While many of his colleagues logged hours at work or by the pool, Grand Valley State University creative writing major Garrett Dennert self-published two books during the summer.

“Laying a Foundation: A Beginner’s Guide to Golf” and “Coffee Stains and Bread Crumbs” were both published during the summer of 2011, as Dennert also prepared to begin his senior year at GVSU.

Dennert has been playing golf since he was 10 years old, hence the inspiration for his first book, which was finished in late June.

“I have a great passion for the sport and a great respect for the people who play it,” he said.

Dennert said he was testing the waters of publishing when he decided to put the book together.

“Without going into specifics, I discovered how hard it really is to [publish].”

Dennert said he had to first write and edit the material. Then, he had to design the cover and write the descriptions for thousands or millions of people to see, followed by marketing.

“Marketing yourself may not seem so tough, but it’s pretty hard doing it on a college kid’s budget,” Dennert said. “Marketing is by far the toughest aspect of it, because really, who cares what you have to say? You have to figure out how to sell yourself on top of making sure the writing is exactly the way you want it.”

“Coffee Stains and Bread Crumbs,” Dennert’s second book, was finished in late July and consists of Dennert’s college work.

“It’s a collection of fictional short stories and flash pieces, as well as researched and personal essays that I like to describe as one man’s views on the world and the characters that inhabit it,” Dennert said. “There is no continuity from piece to piece and I never intended there to be. But what the reader would get is a sense of where I am as a writer and where I’m going. It’s basically a reflective collection on what I’ve done so far, so I can see where I’m headed.”

Dennert offered some advice for his colleagues.

“If you’re considering it, quit thinking about it and go for it. There’s no use to just let it pass, then regret it later,” he said. “My other advice is that while you’re writing, or in the early stages of self-publishing, make sure to create a marketing plan for yourself so that when your book is finished and out on the market, it makes money right away.”

Dennert is currently in the process of revising a novel. And he says he has plenty of ideas for more short stories and more novels.

“My family and friends are the best support group I could ask for — it’s not often that a kid comes home and says, ‘I want to be a writer,’ and in this day and age, have their parents fully support them,” Dennert said. “I learned a lot and I’m making money off of something I love to do and want to do for the rest of my life. It’s worth it.”

As for his future, Dennert said he has no definite plans.

“Ideally I’d be able to do sit back, write what I want, and have people flock to read my stuff, but unfortunately it doesn’t happen that way,” he said. “As for definitive career goals, I’m not really sure, just (have to) go with the flow.”

Both books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble online and www.createspace.com. Links to the books can be found through www.garrettdennert.com.

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