How to publish a book...my journey

Along my writing journey I have been faced with a lot of issues...

1) Prose - what is that exactly?

As far as I can see it's finding your voice.  Be that in first, second or third person.  I have decided that I prefer to write in second person, although writing in first person is also fun (and I am still editing my first romance chick flick type book) 

For those who don't know the difference (that was me a couple of year's ago...) I hope this is a fair distinction...

1st person
If I have to clean that dam table another time I am going to scream.
2nd person
Suzie was convinced that if she she had to clean the table another time she would definitely scream.
3rd person
Suzie did not want to clean the table again.  She would scream if she had to.

2) Making your storyline work

Even though when you first write something it seems to work, when you finish your book and step back you might find that the order of events does not work. 

When I first wrote Hybrid it started in the summer months, from's Steven's point of view (POV for those in the know...).  When I was editing and polishing I realised it was not a punchy start so I have to change the entire beginning, cut chunks out, lose some writing (about 5000 words!) and rewrite.  I had some great friends who chatted the scenario out with me (thank you Kay & Kathyrn) and helped me to make it work better.  Then after all that rewrite I decided to add more to the end and took a chunk out of the next book (which I was writing whilst editing Hybrid).

Funnily enough, this is what I have done with book 2.  I had to do a major rewrite and took a chunk out this time, which I moved to book three.  Then I had to rewrite the ending - a new 10,000.  At the moment I am editing book two which needs a fair bit of work and have started to continue to write book three (which now has to be changed to take into account the changes from book two). 

This is the world of series writing.  Do any of you other writers out there have the same issues?

3) Editing

There is no easy way to say this... editing is hard work!

You have to check, check and check again... and use friends or anyone that is willing to give feedback to make sure when you publish your work is as good as it can be.  You could pay for a professional to edit it for you.  Again the advice is mixed here.  Obviously, a well edited book will get better feedback than one that is not, but is there any guarantee that the story will fair better?  Let's face it FSOG could do with a major edit and yet it has sold millions... I rest my case.  So, as a reader I still believe the story has to be good too.  So, if you are a first time writer try and get free help if you can and avoid paying until you know if your story is any good.

I would recommend www.thewordcloud.org to make friends and to obtain feedback.  Although, I do think you have to be prepared to give feedback yourself (which also takes time).

To publish your work and just get feedback go to Wattpad or Booksie... but be warned some other writers could copy your idea since there is nothing stopping them unless you put a disclaimer on your work, i.e. copyright it!

4) How to publish an ebook

When I first looked into publishing I turned to Smashwords.  I was new to the whole thing and Mark Cokers's guide gave me some excellent tools to work with.  I do have to admit that I am very proficient on MS Word.  If you are not you might struggle.  It is not perfect since it leaves huge spaces in the writing when you download to kindle but after some tweaking it does the job. 

It did take ages to get it into the premium catalogue and I have to admit that since most of my firends had a kindle I decided to try out amazon instead.  I was frustrated by the lack of sales or interest.  Honestly, it did me a favour.  The month on smashwords helped my edit further.  With smashwords I could download to my ipad whenever I wanted and edit my story easily.  You can't download this easily to any device from amazon.

When I went to amazon, my document needed very little tweeking.  I just had to change the obvious mentions of smashwords and again reduce the spaces in between the chapters heading, etc to make it look better for kindle.  I decided to try the KDP scheme and the jury is out - I am not sure it does what it is supposed to. 

I put a sample of Hybrid on smashwords and this backfired... Amazon UK put Hybrid for FREE for a month.  Although I am now seeing a steady stream of sales so it might have helped?

I am looking forward to going back on smashwords to see whether I should have waited...

My advice though is try smashwords first, then amazon... unless you have forked out for professional editing advice in which case you won't need the help... right?

5) How to publish a paperback

I am not an expert on this.  I used createspace.  Again, if you are doing this alone prepare for frustrating back and forths to make sure it works.  I also changed the cover a lot and needed help to make it right.  I ordered a few samples (which I could give to friends, etc...) and it felt great to hold my own book in my hand.

In an ideal world, I would make the cover different but again as a self published writer createspace do what they say... you get to hold your book in your hand for a relatively small cost!

For those who don't know, they print to order... so no stockpiling or waste of paper!  Save a tree... lol!

