Enid author publishes novel electronically

(ENID, Okla.) - Terri ``T.L.'' Schaefer got lucky. <br><br>Despite ``nine million rejection slips from print publishers,'' she scored a book deal with an e-publishing company called Atlantic

Friday, March 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(ENID, Okla.) - Terri ``T.L.'' Schaefer got lucky.

Despite ``nine million rejection slips from print publishers,'' she scored a book deal with an e-publishing company called Atlantic Bridge Publishing.

For those of us not online with the latest technology, e-publishing companies edit and distribute novels electronically via hand-held devices such as Palm Pilots or E-Books.

Downloaded alongside the daily planner and address files, e-books offer easy reading at the touch of a button for $5 a pop.

``It's a convenient way for people who travel extensively,'' Schaefer said. ``It's easier to lug it (a Palm Pilot) around than it is to throw books in the briefcase. ... The coolest part is it can hold eight e-books.''

E-books are inevitably older titles, not the latest bestsellers or established big name authors.

Many e-publishing companies are going under, Schaefer said, due to poor management and poor editing.

However, someone wanting to break into the novel-writing business has a better chance of getting published electronically rather than sending queries to Harper Collins or Harlequin.

``I got online reviews right next to (courtroom thrillers by John) Grisham,'' Schaefer said.

He is her inspiration. He sold his first novels out of the back of his car.

Schaefer's first novel, ``The Summerland,'' brings together Sheriff Bill Ashton and Air Force Captain Arden Jones as they investigate a Wiccan serial killer, who has allegedly abducted Arden's sister Samantha. (The Summerland is a mystical, immortal state in Wiccan religion, a place of rebirth.)

``The Summerland'' has received rave reviews to the point that Schaefer is up for an EPPIE award, an equivalent of the Oscar for the best books originally published in electronic format each year.

``The Summerland'' is a finalist in the Best Thriller category.

Yet, with the EPPIE nomination and online community support, the Enid author is caught in a ``catch-22.''

She would love to have a book deal with a print publishing house _ she has three more novels in the works but her queries are between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

``I got great reviews, but (print publishers) don't handle things previously published,'' Schaefer said.

And, unfortunately, most print publishing companies want an author to stay within the boundaries of one genre, which Schaefer refuses to do.

``The Summerland'' is a thriller but its proposed prequel is a historical western featuring Sheriff Bill Ashton's grandfather.

Schaefer's ideas stem from her own life experiences.

A native of Mariposa, Calif., she has planned her first three novels around the dusty town that is the size of Hennessey.

Schaefer has moved around the world, including to an island village in Portugal, with her husband, who is active duty Air Force. They have lived in Enid since 1997.

``We will retire here,'' Schaefer said. ``It's affordable and people are still friendly here.''