Don’t wait until you’re in the mood to do anything or else you’ll never get it done. As a writer, I’ve literally had to beg myself to wake up in the morning and write. “Please get up,” I’d say, then eventually do so, but 2 hours later. That was the old me. It continues to be a struggle, but I’ve finally gotten the hang of it. I write full-time; at least 35 to 40 hours a week. Then everything else, like reading and creative projects come after. A mistake that I made starting out was doing multiple projects at once. I would not suggest you do that. I did, and ended up in the middle of many projects, but completed none. It’s so frustrating. I can do anything I put my mind to. I’ve been writing long enough to be a serious machine about it. Editing isn’t my favorite part; the writing is. Regardless, it has to be done.

My conundrum? I have lots of manuscripts I want done, and having to prioritize is an absolutely chore. There’s one I want so badly to write, and others I should publish first, because it’s done. Well, I decided to let my intuition guide me, and you should too. Don’t pay attention to what’s popular right now. Focus on what gets you excited, because that energy is exactly what you need to promote your book. The motivation has to come from within, so why not let your heart decide? No matter what, it will be a success.

This is the second installment of my First Book Survival guide (I’m only doing 3). I have officially maxed out my concentration. This post idea came to me for a couple of reasons. With all the anxiety out there; I figured part 2 should be about publishing…because as a writer and book author, this is something that needs to be addressed. There’s always a fear that comes with being self-published. One of them is releasing a book with the right timing. In post 1 I revealed my methods for editing. Now all that’s left is to let the world see the book and get rave reviews…easier said than done. This is something that I learned the hard way. For my first book, I was too shy to tell anyone about it let alone publish it. Then when I finally gained the courage to do so; I didn’t do it effectively. I just released it in a if you print it they will come sort of way. That was a big mistake, BUT a necessary one. Had that not happened to me, I wouldn’t have known what to do for my second book set to be released. This time around, I’m taking my time, and organizing a proper book launch. This is how you do it: 

First: Take it easy– Don’t rush your book just because you’re tired of editing, and looking at it over and over again. Don’t get frustrated and publish it because you’ve been talking about it too long. And finally, don’t…I repeat…DO NOT use the Pre-Order feature on Amazon Kindle if the book isn’t finished. I made that mistake, but luckily my privileges weren’t revoked. (With KDP direct; if you cancel a Pre-order on your book, you won’t be able to use the setting for a year!) Complete your book entirely before even thinking of using that. Also, that feature shouldn’t really be used if you don’t have a demand for the book…so just chill.

Second: Plan a build up– There are things you can do to inspire a great anticipation for your release. You can launch it on a small scale at your local coffee spot, or you can even due a virtual launch. You should definitely talk about your book before releasing it. Go on podcasts, and spread the word via mini promotions, and media sources.

Third: Follow through– Once you set a date, please follow through. Don’t cancel. Finish your book, plan the build up, then publish or launch the book. Depending on your projected date; that is when you should plan out your promotion schedule leading up to that day. Talk about it, up until the day, then talk about it some more!

That’s all I have to say about that. Currently, I’m in the final editing stages of my second book. I decided to follow my own advice here based on the mistakes I made with my first one. Fortunately you won’t have to suffer the same consequences I did. That is my gift to y’all 😘 Good Luck.

What I struggle with the most (and of course I’m not alone). It’s mainly contributed to criticism and pressures that arise regarding the end product: your book. When writing, don’t let the voice inside your head (that inspires fear) cause you to not release your book. As a self-published author, I had to come to terms with a lot of things; not just in reference to my book, but within me personally. I’ve had to develop discipline in the mind and push past insecurities. It’s still a battle, but day by day I push through. As a freelance fashion writer, I’ve been exposed to being critiqued fairly and unfairly. I don’t know why as an author, I’m so self-conscious. I’m writing this post because maybe someone out there, is struggling with that too? You don’t even have to be an author or writer; this goes for all creatives. Word of advice:

THE BEST WAY TO GET OVER ANXIETY IS TO START BREAKING SOME RULES!

Yes. As I writer, when anxiety hits it’s usually due to me trying to do things as close to perfect as possible, but by what standard? When I started breaking rules; I was set free. How to do this, when to do that, what chapter supposed to have this; and on and on. I stopped all that and started doing me! I mean, sure I follow basic rules as best as possible because that’s what people are use to when reading, but in terms of style; I’ve found my own. As an author, you must develop your own unique writing style. Write and do whatever you want in your book… just so long as you’re consistent throughout. Bypass dated methods of writing and introduce something new to your readers. Play with certain methods of punctuation, and manipulate traditional styles to create a world in your books that are all your own. The written word is your medium, and like an artist creates art using paints in unconventional ways, then so should you. Look anxiety in the eye and laugh! Focus on getting your message out, or rather, what idea you’re trying to express.

