Black Deer Books
In December 2002, Anita Ballard-Jones established her own publishing company whereas she self-published the first edition of Rehoboth Road in June 2003. Black Deer Books is a very small, full service printing press. The first 2000 books of the first edition of Rehoboth Road were printed, bound, and trimmed by Anita Ballard-Jones in her home. At the same time, another larger company was hired to help keep up with the demands for the books. Since then, the company has used the equipment for printing calendars, pads, pamphlets, and promotional material.
The rights to Rehoboth Road were sold in June 2005 and the second edition was published by the mainstream publisher, Genesis Press Inc. on July 7, 2006. On the same day, Black Expression Book Club posted Rehoboth Road as it's feature book for the month.
Right away, Anita's fans began requesting a sequel to Rehoboth Road and she went to work writing The Dancing Willow Tree. When her publisher failed to set a timely release date as verbally promised, Anita could not let her fans down. She pulled the manuscript and decided to self-publish it.
Anita believes that many blessings come in disguise. She has had the experience of being a self-published writer and that of being a mainstream writer. There was a time when she believed being mainstreamed published was the most important thing that could happen to a writer. She will always thank the people at Genesis Press Inc., the staff and members of the Black Expression Book Club, and all the book lovers who purchased Rehoboth Road. Anita gives special thanks to everyone who took the time to write her. She believes everyone has freed her to do what she loves best--write. The most important thing that can happen to a writer is to be authenticated as an author.
The Internet has opened up a world of opportunities for the self-published author, Anita believes she will be much happier in that world.
The next novel by Anita Ballard-Jones and to be published by Black Deer Books is titled, Ring Around The Roses. The release date will be announced at a later time.