Hi Story Empire fans, Craig here again. I’m pre-writing this so I don’t know when it will post as it references my process. The big point is I have two books that are very close to being released. One or both may be available when this posts.
Being a self publisher gives a tremendous amount of freedom, but it also comes with all of the work. I thought you might like a peek at what I go through to bring one of my books out. Warning: If you hadn’t noticed before, my process is a kind of organized chaos, so I may wander a bit in this post.
The starting point for me is a finished first draft. This needs to go in the vault for a number of weeks before I attempt any personal edits. In most cases, the draft has been through a brutal critique group and those edits have already been made.
I’m not idle during those weeks. This is the time to commission my cover art. These people need time, and you want a good product. I don’t like having everything perfect, then waiting a number of weeks for the cover to show up. Order early.
I may be the only person who does this part, but I also commission two or three pieces of Lisa Burton art to promote the book with. Lisa is my spokesmodel, and will represent something about the book in her posters. Again – time, might as well get these started too.
At this time, I have all of the artwork for Enhanced League. I put out an inquiry last night (May 5th) about artwork for my next book, The Yak Guy Project. I only mention this to illustrate the planning ahead system I use.
This next part has to be done ahead of time, but it can go different places in the process. I like to pre-write half a dozen blog tour posts. I keep a living document with rough topics, but here are a few to get you started:
- Interview with muse
- Two excerpts
- Inspiration
- Writing tips
- Research
- What I want personal goal
- Later on a snippet of reviews
- Inspiration for this story
- Meet main character
- What does the future hold
- Speculative fiction what if
- Customize for Lisa
I modify the list, depending on what I think I need. I haven’t trotted Lorelei, my Muse, out for the last few. She’s a semi regular on my blog, but I could do it again. I try to have some as me writing, and some as a visit from Lisa. More on this later.
After doing my edits, I put out a call for beta readers. I usually reveal the cover at this time. These wonderful people volunteer, and give me crucial feedback on my work. It’s up to me to decide what to adjust, and this also takes time. It isn’t right to send someone the MS and ask for a report in one week. Think ahead. My regulars and I share beta reading projects, and I get a different mix every time, but almost all the volunteers are repeat experts. Don’t neglect the care and feeding of your beta readers. This is a quid pro quo arrangement, and you have to be there for them.
Obviously, some assembly is required at this point. If you hire a professional editor, after finishing the beta modifications, this would be the time. You may want to send out advance reading copies (ARCs) to stack up some reviews for your release. Contact these people early. Some of them are very busy people, and you may find them booked if you wait too long.
Lately, I’ve been hiring a formatter, and find the investment well worth the reduction in stress. This process also takes time. If you’re getting a vibe about planning ahead, you’re getting my message. The formatter can’t be hired until the manuscript is perfect.
When pushing through the Amazon machine, there is a waiting period for Amazon to bless your baby. This is the time to look over your website. This means your “about me” page, how your sidebar, or pages are going to welcome the new baby book. I like to keep my two most recent covers in the sidebar, and linked directly to the purchase. (Can’t do that until Amazon provides the link.)
This is a good time to look over your social media too. Do you want a new background on Twitter to reflect your cover art? A new pinned post on Facebook? I need to add the book to my Facebook page, just in case someone wants to buy from there.
When Amazon delivers the link, this is the time to execute all the website, and social media changes. Maybe you pre-wrote a new about me page, I’ll probably edit what I have. Make sure to find a universal link so shoppers in other countries can also buy your book. I have a lot of UK fans, so I want to make life easy for them too. Don’t forget to contact the Goodreads Librarians and get the book added over there.
Release day is when I put out a call for blog hosts. Familiarity is a good thing, so I’ll include the cover here too. Remember those pre-written posts I made? This is what I use them for.
My volunteers usually ask for Lisa more often than me, so sometimes I need to write one on the fly, but that isn’t too hard. Occasionally, someone will want to do their own interview, I’m absolutely available for this. I send Lisa’s posts out with one poster, and she talks about the book and the scene in the poster. Those who like to collect the posters have to check out more of the tour to get the rest of them. Theory: Maybe they’ll read one or two of the posts, and wind up buying the book.
