The Xulon Experience: Author Pam Mann

Xulon Press author Pam Mann, who recently published her second book No Mountain Too High, shares with readers the enjoyment she had with both of her publishing experiences with Xulon Press. She discusses the comforting guidance she felt from representatives during the publishing process and how she hopes to encourage others to have their books printed as well, especially with Xulon.

1) How did you come to know Xulon Press and its services?

I found Xulon on online and I did my own research on the company. I liked the way the books looked. I was so green while writing my first book that I hadn’t even thought about publishing, but my husband suggested I started asking around about publishing. Xulon always came into the forefront in conversation. I liked that it was also Christian and self-publishing. I left a message inquiring information and got a call back from Xulon within the day.

I was so impressed speaking with [sales representative] Angelica Garnica, and she was a wealth of information. I had so many questions because I had no idea what the process was for self-publishing. She just kept reassuring me and e-mailed me all the information about the process that my husband and I could look over. Having never published a book before, I just didn’t know what to expect. I spread all the guidelines out, so I could follow them, and found the guidelines perfect to follow, especially for visual people like me.

When I had questions, I was never led to feel inferior. I didn’t feel foolish in asking these questions. I always got a respectful answer and developed a very pleasant, reassuring relationship with the staff of Xulon who all let me know that I was on the right track. Sometimes I would contact Xulon in a panic but the staff was calming, especially Angelica, [Author Services coordinator] Christopher Gonzalez, [Book Sales representative] Jesse Kline and [Author Services representative] Jose Medina, for the past two years. They were all so encouraging that they made the whole experience very pleasant. Xulon’s mission statement, Serving God by Serving You, is very true as I get that feeling that it is authentic and genuine at Xulon.

When I was almost finished with my second book, No Mountain Too High, I called Angelica to see if I could get the same deal as before. I got the same deal, and I can’t say enough good things about the Xulon publishing experience. I never would have thought I would have written a book, let alone two books. Had I not had a good experience with my first book with Xulon, I wouldn’t have felt as motivated to work with Xulon again.

2) Briefly, what are your two books about?

My first book was from a newsletter I wrote for my church entitled Soul Food, made up of a collection of thoughts I had on life. It was just going to be made into a book for my children but my husband, after editing the book, suggested I get it published.

It was three years ago that my granddaughter asked me to write my life story because it had a happy ending. The thought wouldn’t leave me and the more I prayed about it, as well as talked to my husband, the more I realized it was what God wanted me to do. It took me over a year to write my story, with frequent trips to our lake house to write in solitude. It was almost like reading someone else’s story and even though I didn’t have some very good memories (death of first husband and family members), I realized how much God had worked in my life through all of that. It’s an amazing story of God’s grace and how He worked in my life when I wasn’t looking. Even when you feel hopeless, He is there and that is what I want people to come away with from my book.

3) How would you describe each step of the self-publishing process?

It was exciting. I would watch that Author Page daily to see where the book was going, and the e-mails from Xulon staff members were so informative as to what step my book was on. I felt like a kid at Christmas and I shared the publishing journey on facebook so that people could anticipate the book’s arrival as well. I trusted Xulon to choose the cover art for both books and just prayed that it was best, and I’m thrilled by it. Throughout the process, I prayed for each person involved in each step. I loved getting the editorial letter back as it was so uplifting, especially with the suggestions to make the table of contents more professional. To have someone not related to me encourage me about writing my life story just made my heart sing. Each person that I spoke to made the experience pleasant and fun. I don’t have plans to write another book, but if I get famous, I still plan to use Xulon to publish the next book!

4) Were you satisfied with the rate at which your book was published?

Oh yes, I was very satisfied. The first book I wanted out by Christmas so I followed the process to get it by the deadline. If I say I believe the book’s projection to be published by a certain date, then it is up to me to do what I need to do to make it happen. I can’t say anything negative about Xulon at all. I have also had a good response from people who have wanted to buy my book, many who have told me how much my book has touched them. I’m thinking about writing a soup cookbook, after learning how to make soup for the soup ministry that I am a part of in my town.

5) Would you recommend Xulon Press to other authors? What would you tell them when they ask you about self-publishing?

I have told a young woman recently, who is a cancer survivor, to write her story and she wanted to know about my process. I will continue to share with her the experience. My nephew also wants to write a book and has questions about self-publishing. I also have two friends who are publishing through Xulon, both of who I will continue to support. Anybody that approaches me about self-publishing, I will let them know. You just never know how God will use their story to help others, but just be obedient. Xulon made me look professionally in a beginner writer’s world.