Day 0:
Think, think, think. Think. Think… think.
Idea!
Day 1:
Type, type, type. Type. Type. Type, type, type.
Day 14:
Type, type, type.
Day 30:
Writer’s block.
Day 35:
Type, type, type.
Day 60:
T. Y. P. E.
Day 90:
Ta-da!
Day 91:
Proofread, proofread, proofread.
Day 92:
P. R. O. O. F. R. E. A. D.
Day 100:
Research publishing options.
Day 101:
Decide to self-publish.
Sign up for an account.
Day 102:
Learn about formatting.
Day 103:
Format, format, format.
Day 104:
F. O. R. M. A. T.
Day 110:
Upload.
Day 111:
Check digital proof.
Day 112:
Ask for help on the community forum.
Day 113:
Implement formatting changes.
Day 114:
Re-upload.
Day 115:
Publish!
Day 116:
Celebrate!
Day 117:
Encounter Look Inside issues.
Day 118:
Post question on community help forum.
Day 119:
Reformat.
Day 120:
Republish.
Day 121:
Find book way down in search results.
Day 122:
Still no sales rank.
Day 123:
No activity.
Day 130:
Request feedback on community help forum.
Day 131:
Look for cover designer and editor.
Day 191:
Republish.
Day 200:
Sales still infrequent.
Day 201:
Look into marketing.
Day 210:
Why was I in such a rush to publish my book?
* * *
If only there were a better way, like:
- Researching the book idea before writing.
- Perfecting the craft of writing.
- Reading bestsellers in the genre to learn what works.
- Checking out covers of top sellers in the genre to see what readers expect.
- Reading blurbs of best sellers in the genre to learn how to draw interest.
- Getting the book edited before publishing.
- Seeking feedback on the cover and blurb before publishing.
- Learning how to create buzz for an upcoming book.
- Learning about marketing before the book is published.
- Marketing before the book is published.
- Coming up with an effective promotion plan.
- More marketing after the book is published.
Chris McMullen, self-published author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers (Volume 2 now available)
chrismcmullen 