tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post5196238894702161515..comments2023-09-13T00:53:08.478-07:00Comments on Laura Howard: Self-Publishing - the "easy way" to get published?Laura Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094120603422425142noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-52453871356291734832013-01-08T22:16:36.454-08:002013-01-08T22:16:36.454-08:00I love self-publishing! And while there is a lot t...I love self-publishing! And while there is a lot to do, I've learned what my faults are. I can't format for crap! So rather than wrestle with it for two days, I pay my formatter $40 and he does everything, all the platforms, within just a couple of hours. It is more cost-effective for me to hire him than lose 2 days of writing time. <br />My suggestion is to ask questions. If you're stuck on something, find an indie that has several books under their belt to help you out. Indies, I've found, are so very helpful. JMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03689756071577897741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-37256534281647782702013-01-08T16:29:31.105-08:002013-01-08T16:29:31.105-08:00I love that you wrote this post! Just went through...I love that you wrote this post! Just went through a week of hell trying to convert my manuscript into umpteen formats, then upload, wrangle through every page, convert again, etc etc. What a nightmare! But I am stubborn and was determined to do it myself, and I did.<br />I know it will be easier next time, but I also know it won't be that easy. We need a forum for realists and go-fers like ourselves, where people tell it like it really is!<br />Congrats on the books and good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-39323992077699798312013-01-08T14:52:25.864-08:002013-01-08T14:52:25.864-08:00Uh...NO! I'm on my fourth self published book...Uh...NO! I'm on my fourth self published book and the ONLY reason why it is getting remotely easier is because of sheer EXPERIENCE! lol....Once you get it done, then you have the daunting task of promoting it. I could write a book on that...oh wait, I HAVE! Lol! Nothing is easy about self publishing, however, I'd love to experience traditional publishing so I know the difference. Thanks for sharing your experience of the difference :)Sandra Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13232703384729629881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-22526446626095158802013-01-08T08:59:39.523-08:002013-01-08T08:59:39.523-08:00No part of it was easy. More enjoyable because I h...No part of it was easy. More enjoyable because I had full control, but definitely not easy. I'm so glad I did it though. I love your covers by the way, they turned out wonderful!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-62333349142988045512013-01-07T14:35:20.375-08:002013-01-07T14:35:20.375-08:00Just published two books using CreateSpace, and I ...Just published two books using CreateSpace, and I am so glad you wrote this article for those who think this process is simple and easy (anyone can do it, right?). The first book I did was poetry which is much more complicated to format than straight text. It took me a lot of trial and error and a number of takes before the formatting was acceptable. Learning the process took time, and I noticed the second experience was easier but not simple. Whatever we write, edit, format, and publish requires care, time, and patience. I am very thankful for CreateSpace and Amazon/Kindle for opening these channels for writers. However, you are so right; it's not simple and easy. It's hard work and requires careful attention, time, patience and persistence. Coasting Along: A Writers Journeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152393174992879094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-74459140708892097262013-01-07T13:00:55.201-08:002013-01-07T13:00:55.201-08:00PS. Sorry about the typos that crept into my note...PS. Sorry about the typos that crept into my note above - blame it on dyslexic fingers!<br />Tima Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12452821656662304913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-25110862191554774992013-01-07T12:59:17.719-08:002013-01-07T12:59:17.719-08:00I'm so glad someone finally came out and said ...I'm so glad someone finally came out and said it - self-publishing IS NOT THAT EASY. I originally thought to got the indie route and decided to use CreateSpace. They were super helpful, although it took me nigh on four attempts to get it on there before finally giving up and paying for the Interior Design Service. It was worth it. I'm as techno-savvy as the next person, but some things I simply do not attempt.<br />For my cover, I looked for a local graphic designer here on the Central Coast of NSW - where I live. I sent her a blurb of my book and she created an excellent cover. A publishing house couldn't have done better. She also formatted the cover to suit the kindle conversion. It did cost me around $800, but I can claim the whole thing on tax. <br />Now that my manuscript is finally ready (it's been fully edited and vetted), a publisher in the UK has expressed interest in it. So, at the moment everything with CS has been placed on hold. I now have to wait and see what happens.Tima Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12452821656662304913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-81424660479397782432013-01-07T10:47:33.950-08:002013-01-07T10:47:33.950-08:00I applaud all the checking and rechecking! I think...I applaud all the checking and rechecking! I think that self-publishing authors too often let the little things go... and they shouldn't! As an avid reader, editor and writer myself, I want to see clean copy more than anything. Reading a book and finding myself proofreading it (and wanting to email the author the corrections) is distracting, not to mention disturbing!<br /><br />I self-published a children's picture book with ePub and CreateSpace and was fortunate to find someone on Fiver (for $5) who worked with my files until they were accepted by CreateSpace and Kindle. I was happy enough with my first attempt. <br /><br />Great information! Happy to have discovered your blog via Twitter! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06789141075935009456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-10881032109426657042013-01-07T09:33:31.395-08:002013-01-07T09:33:31.395-08:00Ahem. After my embarrassing panic-induced ugly cry...Ahem. After my embarrassing panic-induced ugly cry mania yesterday, I think we can both agree that I do not think this is easy. But you have made it a whole hell of a lot smoother for me, Laura dear :)Megan Handhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02112047358177011980noreply@blogger.com