Publish a novel: What to know

By day, Melanie Murphy is a high school English teacher in Levittown. But after school hours, she is fulfilling a long-held dream: to be a novelist.

“I spent so much of my life analyzing the works of literary greats,” Murphy, 42, said. “I decided to try my own hand.”

The Massapequa Park resident, who teaches at Division Avenue High School, has written and published two books, “The Extraordinary Anna Parke” and “Sea of Whispers.” She said she often speaks about her work and attends book signings. “I’ve been getting amazing feedback,” she said.

While some authors choose to self-publish, Murphy was published by Red Penguin Books on its traditional publishing side.

Red Penguin also operates as a “hybrid publisher” for other authors, charging a fee for services. In return, hybrid publishers are expected to provide a “higher-than-industry-standard” share of sales proceeds to the author, according to the Independent Book Publishers Association.

“Until 15 years ago, if you wanted to publish something, your only choice was to send it to publishers,” said Stephanie Larkin, president of the Bellerose-based publisher. If they said no, she said, “You were stuck.”

Murphy said that, along with literary merit, looks matter. With her first book, she hired an artist to design the cover, then worked with Larkin on the second.

She said Amazon and GoodReads reviews, as well as Bookstagrammers — book influencers on Instagram — can help with promotion and book signings can boost readership.

Another local author published by Red Penguin is Catherine Manett, a senior caseworker with the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.

The Mastic resident, 31, has written two novels about young adults in the foster care system. The books, “Tempered” and “Shattered,” are part of a series called "Run Away Home." Larkin said she advises novelists to write a trilogy or book series to help build an audience.

Aside from business considerations, though, Larkin emphasized the creative outlet that writing offers.

“People who write fiction are those people who dream in Technicolor,” she said.