Now we get to the cover… that one part of our book that you’re not supposed to judge it by. (yeah, right) This topic alone has so many links and directions to head out to on the internet, that just researching book covers is an adventure all its own.So, since this is the nitty gritty version of getting our book published, we’re gonna go for the quick and easy steps that you can take to get a book cover.
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This week will be the down and dirty, quick and easy steps to publishing your eBook on Amazon. Why Amazon? Because I’ve done it. (don’t know if you’ve noticed the ‘Books’ linky up there.) Why not any others? Because I haven’t… yet. (I plan to. Possibly.)
So… we’ve written our masterpiece (found our treasure), edited it within an inch of its life (polished it up nice and shiny), and now… we need to publish it (display it in a museum for all to enjoy). The first step is to make sure we have an Amazon account. (don’t have one? I’ll wait… the process is quite simple. AMAZON) Got one, now? Let’s move on.
Oh, happy Friday the 13th… don’t walk under that ladder, or let that black cat cross your path… or… let superstitions run your life.
Where were we? Oh, yeah… the final step of editing. At least for me. You’re more than welcome to do it any way you wish. For this last step, I break out the detail for our sculpture. Add in features like the fine lines that define the hair… the smoothing of the lips and nostrils to bring them into definition… make sure it looks exactly the way I intend before displaying it to the public.
I learned this morning that an author that I look up to… and enjoy reading very much, passed away. Sir Terry Pratchett is no longer with us and providing a much needed outlet for my stress and anxiety. He did leave us with over 70 books, but it’s not enough… it’s never enough for someone of his greatness. Let’s hope that Death shows some compassion to the man, and takes him on a tour of the library in the Unseen Academy, so he can at least give the librarian a hug goodbye and an “ook” in return. You will me missed, good sir.
The third step in my editing process is handed over to software. I can’t remember the name of it at the moment, but I know there are many out there with differing levels of what they actually do. The one I use, I like because after its short scan of your book, it comes up with information… and suggestions.
The first editing run-through has been done. We now have a solid chunk of story to work with now. It still may not be completely in order, or even have all the right parts yet… but I’m not worried about that right now. Now… it’s time to break out the chisel… .get to working on cleaning up the shape and structure.
For the rest of this week, I’m going to hit on the steps I take to edit my written work. I actually go through four run-throughs. After writing, you’re supposed to take a break (or at least, that’s what I’ve heard) to give yourself some distance from what you’ve just written. With my short stories, that’s been impossible. With my book… I’m still sitting on my hands over three months later.
I know I’m not the only one that’s been standing here, tapping my foot and waiting for Spring to finally pop its sleepy head around the corner. But enough about that…
Have you ever noticed that when a holiday is coming soon, that people start getting excited about it? I mean, a good holiday like Christmas or Valentine’s Day or the Fourth of July, not one of those crappy holidays (I’m looking at you, President’s Day).
Camp Nano is next month. (I know, because I’ve received the emails) While it’s not as… intense as NaNoWriMo (It can be, if you make it), it’s still a challenge. You have a deadline… and a goal. If you’re part of the working class, then you’ve got a job to do at the same time. The younger crowd generally has some form of school. Some of the lucky few have both to contend with while pounding out words on a daily basis.
Today is a very disjointed day. I’m feeling the after-effects of yesterdays non-stop running around, and still reeling from the news that I finally get to see my girlfriend… after almost eight long months of anticipation. All of that combined, leaves my brain in a state of limbo… no real motivation to write… no idea WHAT to write, but with the help of my awesome writer’s group… I’m writing about disjointed writing. (clear as mud, huh?)
