Interview with Self-Publisher Josh Cuny

1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?

I have been writing fiction since January 2023. Before that the only writing I did was essays, book reports and research papers in high school and college.

2. What made you decide to write a book?

Midlife crisis ... lol. But really, I have always thought about wanting to write books but didn’t know what to write nor did I have the discipline or focus to do so. I am a lover of the horror genre and wanted to make my contribution to it.

3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?

I had no other choice when I wrote my first book, I sent it to several publishers. Unfortunately, the only publishers that contacted me were vanity publishers who want you to pay $1000, even $2000 up front to publish. Therefore, I decided to self-publish, as it was my only viable option.

4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?

The positives are that it is fairly easy to self-publish, upload your manuscript and cover art and set your price. Also, you have a certain autonomy and independence. The only people you have to answer are your readers. The negatives is depending on who you are self-publishing through, formatting your book in the manner that you want can be a chore. The biggest negative is not

having your book distributed to bookstores worldwide and of course trying to get your books noticed by the public. You can create as many creative posts on social media as you can, but there are a thousand other authors doing the same. It can be difficult to make your work stand out from the rest.

5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?

I wasn’t aware that existed. The way I look at it, if a book is good and people enjoy it, who cares if it was self-published or not.

6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher so far?

Use beta readers and proofread the hell out of your book.

7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?

Have a plan on how you want to market your book and put aside some money so that you can purchase enough author copies of your book to distribute among local bookstores and conventions.

8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their book. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?

Well, people aren’t just going to stumble on your book by accident on Amazon. You do need to promote it somehow. The key is to try to be creative with it and not to overdo it. I try not to post any more than one post promoting my book a week on any given social media platform or special Facebook page/group. I don’t want to come across as overbearing.

9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?

I try to engage with whoever is following me and form some kind of rapport. They will be more likely to purchase your book if they can relate to you. Doing an occasional free book giveaway might, also, be effective. Have these worked, so far ... not really.

10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?

Keep your goals at a minimum

11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?

Yes, as it might be your only option as there are too many gatekeepers in the big publishing companies

12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?

Unfortunately, I don’t think it has, at least not yet. I think the general public has their select few favorite authors and are not willing to venture out of their comfort zone.

ABOUT JOSH:

Josh Cuny was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but has lived in Amarillo, Texas, for almost twenty-one years.

Published Books:

Hangman of Darkness. A horror western story set in post- Civil War Texas. The story has elements of supernatural horror as well as the traditional slasher.

Tales of Castle Vasile. This is an Erotic Vampire Horror story that features seven tales that take place in different countries and different times in history including present day. But all seven tales are all related back to one another.

My author website which includes links to my books and social media platforms is here.