With every first book, there’s a first manuscript. Before you even think about publishing your book, it must be presented in the best possible way. You need an editor! I cringe when I see self-publishers claim they’ll just edit their book themselves. Please don’t do that. I empathize with those authors though; book editors are expensive. After editing my first book,  Door to California; I learned just how labor intensive editing is.

I most certainly did get an editor, but by chance. She was a rookie. We were able to work out a price that was fair and feasible for both of us. I think my book was the first full novel she’d edited, so I knew right away that I had my work cut out for me. When your budget is tight, you must figure out what specifically you need your editor to do. If they’ll be doing a lot, then expect to pay a lot. For me, I needed someone to edit basic grammar, and help with story line consistency. I just needed an extra pair of eyes really, which is what I got. My editor was also the demographic I was writing for. It was a win win on my part. I figured that if I’m writing a novel based on a young woman, then it would only help that my editor was one too. She caught things that I missed, and edited for a modern mindset.

When you write your first book, that’s when you’ll be able to cultivate your own unique editing process. For me, I do the manuscript, then send the RM (Raw Manuscript) to my editor. My editor sends it back with corrections, suggestions, and notes. I then update the manuscript, making it the final edit. This is what I refer to as the “Final Read” edit, where she/he just reads for last minute grammar, consistency, and suggestions. It’s not as intense as the first edit.

While she’s doing that, I will simultaneously be doing what I call a “Listening Edit,” where I put the manuscript into a text-to-talk. Doing this checks for flow; making sure it sounds the way I want it to, for emphasis, suspense, and so on. By the time the editor is done with the ‘Final Read’, that’s when I’ll be done with my text-to-talk (probably way before that). When the editor gives back the Final Read, it should have little to no major edits. I’ll compare it with my notes from the text-to-talk, then voila! Done.

You have to give yourself some kind of discipline and restraint. Honesty, I’ve read about people editing their book to no end; throwing out manuscripts, then starting over, editing at least 15 times, etc. But why? I personally believe that if you’re a writer…then you know how to write. You can edit a book many times, but at what point will you be releasing it? All that fuss over grammar and this or that, when the real focus needs to be on THE STORY. What I’m saying is that you have to put your foot down with the editing and give yourself a limit. When you set standards, then you’ll push yourself to meet them. Stop allowing wiggle room to mess up, and just buckle down and shoot for excellence. You may not always be perfect, and you might even miss something here and there, but as long as your story is carried out the way it should be, then that’s enough. This anxiety has got to stop! People hold off on releasing their book because of how labor intensive editing is, when ultimately, it takes time to get it right. Your first book is the key to developing your will and style as an author. Your discipline, work ethic, and quality is something that will build muscle over time; if you’re willing to put in the work. Do the best job you can and get your work out there!

You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into (lol). Just when you thought you could just MAKE a book. I don’t care how much research you do; you’re going to experience things that will test your will. Publishing your first book will be a process filled with minor or major mess ups, but that’s fine. It’s supposed to happen. I”m not talking to the authors who have about $2000 (or more) to shell out on their first publication. I’m talking to self-publishing authors who, no matter what, will share their vision…their gift with the world. And you should; let nothing stop you, not even your own self-doubt. But please understand that if you’re doing this alone, do not approach the process as if it’s no difficult feat. From editing, to publishing, to final upload, and so on. You’ll want to be prepared, or else you are sure to waste loads of time and energy for a product that could have at least been decent. I will be writing a series of posts that will only be accessible to people with a FREE membership to my site after; so sign up! I will make the first post (FBS Post 1: Editing) public. After that, only subscribers will access to the other posts in the series. 

In this series of blog posts, I’ll share the personal trials and tribulations of publishing my first book as examples for you to not make the same mistakes I did. Complete your book without loosing time, money, and creating a low quality product. I’ll help you through the basics of getting your work out there in a presentable manor, and even discuss the costs realities associated with publishing for the first time. There’s a lot of misconceptions out there that give authors a false sense of independence when it comes to certain aspects; like creating your own this or that without fully understanding what goes into it. All that and more! just sign up and we’ll get started. You’ll receive email notifications of new posts, and be in the know on how to be the best self-published author from the ground up. See you soon!