The Story behind the Book: Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra (Easterling)



Today's back story is about the book, Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra by J Bennett Easterling.

From the publisher

Years ago, I received a book proposal through the mail (yeah, pre-email). It was a memoir by a first-time author without much of a name recognition and a modest platform. It did not fit into what we typically published at that time, so I sent a letter informing him of that. 

Somewhere, he initiated a phone call to learn more -- he wanted to know how decisions are made, where he could look, how he should search for a publisher, and the like. He was eager to learn -- and very personable. I wished we did publish in this genre, but we did not.

Apparently, Bennett formed some sort of instant trust in me. Six months later, he excitedly sent me a contract for a self-publish contract. It was not a good contract, but he did not realize that. This time, I called him. I pointed out the bad provisions in the contract. Not only had he not realized how much the contract skewed toward the publisher and skewered him. 

The long and short of it is that having put in so much time on this book, quite without planning to do so, we decided to go ahead, open a new line, and traditionally publish Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra. Therein lies one successful approach to successful acceptance of a book for publication: develop a relationship with a publisher.

As for MSI Press venturing one step in a new direction, that book sold 422 copies the first day it was released! For a small press, that is a very good number. 

And somewhat later, the book won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award.

Bennett went on to write two more award-winning books.


Book Award
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award 


Book available at 25% discount with code FF25 at msipress.com/shop.

Read excerpts and other blog posts about Bennet and his books HERE.


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