A great book idea pops into your head.

You’re going to have so much fun with it,

Like going to the amusement park.

 

The writing goes agonizingly slow at times,

Like a very long line to ride a roller coaster.

Will you ever get there? No end in sight!

 

You completed the book. Hip, hip, hurray!

Thought you were all done. But no. You’re not.

Like when the line finally takes you indoors:

That wasn’t the end. The line continues inside.

 

So much editing and formatting to do,

Like when the line comes to a halt for repairs.

They don’t know how long, when, or if.

Will it go on forever? Why did we get in line?

 

The book is finally ready to publish. Ta-da!

Like reaching the end of the line;

The thrill of being next. It’s so exciting.

 

On board. Strapped in. The fun has begun.

Up. Up. Up. Way up. A hundred feet in the sky.

Wow. It sure is high up here. Face in the breeze.

What was I thinking? What have I done?

This is insane. Let me off! I’m too afraid.

 

The book just went live. It’s for sale.

Whhhheeeeeeee! Down, down, down you go.

Fast. Faster. Super fast. Scream stuck in your throat.

Exciting. Scary. Fun. Thrilling. Dangerous. Sweet.

 

Some sales comes in. You go up a little.

No sales for a while. Down you go.

The sales rank improves. Back up.

Another pause in sales. Back down.

Some good reviews. Higher, higher.

A bad review. Lower, lower, lower.

 

Sales and reviews finally steady down,

As the roller coaster ride comes to an end.

This sure was a lot of fun. Let’s do it again.

 

Chris McMullen, author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers, Vol. 1 (formatting/publishing) and Vol. 2 (packaging/marketing)