My book

[Ken Corbett]

Oh, did I tell you I published my book? Yeah, it's called My Secret River, and it has all my paddling poetry in it, as well as canoe trip stories, pictures and campfire tales from my years spent canoeing the rivers of New Brunswick, my province in Canada.

I published it myself, after two separate publishers gave me the runaround and cost me a year or more.

I printed only 100 copies, and gave many of them to friends, contributors and family. I hope to sell enough of the rest to come near breaking even. Sooner or later I'll find a publisher, but there are so few people who live in my province that there's not a great market for a locally-based book.

It's great fun, and makes me feel good, even though it's self-published. Keeps me busy.

If anyone has a similar experience to share, or would like to benefit from mine, I'd be pleased to trade info....

Ken

[Elle Rush]

Congratulations! Self-publishing is no small feat, either.
I know all about getting the run-around.... and then there are some that are pleasant & easy to work with.
Writing is a fickle thing, for most of us write for ourselves, with little thought about the market such writing would be viable in. I like this writing best, for it is for the purest of reasons, love of expression. Just as I prefer the musicians that are in music for the love of music itself, not for the chart-topping pop single that could sell a lot of cd's.
Let us know, also, where to go to see or order your book. Was it you that sent me awhile back a compilation of various writers' poetry, I thought you had a publish in that book? I have a few of my own published in compilations on different topics. I submit more to groups and organizations that publish newsletters and such than anything.

[Ken Corbett]

Hi, Elle.

You can actually read what's in my book for free if you go to www.nanookofthenashwaak.com. The book is a written version of my website, as it looked a year ago, and it has different photos in black and white. Color publishing is expensive.

It's an option for those people who prefer something they can hold in their hands and read, plus I autograph each copy I sell personally. You can actually order a copy from an on-line publisher I link to on bottom right of my start page, but no one has ordered it yet. I can't autograph those, unfortunately. It's just a gig to keep me active, I don't expect to make my fortune on it.

I don't have anything else published ... oh wait, there is a compilation of canoe poems which two other paddlers and I put together as charity to benefit the Canadian Canoe Museum. I don't get any royalties, didn't expect any.

No, it couldn't have been me who sent you a list.

Ken

[Elle Rush]

Ken,
I couldn't remember..... I do now, it was Tom... from way back in the PP days..... his writings are nature oriented, as well, which is why I got confused. I certainly understand youir reasons for self-publishing, I think it's great!