We got a little snow — about an inch? It’s raining now.
Writing groups are back at it. And, the efforts toward self-publishing are beginning to cohere (open tabs on my laptop, a dedicated notebook, an accountability friend).
Yesterday I looked through my Amazon history to see when I ordered Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s letters. I started writing scenes featuring her right after that. The year: 2011. Thirteen years ago. It’s been thirteen years since I started this book.
Notes on self-publishing
Coming to terms with the idea that breaking even is a pretty good result. I never thought my writing would make me rich or anything, but really?
Next up: find three blurb writers, get a decent head shot (gonna be difficult with this flipper in my mouth), write two-sentence elevator pitch, and draft a page of acknowledgements.
Following along with you for so many years as you have developed and written this book. I look forward to the day when I can sit with a hard copy in hand and enjoy reading your wonderfully crafted work,
Thanks Kristin. I can’t wait either!
(((Dee))) I loved self publishing & hand binding the limited editions for the first two of our collaborative books, we covered costs and made a bit more than the cost of materials but made nothing for the time to write and illustrate the books. The third book broke even, covering the costs of the limited edition of 100 books with CDS printed at a Sydney printing house + advertising & gallery fees. It was a huge learning curve; ie applying for an ISBN, registering as a publisher, weights and colours of paper, kerning & leading of fonts, etc etc with but was so worth getting Roderick’s words out in the world especially now that he has left the stage
Hey Mo thanks for sharing your experience. “Breaking even” in my case would mean retrieving the costs of self publication (not including the money I spent on an editor). Certainly not including any amount for years of labor. I know about ISBNs but not about designing the inside of a book. The learning curve is real but there is so much info out there and I have several friends who have been through the process. I’m hoping to find a reputable outfit that formats the book and helps with marketing.
Well, that is sure a room in process! May all good things come to you on this part of your book journey. 13 years!!! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
You mean a mess? Yeah it cycles with its clutter.
NO, I mean a creative process…a room thick in the doing of something!
You got fortitude like no one else I know.
FWIW I found the formatting of the small book I did quite a challenge(tho’ # of pages isn’t factor of difficulties) . I used Blurb Bookwright, for free. Never mind the number of hours I spent searching for other formatter options. Then figuring out Amazon/KindleDirectPubllishing (I did not publish a kindle version). I absolutely nearly lost my mind trying to get the cover to come out properly. Finally I recruited my husband who is a graphic artist as well as pro with video graphics and animation, etc. etc. He grumbled but after about an hour he had the max quality cover photo matched the KDP requirement and uploadable. You also know graphic art backwards and forwards, so you may have the tools and skills and patience that I don’t ever want to have to develop myself.
Otherwise, I loved Bookwright to format the text with photos – but it took a while for me to figure out how *not* to follow their templates which also drove me mad for a several hours. Then there’s the pagination… I got several weird outcomes (like page #s on the binding side *and* opening side – who would even want that). So, it can be a tedious technical process, but if I got through it, anyone can get through it. Plus, you have friends nearby! But do feel free to call me and moan. I’ll see if I’ve been in a similar pickle *and* recall the solution. The small World of Book Publishers is a mystery to me. I think it just must be as corrupt as any other big business. A friend of mine just used Troy Bookmakers FWIW. They did a beautiful quality job (incl color illustrations).
https://shoptbmbooks.com/
If pre-orders help, sign me up!
Good idea, me too
me too please
beverly