Gail Mewes, Mentor
I had a chance to interview a fellow author and someone that got me started in the self-publishing industry on Amazon. Her name is Gail Mewes and without understanding Amazon with its key words and categories, I would have probably just given up. Her guidance is the reason I am here today and I would like to let her tell you a little about herself. She was so helpful when I took her self-publishing classes and if you needed someone to show you the ropes of this difficult venture, she is the right choice.
Q: “Gail, I’d like you to tell my readers a little bit about your background, if you don’t mind.”
A: “My first job in writing was as a copywriter for the Lyn Lockhart Advertising Agency. That was long before computers. It was exciting, but very low pay and job security was non-existent. When that job ended, I was in the mood for adventure so I joined the Air National Guard, where I got my first taste of computers and I LOVED them. Over the next years I worked as a designer for major corporations (Boeing, GE, Merck Pharmaceuticals) on military-related contracts. As a side hustle, I wrote and performed in commercials for local radio and tv stations. Later, when self-publishing became a “thing”, it was a natural transition for me to create eBooks, paperbacks and audio for sale on Amazon. Gradually, I developed a teaching program so I could teach others how to self-publish.”
Q: “I know you have written some books. Could you tell me their titles and give my readers some links to purchase those books?”
A: “A few of my favorites are:
*Tips and Tricks For Boomer Chicks is a humor paperback/eBook that teaches baby boomer women how to survive the new millennium (and the millennials that come with it). I did all of the cartoon work, cover and writing.”
www.amazon.com/dp/1505414423/
*Mary Christmas, The Story of Mrs. Claus’s Secret Christmas Eve Flight www.amazon.com/dp/B00AAR21AU/
I have also ghost-written and illustrated several books for other authors including my latest: *Annie’s First Christmas Coloring Book
www.amazon.com/dp/B08P3JTPT5/
Q: “Once, we were working on my formatting and I saw you had different microphones in the office area. You told me you did voice overs and audible recordings. Is that something you still do?”
A: “Yes, as a matter of fact, I will be focusing on creating audible books and YouTube books a lot more in the coming year. It’s the wave of the future, especially due to the Covid-19 lockdowns.”
Q: “Who are some of your favorite authors you enjoy reading?”
A: I truly like the classics, like Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, I also like Stephen King’s work and anything from J. K. Rowling.”
Q: “What advice would you give to authors just getting started?”
A: “Write, write, write! Get Grammarly! Watch as many YouTube tutorials on self-publishing as possible to learn the skill. Lastly, watch out for censorship. It’s a real thing and it’s coming to a neighborhood near you. Find several venues for your book’s sales/publishing. One of my main self-publishing venues censored/blocked one of my books last year because it was in the voice of my Confederate gr-gr-great grandfather who insisted that the South fought for states’ rights (he, himself, was a poor farmer). Never mind that I also have a gr-gr-great grandfather who fought for the Union! I’m sure that book would get through the process without a hitch.”
Q: “How long did you teach self-publishing and do you want to continue to do that?”
A: “Frankly, although I love to teach, I have gotten a little burned out over the past year. Going forward, I really want to concentrate more on my own work. However, I am thinking about creating a series of YouTube videos about self-publishing later on.”
Q: “What’s next for you, Gail?”
A: “Two important things!”
“First, early in 2021, I will be releasing my new book, ‘A Witch’s Chronical’. It’s a fact-based dramatic account of my 10th-great grandmother, who was persecuted in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. It begins in 17th century England and follows her through her immigration to the New World, her friendship with Native Americans and, ultimately, her being arrested for witchcraft. I am especially eager to release this book, as it is one of my personal legacy books!”
“Secondly, I am creating a legacy website where people can go to build (and publish!) a book about their ancestors. I have had this project formulating in my brain for several years, but after rioters destroyed and desecrated several of our precious monuments and veterans‟ gravestones all over the USA, I began seriously thinking about ways we could honor our ancestors, keep their memories safe, and make them available to generations to come. Each legacy book will have an ISBN number and copyright and will remain on file at the Library of Congress forever (or as long as America remains, anyway)
“Look for a special announcement
about both on my Facebook page
soon:”
https://www.facebook.com/Gail
HMewes/
Q: “What sites, links, and contact information can you give our readers? Web site, Facebook, Twitter, or wherever else readers can learn more about you?”
A: “I strongly recommend using Grammarly or similar editing/spelling software, a good drawing/illustration program (again, learn it!), join clubs and organizations in your niche, and join writers’ groups.”
Q: “What one piece of important information or advice did someone give you in the past and you would like to share with my readers?”
A: “Get tough! You WILL get an occasional bad review. It’s inevitable, and it might not even have a thing to do with your work...someone might simply be having a bad day. Take whatever positive thing you can get from a bad review and then let it roll off your back.”
Always...always...write things that you and your descendants will be proud of. Everything else, use a pseudonym. :)
Gail E. Mewes
There you have a small snapshot of my friend, Gail. She was my first teacher in the self-publishing industry and she was very instrumental in my development when I was getting started. Since I was an educator for thirty-four years, I know that it takes patience when working with your students. I asked a lot of questions and her patience with me was always on display. When it seemed like I might be asking an obvious question, she would just explain it one more time. She would give me tips and lead me into better keyword development. She introduced me to better writing programs and research methods. I never felt like she thought my questioning was burdensome and she took an active interest in all of her student’s work. I am very interested in the nature of Gail’s upcoming works. If I know her, she will be a one hundred percenter in everything she does.
I have to say I am very thankful for the start she gave me and I could never possibly do justice for all the insight she gave me by just this interview piece. Gail, just let me say, that without your help to a struggling beginner, I might have quit doing this very early. The many pieces that go with writing has been eye-opening for sure. So, I am very grateful to her for all the information and knowledge she gave to me. I wish her the best of luck in all that she attempts and if I know her, there is no doubt she will be successful.