Where Am I At?

I had no idea what kind of a minefield I was stepping into when I decided to self publish this book. I'm beginning to understand why there are coffee shops of experts who usually handle all these jobs in the big publishing companies.

I'm waiting to hear back from my good friend, Karen, who is casting a critical eye over my work. Can't wait to hear how bad it was so I can begin a rewrite. Not sure about other writers, but I enjoy re-writing my work. Getting the ideas down on paper in the first place is the hard part.

Meanwhile, my good wife, Tracey, and I are embarking on another self publish book project - how to raise a large family on a tiny budget. Warning! Once you get started on this stuff, it's hard to stop.

Cheers !

oDesk Magic

My brother has pointed me towards oDesk for some editing options. They outsource things like graphic designing, bookkeeping and software design.

The Dreaded Re-Edit Monster

A fellow writer friend from Brisbane sent me an email today. She was supposed to send her manuscript to me so I could have a read. She's all studied and clever and has a beautiful 'voice'. I read the first three chapters a little while back and I've been itching to see where it goes ever since.

So anyway I've been wondering where this promised hard copy is (she couldn't send it over the net because her work's net filter took offence to some of the language).

It turns out she had it printed, in an envelope with our address on it and at the last minute balked, rushing back to her laptop to re-edit.

Sound familiar, anyone?

Self Publish Australia Quote

Got a quote back today from local (Aussie) printer - Self Publish Australia. My wife is going to have kittens when I put my latest idea to her.

Self Publish Australia wrote:

Title: Great Scott

Format supplied: Print-ready PDF from client (contact us for details if unsure)

Page Extent: Book of 288 pages text. (most economical page count, divisible by 48)

Trim Page Size: C Format (235mm x 155mm)

PRINTING: Black ink throughout. 

STOCK:  71gsm Bulky Paperback (specialty 'Publishers' Choice' book printing paper)

PRINTING: COVER - Full colour plus Gloss celloglaze  on one side only.

STOCK: 240gsm One sided Artboard (bulkier/thicker than standard 300gsm Matt Art)

Binding: Perfect bound, square back and trimmed flush.

Packing: In cartons of suitable size, bulk packed.

Delivery: Inclusive, Australian metro address

COST: 1,000 books         $  6,880  +GST  

Plus GST means $7568 by my reckoning. But I work in a bank, so for Pete's sake don't take my word for it. For 1000 copies, that makes it $7.57 a book. And this includes postage.

Compare this with Createspace at $15 +/- a book (postage is the killer at $9 plus). So about half price.

BUT (and it's a pretty big but, which is why I put it in capital), with Createspace I can order as I go, whereas with Self Publish Australia their minimum order is 1000, all upfront. 

I plan on selling 579 books, so I theoretically will be purchasing $7500 of books anyway - with Self Publish Australia they'll be half price, which is more for me.

Problem is, I am increasing my losses if I don't.

Actually, the real problem is that I have to convince my wife to fork out more money up front.

Self Publishing - The Ugly Truth

I was a bit worried when I saw the title of this Youtube vid. But I needn't have panicked. He's on our side.

My Net Worth

Made the ever so important purchase of domain names today. Purchased brucedevereaux.com thegreatseries.com  thegreatseries.info (cause it was less than a dollar and I needed to make up numbers to get the 25% discount) greatscottbook.com.  The book I'm trying to publish is Great Scott.

It's all very exciting. Unfortunately greatnessbook.com is gone, so I can't use that website name for the second book in the series, which is obviously to be called Great Ness.

Look at me, talking second books like publishing the first one won't send us broke.

Now all I have to do is work out what to do with these things.

Stacey Cochran - Marketing - BLOG Tours

Author of Claws, Stacey Cochran, gives us the rundown on his marketing campaign for the launch of his self published book.

I'm a bit excited by some of this. A blog tour? You mean I don't have to leave my laptop - I mean kids - and trace all over the countryside? I need to look into this.