Interview: Diane Schellhaas Windsor Publisher at Motina Books By Christina

INTERVIEW

Interview: Diane Schellhaas Windsor.

Publisher at Motina Books

BY CHRISTINA CONSOLINO

Small, independent publishing companies have launched the careers of some amazing authors, and I’m always looking to understand more about how those companies work. While I’ve never met Diane Windsor, the founder of Motina Books, in person, our paths have crossed a number of times over the last year or so, and I knew I wanted to hear more about her company. A big welcome to Diane Windsor and Motina Books.

INTERVIEW CONTINUED

CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ON THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND WHY YOU STARTED IT? WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

DW: Thank you, Christina! I had the pleasure of speaking with founder Margaret Brown in early 2018. I had just discovered Shelf Unbound, and I wanted to learn more. She told me about her leukemia, and at that time, she said she was recovering. She passed away in June 2018 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the same month that my son (then 20 years old) was diagnosed with that disease.

I realized that there are many good writers in the world who just won’t have the opportunity to be published by one of the big publishing houses. It’s practically a requirement to have a huge following on multiple social media platforms. That’s hard to do when writers just want to write!

So, I started my little company, Motina Books, in 2016, and it’s just me and probably will be for quite a while. My mission is to give women (especially mothers) a voice. I primarily publish books by women, but I have a couple of really great male authors.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO BOOKS? WHAT ABOUT BOOKS AND STORIES APPEAL TO YOU?

DW: I have always loved books. When I was very young, I read all the Little House books. (One of my authors is actually the recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Award for 2021!) In middle school or high school, I remember staying up very late reading Stephen King and scaring myself to death! Later, in a high school math class, I got in trouble for reading a novel and not paying attention to the teacher. I thought I was doing both very successfully, but he disagreed.

Movies appeal to me, too, but when I’m reading a book, I really feel like I’m with the characters of the story. I love listening to audiobooks as well.

YOU’RE A ONE-PERSON COMPANY. HOW DO YOU GET EVERYTHING ACCOMPLISHED? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DO OUTSOURCE? AND HOW MANY BOOKS DO YOU AIM TO PUBLISH EACH YEAR?

DW: I don’t outsource anything right now, but I do require that any

manuscripts that come to me are very well edited. I feel that once that task is complete, I can get a handle on everything else. I have a process in place that starts months before the launch date. I love to start with cover design because then everything else, like preorders and getting out advance copies, falls into place nicely.

Sometimes I make mistakes. When that happens, I do my best to fix the error quickly. And I feel really bad when I make a mistake! My goal is to publish six books each year—one every other month is very doable for me.

WE FIRST CONNECTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND I’M AWED (AND INSPIRED) BY YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR AUTHORS. WHAT’S THE EASIEST WAY FOR YOU TO SHOW SUPPORT? THE MOST DIFFICULT? IS THERE ANYTHING DIFFERENT YOU HOPE TO DO MOVING FORWARD?

DW: Thank you so much for your kind words! As a publisher, I believe that my relationship with my authors should be a partnership. I do my best to support my authors in different ways. I think the easiest way is to be responsive when someone has a question. They can ask me anything, pretty much any time. If I’m not available, I do my best to let them know. And of course, I don’t always know the answer to their questions, but I can usually do a little research and figure it out.

As for most difficult, I wish I could figure out how to sell a ton of books! I do work closely with my authors regarding marketing efforts. I find that the most successful are the ones who think of outof-the-box marketing ideas. There is no “magic pill.” We have to continuously work at it. Ultimately, readers want to engage with the author, not the publisher. But I do what I can to advise and guide my authors. I recently met a woman who owns The Rustic Moon Bookshop in Wimberley, Texas—it’s a gorgeous store in the Texas Hill Country. She is happy to carry books that I publish, which is really a win-win for both of us. I had a bunch of books just sitting around my house, and now they can be in a bookstore! And I will always send her our latest releases.

IN ADDITION TO PUBLISHING, YOU’RE AN AUTHOR YOURSELF. DO YOU THINK THAT EXPERIENCE GIVES YOU A BETTER PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT YOUR AUTHORS REQUIRE?

DW: Yes, I have published a few of my own books. I do think I’m a better publisher than an author. The author experience did help me, though, because I was able to learn the publishing process (KDP and IngramSpark) using my own books and not books by other writers. One of my authors recently asked me if I miss writing. I told her, no. I really don’t. I do enjoy writing a short story occasionally, but that’s about it.

WHAT TYPE OF AUTHOR TENDS TO APPROACH YOU? IS THERE A GENRE THAT YOU HOLD MORE AFFINITY FOR THAN OTHERS? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D PREFER NOT TO PUBLISH?

DW: Since my mission is to help women publish their books, that’s typically who reaches out to me. I’ve published a few memoirs, children’s books, YA romance, and this year I’ll publish my first picture book. I’m really open to talking about anything and seeing if it’s a good fit for both Motina Books and the author.

WHAT’S YOUR SUBMISSION PROCESS LIKE, AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR AN AUTHOR TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU? WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN LOOKING FOR A PUBLISHER?

DW: Many people use the submission form on my website, which is great. If one of my existing authors refers someone to me, sometimes I’ll just get an email, which is fine. I really try to respond quickly. And, if I can, I’ll have a phone call or a Zoom call with the author, even if I’m not able to consider their submission.

I believe that authors should do their research when looking for a publisher— don’t just go with the first one who accepts your manuscript. There are many different options available, and the author needs to work with the publisher who’s the best fit. And that can be different for different people.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE MOTINA BOOKS USING ONLY THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

DW: Creativity, communication, planning.

More about Diane and Motina Books: - Motina Books Website - Motina Books on Facebook - Motina Books on Twitter