I HAVE INK!
I am all set to print off my first ever manuscript with all of its flawed grammar, chronological inconsistencies and all the rest that await me on the cold harsh pages of A4. The aim is to read it over myself, make as many corrections to it as humanly possible, then give it to a Beta reader or two and see how it fares. Scary and exciting at the same time – why isn’t there a word that? (or is there?) – and while the manuscript gets looked at I’ll be able to work on another project until I get the feedback errrm… back. I think this third edit will be more enjoyable than the second, but I’m not 100% certain on that. I’ll soon see.
My head is filled with marketing strategies, lit agents, publishers, social media and all that good stuff that I’ll need to launch the book. I’m keeping details pretty sparse just now, but my debut book will be approximately 130,000 words. I also have a cover to think about and still need to weigh up the posibility of self-publishing or going the traditional route, but I’m currently leaning towards publishing in print.
I should be able to keep posting on a regular basis on here, depending on how the edit goes, but if for some reason I drop off the map for a few days you’ll know why. Something tells me that won’t happen – WordPress is too good! Also I was away for a few days, so sorry if I haven’t managed to visit your blog as much as usual.
Best of luck! Editing is a slog but one has to do it.
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Thank you kindly bookheathen, I’m getting there!
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Very interesting. I think we are at exactly the same point. I’ve just printed my book out, and I’ve started editing. I’ve just written a post about this on my blog.
Good luck!
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Thanks. May the typos be few and the red ink seldom used.
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Congratulations. I feel your excitement and potential pain. Good luck…or do we have some clever alternate phrase like stage performers…I’ll coin one…break a pen!
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Cheers. I like break a pen – that’s going to catch on!
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Wow! Congratulations and good luck for the edits and the next tasks ahead!
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Cheers! It’s gonna be fun/arduous.
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Have fun!! The Lion ready to roar? 😉😋
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Getting there!! 🙂 🙂 Just printed off my manuscript, slightly buzzing!
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Good luck! I kind of love it when I hear someone is ready with a manuscript. It heightens hope in me to one day complete mine! 🙂
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It’ll happen, just keep writing!
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Good luck with the edit, would love to beta read it. As I am an author too, may I suggest going the traditional route of publishing, even if it’s indie. It’s better to get the name/brand out there before self publishing, unless your great at marketing. Btw, stop by I’m always adding new stories and just started a radio program on blog talk for reading of my short stories and chapter ideas.
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Thanks for the advice and taking the time to stop by.
I agree with what you said, I’m going to go for traditional publishing on this first book for sure (I feel it has potential), and if it doesn’t hapen for whatever reason the ebook market is always there.
I’ll swing by your blog too!
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Sounds like a plan! I’m currently working on a fourth edit–I think–on my WIP. Hopefully, the next one will be my last, but not counting on it. lol
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Best of luck! Hopefully that’ll be it finished 🙂
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Best of luck to you too–got my fingers crossed for both of us.
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You can type with fingers crossed? I bow down 🙂
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Yes, and with my eyes crossed too. 😀
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🙂
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Wow! Really exciting times ahead! Good luck with it all. Just a thought but another blogger I follow, Aidan Reid, is about to publish his first book and I thought that you might find it useful to look at his site http://aidanjreid.com/ as he has recently gone through the editing and illustrations process and maybe you guys could share ideas and things.
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Awesome thanks for the link, will check it out!
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Hurray for edits! Have you thought about using create space for doing the printed version If you do self-publishing? I haven’t looked into it much yet since my first attempt at a novel is far from ready for that heh.
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Not heard of it but thanks for the tip, will look into it!
Keep writing you’ll get there 🙂
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I hear it works with Amazon, or is an amazon company.
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Yeah it is, thanks for the suggestion. I had a look and it’s something I’d definitely consider depending on how things go with this first book.
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Hey,
I used CreateSpace to make the print version of my ebook. It’s dead straight forward, there’s even a template you can put your MS in to make the formatting side easier, although to be fair it isn’t too hard anyway and there’s tons of guides out there on it.
The downside with CreateSpace is that you have to charge a high fee (in the UK at least) if you’re going to make any profit, as the base cost (in the UK anyway) was £7.20 before I could make a profit on it.
Personally I used it to give some “real” copies to friends and family, and the vast bulk I’ve shifted have all been on the Kindle Store.
Good luck anyway – if you need any support there’s a great community on Kboards Writers Cafe, especially around the self publishing route.
Thanks
Mike
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Many thanks for the info Mike – will definitely be looking into createspace and will likely register at kboards very soon.
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Excellent sir. Kboards is a fantastic resource for both new and experienced authors alike 🙂
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Congratulations!!! Keeping fingers crossed for you!
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Thanks 🙂 Should be fun!
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Ooh! Good luck!!
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Cheers, I might need a little..
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Don’t we all?! I’m in the process of query letters. God help me!
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Good luck 🙂
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