6) Avoiding distraction

As a self published author I have to do all of my marketing and social media interaction.  I have to admit that blogging (well I am writing a blog now aren't I?), going on Twitter, Facebook, checking emails, other social media sites... all takes time.  When I found out about Hootsuite it helped.  Now I can send tweets throughout the day without having to constantly monitor whats happening.  I don't actually know if these tweets are that successful but it makes me feel better - and that's what counts. It does mean that when I go on Twitter I can chat and see what's happening instead of tweeting about myself!

When I did not know about publishing and promotion I just wrote.  Sometimes, I wish I could go back to that.  Saying that I have met some amazing people online and don't feel so alone anymore.  I am part of a wide community of writers all striving to share...

There is a lot of brilliant advice out there for FREE - I know, amazing...

7) Going on courses

I decided to take myself a bit more seriously and signed up for a writers weekend in York (England) from the 7-9th September.

I have no idea how this will go (I am bricking myself...) so I will blog later...

But, I will have 2 one to one meetings with two different agents, a one to one with a book doctor, go on loads of seminars, as well as socialise and mingle at a gala dinner, breakfast etc... I KNOW!

No kids, but a lot to learn... I guess I just wanted to see what the world of publishers and agents is like!

I hope you all wish me luck... I have no idea what will come of it!


Anyway, the reason for this blog was to share my experience as an "indie" author.  I am happy to take questions and to help any of you out there... so give me a shout!

And if you do read Hybrid please leave a review - your opinion matters!  Thank you...

Hope my ramblings help
Vanessa :) xx

Olympic Pictures

What a fantastic Olympic Games and I am so amazed I got to witness some of it... so here are some of my highlights in pictures...
 

The Boat...

 



Both of these stadiums were really impressive... so many people! When we all left it was like ants breaking free!

Hockey Stadium











Basketball Stadium

The Beatbox was fantastic - it was a shame it was a short tour but well worth the effort and we did not have the queue! :)

The Beatbox!

Cool Lights...

It was sooo cool to see Becky Admington and Chris Evans on the second day at the Olympic Park - it made my day!  I just hope Becky was not serious when she thought she was old at 22 - that makes me ancient! Lol...

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY LITTLE SNAPSHOT... until the next one

Vanessa :) xx

Holiday Blues...

Well after ten days away I would love to tell you all that I missed blogging, checking my email and twitter... but I can't lie! I did not!  I had a brilliant time with my family and loved the Olympics and France. 

I do not have a huge amount to write today but I had to post to say thank you to anyone who has downloaded my free book in the UK (yes - it is still free! Don't ask me why?!) and for anyone who has bought my book in the US - again thanks a lot! Michael Phelps is a legend!   I will post pictures when I have time...

If you enjoyed HYBRID, please be so kind as to leave a review... I do not have an agent or editor or anything of the sort!  I have some great, fantastic friends and family who pointed a few things out (I'm always open to suggestions) but other than that I have been free to indulge my imagination - I hope it lived up to your expectations! :)  I am about to start the edit of my second book which is now complete but any words of encouragement are always appreciated :)

I am off to watch the closing ceremony!

Thanks again for the support and enjoy - Well done GB team! Best haul of medals ever...

Best wishes
Vanessa :) xx

p.s. Just had to add... read four books whilst I was away! Absolutely loved "The Help" - best book I have read all year! And I am currently reading "The story of my Life" - again fab! Reviews to follow.  Can I also mention "Second Chances" by Angela Kelman - another debut novelist.  I really enjoyed her story too and I think it has great series potential - which is always aomething that appeals to me... bye now...

Anyone else loving the Olympics?

Next week I will be heading off for London to watch Hockey and Basketball at the Olympics - in London (for anyone who has not heard about them...lol) I am so excited. I already went to see the Aquatic centre in March for the British Gas Champs and so even though I did not get swimming tickets I can say I was there... It does get me thinking though. I know some athletes will be disappointed for not getting the Gold (for e.g. Mark Cavendish, Michael Phelps, Hannah Miley...) but is it all about the Gold? I guess when you train as hard as they do it kind of is, but what about the rest of us. We all want to strike Gold in whatever we do, but we have to be realistic we are only human. In the world of books, it's all about the next big read, the first to get there with that new idea... It's no different in sport. First there gets gold! But, hey, personally if I know I have done my best is that not enough. I think we all have to strive to be the best we can, and be happy with that. Medals are great but then so is competing... Do your best and don't begrudge it when someone else's best is better than yours! In life, fate always has a hand...thanks for reading and to anyone who has downloaded my book - Thank you. It's a dream to know people have my book... And I won't be unhappy if I'm not no. 1! Vanessa :) xx

Over the moon...

