Since I am new at this, let me start with a brief intro, THEN I will list the things I plan to do this month before pressing publish on September 5.
What I hope to get from YOU is a reality check of what I’m MISSING.
I’m Hart (hi, Hart) and have traditionally published a couple Cozy Mysteries. I’ve always written, but only learned how to FINISH books in about 2006 (and those first three were fan fiction).
I’ve now written 15 first drafts (plus the fan fiction, so 18) but only published 2 (my 3rd Cozy comes out in March and a 4th Cozy I plan to sell traditionally-I don't suspect I will have trouble).
Probably half of those remaining are fixable to be published… but I’ve been waffling how to go about this. See… I believe the decision of the HOW has to do with genre and personality. And my personality is really more suited to traditional—details stress me out. Control’s not my thing. DETAILS aren't my thing... I just want to WRITE.
But I also HATE the ‘shopping the stuff’. The mystery is pretty easy. I had a referral and an easy first sale (7th book, mind you, but 3-book contract), but my other books I’ve queried haven’t gone that easily.
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| The serial collection cover |
I have three very strong stories in various stages of development that are definitely best suited to the serial format, so I decided it was time to set aside my fears (and detail aversion) and give it a shot.
I will see how it goes and see if I learn what I need to before I decide how I’ll publish my standalone books, but for now, I’m committed to the serial release of A Shot in the Light, a flu apocalypse thriller… (10 ‘episodes’ about 100 pages a piece) And here is what I need to do:
Production (by the end of August)
(the stuff I know how to do
Book 1 is with editor (scheduled release 9/5)
Book 2 is getting an edit (scheduled release 9/19)
Book 3 is with first readers
Need to write book 4 (the core is done)
(first 3 covers are ready)
(the stuff I need to figure out)
Need to learn to format for ePublication
Need to investigate Kindle Special Direct—considering this for initial publication, then expanding formats in maybe December when I’ll put out my first ‘bundle’
Need to write cover copy
Need to write acknowledgements
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| The first in the serial (99 pages) |
Marketing
Update Author Profile on Amazon
New Author Profile on Goodreads (first need to get them to allow me two names)
Look into additional book venues (Book Bub?)
Solicit reviewers
And I know there are a thousand other things. I want to do this RIGHT or I probably would just wing it. I tend to do that. But I LOVE this story--really I do. And I want everybody ELSE to love it, too! Which means I need to do all I can so people even KNOW about it.
So if any of you have MUSTS on your list for first time indie authors, especially if you know about serials, I would LOVE to have you share!!!
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