My Lisa posters are great for Pinterest and other social media. In the following days, I’ll run them out so they can lead people to the book. This time out, I think I’ll include them as back of the book material. It will be a little freeby surprise. (Depends on what my formatter tells me, but the initial contact went well. Yup, I started early.)
At the time of this writing, I have a two finished drafts in the vault. That makes me a glutton for punishment, because my process will involve two books at once. I’d like to have both of them out before school releases for the summer; probably not going to happen.
I hope my process will provide a few nuggets for the rest of you. I’m the only author out there with a spokesmodel, and I understand that you won’t be doing that part. Perhaps, you could substitute a character interview instead. Note: I host character interviews on my personal blog, Entertaining Stories. You may like the list of blog tour topics. Maybe a reminder to check your social media presence is just what you needed. What is your process? Let us hear from you in the comments.
You mentioned a few things that I’d left off my own personal to-do list so, thank you! Good luck with your releases!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad it helped you. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
I don’t know how you do it! You stay so busy and do such a great job with your books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do what I can. Some weekends it’s a ton, others I barely scratch the surface.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: This Week’s Writing Links
Pingback: Curated Content for Writers, May 19, 2017 | Story Empire
Reblogged this on When Angels Fly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The BiaLog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one today, Craig! I wish I’d had more time to do all these for An Arrow Against the Wind but I needed to get it out in April so I skipped some of the preliminary blogging and other pre-release promotion. I’ll do a lot more of that next time around. Thanks for the tips and the behind-the-scenes look!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is getting in the way of my productivity. I may have to accept it will all get done when I have time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s about the truth of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Here’s the latest post from C. S. Boyack over on the Story Empire side. Check it out and see what an author does behind the scenes to publish a new book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like Mae, I’m late in visiting today. Didn’t have a power outage, but it was a typical Monday. Great list, Craig. Amazing all the things that goes into getting a book ready to publish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My hope is that people will find a nugget of useful information here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Checklist, Greg. I especially liked the list of subjects for the blog tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s handy to have something ahead of time. I like to run out differing posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m late on commenting today thanks to Monday insanity and a power outage that sucked up the morning. You are extremely organized, and as others have noted, loaded with energy to take on two book releases at once. Just doing one usually sucks the life out of me, LOL!
The only other items I usually toss into my process is a newsletter announcement and targeted Facebook ads. Looking at your list makes me realize I have to get busy with some updating on my own blog for my next release.
And speaking of blogs, you know I’m available for promo whenever you’re ready!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Mae. The way it’s going right now, it might require some gap between releases. I still haven’t gotten to work on my beta read results. I really don’t have someone pushing me for a deadline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m tired from just reading this, Craig – wish I was this organized!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Organizing it the easy part. Execution is going to plague me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tremendous work, Craig. I don’t know if Id have managed. For me self-pub is out pf the question. There are all kind of formalities that, for me, out here are so complicated verging to impossible. But you have the freedom to do what you like with your book. Best of luck with your writing and send my regards to Lisa!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Carmen. People often forget the work that goes along with a new book. I love drafting new material, but it’s all a waste if I don’t do the rest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Craig, you have amazing energy. Two books at once is a massive task. Well done and thanks for this very informative post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m going to have to take things as they come on getting them released.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good advice, Craig. Anyone who thinks writing is an easy job needs to read your post. It’s not easy, but necessary if we want to do it right.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jan. It’s a lot of work, but when someone says they enjoyed one of our stories it makes it all worth it. I unspammed you again, sorry for the late reply.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
I’m up over at Story Empire today. My topic is what I do to get a book ready for publication. Drop in and see if you have anything to add.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out this great post from C.S. Boyack on self-publishing check list items.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Don. Appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
All good tips. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, maybe it will help someone.
LikeLike
Pingback: A Self-Publishing Checklist | Story Empire – Joan Hall
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this post, Craig. You’re a lot more organised than I am, lols. Best of luck with your latest books! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just need to find time to make this all happen.
LikeLike
I have yet to have a blog tour, as I’ve not felt confident enough to do one. Now, though, you may have awoken my inner dragon!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Well, Jaye, both you and Craig are welcome at mine as guests, any time. x
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Sue, maybe quite soon?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whenever you like, Jaye 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find them productive most of the time. Give it a try, there are a lot of willing hosts, and I see an offer in these comments for you. Thanks for sharing the post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I won’t know what will happen if I don’t try, will I?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person