The experiment part 3

OK so I have finished the book and all the photo illustrations, I have sent the book off to be edited, and this past weekend I have uploaded my book to the Kindle store. https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/signin  Know I am just waiting to receive conformation that my book has passed the Kindle review process, then I will be published for the third time. Although this time my book will only be available as an e-book for downloads.

What I want to share in this blog is just how easy … and hard … and frustrating this was. Kindle has made the process of becoming a self published author well within the grasp of most people that have a computer, but the amount of information I had to search through was almost enough to put me off. I was at a bit of a disadvantage because I was needing to upload my manuscript from my Mac to a none Mac supported system like Kindle. Not being a computer wizard I found some of the language unfamiliar and a bit confusing. All the information was there for me I just had to learn how to decipher it. Once I had cracked the code and I could see how my book would look, on a Kindle book, I then needed to go back and reformat my text several times so that it would look right on the device. I am very proud of what I have done. I know that I have not done a perfect job but as I continue to learn I will continue to do better, but for know Spencer the Spider and the Witch in the Wood has been a wonderful success. And while I have not had that same high as when a publisher called and said that they liked my work and wanted to publish it, this process has been far more rewarding.

I have often said that ever since I had my first book published, almost two years ago now, that it has been like being back in college. No, lets say school, because on a day-to-day basis I think I use to learn more in high school and because I knew so much less back then. Do you know what I have discovered about myself? I like to learn. Some times it frustrates the hell out of me when I don’t get something right away but I really like learning again.

Good Luck, and keep writing.

Morgan

The experiment part 2

Well I have gotten my edited manuscript back from First Editing http://www.firstediting.com/ this week. Now I need to sit myself down and go through the changes that the editor has made to see if I agree with all of them. I have learned the hard way, in the past, just because someone is a professional editor that does not mean that they do not make mistakes. After I have gone through all the track changes and accepted those that I like and rejected those that I disagree with I will then send it out to some of my friends whose opinion I trust to get more feed back. I always want my stories to be the best that they can be.

I could send my story to fifteen different people/editors and I could get back fifteen different versions. But I ultimately need to stay true to my voice, my vision, and myself. Here is a great example of what I mean. This is part of a note that I received from my editor:

“What an absolutely delightful story! I'm so glad I was chosen as your editor.

I changed a few words to American English per your request. One that comes to mind is 'gob-smacked', which I know from watching BBC America, but is changed to 'flabbergasted' here in the U.S.

I hope to see more of Spencer's adventures soon!”

I really want it to say ‘gob-smacked’ so that is one change that I will be rejecting. It’s not wrong it’s just what I want. I need to get to work now.

Good luck, and keep writing!

Morgan