Thursday, October 20, 2011

So I'm doing it...

I’m actually starting to make decisions now about this book I want to self-publish. It really is kind of a crazy thing. Part of me likes it.

Most of me hates it.

I’m a worrier. When I write a book for another publisher all the worries other than - did I do a good job - lands on them. When you’re doing it yourself all the worry is with you.

Forget the obvious issues – are there any typos or inconsistencies that are going to make it seem like a “self published” book? Did the copyeditor catch everything? What about copyright infringement issues. What if I used a brand name I wasn’t supposed to?

I’m also dealing with cover art and title. I have ideas. I know what “I” like – but I’m no expert in this kind of stuff. What sells? Then of course there is the marketing. How much money should I put toward advertising? How many copies do I need to sell in order to cover the costs of the copy editor and advertising combined in order to make a profit?

Because as Maureen said so eloquently yesterday… it’s about the money. I’m not going to get rich – but I need to be compensated for the effort. Yes my love of writing and for whatever reason this story in particular carried me a long way but this a whole lot of work and worry to do this for free.

I’m still a couple of months away – but then I will use this Blog to shamelessly promote it and you can all go and look at the cover and read the title and tell me how you think I did as a publisher.

(And you know… while you’re there… maybe you could buy it... if you want to…)

6 comments:

Kwana said...

Oh wow. Good luck brave woman. I've often thought about but am not brave enough. Good for you!

Maureen McGowan said...

Plunge away, Stephanie! We'll all be cheering you on. :)

Eileen said...

May I be Grasshopper to your self pub Master? I'm going to start work on a novella that I want to self-pub soon. I would like to sit at your knee and learn. Can we skip the part where I have to brand myself with the hot pot thingie?

Molly O'Keefe said...

I am so excited for this venture of yours. You have great books to get out there and great books coming out with Harlequin next year - I think that one two punch is going to make this venture hugely successful and if not...well, then you'll know. The rest of us sit around gong "what if?"

Kwana's right - it's really brave to decide to answer that question.

I can't wait to see the covers!

Molly O'Keefe said...

Eileen! Good for you!!! I think you're in the same boat as Steph - having a little something out there in self-pubbed ebook form will only add to your career and sales - good for you!!!

Eileen said...

As my grandmother used to say, Molly, from your mouth to God's ears. :-)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...