Process of publishing a novel

I have done both the small press publishing and self-publishing, and plan to continue to do this. In my small press, I have some wonderful fellow authors that provide ideas, support, and commiseration as we follow our paths to becoming better writers.

But this time, I have embarked on my second self-published novel. I began writing the manuscript almost a year ago. I had already decided the main characters and how I wanted their relationship to develop. Yes, the book is a mystery, but I am just as interested in building a relationship between two very diverse characters.

I chose a small-town rebel girl, one with tattoos and an attitude, but an insatiable curiosity, and a soft heart beneath the bravado. For her partner, I chose an intriguing mystery man, wealthy and very intelligent, but socially odd. A modern-day Sherlock Holmes with a lack of social graces. From this brief outline, the characters began to grow on their own, revealing pasts that I hadn’t anticipated, skills I hadn’t chosen, and characteristics I hadn’t planned (ask any author, the characters have a way with developing on their own).

Once the main mystery was solved, and my characters were on their way to developing a reluctant respect, and dare I say affection, for each other, I had to write a second. I originally planned for a trilogy, but I think the story will have to lead me. If I need more books to complete the relationship arc, then more books will come!

After rereading and editing my finished manuscript, I also ran it through a magic program called “ProWritingAid”. It was my first step in editing. Once I had reviewed and completed the program, I printed off the document and sent it to some beta readers.

At the same time, I started looking for a cover. I had someone on Fivver I really liked who had done other covers for me (see the one for Talitha and Speak to Me, as well as the ebook Spirit Passing). While the cover artist did her magic, I started on the second book in the series, trying to crank out 1000 words a day. As of this writing, I am almost finished with the rough draft for that one!

Then it was finding a title. I knew early on that my main character, Lenore, would be a Poe fan. She has a raven named Edgar. It works for me! So I chose Midnight Dreary for my title and sent that on to the cover artist. I then went through my favorite Poe Poem and chose a few other lines that might suit the next in the series.

My edits returned to me, and I got to work reworking and answering questions that my readers presented. Once those were done, off to the formatters!

With the bulk of the work done, I am ready to start the pre-orders! The final cover, manuscript, and formatting will be complete by the release date, February 24^th.

I’ll get back to you soon with an update!!

Being an author

Everyone is different. I get that. And everyone's life runs in a different path. We all wear many hats, some more than others, and I have discovered that although all of our hats are not of our choosing, some we can pick.
I chose to be a Speech Therapist. It is my job, a full time one, and something that I love. I chose to be married, to be a mother, caretaker, leaf raker, house cleaner.
I was born to be a writer.
And for all of those who don't know the journey of a writer, well, it differs from person to person. We all have the passion in common. The love of a story, the richness of the written word.
For me, writing for now is not my primary job. I have to work outside the home to help pay the bills, to have benefits for my family, and for eventual retirement. Writing for me is my dream, tucked between work and dinner, after hours and on weekends.
So I generally am writing at least two books at one time, editing one, trying to promote one or two, and trying to go to signings and author events. My writing seems to permeate every piece of my of my life. I have ideas all the time. I'm fortunate in that I have never had true writer's block. When one topic fizzles, another pops. And when I can't think of what to say in one book, I just move to another and write on it.
At night, I dream in books, during the day I think in plots. I listen to dialogue for realism, I look at beauty in words.
I'm a writer. How about you?

What are you reading?

So I bought a bargain 99 cent book on Amazon thinking it was worth the try. After reading a few pages, I backtracked and bought the first in the series. Good sign!

I'm not a book snob, I'm a book lover. If it's a good story that interests me, I'll give it a try. Crane, by Stacy Rourke, is a good story. It has a mix of legend, of fiction, of history, and some great characters. I really like the way that the author brings a scary tale from my childhood into the present.

So I bought the book because I was interested in the premise. What makes you buy a book? What do you look for?

Christmas gifts, anyone?

I do love a good book.  The only gifts I love more than electronics, on which I can read books, are actual books (oh, and gift certificates for books)!
I think it's fair to say that every writer is a reader first.  We began reading early, then started thinking of our own stories.  We started sharing our stories with friends, and it became a necessity to write them down.
Finally we got them published.  But by then, it was just a small part of our whole reading/writing experience.  Then came the sharing.  We wanted others to read our stories, to enjoy them! 

We love a good book, a library, a bookstore, a coffee shop, a stack of magazines, anywhere that we can immerse ourselves in our favorite story.
Give a book for Christmas!  Make a writer happy!