Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Fidler-Newby.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My passion for reading and using my imagination led me to try my hand at creating worlds of my own when I was in high school. My creative writing teacher helped me focus on finding my voice as an author.
However, it took time to find my confidence in my abilities to share my work with others outside of the classroom. After I met my husband, he read some of my work and became the cheerleader I needed to pursue finishing my first manuscript. Once completed, I found a wonderful editor named Johnathan to work on polishing it for publication.
When I was ready to publish, self-publishing was gaining in popularity. However, I also wanted to try my hand at finding a traditional publisher. With a little luck and a leap of faith, I actually found a small independent publishing company called Amazing Things Press (ATP) through the St. Joseph Writers Guild meeting. Julie Casey, the president of the guild and owner of ATP, gave me the option of her guiding me through the self-publishing process or publishing with her company. Delighted with what she offered me as an author, I jumped at the chance to be a part of the ATP family.
In 2016, I became a published author. In 2018, Julie offered me a chance to be her partner and become part-owner of Amazing Things Press. Together with Dave Noe, we three offer local and regional authors the chance to publish with us. Right now, we have over 70 authors with books in a variety of genres and categories.
As we say on our website “Working together, amazing things can happen.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles when trying to make a business grow and take on authors that we can work with regularly. We always feel bad when we have to turn down anyone, but we know that unless we have the time and energy, it is not our way to promise things we cannot complete.
Since publishing is not a lucrative business, we have to take on other jobs to pay the bills. However, we love what we do and helping people. That is why we continue Amazing Things Press.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Whether it is verbal, non-verbal, or written, I am fascinated with learning how to be the best communicator and educating others.
That is why I currently work as a college instructor and teach in the English/Speech departments. With my background in writing and performing, I can use my passion to help others while learning more about my own abilities.
One of my proudest moments is when I held the first printed copy of my book “The Thornless Rose: Fire Blush” in my hand. Being a published author was a goal for over 15 years of my life and finally made my biggest dream come true.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I know I was lucky to have people in my life who believed in me and have a husband that supports my dreams. I also know meeting Julie and my guild friends was like finding a pot of gold. No matter how many times I want to give up and stop creating/working with ATP, I have people cheering me on and pushing me forward towards a brighter tomorrow.
Contact Info:
- Email: amazingthingspress2@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.amazingthingspress.com/
- Instagram: @thegeekworm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekworm
- Twitter: @thegeekworm
