Success! I can almost feel my book breathing on me. It has life. I am so close to my self-publishing dream-turned-reality . . . several steps closer, in fact. Why do I say this? Well, I found a professional editor to edit my manuscript, design my book cover, and format my book into e-book and paperback versions. Woo! Hoo! I am a bit emotional right now. I promise you that I almost cried yesterday, when I realized that I came across a self-published author who has the educational and real-life expertise in the publishing ranks. And, this same author also provides the whole spectrum of self-publishing services to those who need a little hand-holding through such an intimidating process as getting your first book published. The fact that he is available (at such short notice) to assist me with bringing my dream into fruition is such a remarkable gift that I’ll wholeheartedly welcome with open arms.
Those of you who have been following my book writing and publishing journey know that I have set a book launch date of June/July for the publication of my book. As we quickly approach the end of June, it was becoming doubtful that I would find a professional to assist me with the remaining items to my book in order to meet my deadline. But, wait. Miracles DO happen and one has landed smack dab in the middle of my field of vision. Now, it’s looking hopeful that I will meet my launch goal, after all. I wish I could say that I got to this point in the process by being timely on all phases of the execution of my book journey, but I haven’t been (especially not toward the end). And guess where the responsibility for the near-miss in securing professional help would have rested? Well, on yours truly, of course. After all, the indie author runs all aspects of his or her business and takes the hit for any snafus that may materialize. One thing is for sure. I learned a valuable lesson through this last-minute, procrastinating experience and it’s not to wait until the last minute when enlisting help from editors or book cover designers. It seems to be common knowledge in the authors’ circles that writers should make initial contact with these professionals several months before requiring their actual services. By doing so, you have more of a guarantee that they will be available at the time you actually need their help.
I must say that I’ve been a little naive about the final stages before publishing my book, but I’m riding this learning curve through the uncomfortably, bumpy parts and making the best of the entire experience for better or for worse. Now, there’s nothing that states that I was required to hire a professional to do the editing, book cover design, and formatting for my book. I could have trudged through these parts of the process and come up with an acceptable product; but I’m aiming for a quality, not an acceptable product. And quality ain’t cheap, folks. If I was a copy editor or proofreader, graphic designer, or skilled in graphic design and book formatting techniques, then I could afford to relish in the opportunity to save my funds for more of the post-publication items than the pre-publication stuff. But these tasks are not my jam and I do know when to leave certain items to the experts who can do them justice. All in all, I do believe that the up-front investment for my book will be well worth the expense in the end.
I truly feel like a weight has been listed off my shoulders . . . hence, the reason that I could have cried when I found my one-stop shop hero. And I’m totally content on letting him do his thing, while I work on a few written items that will need to go in the book and on the book retailer’s site. All I can say is that, in approximately four weeks from now, I plan on letting the pools of tears (happy ones, of course) flow.
degreesofmaternity.com 