Check out my latest review... I mean, like WOW... Huge gigantic smaile on my face today... Thank you Mrs mud.  I also finally have a copy of my official paperback and am quite impressed by the cover...

Hope you all get a chance to check it out... I am in the mood for writing!
Vanessa :) xx

Captivation at Every Twist and Turn! Next Bestseller! July 23, 2012
By MrsMud

As an 8th grade English teacher, reading is my passion. In order to entice my middle school kids to read, I must make sure that what I present to them is something that will not only catch their attention, but keep it through to the end. Popular series such as Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games, and the Divergent Trilogy are series that I've read and presented to my students, and received an overwhelming response with kids fighting for books to read them. In saying that, I am constantly looking for books that are up to my standards to "infect" my students with that bug to read. I can say, after reading Hybrid, that this is my next book craze that will be taking over my class.

Since I live in the USA, the terms and spellings of Great Britain threw me at first, but was great to be exposed to a different way of reading. Will be great discussions in class! Hybrid begins in the setting of England, with student Caitlin joining the University, and meeting new people. It threw me, at first, because the story does change to the different characters points of view, but you catch on quick after that.

At school, Caitlin meets Steven and all that comes with him; many things that even HE didn't realize came with him. You get caught up in young blossoming love, that soon become overshadowed by darknesses hidden by the past. When dark family secrets make themselves known, the story twists into one of survival and the costs of living. Will the overwhelming love endure all costs? Is survival worth losing yourself? Is there anyway out?

The Hybrid series is sure to keep the reader on edge throughout the chapters, and leaves you wanting more at the end. This, to me, is the mark of a true bestseller. It leaves me wanting more, and will leave any reader wanting her to hurry up and release the other books! Any fans of The Hunger Games and/or Twilight will instantly be captivated. I will state, I am NOT a Twilight/vampire fan AT ALL, but I was captivated by this book. You must read to know more! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to "get lost" in a new book, and for any English teacher looking to get their kids hooked on reading. I'm confident in recommending this, and look forward to many more works in this series and by this author.

To review or not to review...

I have read a lot of blogs or comments recently from a range of people (writers and readers) who all seem to think that asking for reviews is "not the done thing."

So, I have thought about this and had to throw my own thoughts in the mix (for what it's worth).

 As a reader, I look at reviews. I read them and always look at the lowest rating. I am more amused than anything to read what someone says. Most of the time I disregard if I think the story is good, but a rating does make me more interested. Not just in books, in buying anything. It's good to know if something is a good buy, or just looks like a good buy.

I don't see the harm in asking for reviews if someone has read your book. Before I published I never even thought about ratings. But, I know a friends who sells on eBay and she said ratings were very important to her as a seller of second hand goods. So, why shouldn't ratings matter to writers? If a reader is not asked to rate, why should they? Some do - you are fantastic! But, most readers (I think) don't.

 So, if I read your book, I will rate it. So, I will ask the same of you. If you read my book, please rate it. I would love to know what you think. I know everyone has a different view and that's fine, but your ratings and reviews do matter.

Indie/ self published authors need them, otherwise how will readers ever know what we write is worth their while...

I am hoping mine is a book you consider worth your while. Thank you for reading... Vanessa :) xx

My children make me proud...

Well, it's the end of another school year, so school reports were handed out. Boy, was I chuffed... All of my children have thrived this year and got excellent reports! I must have something to do with that... All my years of being a "dragon" have not been wasted. These are my highlights...

 For my son - "consciencous & hardworking"

My daughter - "a role model student"

My youngest daughter - "happy & content"

 Wow... I know, I sometimes think they morph when they enter school (just kidding...no, not really)

 Anyway, I finished writing the second book in the Evolution Series - it has no name at the moment (having a rethink) - which is lucky since during the school holidays my writing time will disappear. Hybrid is FREE at the moment on Amazon UK until KDP see reason...

So what are waiting for - download now! It would be such a dream to be in the top 100!

 I'm off to feed my visiting Spanish students...

Hasta luego (later...)
Vanessa :) xx