So let me tell you the worst thing about self-publishing.
The worst thing about self-publishing is the final build up to the end. Now, not only do I have to do page proofs, but I have to proof the proofreading, proof the copy-edits, proof the formatting… I read the book aloud twice during the proofing process, and then read it again in formatted version, and then read aloud every paragraph any time I have to make a change. I read my book about 10 times more self-publishing than I would if I were traditionally published.
And by the time I get to the copy-editing/proofing stage, I have already read the book 10-20 times, depending on the scene. It used to be that when I handed my editor the final version of the book, I despised it.
So I’m already sick of the book by the first copy-editing pass. By the time I’m doing my second read aloud–a truly painful experience–I want to hurl the pages across the room and stomp up and down on them. I put the work down every 50 pages or so and whimper, “Why me?” It’s not pretty. By the time I hit “publish,” I hate my book with a passion engendered of boredom and overwork and overexposure. I want to cry. I want to vomit with rage. (And in case you are wondering, I can tell a book is ready to publish because my fury at the thought of having to sit through another reading exceeds my pride in having something not perfect out there.)
Once I hit publish, something magical happens. People start reading it. And they tell me things like, “I loved this scene!” That scene? The one I read 25 times, and wrote 6 different ways? Really? You…you love it? They read it and by some strange magical alchemy, they usually do not want to vomit with rage. It’s the best present ever–to be able to rediscover the book through 1000 eyes.
So thank you to all my readers for making my book fun for me again.
How many times did you bang your head against a wall and mumble curses while you read for the zillionth time?
I bought Unraveled last night as soon as I saw it was available and started reading during my lunch today. Am getting very work little done this afternoon due to checking the time so often: want to read more NOW.
I’m three days late! Don’t know how this could have happened after checking your website almost daily. Anyway, I’m so looking forward to reading this book. It’s great you’ve made it available so soon after Unclaimed.
I’m also looking very much forward to Out Of The Frying Pan. I adore your free short stories (and all of your regular books of course)!
I just finished Unravelled. What a wonderful story. I could go on and on about what I loved, but that would involve too many spoilers. I will simply say that this is the best book I have read this year (Unclaimed comes in 2nd). I laughed, I cried and I cheered (and sometimes all at the same time). Thank you so so much for all of the hard work you put into writing such great books.
Thank you for the care and attention that you gave this story –
It was a wonderful read!
Congratulations on your much-deserved success! (Looking forward to the novella and new series in 2012!)