This past month I have been pretty silent on the blogging front. I’ve been focusing in on NaNoWriMo as I’ve written the rough draft of the third book in my series (rough draft finished!) and cleaning up the first book in my series for publishing in April.
I’m planning on posting a series soon on Alpha and Beta Readers, but while that is still coming, I wanted to give an update on my book situation!
Here’s where things are at!
Book One (subtitled: The Key Quest) is now completely edited
I found when I went through the book this last time, I wanted to rewrite it completely. I suspect that if I did rewrite it, I would want to rewrite it again after that. I have had to settle in with the manuscript as it is. It could always be adjusted or tweaked a little more, but the challenge is knowing when to move forward with it.
Despite my desire to tweak it a bit more, I am confident it is ready for publishing.
Thanks to all my Alpha and Beta Readers and editors. You have been such a huge help!
Book One is now set up
I have managed to get the book all set up for printing. I will be blogging soon on how to set up your book for print (that blog is mostly written, just needs to be cleanup up a bit). I ended up using MS Word to do it as Pressbooks, which I had planned on using, wasn’t as easy to use for the print file. Typically, the interior needs to be put together in a PDF file. MS Word works well for putting this together.
I have also put together my cover. This is really fun as it looks so cool (to me) with it all together with the spine and the back and the barcode and more. Since I do not have a bunch of “reviews” to put on the back from famous people, I just made up some reviews. I know, that sounds horrible, but it’s not what you think. They are just jokes, actually. It’s obvious they are made up and they fit with the flow of the book (since it’s pretty silly). For instance, one of the reviews is a made up one from my mom. Another one is a review from my roller blades. Yes, you read that right.
The cover needs to be in a PDF file (300 dpi) for print and a jpeg file for ebook. I’m pretty happy with how it all looks.
I’m missing some interior art as I’m waiting on those files. Once I have them, I can print a proof copy! I’m nearly there!
Book Three is typed up
This book is just a rough draft right now so it’s likely absolutely horrible. My goal was to get it written this month. Hopefully, while I’m waiting for book one’s proof copy to be printed, I’ll be able to do my first quick run through it before I hand it off to some of my Alpha Readers. At this point, Book Three is my favorite of the three books, although that’s before I’ve read through the rough draft. It may be absolutely terrible. 🙂
So, there you have it. A quick update on the book situation!
My plan is to have some book launch teams starting up either late January or early February, although I’m cutting things close to being able to get things going on that! Hopefully, the last little bit of setup will come together ASAP and I’ll be ready to print!
UPDATE: To check out Shawn’s books, head to My Books page!
Shawn
17 responses to “November Book Update”
Best of luck with your launch.
Thanks so much! I’m pretty excited about it! I’m working through the proof copy at the moment! There are far more mistakes in it than I had wanted. 🙂
I had the same issue and I was soo anxious to get it published. Patience is not my forte but I had to embrace it. 😉
Patience is not easy in this process. One of the things that’s helped me is Createspace has incredibly fast shipping. This has given me more time to work with the book before I reach my deadlines. I’m now about 40% of the way through my edits of my proof copy. It’s going well! 🙂
Good luck with your new book.
And thanks for following my blog, which is appreciated.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks so much! I’m proofing the print copy at the moment. I’m looking forward to getting on with the book launch teams in February!
I hope it goes really well, Shawn!
I am also writing a book of my life story and God opened a door and a Ghost writer will help me. I am at chapter one and nobody knows me, I only published a couple of poems before my dream book.
Let’s keep in touch, Patrizia. If I can help, I will. I love being a support to people as they get their books together!
God opened a door for me and my purpose at my old age LOL 63 years old is to write a book about how HE saved me and about HIS love forgiveness and Favor and the book will take a while to write but I have first chose the title. Do you believe in miracles? The Christian Ghost writer that took me under her wings was, it is of the lord. Another miracle and I had many. I would not be writing this book that will take forever to write because of all the posting I do, LOL
This IS my thanksgiving to the Lord and I pray will give hope o women and mad alike. Sorry so ;long, I forget to check Comments.
God bless you and, yes, let’s keep in touch. It will be my pleasure if we did.
That’s great, Patrizia! I’m glad you will be able to tell your story. I understand that it’ll go slowly, but that’s the way writing often is… Slow. 🙂
But that’s okay. Take your time and do it the right way. It would be an honor to help any way I can.
Thank you, I will need some suggestions down the road… God Wiling, Hugs.
Thank you I might have a few questions down the road as they say, LOL I am from Italy but live in Florida USA
Good luck and blessings in all you do and thank you for following me as few do. You are good to me.
Thank you. I’m happy to help.
I hope you are the right person I feel as I am losing my mnd and in a way it is because your name is a different name and you might not follow my little blog and I still will ask for help when the time Come. Forgive my mess.
It was me, I followed your blog. 🙂
Ty