MY PUBLISHING JOURNEY: Paul Greer

Have you ever wondered how authors get their start?

How do they get agents?

How do they get published?

Is it luck? Talent? Drive?

This segment is an attempt to answer the one question: How did your book become a book?

Today's Featured Author:

PAUL GREER

Paul Greer's Website

Author of

Going the Distance

When you started this journey, how many queries did you send? Or how long did it take you to find Acorn?

I did contact two other publishing companies, and it took me about a couple of weeks later before I found Acorn.

What made you decide to publish through Acorn Publishing?

After speaking with one of the owners, Holly, and learning that the author takes home 70% of sales, these two factors were the deciding factor in working with Acorn Publishing.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey?

I have enjoyed learning about the publishing world and everything from writing my book to spending extensive time editing to the book being published; it has been a rewarding experience.

Was there anything about the process you didn't expect?

Yes, I learned that publishing books is a business, and it's like going into a business yourself. Marketing is such a big part of the process, and spending money on marketing efforts to the actual sales of the book has been surprising. It's been very challenging.

Did you hit any snags along the way, and if so, how did you overcome them?

Yes, and it was to do with marketing and the use of my Meta business Facebook page so I can have an advertisement campaign. Facebook locked me out, and it took a very long time before I could gain access to my business Meta page and have an ads campaign for my new book.

After publication, what marketing tactics worked best for you?

I used a variety of marketing tactics that included doing a couple of podcasts and was able to promote my book on television channels KUSI and NBC. I did a number of Amazon ads and was eventually able to access my Meta Facebook business page where an ad campaign was created. I sold my book at bookstores, book fairs, and was a guest speaker for a couple of colleges and high schools along with presenting at a couple of running clubs where I sold books in person. A featured article was written in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper where it promoted my book too. Finally, I had a book release party at the Kona Kai Resort and Spa where I sold over 300 books at my book release party. Holly attended.

Looking back, what lessons have you learned?

I learned what a rewarding experience it is and how much a big deal people express when learning I wrote a new book. I learned it's very difficult to make a lot of money publishing a book and that it's perseverance in this industry; if you do make money, it takes a while.

If you could go back in time, what's one thing you would tell your earlier self about publishing?

It's difficult to make up your investment but always persevere. Writing is like being a long-distance runner, and one needs to stay consistent both on writing every day and then after publishing, the marketing efforts you make moving forward.

Any advice for aspiring authors just starting to explore writing?

A great writer is a heavy reader, so you only get better in writing if you read more. Furthermore, write every day and not worry about editing, but just write on paper. During the early process of writing, avoid using a computer.

Any advice for those about to begin the search for a publisher or an agent?

Talk to several publishing companies before deciding to use the one that will publish your book and submit your manuscript to every one of them.

Are you currently working on any new projects? What are your goals moving forward?

I am writing a memoir of my life experiences and thus far have written 130 pages chronicling my life and lessons learned from these life experiences that I have had over the course of 60 years.

What are a few of your favorite books?

John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Another favorite is Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, and finally F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which is considered the ultimate complete novel.

What was it like seeing your published book for the first time?

It's such a rewarding experience and definitely fulfilled a lifetime bucket list for me. I received a lot of notoriety within the fitness/running discipline as a result of publishing a book for the first time.

Going the Distance

Mankind has been running for centuries. In prehistoric times, we ran for survival. In today’s modern world, we run for fitness, competition, and achievement.

Coach Paul Greer has had an illustrious career as both a runner and a coach; he has run the mile in under four minutes, was a 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, and competed in the European track circuit as a post collegian. Paul serves as the Coach/Team Leader for two International Cross Country Running teams for the United States, and in 2016 he was selected to be the Men’s Coach for Team USA’s Senior and Junior teams at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country Championships. He understands that every athlete has a story, and enjoys giving encouragement every step of the way, from the first stride in a pair of running shoes, to the celebrated finish line.

Going the Distance with Coach Paul is a guide to transform how you think about your training, equip you with knowledge to elevate your running to the next level, and help you reach your full athletic capability. These running and fitness strategies cater to runners of all ages and abilities and will undoubtedly help you to reach your full potential and achieve your fitness goals.

About the author

Paul Greer has been a professor in Health and Exercise Science at San Diego City College for the past 33 years, with a master's degree in Kinesiology from Azusa Pacific University. Well-known amongst the San Diego running community, Paul has coached thousands of athletes in endurance sports, including mid-distance track athletes, marathon runners, Ironman triathletes, and various endurance sport enthusiasts. His athletes include hundreds of Boston marathon qualifiers, several top age-group competitors, and a handful of Olympic athletes.