3 S.R. Johannes: Indie-view: Michelle Davidson Argyle's Monarch

Friday, October 28, 2011

Indie-view: Michelle Davidson Argyle's Monarch



Michelle Davidson Argyle stops by to discuss her indie publishing journey.

She is the author of several books including Monarch (love the cover) that was just released. She started out as a self-published author and her new book was picked up my Rhemalda Publishing. You can read the first 2 chapters here.

Nick’s life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness—a wife who committed suicide, and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.


Just when Nick is on the brink of catching Ferreira, he’s framed for a murder that turns his world upside down. His only chance of survival lies in West Virginia where Lilian Love, a woman from his past, owns the Monarch Inn. He’s safe, but not for long…

How did you started in self publishing?
I started in self-publishing not because I wanted to necessarily start in that spot, but because the project I was working on at the time was one which I knew was not a good fit for breaking into traditional publishing. When I started Cinders, it wasn't long before I realized it would only be a novella and that it was something I'd like to publish all on my own. Essentially, I wrote the book to self-publish it, and I wasn't intending on it to be anything but a fun little project. I had bigger plans to break into traditional publishing down the road, but things turned out a little differently than I expected! I'm now with a small press that I love, and they've signedCinders as part of a three-novella collection titled Bonded, to be published fall of 2013.

What were your biggest lessons learned throughout your publishing career?



My biggest lesson learned is that my publishing journey does not have to be like anyone else's, nor does it have to move quickly. I really like where I'm at right now, starting small and enjoying myself. I have my whole life to grow my career, so it makes no sense to get impatient for huge things to happen. I think it's the small things we enjoy the most that are where real happiness lies.


Can you tell us more about your new publisher?

Rhemalda Publishing is an independent small press based in Washington state. Rhett Hoffmeister is the president and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I love Rhemalda Publishing because one of their main goals is to make sure that a book doesn't ever end up unsatisfactory to the author even though it goes through every process that a book with a huge publishing house goes through. I have say over my cover, editing, even the interior layout as all of that happens. They care deeply about each and every book, and it shows. 



What are your five favorite things?

My family, food (cheese, sushi, Greek, and curry), reading, the smell of autumn (fall leaves, chilly air), and creating things like art and books.

You can follow Michelle on Twitter or Facebook or Goodreads.

6 comments:

DL Hammons said...

It's great to read about self-publishing from different viewpoints. Indeed, not everybody's approach is the same and thats one of its appeals!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed, Shelli!

DL: Yeah, it's definitely a different journey for everyone. :)

Angela said...

I think having your book picked up by Rhemalda is a huge deal. It says a lot about you, Michelle, that you've been signed by a small press.

Some of the best books I've read have been published by small presses. Lucky Press and WiDo press have both put out some fabulous books that I've read recently. And I haven't found the quality of literature any higher from large presses than small ones.

Please don't get me wrong, large presses have more money for marketing, and authors who land contracts with them are more likely to see their work in stores. Certainly I wouldn't complain if a big press wanted to sign me. But that doesn't make the writers who are signed by large presses any better than the writers signed by small ones.

Sorry to go on so. All I'm saying is you've done big things, and that you should be proud.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Thank you, Angela! I didn't mean to make it sound like I haven't accomplished wonderful things in my interview. I agree with you that it is a very big deal to be signed with a small press - especially one as amazing as Rhemalda. I often think I will stay there my entire career, if possible.

J.C. Martin said...

Great interview! I like sushi, Greek and curry too! :)

J.C.

Join me in the Trick or Treat Spooktacular! Could you help make the Grand Prize a brand new Kindle Touch?

Jemi Fraser said...

Each journey really is unique - thanks for sharing! I love the cover!!