easily obtain one for you. Naturally, it is available on line through B&N, BAM! and Amazon websites.

I've had many inquiries as to when the eBook versions will become available. All I can say is "soon." I expect those who prefer Kindle, Nook, and iPad will have a copy by Thanksgiving, maybe Halloween. I will announce their publication here.

I'd also like to share a review from The Galveston Daily News written by Mark Lardas. If you don't mind one or two minor spoilers, check out "Author tells stirring tale of man's maturity."

If you just want Lardas' summary...he kindly wrote, "Sensitively told, 'The Recipient’s Son' is a stirring tale of a young man achieving maturity under trying circumstances."

The Recipient's Son - Coming Soon!

The Recipient's Son will publish on 15 September 2012. That's a little less than two weeks away!

I hope my readers will continue to follow me on this blog, and through the myriad of other social media avenues I employ. Right now you can also follow me on the following:

Twitter: @eodauthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorStephenPhillips

Amazon: amazon.com/author/stephenphillips

I will continue to post about EOD topics for those who are fans of Proximity, and will share my reviews of various books. I also intend to post on subjects relating to the U.S. Naval Academy.

If you are interested in a signed copy of The Recipient's Son, please contact me by sending an email to eodauthor@yahoo.com and we will correspond to make arrangements.

Research When You Write!

I served for a few years as a graduate thesis adviser. During an introductory lecture,  I recommended to my students they pick a topic of which they are knowledgeable. This way they would have a strong foundation to start from.

Writing fiction is similar. There is a common phrase,  "Write what you know." Not every writer follows this rule. For example, I am always impressed with the literary skill, the imagination, of those who write fantasy and science fiction. Thus far,  I am not in this category. My first two novels are on subjects that I know intimately.  

Proximity follows a fictitious version of a  U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) detachment that I served on. The Recipient's Son takes place st the U.S. Naval Academy during the time that I was a midshipman there. The main character is even assigned to the same companies and lives in the same rooms where I dwelled. This is because for me, there are subtleties of living as part of 14th Company that are unique. Describing them served as a touchstone to my experience. It gave me a point to start from.

From that foundation,  it is important to maintain authenticity.This is accomplished through detailed research. For example, in The Recipient 's Son one of the main characters lives on a sailboat. To make sure even the most discerning eye is convinced of the stories realism,  I conducted exhaustive research on the sailboats available during this time frame. I started by looking at common boats of the right size and price. I wanted something that a JAG with a small inheritance could likely afford. After I settled on a Beneteau 43,  I searched for diagrams and photos on the internet.

A second layer of research that is important to the book's accuracy is verifying days and dates. For example, if an author writes that a character went to Mass on June 25, 1989,  it had better be a Sunday!

Finally, it is important to make sure that your writing does not include technology that was not yet available. For example,  I noted to a group of midshipmen in the class of 2012 that when I was a plebe we used an intranet at Navy,  and (at least I) had no knowledge the internet.

So,  do your research...it will make for a much more interesting book and prevent readers from thinking,  " Hey, wait a minute!"

"The Recipient's Son" is available for pre-order.

It is with great pleasure that I announce that The Recipient's Son is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Select one of these links or clik on the amazon.com window below.

Publishing Announcement: The Recipient's Son

 I am pleased to announce that the Naval Institute Press will publish my second novel, The Recipient's Son, in September 2012. It is a novel about the son of a Medal of Honor Recipient who attends the U.S. Naval Academy. I will post updates here, and can be followed on my page on facebook; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Phillips/49005121492