Publishing – Page 15 – Jean's Writing

Not for the faint of heart

Published on December 10, 2015December 9, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Navigating the self-publishing maze, that is.

Createspace, Amazon’s self publishing platform to be the easiest. I did run into a few snags. Especially when I wanted to make changes. But I don’t want to get into that now.

However, Ingram Sparks is all together another matter. I so understand why there is a market for professional who will do the work for the writers. After 6, yes 6 tries I finally submitted my small manuscript successfully. Or so I thought, keep reading.

I cannot imagine what it would’ve been like if my manuscript had been 300 pages. Lord help me, I might’ve ended up bald.

Of course, maybe I just made it harder than it actually was.

Upside to Createspace is it’s free and everyone knows Amazon.

The upside to Ingram Sparks is libraries and bookstores order through them.

The down side to Ingram Sparks is it’s not as user-friendly as Createspace and it’s not free.

You must buy an ISBN (Createspace provides it free) plus a cost for the catalog. I did get a special title set up for free, apparently there is usually a charge for that too.

So while Ingram Sparks can cost a little to get started, that is not what bothered me. The cover template was a bear to work with. I was so frustrated trying again and again to get it right, I almost gave up.

But, I did get it done! Whoo hoo!

Unfortunately, the proof arrived today and it is all in black, white and shades of gray!

Give me a freaking break!!!

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Oh well, back to the drawing board, I mean back to the Ingram Sparks website. Sigh….

I agree with Debbie Young in her article – Opinion: Is it Time to Drop the S Word?

I didn’t want to use my name as the publisher. Having a publishing house name seems to give more weight to the book.

What do you think? Any tips to help a girl out?

Do you think it’s time to do away with the self-publishing label?

Want to avoid some mistakes? Check out this video.

The easiest thing I’ve done to date was setting up my DBA and publishing company logo. Funny, I thought that would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Go figure.

If you want to find my books, click on the logo below.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

The waiting is over! He’s here!

Published on November 13, 2015November 12, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

Friday the 13th has always been a lucky day for our family, so I’m thrilled to announce Tryouts for Ben is now available at Amazon.com today!

Yes, Ben made it even with all my jumbling, fumbling and amateurish attempts to bring him into this world.

Whew! It feels as though I’ve just birthed a baby elephant instead of a book.

For some, writing and self-publishing a book, of any size, in paper and e-format is easy. They share instructions on how to self-publish in 3 easy steps or maybe 10. I read article after article, followed steps 1 through infinity and more times than not, ended up with a scrambled mess.

But I eventually got to the end. Even if I traveled terrain as rough as the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Seems as if I go about every project the hard way.

However, today is not for whiners. It’s a day of celebration!!

Small though Ben may be, he’s my first and I’m one proud mama.

Please hop over to Amazon and check out my little man.

To get your copy, click on this image….

Now that I’ve conquered Amazon and Createspace I’m off to try my hand at Ingram-Spark.

A big thank you to everyone who helped me achieve this goal.

And a giant thanks for all the encouragement from my blogging community.

Without all of you, I don’t know if I would’ve preserved.

I hope some of you will read about Ben and share it with the young readers in your family.

After you read Tryouts for Ben, please leave a review on Amazon. (Hopefully a kind review.) Book reviews are so important and much appreciated.

Next, a big book! LOL

Leave me a comment and look for me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you want to self-publish?

Published on October 27, 2015October 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, then you might want to read all that’s involved.

There are more steps to publishing than I ever imagined.

If you are considering the self-publish route this article will help in setting up your own publishing company.

Go to Stephanie Flint’s blog and read how to get started. She breaks the process down, step by step.

I’m in the process now. Just filed my DBA. Now on to the next step.

Thoughts on Publishing – Starting a Publishing Imprint

A big thanks goes to Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog for once more, hooking his readers up with a post chocked full of important information. Be sure and check out his blog to stay current with what’s happening in the writing world.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together, let’s help each other improve our writing skills.

Find me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Who knew they’d be this many decisions to make

Published on October 9, 2015October 7, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Some days I’m overwhelmed with the tweaks and decisions and tweaks to the decisions needed to publish a book. Even a small children’s book.

Writing a book is hard but I’m beginning to believe the hard part is just starting once the publishing begins.

So many decisions, so many choices, and so many mistakes before a book is published. The last one I’m trying to keep to a minimum.

Editors, cover, designers, oh my.

I feel like Dorothy tiptoeing down the yellow brick road in the land of Oz.

To publish or self publish, with an agent or without? Those are the questions. (Ah the old Bard slipped in.)

If you thought the writing took forever, take a deep breath, grab a snack and settle in for the publishing and promoting.

To market, to market to sell a new book. (Getting a bit punchy.)

Getting a book “out there” is not for the faint of heart. I’m re-learning the definition of perseverance.

I’ve spent as much time reading and researching how and where to publish as I did writing the book.

Misery loves company, so I thought I’d share just a few articles in case y’all need something to read. After all, what’s a friend for?

Ask ALLi Member Q&A: Your Self-Publishing Questions answered by Joanna Penn and Orna Ross Tuesday October 27th

8 Steps to Write and Publish Your Book by Angela Shelton

The 12-Step Program to Successful Self-Publishing – the talk and slide show by Susan M. Toy thanks to CHRIS THE STORY READING APE’S BLOG

A step-by-step guide to publishing your work worldwide on Amazon by BRIAN S HALL

Getting Published: The Basics for Book Writers by Glen C. Strathy

Start Here: How to Get Your Book Published by Jane Friedman

And these are just the tip of the iceberg!

However, at some point, it’s time to bite the bullet and let it go.

I’m almost there.

What do you think? Got any good tips on publishing?

You’ve made it this far so take a few more seconds. tell me what you think, and then please share on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!