Self-Publisher Interview with Chisto Healy

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

It’s had some down moments but overall it has been an amazing ride. This is what I always wanted to do since I was a child so just being able to do it at all is a dream. I’ve met some incredible people, been part of some wonderful charities that I hope actually made a difference for someone, and most of all, just got to be me and do what I love. What’s better than that?

2. What made you decide to write a book?

I decided I was going to write a book when I was nine. LOL I read my first adult book and decided, I’m going to do that. There were many written that never saw the light of day, and many more to come. My first, that only exists on paper, I want to type up and release some day. That would be really cool for the thing I wrote as a teenager to make it out there finally.

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

I did the traditional thing to start. I sent out stories and full manuscripts with self-addressed stamped envelopes and waited a year for a rejection letter to arrive so I could send it out again. I sent stuff to agents who told me they read my book in one sitting and loved it but wasn’t sure how to sell it because it was cross-genre. I ultimately self-published an autobiographical book mainly just because I wanted the catharsis of putting it out and then it got attention and was nominated for an award and I realized the benefit of doing things yourself. I still work with small press publishers when I can because they can put money into things that I can’t and provide resources I can’t, but I also believe in self-publishing and it’s the reason I put out 16 books last year.

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

It’s been great. I have not seen any negatives to it. I’ve gotten together with two of the best cover artists out there, Ruth Anna Evans and Christy Aldridge, both of which are also incredible writers themselves, and I’ve had some loyal readers who keep coming back and renewing my confidence, some reviewers I know I can count on. I’ve made friendships with other writers and collaborated on things. Monetarily it hasn’t been fantastic but it’s slowly getting better and I believe it will reach a point where I can do it for a living and that’s all I want.

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

I don’t think that is really a thing anymore like it used to be. The only complaint I ever hear is about poor-editing and that’s understandable. I do try my best to make sure that isn’t an issue with me and there have been times where I have even gone back to fix things multiple times after the book has been published just to try to maintain a certain level of quality. Are my books perfect? Of course not, but as an avid reader, I can tell you that no one’s are. Every big guy traditionally published book I’ve ever read, I’ve found at least two typos in. As long as it’s not enough to take away from the book or overwhelm the reader, you’re good.

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

One thing is like I said above, to take the frustrating time to focus on the tedious task of rigorous editing. Another, is to network. Be kind. Kindness goes a long way. Take your punches when they come because they will. When you handle things badly, learn from it and remember that your name is your brand and your products are only as good as you are as a human.

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

That it’s so possible and readily available. I would have had a hundred books out by now if I had started sooner.

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?

It’s definitely necessary. It’s part of the game. There’s no one else to do it for you and you made that decision by choosing this path, like it or not. Trust me. I hate it. I’m no good at it. I have severe ADHD. I’m dumb with computers and I get confused and frustrated. I wish I could afford to hire someone for that stuff but it’s definitely not an option at this point so I have to choke it down and put myself out there. There’s simply no other way. I do know that you can’t spam yourself though. You have to have tact. If you oversaturate, you’ll have the opposite effect on people.

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

I have learned that Instagram is an invaluable resource. I’ve made so many good connections there. Threads is coming along nicely too. Facebook is the original and still good. I’ve seen so much come from TikTok but I’m not really good at that yet. hashtag goals.

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

I feel like I’ve answered this question on other questions and I don’t want to be redundant. I’m sorry. Let’s go with how important a good cover is. Rushing it out with a subpar cover will just tank your book. Take the time and spend the money and get a cover worthy of your book.

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

Absolutely. If this is something you want, get out there and do it. Just know that it’s a big venture. It’s going to take a ton of time and effort and money and it definitely won’t be easy.

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

Well, that’s the beauty of it. There are so many of us that would never be published or read if it wasn’t for small press of self-publishing. It’s a tight business and they are focused on numbers. The market is constantly changing and the big publishers and the agents that sell to them are looking for things that fit only the current trends. There’s so much brilliance that ends up in the slush pile by just not being the right theme at the right moment. Now we can bypass that and see what our story is made of and you never know… it just might be gold.

ABOUT CHISTO:

Chisto has been writing since age 9. He self-published a few books over the years but only seriously tried to make something out of writing in 2020 when the pandemic hit. In the past few years, he’s had 300 stories published in anthologies and magazines, websites, and collections. He’s got 20 novellas/novels out there and isn’t looking back. He lives in North Carolina with his partner, amazingly talented kids, and plethora of adorable pets. He loves hearing from readers and writers alike so feel free to reach out. You can find him on almost every social media platform simply under his name or email him directly at chistohealy33@gmail.com