Westborough Teen Sells His Book on Kindle

Publishing a book might have been enough for most kids. Seeing it on the shelf at the bookstore, sharing space with Roald Dahl and Andrew Clements, may have fulfilled writing dreams.

But not for enterprising Westborough High School junior Michael Colbert. At age 16, two years after the print release of his book Misadventures in Filgersville, he has pursued national and international exposure by releasing his book digitally for the Kindle e-reader. 

Colbert showed Westborough Patch the original notebook where he handwrote the first draft. "The idea just came to me, I'm not exactly sure how, but it's based on stereotypes in middle school."  

Colbert said the main characters include, "Chris the dumb jock and Melvin the tutor nerd who needs to help Chris get better grades so [Chris] can return to sports. They have to work together."

Colbert continued, "I got serious about publishing after sharing the story with my sister on a car ride to New York. She really liked it and told Mom about it." 

Mrs. Colbert also saw the potential and they pursued self publishing.

"My mom is the main driving force and has helped guide me throughout the process," Colbert said. 

They visited Curry Printing on Turnpike Road and learned that the business offered a "perfect bound book" service. Colbert instinctively knew it would work.

"A Curry consultant worked with me and there were lots of proof copies," he said.

He estimated that the content changed around twenty-five percent from the original. 

Colbert had to obtain a copyright from the Library of Congress and a unique ISBN number.

Colbert wrote and illustrated Misadventures between grades 6 through 8. It was released in September 2008 with a book release party at Tatnuck.

Colbert got the idea to make Misadventures available for the Kindle when a former fourth grade teacher, who is also a self published author, suggested he consider it. 

After thorough deliberation, Colbert decided to go for it and spent an entire weekend reformatting the book specifically for Kindle standards. 

Misadventures for Kindle became available on Dec. 12 [on Amazon] and sells for $3.50. Though the book is not for sale in print on Amazon, Colbert is excited about the prospects of the Kindle edition. 

Colbert maintains various marketing avenues including a Website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and even Misadventures t-shirts. 

Colbert told Westborough Patch he has always enjoyed writing, and participated in National Novel Writing Month, cramming most of his 50,000 words into Thanksgiving weekend. "I just did it for fun," he said. 

He is currently the School Council blogger for the student newspaper and hosted two "Book Chats" at Mill Pond School.   

When asked who his favorite authors are, Colbert did not hesitate to say J.K.. Rowling and Rick Riordan.

Colbert ended the interview with Westborough Patch by sharing a Misadventures bookmark and giving advice to young writers:  "Read and write as much as you can. You learn new things and new ways to express your thoughts. Don't hold back, just write."

Misadventures is available at Tatnuck and Borders. Visit http://www.freewebs.com/misadventuresinfilgersville/ for more information.