Compelling Conversations, for whatever reason, has sold far better than my two co-panelists’ outstanding books. I also chose a far more conservative approach to self-publishing by going with a publish on demand (POD) model that has allowed me to make more sales – and far greater profits. As a result, I’m feeling far more positive about the experience and more comfortable being open about the self-publishing experiment. For me, the greatest surprise came from realizing the huge number of untrained English teachers working abroad and the significant number of very weak non-native English speakers teaching English (grammar only!) to English language learners around the world. The communicative approach seems more popular (and possible) in California than many other places. As a result, my communicative “talk, talk, talk” textbook revealed itself to be far more American than I had previously known. This reality hit me when I was hired as a ELT consultant for a Vietnamese high school (and later director of a new adult program), and had to completely revise Compelling Conversations for a new educational environment.

Thank you for your question.
Thank you, again, and

I’ll be videotaping the presentation, and hope to post it. The use of hope is deliberate since I just regained access to my blog.

Karenne

Passion and Persistence: Self-Published ESL Authors Tell Their Stories\r\rIn this CATESOL panel discussion, three authors of ESL books will share the pleasures and perils of self-publishing as well as offer tips for those contemplating writing and pu…

The State CATESOL 2010 conferences doesn’t take place until late April, but I will definitely send you a report on the panel discussion. If possible, I will also videotape it and post it on your fantastic set for EFL – and ESL – teachers and tutors.

Thanks!