So, in the later months of 2011, I enjoyed my first taste of Self Publishing.
I published a YA book of short stories called Finding Stories in The Rain.
Though this process was an adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed, there are a few things I wish I'd done differently.
First of all, I wish I had known and followed the WBEA steps (Write your manuscript, Build a platform/fan base, Edit your manuscript, Advertise your work), focusing especially on building a fan base and editing my work.
In retrospect, my two greatest pitfalls with Finding Stories in The Rain were my impatience, which led to a lack of confidence in my work.
Had I been more patient during the self-publishing process, I would have spent more time editing my work, perfecting it until it was exactly what I wanted it to be. Meticulously editing Finding Stories would have led to it becoming a piece of fiction that I would have been very proud of.
Instead of pride, however, I honestly view this work as a cute but laughable first attempt at publishing. I like the stories, but every time I read them I see my mistakes screaming back at me.
This leads me to feel as though I can't honestly advertise Finding Stories in The Rain as the great piece of fiction that I wish it was.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of it, but I don't love this book as much as the other stories I've written (and have yet to publish).
So, my lack of patience while editing led to a lack of confidence as I attempted to build a platform and fan base.
But it's not all gray clouds, crows, and hissing cats...there is a HUGE silver lining in all of this! : )
My initial dive into self-publishing was a wonderful experience not only because it was fun, but because it has equipped me with the needed foresight to make my second self-publishing venture even more of a success!
I don't expect to make a lot of money from self-publishing, but what I hope to gain is an opportunity to express myself, to move readers who enjoy seeing life from a perspective other than their own, and to gain what most of us want...the opportunity to be heard.
So, if you've decided to take the plunge into self-publishing I wish you the best and I hope you it brings you the success you're looking for!!
-Paula : )
I published a YA book of short stories called Finding Stories in The Rain.
Though this process was an adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed, there are a few things I wish I'd done differently.
First of all, I wish I had known and followed the WBEA steps (Write your manuscript, Build a platform/fan base, Edit your manuscript, Advertise your work), focusing especially on building a fan base and editing my work.
In retrospect, my two greatest pitfalls with Finding Stories in The Rain were my impatience, which led to a lack of confidence in my work.
Had I been more patient during the self-publishing process, I would have spent more time editing my work, perfecting it until it was exactly what I wanted it to be. Meticulously editing Finding Stories would have led to it becoming a piece of fiction that I would have been very proud of.
Instead of pride, however, I honestly view this work as a cute but laughable first attempt at publishing. I like the stories, but every time I read them I see my mistakes screaming back at me.
This leads me to feel as though I can't honestly advertise Finding Stories in The Rain as the great piece of fiction that I wish it was.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of it, but I don't love this book as much as the other stories I've written (and have yet to publish).
So, my lack of patience while editing led to a lack of confidence as I attempted to build a platform and fan base.
But it's not all gray clouds, crows, and hissing cats...there is a HUGE silver lining in all of this! : )
My initial dive into self-publishing was a wonderful experience not only because it was fun, but because it has equipped me with the needed foresight to make my second self-publishing venture even more of a success!
I don't expect to make a lot of money from self-publishing, but what I hope to gain is an opportunity to express myself, to move readers who enjoy seeing life from a perspective other than their own, and to gain what most of us want...the opportunity to be heard.
So, if you've decided to take the plunge into self-publishing I wish you the best and I hope you it brings you the success you're looking for!!
-Paula : )
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