I am fairly new to this group, but I guess a good introduction would be to explain what I have done so far. I also wonder what other members have done... Since 2005 I have been writing professionally, although I have mostly only had poetry and a couple of articles/CD reviews published by regular publisher. I wrote a book about the current day music scene in San Francisco because I could not find such in our local library, and it was a subject that greatly interested me. It was based on 26 interviews with musicians, and publishers turned it down for being unmarketable. Two friends both suggested that I self-publish... From the enjoyment of having an actual book and selling a few copies online, I created 2 more. A poetry collection and my autobiography-which contained much on spiritual philosophy also. I really enjoyed designing my own covers, choosing the font, aligning etc, as well as writing, but my sales figures were not that hot. I thought that the local bookstores and media shunned me because I was self-published, so I became a micro-publisher & cover designer. I hoped that the local media and stores might then take notice of my books. I wrote a short sci-fi collection late last year, and published it, but again without very many sales. Earlier this year i brought out a second poetry collection, included three friends as guest poets, and some B&W pictographics to add appeal, however this does not seem to sell well either. I am on the finishing stages on my next book, Men Making Music! a 2-author collection of eight stories dealing with relationships between male musicians and female fans. This is more mainstream, one local paper are going to run a story on me and my writing, and fingers crossed I can get a review and some sales. The next book I am part way thru writing is of more interest to local readers, as it deals with my life as a 40 year old in the local area, and my career changes, life with a teenage son, etc. So hopefully I will gain a larger readership base. I am wondering where other members are at with their writing?

I just brought out my 8th book.
OUR AUSTRALIAN FEATHERED FRIENDS
If anyone is interested in checking this book out, a FREE preview is available from www.lulu.com/winterbear - the environmentally friendly POD-printing service chosen by Winterbear Publications.
(No push to buy the book, but PLEASE mention it to anybody that you think might be interested, thanks...)

Includes photographs, scientific facts, & personal observation-stories on the local Illawarra birds.