Sam Torode creates books that entertain, inform, and inspire. He’s the author of a bestselling humorous novel, The Dirty Parts of the Bible – now a graphic novel – and , including Living from the Soul, Secrets of the Mind, The Manual, and The Meditations.
Tell us about your book.
It’s a rollicking adventure across Depression-era America. Tobias Henry, a Baptist preacher’s son, must travel from Michigan to Texas to recover a long-lost stash of money.
Why did you want to write a book?
This isn’t my first book, but it’s my first graphic novel. As a lifelong comics fan, creating a graphic novel was one of my greatest aspirations.
Why did you choose to self-publish?
In the early 2000s, I had two books published by a small traditional publishing house. They did a good job, but that experience taught me that – on my own – I could do just about everything a small publisher does. I enjoy having control over all aspects of my books and being able to publish them soon as they’re ready instead of waiting for years. It helps that I’m a professional graphic designer and enjoy designing my own books – for me, that’s the most fun part!
What tools or companies did you use, and what experience did you have?
With this graphic novel, the most important thing was finding the right collaborator. I scripted and sketched out the pages, but I needed a better artist to bring my vision to life. I used Fiverr and UpWork to search for freelancers. After hiring a couple on Fiverr that didn’t work out, I finally found the perfect artist – Tina Ritchie – on UpWork. Amazingly, she only lived a half hour away from me!
Would you self-publish again?
Absolutely – I love having creative control. That said, I’m open to having this graphic novel picked up by a traditional publisher who could get it distributed in physical bookstores and comic shops.
What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?
Publishing a book that isn’t edited or designed at a professional level. And having unrealistic sales expectations (though it’s fun to dream!).
What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?
First, write the book you want to read.
Second, understand that your title, cover, and book description are the most important marketing tools. So put a lot of care into them.
What was your steepest learning curve during the publishing process?
As I mentioned, this is my first graphic novel. The pages are “full bleed,” meaning the art goes all the way to the edge. I learned the hard way that Amazon KDP has strict rules about how close words can be to the margins, even for a comic book, which necessitated a lot of last-minute adjustments to the art in order to pass inspection. Quite a headache!
Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.
It’s a blend of genres – historical fiction, adventure, comedy, and even romance. With some serious philosophical and religious themes, too. Just as people are complex and defy labels, so are my favorite books.
Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?
My “holy trinity” of literary heroes is Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Campbell, and Ray Bradbury.
Emerson, the great prose stylist and spiritual mystic. Campbell, the preeminent guide to mythology and the world’s religions. And Bradbury, the exuberant fount of endless creativity.
But because we’re talking about my graphic novel, I must add Will Eisner. When I was a comics-loving teenager, I became obsessed with Eisner’s work and he was a major influence.
What are your plans now your book is published?
I conceived this graphic novel as a movie-on-paper, and I’d love to see it adapted into a movie or TV series. Hollywood, my inbox is open!
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