FROM JENNIFER GARLEN'S BLOG:
Monday, September 24, 2012
Published by Westview
Many of my friends and academic colleagues are writers of one sort or another, so I want to make a point of recommending the publisher I used for Beyond Casablanca: 100 Classic Movies Worth Watching. I chose Published by Westview because my friend, Jeff Thompson, suggested them to me, and I have been really happy with that decision.
I have previously published with McFarland and have also worked with Sterling Publishing and Race Point Publishing, so I do have some experience with the process. I pitched Beyond Casablanca to a few small, traditional publishers, but the niche topic did not arouse much interest, and I realized that my project could gather dust for years while I hunted for a company that would take a chance on it. I certainly had enough faith in my book to invest what Westview charges for their services, and I think that the final product is just as nice as the books I have worked on with McFarland and the other publishers. I had the opportunity to choose from a variety of attractive cover designs, and I was able to make changes and corrections several times to get the book just right. The time from start to finish was very fast, and the book was on Amazon and Barnes & Noble before I even got my author copies in the mail!
I should especially mention the hard work and constant feedback from Mary Catherine Nelson, who frequently worked nights and weekends to keep the process moving forward as quickly as possible. She made me feel that my book was as important to her as it is to me, and that gave me great confidence in her desire to create a quality product.
If you are looking for a publisher for your book, I would absolutely recommend Published by Westview. Tell them I sent you!
By the way, you'll find all of my books that are currently in print on my Author Page on Amazon.com. The Wider Worlds of Jim Henson is due out from McFarland in January 2013, and I will update the page as my other projects become available.
More Praises for Published by Westview, Inc.
Dear Mary Catharine:
The Ladies of Centennial Club went 'round and 'round with their history book for about six years. Then they met you. The book was on the shelf within weeks of that fateful meeting.
You are not a miracle worker. Rather, you are a professional publisher with a captivating charm; you put a simple spin on details that befuddle us wannabe editors. You are a patient expert - the very best kind of person to deal with when you're way out of your league.
Thank you, thank you.
Spending the summer with you was not my first choice, but in retrospect I know the time could not have been better spent. I am proud of our accomplishment, and indebted to you for making it a possibility. Maybe you ARE a miracle worker!
I miss seeing you and talking with you. When I recoup some of my time, I plan to dream up another project involving you. We had too much fun!
Most sincerely, Gardner O. Smith, editor of The Centennial Club of Nashville, 1977-2011
Working with Published by Westview, Inc., has been a truly wonderful experience! From my first tentative email query to the delivery of my wonderful first book, it has been a joy to work with and to learn from the incredibly talented team of Mary Catharine Nelson and Paula Underwood. Having one's book turn from a Word document into a beautifully bound creation is no easy feat, but these ladies held my hand every step of the way and I could not be any more happy with the finished product. Thanks!
Ginger Manley, editor Gotcha Covered: A Legacy of Service and Protection
In case anyone ever asks you why they should select Westview as their publisher-of-choice, over a plethora of publishers vying for their business, please relay the following - based on my experience. When you select a publisher you will usually receive a multi-digit client number to use whenever contacting said publisher. This is only after you pay their up-front publishing fee. At Westview you will receive a single-digit number even before you pay any fee. That number will be #1 - and you will continue to be #1 during the entire publishing process. To be a client of Published by Westview is, in my opinion, a privilege.
Sincerely, Recently Published Author Russ Vahlbusch, author of Don't Give Up-Give Back: Remembering Pat Heenan
And from Russ's son:
I want to add my voice to his in praising you for utterly superb customer service. You not only took fine care of every detail, and answered every question, you did so with wit, and you showed in every communication that you valued both him and his project.
Jefford Vahlbusch, Ph.D., Associate Professor of German, Director, University Honors Program University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
I really can't thank you enough for your kindness, helpfulness, and expertise. I do feel you have gone over and beyond the call of duty. Forever grateful,
Linda F. Bass, author of Twilight Reflections
"Thank you for all your help in publishing my first book as I stumbled through the process. Both of you have worked endlessly and patiently with me and my manuscript until we have a finished product. Again, thank you so much for your help and going beyond the call of duty to reach my goal. Opportunities are opening now for me to present the book to churches and bookstores. I will be in touch but just wanted to let you know how grateful I was for your help!
Jim Rawlins, Author of The Kingdom Yesterday, Today and Forever
Westview Publishing was an answer to a 20-year hope. In 1984, a publisher needed to be found for my daughter's legacy. Finally in August 2004 I put my hand on Westview News, one of Nashville's community newspapers. I'd never seen it. That very issue announced that Westview was adding book publishing that anyone could afford.
