Publishing my book was a decision made born out of a desire to provide the equestrian world with a great book on ridinginstruction - a book that fills a need for riding instructors everywhere. There are a lot of books on the market for ridinglessons and instructors, but Teaching Horseback Riding Lessons is a niche all its own - it is a book for instructors that are just starting out, or those that want to break into the market of riding lessons but don't know where to begin. Having been an instructor that had a difficult time starting out due to a lack of guidance and assistance, I wanted to publish a book that would help other instructors in ways that I never received.

I recently published my first title, Teaching Horseback Riding Lessons: A Practical Training Manual for Instructors, in September 2012. We have two other books coming out soon - 1001 Riding Lesson Ideas and 52 Weeks of Lesson Plans for Beginnning Riders.

My main method of marketing thus far has been through contacting farms and riding instructors with information about the book and how it can help them, as well as sending article excerpts to magazines and online publishing venues. We have advertised in several places as well. Due to working around the clock running my business teaching riding lessonsto able-bodied and riders with disabilities, I have not had the time to market the book as much as I would like.

My favorite resource thus far has been "The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing" by Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier. It has been wonderful, packed full of ideas for marketing, writing, and promoting your own self-published book.

5.       What has been your greatest challenge in self publishing?

The biggest challenge in self publishing is marketing my book - if I don't spend time promoting it, it doesn't sell well. I notice a huge difference in when I actually have time to promote it, versus when I am so busy running the rest of my business that marketing falls to the wayside. 

6.What is the best advice or tip you can give a new and aspiring author?

Don't let anything hold you back! If you had the inspiration and drive to write the book, then you must believe in why it's important that the world get to have a part of it. Get it out there, do the best you can, and then BELIEVE IN IT. Believe that the world NEEDS your book, and promote it that way!!