Why a turn to Independent Publishing?
My first book was published in 1999 by a local, independent press here in Norway. I’d been working closely with a well-known novelist and poet—translating his life’s works. When I told him I dreamt of being a professional writer, he seemed genuinely puzzled. He looked me in the eye and said, “Then why don’t you do it?”
I didn’t feel flattered. I felt ashamed for being all talk and no writing.
When I finished my first manuscript a year later, he put a good word in with his publisher. So, yes, my first collection was published because of who I knew.
I went on to publish four more books with Wigestrand Publishers1. I worked with a gifted translator who did a wonderful job sifting through idioms and cultural references. Our books were reviewed in national newspapers, and sent to libraries around the country.
My work was vetted, and I was accepted into the union. It felt good.
But I’ve always wanted readers “back home”2. I wanted readers who shared my mother tongue—who’d been to Disneyland or a Bluegrass BBQ.
And to that recurring wish, the response in my head has always been, “Then why don’t you make it happen?”
If you’re reading this, you’re probably aware that small publishers in North America rely on authors to take part in marketing events and book tours. Most of them won’t—can’t consider manuscripts from writers living abroad.
This is why I decided to publish with the imprint Mad Orphan Lit.3
I trust that the reader’s discernment is the only form of gatekeeping a writer really needs.
I hope you’ll support Indie Publishing—mine, or other writers’ tiny ventures.
Some famous authors who self-published:
Beatrix Potter, Margaret Atwood, Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain, Stephen King, Gertrude Stein, D.H. Lawrence, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake…
And I may very well submit manuscripts to them in the future.
The hardback books are prohibitively expensive for readers abroad. 60 USD and half the book is in Norwegian.
Mad Orphan Lit. has been my publishing, translating, and workshop/mentoring company, registered as a legal entity in Norway since the 90s. The books will use POD technology.