From my first call, there was a warm and personal response. An editor was excited about my manuscript, gave helpful critique, spent hours to make sure I'd be happy with the results. We waded through tons of pictures which he scanned and cropped; then designed the cover in the most perfect way to accent my book. Westview didn't stop with the book's publication. They did the work of registering it with the Library of Congress, sent review copies for advertisement, set up wonderful book signing events, and gave me beautiful postcards and bookmarks with the cover picture.
I am honored to recommend Westview Publishing to every author who wants their books in print without spending a mint. You will receive great service.
Phyllis Jean Flowers, Compiler of A Blur of Mass Motion by Erin Flowers
Thank you for helping make a dream come true.
Una Marie Alderman, Author of INTEGRITY: A Military Perspective
My wife and I had worked on my book for almost two years and were about ready to have it published. We had gotten several estimates from a variety of publishers around the country. We found them to be a little slow about answering our mail and their prices seemed to be a little out of our range with our retirement income. We had lots of questions that could not be immediately answered because of the slow pace of communication in the mail system.
Our daughter, an avid Westview Newspaper reader, brought us a copy that had an ad for their newly established publishing company. We contacted immediately … We could hardly believe that we had found a local, hands on publisher that would be available to promptly answer all our questions . It was published right on time as promised, at a price we could afford.
I would recommend the Westview Publishers to anyone who is looking for a first class book at an affordable price.
Jack Stone, Author of Pastor Jack's Real Life and Conflicts
Westview Publishing Co. published my book in the fall of 2003 at the request of Sid Millson, my son-in-law. There was a book signing at Bellevue Mall which was so well done and such a nice experience for me. Westview Publishing Co was so kind and helpful to both Sid and me, the author, in the publishing and marketing of my book. It has been such a pleasant experience working with them. I would highly recommend Westview Publishing Co. for anyone interested in having a book published.
Lois Everly, Author of Two Furnished Rooms and a Little Back Porch
I was very pleased and satisfied to have my book, Nashville Nostalgia, published by Westview Publishing, Inc. in Nashville. I found the company to be quite efficient. Their personnel worked with me tending to small details, taking pains in formulating a nice book cover, placing pictures artistically, allowing me to proof read the copy, and producing what I feel is a very nice product.
E.D. Thompson, Author of Nashville Nostalgia
"When I was searching for a publisher for a genealogy, I spoke with many national publishing companies. The minimum order with one of those companies was fifty books. Most genealogies are self-published with the author paying all the costs. The average estimate that I received was $2000, a big investment for a first time author with a limited projected audience.
Westview Publishing was a great solution. Not only did they help with formatting and text preparation; they also advertised and provided a means to distribute the book. All this was accomplished very quickly and at about a third of the cost compared to the other companies.
What made the service even more enticing was the print on demand ability. No more having a stack of books in my office that I had to mail out with each order. The orders were placed through Westview Publishing's online service and shipped as they were printed. Not only was I satisfied; the customer got their book within a week or two. I’m so satisfied that I’m currently working on a second edition and a new genealogy to be published at Westview Publishing.
Merry Anne Pierson, Author of The Descendants of Lawrence Pearson
The book looks terrific! Thanks to you and Westview Publishing for bringing it to life.
Maurice R. Fliess, Author of Love Letters
Dear Mary Catharine:
The Ladies of Centennial Club went 'round and 'round with their history book for about six years. Then they met you. The book was on the shelf within weeks of that fateful meeting.
You are not a miracle worker. Rather, you are a professional publisher with a captivating charm; you put a simple spin on details that befuddle us wannabe editors. You are a patient expert - the very best kind of person to deal with when you're way out of your league.
Thank you, thank you.
Spending the summer with you was not my first choice, but in retrospect I know the time could not have been better spent. I am proud of our accomplishment, and indebted to you for making it a possibility. Maybe you ARE a miracle worker!
I miss seeing you and talking with you. When I recoup some of my time, I plan to dream up another project involving you. We had too much fun!
Most sincerely, Gardner O. Smith, editor of The Centennial Club of Nashville, 1977-2011
Working with Published by Westview, Inc., has been a truly wonderful experience! From my first tentative email query to the delivery of my wonderful first book, it has been a joy to work with and to learn from the incredibly talented team of Mary Catharine Nelson and Paula Underwood. Having one's book turn from a Word document into a beautifully bound creation is no easy feat, but these ladies held my hand every step of the way and I could not be any more happy with the finished product. Thanks!
Ginger Manley, editor Gotcha Covered: A Legacy of Service and Protection
In case anyone ever asks you why they should select Westview as their publisher-of-choice, over a plethora of publishers vying for their business, please relay the following - based on my experience. When you select a publisher you will usually receive a multi-digit client number to use whenever contacting said publisher. This is only after you pay their up-front publishing fee. At Westview you will receive a single-digit number even before you pay any fee. That number will be #1 - and you will continue to be #1 during the entire publishing process. To be a client of Published by Westview is, in my opinion, a privilege.
