Book Two: Still A Big Fan of Self-Publishing

Last year I wrote about what it was like to forego the conventional process of proposing and writing a book. Even after being courted by two major publishers, I’m still convinced that self-publishing is the way to get into the habit of writing, of being an author. There are certainly good reasons for publishing with a big house, (although I’m hearing a few stories which seriously give me pause), but I am continuing to love the self-pubbing.

Here are a few things I’ve had to keep in mind while creating collections of words and language:

1. Work with someone amazing to help with layout, mediation with editors and deadlines. My process would not be so smooth without the help of Twozdai Hulse.
2. Hole up in a hotel or quiet place away from home for 4-5 days when creativity stalls.
3. Add two months to the expected deadline for having a final proof in-hand. If you’re like me and deadlines create a lot of stress, do this right at that point where you’re starting to freak out managing everything which comes up while trying to create meaningfully. It’s sort of like setting the clock ahead ten minutes. I fool myself every time.
4. Plan a big celebration at each milestone, which is each time I complete my part and hand it to the editor. A big celebration for me means dinner I don’t have to cook.
5. Have a book release shindig. I still haven’t done this. Hmm.