Jaire Sims's Blog, page 9

My Debut Novel Is Now Available!

I am pleased to announce that my debut novel, Getting By, is now available for purchase across several venues! After almost ten years since I began writing my novel, my goal of becoming a published author has now come to fruition.

It has been a long journey! Through perseverance and patience, I achieved an ambitious goal that I set in motion long ago. Although I have accomplished a lot, I know that this is just the just the beginning of my journey as an author. So what’s next?

Now that people can buy my book, I need to continue to promote and market my story to ensure that it reaches its intended audience! One of my goals is to have my novel reach as many readers as possible. I believe my novel tells a story that is sorely needed in our current world circumstances. I hope that my story will resonate with my target audience and leave a positive impression on those who read it.  

I also hope for increased sales! I’m currently working on marketing strategies to increase awareness of my book and get it in the hands of those who most need it.

I hope that my marketing efforts for Getting By, and for my next book, will lead to a steady passive income. I’m investing a lot of energy in my book and publishing efforts with the hope it will be successful and have a positive impact on my readers. I’m hopeful that my investment will pay off someday. Until then, at least I can share that I am a published author, and the journey has been incredible.

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Book Publishing: My Self-Publishing Experience

By April 2020, my editor had finished proofreading my manuscript. The next step was to publish my story. My editor recommended a self-publishing company that she previously worked with called BookBaby. I decided to self-publish because I didn’t want to wait for someone to give me an opportunity. I experienced enough of that during my employment searches over the years. For once I wanted to create my own opportunity. So what was my book publishing experience like?

Digital Proof & Book Cover

While going through the process of publishing, I submitted my manuscript in order for BookBaby to create a digital proof. BookBaby also saved me the trouble of finding a book cover designer by creating a cover for me. I informed the BookBaby team on how I wanted my book cover to appear and provided images I found on Google as references.

I had to wait 15-20 days for BookBaby to create my digital proof and book cover and received both on May 11, 2020. BookBaby has exceeded my expectations with the design of my book cover. I was immediately impressed by how beautiful their cover design was for my book.

Revisions & New Additions

My digital proof and cover underwent many revisions before being submitted for approval. Some of the revisions were due to noticeable errors, such as typos and odd formatting and spacing between texts. I also requested new additions to my proof, including an endorsement page, copyright page, and an author bio page.

I requested a few changes to my book cover as well. A BISAC category was added to the top left corner, and three endorsement excerpts were added beneath the book summary on the back cover. Although I received my digital proof and cover in May, I didn’t submit them for approval until July because of the revisions and additions I requested.

E-book      

After I approved my digital proof and cover, I received my eBook conversion files the next day. All of the revisions and additions I requested for my digital proof were included in the eBook files. Once the files were proofed, I submitted them for approval.

Proof Book 

After I approved my eBook files, all that was left for me to do was wait for BookBaby to print out a physical copy of my final proof. A week later, I received my proof in the mail. After almost ten years, I finally had the physical form of my novel in my hand. I was now a published author.

The hardest part of publishing my book was being patient throughout the entire process. I was getting so close to getting my book published that being patient was difficult. However, I knew it was best not to rush the process. I believe I have published the very best version of my book.

The post Book Publishing: My Self-Publishing Experience appeared first on Jaire Sims.

My Self-Publishing Experience

By April 2020, my editor had finished proofreading my manuscript. The next step was to publish my story. My editor recommended a self-publishing company that she previously worked with called BookBaby.

I decided to self-publish because I didn’t want to wait for someone to give me an opportunity. I experienced enough of that during my employment searches over the years. For once I wanted to create my own opportunity.   

Digital Proof & Book Cover

While going through the process of publishing, I submitted my manuscript in order for BookBaby to create a digital proof. BookBaby also saved me the trouble of finding a book cover designer by creating a cover for me. I informed the BookBaby team on how I wanted my book cover to appear and provided images I found on Google as references. I had to wait 15-20 days for BookBaby to create my digital proof and book cover and received both on May 11, 2020. BookBaby has exceeded my expectations with the design of my book cover. I was immediately impressed by how beautiful their cover design was for my book.

Revisions & New Additions

My digital proof and cover underwent many revisions before being submitted for approval. Some of the revisions were due to noticeable errors, such as typos and odd formatting and spacing between texts. I also requested new additions to my proof, including an endorsement page, copyright page, and an author bio page.

I requested a few changes to my book cover as well. A BISAC category was added to the top left corner, and three endorsement excerpts were added beneath the book summary on the back cover. Although I received my digital proof and cover in May, I didn’t submit them for approval until July because of the revisions and additions I requested.

E-book      

After I approved my digital proof and cover, I received my eBook conversion files the next day. All of the revisions and additions I requested for my digital proof were included in the eBook files. Once the files were proofed, I submitted them for approval.

