self-publishing, Uncategorized

It’s the Official Release Day for A Fabrication of the Truth, and What I’ve Learned so Far

That’s a long title. So today is the official release day for my debut YA novel A Fabrication of the Truth. I actually snuck and put it on sale on the 16th because I couldn’t wait, but this is the day that’s listed everywhere. So woot woot. Go buy a copy. Please.

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The ebook is on sale for $0.99 right now, and if you buy the paperback, you get the e-book for free.

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So what have I learned so far?

Well, I’ve learned that even though people say they’re soooo excited and can’t wait to buy a copy of your book doesn’t mean actual sales. And if you do a cover reveal and have way more people than the average sign up for it, still doesn’t mean much. Even though, there is one blogger (Cassandra) who requested an ARC, loved it, and left a review and five-star rating, so thank you for that. So I got a rating and review out of the cover reveal, at least (and it’s much appreciated). And if you do a Goodreads giveaway and 1,588 people enter, it doesn’t result in much. Maybe exposure? My book did end up on six hundred and something people’s shelves but haven’t seen any sales from it yet. And I’ve done NetGalley too, got a handful of reviews. Also, I took an ad on one of the highest rated YA book sites. So far not much of anything. I know it’s only been five days since the release, but it’s not looking promising.

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So with all of that, the main thing I’ve learned so far is, I’m still not going to stop. I’m going to shove my stories down people’s throats until somebody finally gives in and reads one.

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I think my best way to do this is by doing free promotions (even though there’s plenty who argue against them) and just by getting a lot more of my work out there. And eventually one day people besides my relatives and the small handful of writers I know will buy one of my books. So stayed tuned. I’m going to have a couple of novellas and another book coming at ya. I’m telling you, I won’t stop [insert evil laughter here].

self-publishing, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing and Planning

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Me at the beginning of it all.

A big thing I’ve learned so far self-publishing (well, working my way toward it) is that lots of planning goes into it. Even as you’re writing the book, you still have to plan. You have to plan your next book; you have to plan for editing, release dates, and bunches of other things. I’ve read plenty of articles where people argue for traditional publishing for this reason. They say it takes up so much time, time that could be used writing. You know what? It’s called time management. And you also know what?  I don’t spend every minute of my day writing. I just don’t. Nor do I spend all day planning stuff, but some things you do have to plan for:

Your next book

You want that thing almost ready to go as soon as the first one releases. You can’t wait too long to release your next book because you want to stay fresh in people’s minds.

Editing

Lots of editors fill up months in advance. If you want your book to release on time, make sure you have your editing lined up. And once it’s edited still make sure you have some time to read through it again and get yourself a printed proof copy (if you’re planning for print).

Cover Release/Blog Tour/Book Blitz

Many of the blog tour sites also fill up in advance. I waited a bit too long to schedule my blog tour, so it’s taking place 20 days after my release, but that’s okay because you still have to keep word out about your book even after the initial release.

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Advertising

Same thing. Depending on where you plan to advertise, make sure you book it in advance. I booked my banner for a popular YA site a couple of months in advance, and some of the other ad locations on the site were already sold out until the beginning of next year.

The Cover

I almost forgot the cover! I make all my own covers, so mine are done well in advance, but still, I go back like five hundred times and make small changes. But plan for an awesome cover and time if you need any revisions to it. Don’t settle on some cheap looking thing. If you don’t have the skills, seek someone out, and make sure that someone you seek has the skills.  Also remember, if you’re doing a cover reveal or blog tour or anything, your cover needs to be done in advance.

I think I covered a good chunk of all the things you have to plan when you’re self-publishing. Even if you’re publishing traditionally you still have to plan some things too (marketing, your next book), so it’s not just us indie folk.

Bye for now!

self-publishing, Uncategorized

Self Publishing: My New Adventure

Hello, all! It’s a new exciting and kinda scary world for me. I have decided to self-publish. See below to gauge how exactly I feel about this (also, why isn’t Even Steven available for streaming, such an awesome show).

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So I made the decision. It’s official. What comes next? Well, hopefully, I can bring you guys on a journey with me as I do so. I already know lots of planning and work goes into it, have researched and studied for years (seriously).

What have I done so far? Also, handy tips to follow.

-Wrote a book.

-Revised and edited a whole whacky bunch of times.

-Had it read by many beta readers.

-Revised and edited again.

-Did quite a few read throughs.

-Had book professionally edited.

After I had all of that done, I made the decision to self-publish.

But alongside all of that you should start building your social media presence and networking with other authors (this here is a whole other post I’ll have to write).

Now comes in the rest of my planning. I think an important thing to do when planning to go indie is set up some goals and deadlines. I made my timeline official by scheduling a cover reveal through a blog touring company. And when you set up your reveal the bloggers who participate need to know the publication date, so you have to give them one. So then it’s all kinda set, and there’s no turning back. I guess you could decide not to go through with it or delay the publication date, but then that’s wasted money if you paid a blog tour company to set it up for you.

My cover reveal is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 22, 2016. If you want to participate, you can sign up here. And my publication date is Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016.

So this is happening, but it’s all kinda scary. Who knows if I’ll even sell a book?! But I also do plan on sharing my marketing plan with you all (at least the bit of one that I whipped up).

Stayed tuned for more of my zany self-publishing adventures.

Check out my soon to be released debut novel A Fabrication of the Truth on Goodreads.

Bye for now!