Self-Publishing is hard work!

After hours of tweaking, changing, amending, adding...etc...( you get the picture) I have published my book on Amazon. I was amazed by how quickly it all went once it was done. I am still waiting to hear from Smashwords about the premium status!

I am currently proofing the hard copy so it's pretty much all go!  It's very exciting, but I am also apprehensive.  Even though, so far, I have received great reviews I know it's only a matter of time before someone doesn't like it and I am bracing myself for any comments.

Anyway, hopefully now I can focus on editing my second book.  Even though I am in the process of translating Hybrid in Spanish and German...

To anyone looking to self publish or needing advice, drop me a line - I might have the answer. I also enjoy creating book covers so again if you need help, just ask.  I won't charge you...although, if I get inundated you might have to wait a while...ha ha!

Thanks for reading
Vanessa :)
xx

The Quest for Premium Status

After publishing via smashwords, I have been hoping to secure the illusive premium status, which will allow my book to sell via Apple and Barnes & Noble, etc...today I think I discovered what I had done wrong.  So, I will keep my fingers crossed and hope it will get accepted soon.

I have to admit that I debated publishing through Amazon as well,but I am confused.  I don't want to sell via the KDP scheme.  I self-published to maintain control, not to lose it!  Also, I think I need to purchase an ISBN number (even though it says it is optional - can anyone clarify this point?) which is $100. So, again, why would I want to do this when I get one for free at Smashbooks?

Also, you can download onto any media via smashwords - you can only download to Kindle via Amazon.  Is this true?  Again, does this smell of monopoly to you?

I guess if all I cared about was sales, Amazon is the place to be?  Or, is it? 

I think more people will have an ipad as they see what an excellent tool it is.  And personally, I love to read books on it. It's bigger, better and clearer.  Then again I recently bought a Kobo and again was surprised at how easy it was.  WiFi enabled, with access to the internet at £75 - a bargain.  So, why would you buy a kindle at over £100?

Am I missing the point?

Anyway, add comments to my musings and have an excellent weekend...
Vanessa :)

Amazing Reviews! What a feeling!

I have to admit that I am amazed and overwhelmed.  Just when the doubting gremlins were seeping back into my mind, I was told today by two different people how much they loved my book!  What a fantastic feeling... The thing is, everyone reads it always says "I could not put it down!" Well, in my books that's incredible.  All authors hope to hit the nerve with a reader, and as an unknown all I could do was hope. 

So, I will carry on writing and sharing and hope that others will follow.  Like I always say, "you never know!"

Thanks for reading!
Vanessa :)

p.s. I attach my latest reviews for HYBRID... pretty cool, don't you think?  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145641

Review by: Katie Elliott on April 20, 2012 :
Loved it! I couldn't put it down. I am so looking forward to the next book.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Adam Cuadra on April 15, 2012 :
This is a very exciting read! Would appeal to the Twilight fan-base, but has definitely put it's own twist on the genre. This is a very well constructed piece, all the more impressive for being a debut novel. I admired the language and story-telling craft. I thought the second half of the book flowed better than the first, and it got to a point where I didn't want to put it down. Whilst I was hooked from the beginning I was quite uncertain as to where the story would go as those I assumed to be the main characters from the outset were definitely not once the story progressed - this slight clunkiness would be my only real gripe, but for me it didn't detract from a great adventure well written. Many congratulations Vanessa - I look forward to reading what happens next, both with the saga itself and also with your writing journey. 5 stars!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: lynn collinson on April 09, 2012 :
Fantastic! Not my usual genre but has wet my appetite and I will be trying a few other paranormal books in the furute. Already looking forward to book 2!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

So here it is...first glimpse of the cover for my second book INTEGRATION.  What are you views?  Do you like?  I have a few other ones to choose from, but so far this is the one I'm leaning towards...Tweet me or leave a comment - I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks :)

A very productive day...

Isn't it amazing how some days you are able to pack it all in! Today I made lasagne & meatballs (from scratch - no cheating!), cleared up the house, did two wash loads, edited for over an hour, went for a 30 minute walk and tried - we all try - to promote my book! Pre-school is the best invention ever! My edits are going very well and the second book of The Evolution series, Integration, is now at 85,000 words...it's creeping up as I edit! I also managed to create a new cover for the second book, courtesy of my sister in law who takes amazing pictures... I'll post another day for your review. My sales are still slow, but I decided to sell at $0.99 or £0.70 - a bargain!

Ultimately, I would love people to read my debut novel, Hybrid, and let me know what you think. I started writing to escape, to explore my creativity... I would give the book away for free but I get the impression free books are not viewed highly...what are your experiences? I have heard that if you are into Twilight, my writing is just for you... But I am convinced it is not like Twilight as it develops. So, give it a go and read the 20% free download. What do you have to lose?

Thanks for reading, hasta luego,
Vanessa xx

After over three weeks I am starting to get the hang of twitter and social networking... Although I am pretty sure my sales have mainly come from people who know me in some way. How do I convince people who don't know me to buy my book or sample it? I guess I have to wait until my book goes live and people can buy it on apple, etc... I shall keep you posted. In the meantime, I am going to take a few deep breaths, not expect miracles and try to be patient - not my strongest point! Thanks for reading... Vanessa :)

Link to HYBRID...

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145641?ref=islander8

A fresh start at University should be about making new friends, gaining independence, and expanding the mind. 

Steven Thorn is already used to living away from home – so independence is not an issue.  He’s smart – so expanding the mind comes naturally.  When it comes to making new friends – he  is overly cautious.  Usually, he receives too much unwanted attention.  That’s why Caitlin catches him off guard.  She is the first girl he is intrigued by, and the more he gets to know her, the more he likes. 

Sometimes, when you have everything you could possibly want, fate decides to take it all away... for Steven is a HYBRID and everything is about to change.