Newbies at indie publishing all seem to be looking for the same thing. How do I do this? Where can I do that? Most of the answers are simple, but if you don’t know them, it can be overwhelming.
First thing… Where do you publish? Well I recommend two places. First place Amazon. Now neither of the places I recommend have upfront cost. There are legit publishing places (ingramspark) that charge for the printing. However I don’t think that is a good thing. Anyplace you have to pay for the ability to publish your books really feels like a scam to me. Now I am going to recommend a place where you can publish to Amazon, and when you can use it is far easier… But Amazon is incredibly picky. I have had Amazon block some of my books on this other site only to allow me to publish it direct on their own site. Also when you go to publish make sure not to mention either Apple or Amazon or the publishing will be blocked. The place I use is draft2digital. They also have a print book option now. Everything is very streamlined and easy to use now.
Hello, lovely readers! Today, my need for caffeine was strong, so I am enjoying coffee. Triple chocolate coffee with cinnamon creme creamer. That and the toothpicks propping my eyelids open might allow functionality.
So much news today. Two preorders… One for Poetic Reminders and one for Through the Sunshine. Upcoming events. What is being worked on now. And commentary about life at large.
So let’s start with talking about the preorders. Fae Corps is doing a party all through May. There is going to be a chance to get to know the authors in the anthology. Giveaways and just general fun. Go check it out and join us for the fun! I am not doing anything so big for Poetic Reminders…. However if I get comments on this blog post I will do a random drawing for a free ebook copy… So tell me something that makes you smile.
Coffee house writers anthology is moving right along. My submissions have been assigned to its first editor. They are going to assign three separate editors to catch all errors. That way you, the reader, get the best piece possible. With Fae Corps we have the authors read the manuscript after the final edits have been put together to make sure that there are no errors. That is often 10+ sets of eyes on the whole thing. That helps to insure quality. Quality is the best way to ensure the stories are showcased properly.
So, Serena is working currently on a short horror story for the Nightmare whispers anthology. I think that it is off to a good start. She is still working on The Kingdoms of Sin, but the short has a deadline. She is determined to get both done soon. I hear that she is hoping to release her book some time this year.
As for me… I have started a new poetry volume. The cover is above… I really love how it turned out. I still am working on heart drops, but as I don’t often write love poetry… I wanted a volume that could catch the other poems… The darker poems. I think that this volume suits that idea. I have the next Dylan book written, and am waiting for the illustrator. If I have time I want to finish Attack of Shoe Mountain. I have so much going on though that it may be a while.
Life has been chaotic for me for a bit now. Back in November we started expansion of my daughter’s room. Due to the lack of people to assist or timing being bad or just bad luck… It is still unfinished. That is changing this weekend. So next week will be me cleaning up the mess left by construction. The next project is my master bath, hopefully it will be done faster.
So I mentioned a giveaway above. I asked for things that make you smile, but I am also curious about how life has been for you. How has the current situation in the world affected your day to day life?
Everything’s been so messed up here lately Pretty sure he don’t wanna be my baby Oh, he don’t love me, he don’t love me He don’t love me, he don’t love me But that’s okay ‘Cause I love me, yeah, I love me Yeah, I love me Yeah, I love myself anyway Hey Everything’s gonna be alright Everything’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be a good, good, life That’s what my therapist say Everything’s gonna be alright Everything’s gonna be just fine It’s gonna be a good, good life I’m a mess, I’m a loser I’m a hater, I’m a user I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new I’m obsessed, I’m embarrassed I don’t trust no one around us I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new Nobody shows up unless I’m paying Have a drink on me cheers to the failing Oh, he don’t love me, he don’t love me He don’t love me, he don’t love me But that’s okay ‘Cause I love me, yeah, I love me Yeah, I love me Yeah, I love myself anyway Hey Everything’s gonna be alright Everything’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be a good, good life That’s what my therapist say Everything’s gonna be alright Everything’s gonna be just fine It’s gonna be a good, good life I’m a mess, I’m a loser I’m a hater, I’m a user I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new I’m obsessed, I’m embarrassed I don’t trust no one around us I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new Everything’s gonna be alright, alright Everything’s gonna be just fine, just fine It’s gonna be a good, good life I’m a mess, I’m a loser I’m a hater, I’m a user I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new I’m obsessed, I’m embarrassed I don’t trust no one around us I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new
My 2 cents – I feel like this song is so relatable. everyone feels like a mess on occasion. Some of us feel like more mess than right. So if today you are a mess…just turn the music up and let Bebe Sing your feelings for you.
So I was featured again in this months magazine from the coffee house writers poetry department. I am not the only thing that is worth reading. All of the magazine is amazing. I am so honored to be a part of this.
So I usually do Poetry on Monday…but due to what I am doing otherwise this felt appropriate. I am trying to clean up files and do layout for a couple of books, including Fae Corps Through the Sunshine anthology. Now…I have to figure many editors are more organized than I am…but it is still courtesy when you do a submission to any anthology or call for submission to do a certain amount of information, unless the submission rules say otherwise.
Each submission should be in one of two fonts…either Times New Roman or Arial in a 12 pt size. It should have your name, any pen name, the title, and some means of contact (email or Phone). It should be labeled as to what you are submitting it to. In the email you should include a third person Bio and picture to save the editor from requesting this.
Most people honestly don’t realize how useful this is to have. Even if it is not going to be added to the piece in whatever publication, it gives the editor an idea of who you are. Some submission requests ask that this information not be included because it is done in a blind read…but you should see that before submitting your work.
It seems like many people ignore the information in the call for submissions though. You should always be aware of the place you are submitting to. If it is a magazine or literary blog, read through what they have published before. It really helps you to know whether you will be a good fit. Also it will help you to get an idea of whether they are newbie friendly or do they require someone who has experience?
This is important! If they work often with newbies, then they are likely able to help you figure out what you are doing. If they only work with those writers who are experienced…well then they are not likely to expect to have to explain the process. This makes it harder to figure out what you are ignorant of.
I am not trying to discourage…Merely to help others figure out what they are doing without the fumbling that I have done in the past.
Pattimouse 