Sincerely, Recently Published Author Russ Vahlbusch, author of Don't Give Up-Give Back: Remembering Pat Heenan
And from Russ's son:
I want to add my voice to his in praising you for utterly superb customer service. You not only took fine care of every detail, and answered every question, you did so with wit, and you showed in every communication that you valued both him and his project.
Jefford Vahlbusch, Ph.D., Associate Professor of German, Director, University Honors Program University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
I really can't thank you enough for your kindness, helpfulness, and expertise. I do feel you have gone over and beyond the call of duty. Forever grateful,
Linda F. Bass, author of Twilight Reflections
"Thank you for all your help in publishing my first book as I stumbled through the process. Both of you have worked endlessly and patiently with me and my manuscript until we have a finished product. Again, thank you so much for your help and going beyond the call of duty to reach my goal. Opportunities are opening now for me to present the book to churches and bookstores. I will be in touch but just wanted to let you know how grateful I was for your help!
Jim Rawlins, Author of The Kingdom Yesterday, Today and Forever
Westview Publishing was an answer to a 20-year hope. In 1984, a publisher needed to be found for my daughter's legacy. Finally in August 2004 I put my hand on Westview News, one of Nashville's community newspapers. I'd never seen it. That very issue announced that Westview was adding book publishing that anyone could afford.
From my first call, there was a warm and personal response. An editor was excited about my manuscript, gave helpful critique, spent hours to make sure I'd be happy with the results. We waded through tons of pictures which he scanned and cropped; then designed the cover in the most perfect way to accent my book. Westview didn't stop with the book's publication. They did the work of registering it with the Library of Congress, sent review copies for advertisement, set up wonderful book signing events, and gave me beautiful postcards and bookmarks with the cover picture.
I am honored to recommend Westview Publishing to every author who wants their books in print without spending a mint. You will receive great service.
Phyllis Jean Flowers, Compiler of A Blur of Mass Motion by Erin Flowers
Thank you for helping make a dream come true.
Una Marie Alderman, Author of INTEGRITY: A Military Perspective
My wife and I had worked on my book for almost two years and were about ready to have it published. We had gotten several estimates from a variety of publishers around the country. We found them to be a little slow about answering our mail and their prices seemed to be a little out of our range with our retirement income. We had lots of questions that could not be immediately answered because of the slow pace of communication in the mail system.
Our daughter, an avid Westview Newspaper reader, brought us a copy that had an ad for their newly established publishing company. We contacted immediately … We could hardly believe that we had found a local, hands on publisher that would be available to promptly answer all our questions . It was published right on time as promised, at a price we could afford.
I would recommend the Westview Publishers to anyone who is looking for a first class book at an affordable price.
Jack Stone, Author of Pastor Jack's Real Life and Conflicts
Westview Publishing Co. published my book in the fall of 2003 at the request of Sid Millson, my son-in-law. There was a book signing at Bellevue Mall which was so well done and such a nice experience for me. Westview Publishing Co was so kind and helpful to both Sid and me, the author, in the publishing and marketing of my book. It has been such a pleasant experience working with them. I would highly recommend Westview Publishing Co. for anyone interested in having a book published.
Lois Everly, Author of Two Furnished Rooms and a Little Back Porch
I was very pleased and satisfied to have my book, Nashville Nostalgia, published by Westview Publishing, Inc. in Nashville. I found the company to be quite efficient. Their personnel worked with me tending to small details, taking pains in formulating a nice book cover, placing pictures artistically, allowing me to proof read the copy, and producing what I feel is a very nice product.
E.D. Thompson, Author of Nashville Nostalgia
"When I was searching for a publisher for a genealogy, I spoke with many national publishing companies. The minimum order with one of those companies was fifty books. Most genealogies are self-published with the author paying all the costs. The average estimate that I received was $2000, a big investment for a first time author with a limited projected audience.
Westview Publishing was a great solution. Not only did they help with formatting and text preparation; they also advertised and provided a means to distribute the book. All this was accomplished very quickly and at about a third of the cost compared to the other companies.
What made the service even more enticing was the print on demand ability. No more having a stack of books in my office that I had to mail out with each order. The orders were placed through Westview Publishing's online service and shipped as they were printed. Not only was I satisfied; the customer got their book within a week or two. I’m so satisfied that I’m currently working on a second edition and a new genealogy to be published at Westview Publishing.
Merry Anne Pierson, Author of The Descendants of Lawrence Pearson
The book looks terrific! Thanks to you and Westview Publishing for bringing it to life.
Maurice R. Fliess, Author of Love Letters