Self-publish or perish, some might say. I don’t know about that, but I’m finding out in the process you can develop a big, fat hairy case of the nerves that sometimes feels like a trip to the ER waiting to happen. Shortness of breath, stomach pains, heart palpitations…you know the symptoms, those of you who’ve walked in my shoes and sweated the same bullets. My daily mantra these days: “I can do this…I can do this…I can do this…”
It’s not that I don’t think I can do it. It’s the sheer volume of stuff you have to know and do. As a traditionally published novelist of 15 titles, I never had to worry about such things as SEO, metadata, ISBN numbers and obtaining a copyright. Heck, I didn’t even know the meaning of SEO until an embarrassingly short time ago. Now, in addition to having to juggle multiple social media platforms, I’m taking a crash course in publishing 101. Fortunately I have a fabulous editing team lined up. My friend Francine Lasala edited four of my titles with another publisher so I know what she brings to the table, and that gives me great comfort – that I’m with a pro who, as an author herself, understands how to communicate with other authors – and another dear friend and fellow author, Samantha Stroh Bailey, will do the copyediting. Sam is a doll (and not just because she’s petite) but don’t be fooled by the blond curls and bawdy laugh – she has a master’s degree and really knows her stuff.
Now, it’s onto cover design. (gulp!) This was where I hit my first bump. A friend of mine who designs books for a living had agreed to do the cover for the first title of my Cypress Bay mystery series, which debuts in August. Then at the last minute she had to back out due to another assignment that had her working overtime. Cast onto the shoals of uncertainty, I asked around and got names of other designers. I didn’t see any that would be right for my book, however, so I cast a wider net. Another friend told me about 99Designs, a Web business whereby you can run a contest and have designers from all over the world submit designs, at the end of which you pick the winning one. Sounds good, right? Dozens of designs to choose from and you’re not out the money if you don’t see one you like.
Each day for the week of the contest the designs poured in. Sadly none seemed right and many missed the mark by a mile or were simply poor quality. I was beginning to lose hope. Not only that, I was feeling very bad for the designers whom I had to reject. There were too many to comment on each one individually so I was forced to hit the delete button nine times out of ten. One designer chided me gently in the comment section, saying in effect, “We’re people too, show some consideration!” Then I felt even worse. As an artist myself, I know how hard it is to make a living. I have also known the pain of rejection. My husband kept telling me not to take it so personally, reminding me these designers knew what they were getting into when they entered the contest. But I couldn’t help it; I still felt bad.
Then…on the last day…a rush of hope…can it be true?…I saw a design I liked that I thought could work for my title. I contacted the designer, who lives in Italy, and he graciously made the changes I requested. I felt good clicking the trophy icon in selecting him as the winner. Finally I could do something nice. Something that would also benefit me.
And you know the damnedest part? I’m still not sure if it will be the final cover. Because, one thing I do know from the years of being traditionally published, the author is but a lone voice in the wilderness in deciding on a book cover. Other people and other factors must weigh in. I’m in talks with another designer and we’ll see what happens there. I may run a contest of my own and leave the decision in the hands of my faithful readers. Hey, those are the only votes that count in the end, right? That’s what we have to focus on as writers: Did you write the best book you could? Will anyone want to read it? Does it look something you want to pick up? The nuts and bolts part of it is still rattling around in my head, but if hold on to that one simple truth I should be okay.
