Who knew the amount of work it takes to self-publish a book?!? Answer: Everyone who’s already done it or is working on it now.
I’m firmly in the latter camp. About 10 days ago I finished writing and editing “Your Playbook For Tough Times.” Sort of.
Even as I rejoiced that the work was done (a butt dance may or may not have been involved), I felt a bit uneasy. Within a day or two my subconscious was nagging: “Aren’t a couple of those chapters a little bloated?”
No! Shut up! It’s done and it looks GREAT!
In fact, I was so sure it was done that I sent it off to a few people who’d offered to read/critique the thing. And then last Saturday evening I sat down to take “just a quick look” at the manuscript. You can guess what happened next.
At 2 a.m. I staggered off to bed after six hours of editing. Those two formerly bloated chapters had become four chapters of reasonable length, and other parts were reorganized and rewritten. The last thing I did before shutting down was to resend copies to those advance readers, begging their pardon for having e-mailed such an incomplete work before that.
Details, details
Meanwhile, I was/am still on the hook for chores including but not limited to:
- Registering the copyright
- Obtaining ISBNs for physical and e-versions
- Writing a really good press release (Lord, how I hate self-promotion)
- Creating copy for the back cover
- Making a comprehensive index
- Working with a formatter (for whom I have a lot of questions)
- Working with a cover designer (but not until it’s completely formatted and proofread, because he needs the exact number of pages)
- Signing up for Amazon so I can publish the book
- Signing up for e-Junkie so I can sell the book on my website
- Asking personal finance experts for those “advance praise” blurbs
- Contacting PF bloggers to see if they’re interested in writing about it
About those last two: Did I mention how much I hate self-promotion? Yet it’s necessary, and I do believe in this book’s ability to save people a bunch of money – or actually to help them get through dire times.
I’m also acutely aware of how fortunate I am to be acquainted with some well-known personal finance folk. Some self-published writers have to start from scratch to get anyone’s attention. Although I loathe self-promotion, at least I have some people to call.
(In fact, three opinions have already come in and they’re quite positive. Woo hoo!)
Thanks for all previous expressions of support, through comments and via e-mail. Once I have a finished product you’ll know about it. Boy, will you.
Donna, Congratulations on finishing, sort of. That’s better than a lot of people who say they’ll write a book ‘someday’. Hang in there. Good writing and good sense need promotion.
Thanks!
That’s tremendous! After writing a dissertation, I totally get where you are coming from! I just previewed Jim (JL) Collins new book, A Simple Path To Wealth. He explained how tremendously difficult the process was too. You should feel so accomplished but I am sure the nagging “edit” thing never goes away! Looking forward to more reading on your site.
Congratulations! Looking forward to the book.
Congratulations on a job well done. I wish you the best with this project. Hard work deserves just rewards!
Thanks — and tell your friends! 😉
I want one:)
Me,too! Then I won’t have to look in my stack of printed-out Donna-words-of-wisdom old posts when I need another opinion on something I think I should do!
Ha! Thanks for such long-term support.
That’s fantastic, Donna!
I’m a huge fan of your writing. Can’t wait to buy the book.
I appreciate that.
Congrats on finishing! That is a HUGE accomplishment (even if it did need a few minor tweaks, lol!). I’m glad to hear that others have an “inner editor” that never shuts up – they really are the bane of all writers. And usually, and irritatingly, they right most of the time. I’d love to hear about all the things you have to do in order to actually get the book out there, because that is the process you don’t typically hear about.
Can’t wait to get my hands on the finished product!
See my reply to “A Reader” elsewhere in the comments for a quick outline of what needs doing. Not that it’s all of it, mind you, but it’s a start. And thanks for your kind words.
What are the mechanics of your self-publishing effort? Did you use a word-processing program (if so, then which one), are you including images and video? Can one choose a nom de plume? I too am looking forward to reading your tome.
Haven’t finished yet, but I will be using Amazon. However, I’ll be bringing my proofed and formatted manuscript and also my own cover design, ISBN and copyright info. That cuts the cost considerably.
I’m not including video or any images other than the cover. However, the e-versions will have hyperlinks to the various resources (utility help, great cookbooks, free medications and many, many others).
Anyone can choose a pen name, but I’m going by my own because it’s the name under which I’ve published in various other media. Besides, hoping that all my frugal fans will notice. 🙂
Happy dancing for you! The line starts here to buy a first edition 🙂
I am impressed by you and so proud! Now will you stop being so hard on Donna! ;p
You are a frugal super hero. I mean that. This may have been a beastly undertaking but think about how many people’s lives your words can change for the better.
I follow on Twitter @tscript24
What Sonya Ann said! Besides, you make frugality fun and can see the humor in every day life. That’s a rare gift. Here’s to a best-seller!
Why, thank you. [Tell your friends!]
I’m looking forward to buying and reading your book. You’ve got so much good advice to share, and as others have said, you do so with humor, which makes it that much easier to read. I will definitely tell my friends. I may have to give some copies as gifts.
And I would not try to talk you out of those gifts… 😉 But seriously: Thanks for the supportive words.
That’s great! It feels like you JUST started working on it a little bit ago and the time has flown by but I’m sure you haven’t felt that way at all.
Wish you the best of luck! I published an ebook a year ago without being too serious about the process. It’s a big task hope to see the finished product soon!