From Inspiration to Publication:
A Writers Journey

Discover the heartwarming story of Angela Miller-Rothbart’s journey from capturing holocaust survivor stories to self-publishing success. 

Angela Rothbart

The Spark of Inspiration

Every great story begins with a moment of inspiration. For our author, that pivotal moment came when meeting Holocaust survivor Henia Bryer. It was witnessing living history, a testament to human resilience that demanded preservation.

It was the way Henia carried her past with such grace and it was when she started telling me her stories. I just was so inspiring and I realised that those stories had to be preserved for future generations and that's what inspired me.

The Power of A WRITERS Community

Behind every successful author stands a supportive community. For our writer, this came in the form of a dedicated writing group. These individuals became more than just fellow writers; they transformed into a circle of unwavering support.

They believed in me long before I believed in myself they loved the stories that I was telling them. They realised as I did that they had to be preserved and written down and they gave me a lot of constructive criticism but they never let me back away they never, they encouraged me and supported me and contributed to life being breathed into the lightness of air.

The night becomes a sanctuary of creativity

Every author has their unique process, a ritual that helps them tap into their creativity and bring their stories to life. 

For Angela, the night becomes a sanctuary of creativity. When the world grows quiet and the mind settles into a calm state, the words flow freely onto the page. This nocturnal routine allows for deep reflection and connection with the characters and their stories. The process of writing and rewriting by hand, sometimes several times before reaching satisfaction, ensures that every word is deliberately chosen and imbued with meaning.

Overcoming Personal Challenges

The path to becoming a published author is rarely smooth, and our writer faced significant personal challenges along the way. The most formidable obstacle was self-doubt, a common nemesis for many creative individuals. 

However, the characters created for “The Lightness of Air” became the author’s strongest allies in this battle. As the narrative developed,  their stories demanded to be told, and their presence became a powerful motivating force.

It was the characters which I had and which I developed. The characters became so real to me as though they were my family and I simply couldn't let go of them and I had to take this story to its logical conclusion and it was the characters which i had created which were the strongest force that kept me going

How did early life experiences like juggling motherhood and a business without a car influence your writing and storytelling?

“It taught me time management it taught me resilience and it taught me never to give up when you fall down – stand up.”

Embracing Self-Publishing

The journey to publication is often as challenging as writing the book itself. 

Why did you choose to self-publish “The Lightness of Air,” and what was the process like?

In the early stages I almost partnerd with a publisher, however I came across Print on Demand who assisted me in the entire process. The beauty about self publishing is that I can now choose to be the author and the publisher, no gate-keepers anymore.

Partnering with Print on Demand

How has Print on Demand influenced your publishing journey? 

They were able to hold your hand the entire process and they tried to keep my voice, I had input regarding layout, the design of my cover and even assisted with scoping the initial print run to talour a package that suited my budget

Can you describe your experience working with Print on Demand and how it has impacted the quality and reach of your book?

Print on demand the company as I see it is not just a print company that offers typographical services but they are my partner in global distribution. They even assisted me in converting my book into an eBook and audio book.

The Rewards of Authorship

The most gratifying aspect of becoming an author has been the unexpected connections made with readers.

It's the messages which I have received from people that I didn't know excisted commenting on my story and the way it touched their lives then everything that I did and everything I worked for were worthwhile.

The Incurable Optimist

A fun fact about Angela; She’s an incurable optimist!

I am an incurable optimist and that i always write in green ink don't ask me why but that's what i do.

What advice would you like to leave fellow authors considering the self-publishing route?

“Obviously remember that this is your own business and that any successful business needs your 110% dedication to make it a success. Stay in control and remember to do marketing because if no one knows about you or your book you wont sell any copies.

You need passion and determination.”

What key message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from “The Lightness of Air”?

“That wars are senseless and that what happened in the Holocaust should never ever happen again.”

Looking to the Future

With the success of “The Lightness of Air,” our author is far from resting on her laurels. The writing journey continues with a new project focusing on the apartheid years in South Africa. This next book promises to delve into another crucial period of history, exploring themes of injustice, resilience, and hope.

Reflecting on the lessons learned, the author emphasizes the importance of passion, determination, and treating writing as a business. For aspiring authors considering self-publishing, she advises dedication, maintaining control, and prioritizing marketing efforts. The key is to remember that a book’s success depends not just on its quality, but on ensuring it reaches its intended audience.

How do you see your writing evolving in the future?

“I feel that I would wright from the word go I would go to print on demand to help me to self publish my manuscript and help me along the journey to prevent me from all the pitfalls that I encountered in my writing career.

If you were to write another book, what would you do differently?

“I have learned so much over the years but one thing that I would do different would be to setup a meeting with Print on Demand and discuss my dreams with them and to gain insight from there professional point.”

STILL DECIDING WHAT YOUR NEXT READ WILL BE?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *