Q&A with Divine Ortiz, CEO of ZitrO Publications

Divine, tell us a bit about ZitrO Publications.

ZitrO Publications was started initially for the purpose of publishing the works of author Divine Ortiz after two very bad experiences with publishing houses. After authors saw the quality of ZitrO Publications’ books they began seeking out ZitrO to assist in publishing their own books.

What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?

After signing a publishing contract with Teri Woods Publishing (while still incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons) that ended badly and with Teri Woods Publishing reneging on a hundred thousand dollar contract and then after signing with a shady publisher from Colorado I decided that I had had enough and ZitrO Publications was born. We published our first book in December of 2013.

Making authors’ dreams come true. The look on an author’s face when he or she sees their book online or in print for the very first time is priceless and is why we do it here at ZitrO Publications.

What are your keys to making yourself productive?

Knowing how valuable an author’s work is to them because I am an author myself has given me a special motivation to being the best.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

To have one of my books on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Also to be one of the best publishing houses in the world.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

How important it is to research a person’s background and credentials before hiring them. We have lost so much in this industry by extending ourselves to others who meant us no good and hiring people to do work that they are not qualified to do because we did not research them properly.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

Stay in your lane. If you are an author, then write. Just because you have published a book does not qualify you to be a publisher. Just because you can read does not mean that you can edit. Know what you are good at and stick with that.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

Spend time with my wife.

Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.

The 48 Laws of Power, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Guide.