I first started thinking about self-publishing in 1999. I think it would be fair to say I didn't rush into it. I made the first post on this blog in 2006. Last year I made my first foray into self-publishing per se, an ebook available only via my website as a free pdf.
Now I am on the verge of my first foray into fee-charging self-published fiction. 'Collected Veinglory' is an anthology of short stories, mostly reprints. I have the cover art and the stories copy-edited and returned. The track changes are, as yet, unexamined.
I feel a strange reluctance to go through and make the final edits. After all these years lurking at the margins, here I go. I know I will make the usual newbie mistakes. I am sure there will be typos I missed, formatting problems, delays and frustrations.
It is exciting but also a little daunting, like any new endeavor but there comes a point where research and preparation turn into procrastination and prevarication. Any advice out there for a long time listener, first time publisher, about to make the leap?
Now I am on the verge of my first foray into fee-charging self-published fiction. 'Collected Veinglory' is an anthology of short stories, mostly reprints. I have the cover art and the stories copy-edited and returned. The track changes are, as yet, unexamined.
I feel a strange reluctance to go through and make the final edits. After all these years lurking at the margins, here I go. I know I will make the usual newbie mistakes. I am sure there will be typos I missed, formatting problems, delays and frustrations.
It is exciting but also a little daunting, like any new endeavor but there comes a point where research and preparation turn into procrastination and prevarication. Any advice out there for a long time listener, first time publisher, about to make the leap?
Comments
Your story sounds familiar. I've been hanging around self-publishing groups for years and started out by posting free stories to my website. Earlier this year, I finally took the plunge and published a book through LSI/Kindle/Smashwords/etc. My second book came out last week. I did it, and so can you.
I said to a friend last week, show me a writer who can get through a day without at least one typo and I'll show you a stink bug who plays the violin in purple stockings. Even mainstream books have editorial issues. Best advice I can give is to have other eyes look at it before you click "done."
And the other thing about Indie Authors is that we are fearless. Not a day goes by that I am not flailing on the floor about something, but it doesn't stop me.
Now, I've found an online company that is even cheaper than doing it myself. Not as gratifying but I've already made my own books from scratch.
Good luck and HAVE FUN.
JC
-Shannon
I waited a few years after completing my novel before plunging into self-publishing late last year. I endured many a rejection letter from an agent who didn't read anything I'd written other than the query letter (if that). Considering how turbulent the entire publishing is right now, I'm glad I didn't wait any longer. You'll be glad you did it.