Vanity Presses Abound...

I must confess that I was convinced working with the publishing industry would be fairly simple and straightforward. So many authors have done so with far less quality and far more success than should have been allowed. Writing about OZ seemed elementary given my background and first-hand knowledge of that wonderful land.
It would seem though that this is the wrong time to be a new author. The economic climate currently at hand has given rise to a fear among agents and publishers as to the market and what it will support. No longer do they challenge the world to read quality work or are willing to take any risk whatsoever. A climate of fear now underlies everything these agents and publishers do or say. No one is willing to recognize a great story and bring it to the children of the world.
I do understand their concerns but as I am under orders from Princess Ozma, I must soldier on and do my best.
I looked at Vanity Presses and found them lacking. Vanity presses such as Authorhouse, BookSurge, Dorrance Publishing, iUniverse, Outskirts or Xlibris require authors to purchase services in order to publish. They speak of marketing and publicity, blah, blah, blah... It's entertaining to listen to their pitches, trying to convince me that their services are better than traditional publishers or that they can do what others cannot. For them, its all about money, which is a concept Princess Ozma and the Land of OZ does not share.
I have found that a small place called Lulu Press offers what Ozma has requested, the opportunity to tell the story of her Royal Magician, Jamie Diggs. I have chosen to work with Lulu Press. As of now, I am looking at an early May release. Perhaps on May 5, which happens to be the anniversary of L. Frank Baum's passing, as well as my birthday. I believe this is why Ozma chose me to bring her story to the Outside World.
Soon, MAGICIAN OF OZ will grace the bookshelves of children everywhere. Later this year, SHADOW DEMON OF OZ will will follow the ongoing adventures of Jamie Diggs, great grandson of the Wizard of OZ and the new Royal Magician of OZ.

Long Live OZ!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma