About Us
Good Ground is a product of necessity. We all have a story to tell, and sometimes we just need a little help telling it well.
In 2013, I was working a full-time job and editing part-time for magazines and independent authors. I had, also, just finished my first novel, “Candace Reign” and was shopping it around for a publisher. After about 6 weeks, I had ZERO bites. So, I decided to self-publish. I learned the ropes of the business, all the ins and outs. I got my cover designed, did my own layout and ordered 2000 copies of my book from an outside printer and was ready to roll. I had a marketing strategy, a vision and there was no stopping me. That is, until I got the call from the acquisitions editor at Strebor Books, Zane’s publishing company, a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster. They were interested in my novel, which was awesome but I was three weeks away from my release date.
I remember laying on my floor, talking to the editor, perplexed. She told me that the choice was mine. I could stay my present course or I could sign with them but there was no guarantee if I self-published and didn’t do well, they’d still be interested in my manuscript. We got into a great conversation about books and my bigger vision for my writing career and she asked about my upcoming projects. I told her about the sequel to “Candace Reign” and she offered me a two-book deal right on the spot. Needless to say, I took the deal and haven’t looked back since.
I tell you my story, not to toot my own horn but to get rid of the idea that signing with a major means your writing life it going to be smooth sailing after that. Not a chance. I learned that even with a major backing me, I still had to get out and pound the payment. My book was going to be distributed worldwide but that didn’t mean everyone was going to read it. Taking all that I’d learned from self-publishing, I drove a serious campaign for my book. I think I drove my publicist at Simon & Schuster crazy, but I knew I had to work hard for my vision, harder than the major, harder than anyone else. That drive is what pushed my book out into people’s faces so much so that I completlely sold out of my first print and before my book even hit the stores, it had gone into its third edition. “Candace Reign” was immediately placed on Simon & Schuster’s Best-sellers list.
I take this lesson with me in my vision for Good Ground. Hard work. Deliberate and skillful effort to help authors get their books out to anxious readers, and not just any books, but good books. Here at Good Ground, we strive for excellence and with more than 13 years editing experience, we ensure nothing slips through the cracks. We’ve designed a system to empower self-publishing authors to put out the best content possible. The world needs your story and we are here to help you tell it.
We work with writers to define their goals and stay, side-by-side, with you every step of the way. From idea to printed and bound manuscript, Good Ground partners with our clients to see their vision through to the end.
If you’ve been kicking around the idea of writing a book for the last few years or so, stop procrastinating and sign up to work with one of our coaches today. We’ve got the talent and the tools to get it done.