This post is going to be quick and dirty. I have two fantastic things for you guys today, one to make you smile and one to make you think.
The one to make you smile is the first page of my print novel, Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings!! My formatter just emailed me the PDF proof, and I LOVE what he did with the formatting. This is getting super real, super fast. Just over a month before
I start selling my first copies! If you want to get ahead of the game, take advantage of the ONLY opportunity to get personalized, numbered copies of the books on my kickstarter
The second thing I have is something to make you think. Do you like this first page? Are you impressed with how it looks? Does it look professional? Yes, it does, because I hired a professional. I’m a self-publisher, but the only things I’m doing my “self” is writing the book and managing the publishing process. I hired an editor, an artist, and a formatter. It was expensive. I couldn’t afford it. So I did a kickstarter and with 8 days left I’ve already raised the money to pay for up front costs (but still need more! check out my kickstarter for awesome, personalized rewards). Because I hired professionals to make my books top-notch, I knew they would be well-received.
So, if you’re a writer, especially one considering self-publishing, please don’t skimp. If you want to play with the big boys/girls, you’ve got to put on your big boy/girl pants. Be professional. Hire professionals where professionals are needed, and you will get professional results. Can’t afford it? Plan. Save. Explore options like crowdfunding.
If you’re a reader, know that it’s okay to be critical of presentation. I’m not saying don’t give self-published authors a chance, or assume an author is terrible if there is a single typo in the book (even traditionally published books have typos! I know, because I find them). But IÂ am saying that it’s appropriate to hold ALL authors to a professional standard. With the tools available FREE to ANYONE online, there is no excuse to NOT publish in a professional manner. Things like social media, grass-roots advertising, and crowdfunding means that unknown individuals have the power to become successful if they study the correct marketing techniques, plan wisely, and work hard.
I’d love to hear from you. What do you think of my first page? What are your thoughts on professionalism and self-publishing? Check out my Becoming-A-Writer series if you’d like advice on getting started as a writer, or sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to get bi-monthly news and updates on my publishing. Don’t forget to check out the kickstarter, and thanks for reading!
Excellent advice, and I love the first page. It has a wonderful vintage look, yet the text is clearly contemporary. It’s a compelling combination that should capture your readers’ curiosity and draw them into a story they can’t walk away from.
Thanks Lori! Glad you like it and thanks for commenting 🙂
Love the first page! It will be delightful to think, as I read it, that one daughter wrote the story, and another daughter drew the chapter art. (Ahem, Miss Professional Writer, you misspelled bi-monthly…..just saying’)
Thanks Mom ;). Of course I misspelled bi-monthly. I’m a writer, not an editor. I always re-read my stuff several times to try and catch typos but I don’t have the time to make it perfect, or I’d never get anything done! I’ll go fix it now.
Love the first page! And great advice. I’ve had a rant about self-published authors who don’t put in more work or hire someone more capable (for covers, editing, etc.) on my site. It kills me that something so amazing as the ability to publish books yourself can be given a bad name when some folks don’t take the time to polish even a little more.
It’s hard though, and I sympathize with self publishers who want to publish but either just don’t know any better or don’t have the resources. That’s why I’m so grateful for things like crowdfunding. Thanks for the comment!
Heyla Lydia
Just finished Book 1 and enjoyed it muchly! Very sharp presentation in both formatting and content! Not the kind of story I, personally, would write, but I will read anything else you put out.
Halfway through Book 2 at the moment, and I’ll be waiting for the rest. Write faster! 😀
Oh by the way, the comment part of this times out a little too quickly.
Tony T. (from ConGlomeration)
Nice!! So glad you are liking it. It is good to know that even people who are not my target audience still enjoy it because of the quality of writing! I will write as fast as I can, but it will be next spring before I come out with book 3. The good news is, I’ll be publishing Book 3 AND 4 at the same time! Thanks for letting me know about the time out. Not sure if I can control how fast it times out, but I’ll check it out.