After Writing a Book, What is the Next Step?Good question, as the final draft of Sea Glass Memories (Seahaven Sunrise Book 2) is complete (phew!), and I am feeling proud and excited!
There are a few “next steps” but the first one is this:
I put the manuscript aside and find a way to celebrate.
For me, this involves a day of quietude near the ocean,
and a special dinner with my husband.
I put the manuscript aside and find a way to celebrate.
For me, this involves a day of quietude near the ocean,
and a special dinner with my husband.
If I wanted to publish Sea Glass Memories the traditional way,
I would either seek out an agent
or send query letters to “real” publishers.
I would either seek out an agent
or send query letters to “real” publishers.
Since I choose to self-publish, my next steps involve:
- Hiring a cover designer
- Hiring an interior book layout designer
- Working with a marketing specialist to create an effective marketing plan
I feel blessed that over the last two years, I’ve discovered three wonderful, creative, professional women who work with me on these steps. If I didn’t already have them in my corner, I would need to do some research to find specialists in these areas whose work I admire and who have time available in their schedules.
Sea Glass Memories will make its way onto bookshelves. This list includes but isn’t limited to:
- Getting 3-4 professional/editorial reviews (most take 8-12 weeks)
- Laying the groundwork for the marketing campaign- setting up online book tours, book signings . . .etc.
- Making the book available on Amazon and also on all digital platforms (Apple iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Scribd…etc)
- Securing copyright
- Gathering a dedicated group of Super Fans who will help me in October by leaving reviews on Amazon and GoodReads (by the way, if this interests you, let me know)
- …. You get the idea!
Some may think that after the imaginative, intuitive work of writing and then tirelessly revising a novel, that the rest of the steps aren’t creative. Not so! I am able to pour as much love and creativity into the birthing process of my books as when I am dreaming up the stories and writing them.
Do you have a question about the writing process? Please comment below or use the Contact button at the top of this page. I’m happy to answer you directly and might include it in a future issue of my monthly newsletter.