Proof Book 

After I approved my eBook files, all that was left for me to do was wait for BookBaby to print out a physical copy of my final proof. A week later, I received my proof in the mail. After almost ten years, I finally had the physical form of my novel in my hand. I was now a published author.

The hardest part of publishing my book was being patient throughout the entire process. I was getting so close to getting my book published that being patient was difficult. However, I knew it was best not to rush the process. I believe I have published the very best version of my book.

The post My Self-Publishing Experience appeared first on Jaire Sims.

Finding a Book Editor: My Experience

In December 2019, I began searching for a book editor because it was the right time for me financially to hire one. While watching a YouTube video, I was directed to visit the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). The EFA is a national professional organization of editorial freelancers. Here is my experience with finding a book editor using the site.

Finding & Hiring A Book Editor

I used the EFA’s directory to find potential freelance editors to hire. Since my book was a young adult fiction story, I specifically searched for editors who edited books for that genre. Then I compiled a list of editors I would consider hiring.

I did a thorough background research for each editor. Some of the things I researched for each editor included the types of editing they performed and the books they’ve edited. I also reviewed their resumes, testimonials, websites, and years of experience. A lot of this information was provided on the EFA website.

Using my best judgment, I reached out to an editor that struck out to me. Eventually, I received a response by early January 2020. Over the phone, I asked questions to learn more about the editor and the editing process before making the decision to hire.

Editing Process  

I had to wait about three weeks for my editor to review at my manuscript. By late January, my editor performed a developmental edit on my story. Once that was complete, I spent an entire month making revisions to make my story stronger. I also used my editor’s constructive feedback as guidance.

Finally, my editor performed a copy edit and then proofread my manuscript. The entire editing process for my manuscript took about ten weeks. Once my editor had finished proofreading my story in April, I was ready to begin publishing my manuscript.

Overall, I was satisfied with my editor. The editing process for my manuscript went quite smoothly and efficiently. So that concludes my experience with finding a book editor.   

The post Finding a Book Editor: My Experience appeared first on Jaire Sims.

My Experience with Finding a Book Editor

In December 2019, I began searching for a book editor because I thought it was the right time for me financially to hire one. While watching a YouTube video, I was directed to vist the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), a national professional organization of editorial freelancers. There I began searching for potential book editors for my manuscript.  

Choosing an Editor

I used the EFA’s directory to find potential freelance editors to hire. Since my book was a young adult fiction story, I specifically searched for editors who edited books for that particular genre. After using the directory search engine, I compiled a list of at least several editors I would consider hiring.

After compiling my list, I began doing background research for each editor. Some of the things I researched for each editor included the type of editing they performed, the books they edited, resumes, testimonials, websites, and years of experience in editing. A lot of this information was provided on the EFA website.

Using my best judgment, I reached out to an editor that struck out to me, and I eventually received a response by early January 2020. Over the phone, I asked questions to learn more about the editor and the editing process before I ultimately made the decision to hire.

Editing Process  

I had to wait about three weeks before my editor was ready to look at my manuscript. By late January, my editor performed a developmental edit on my story. Once that was complete, I spent an entire month making revisions to make my story stronger, and I used the constructive feedback from my editor as guidance.

Once I was satisfied with my revisions, my editor performed a copy edit and lastly proofread my manuscript. The entire editing process for my manuscript took about ten weeks. When my editor had finished proofreading my story in April, all that was left for me to do was to begin publishing my manuscript.

Overall, I was satisfied with the editor that I hired, and I’m glad the editing process for my manuscript went smoothly and efficiently.   

The post My Experience with Finding a Book Editor appeared first on Jaire Sims.

Self-Publishing: Why It Took 10 Years to Publish My Novel

I began writing my debut novel two weeks after I turned 17. It was October, and I was in my junior year in high school. When my novel becomes available for purchase in August, it will be two months before my 27th birthday. I decided to take the self-publishing route for my novel. So why did it take me almost ten years to publish my book?

Writing Process

It took me four years to complete the original draft. I was busy in high school when I began writing, but I made time to write anyway. However, I decided to take a year off from writing when I was a senior because I was busy applying to colleges and I wanted to focus my attention.

I returned to writing my novel when I was a freshman in college. I was far busier, but I didn’t want to hold off any longer. So, I made sure to put aside time to write when I could. I finished writing my novel when I was junior in college. So, you might wonder why didn’t I work on publishing my novel then?

Finance

When I finished writing my novel, I knew the first thing I had to do was hire a book editor and I knew that hiring a book editor would be expensive. I was still in college and in debt, so I decided to wait until it was the right time for me financially to find an editor. I was fortunate enough to pay off my college debt several months after graduating. I didn’t have a job lined up and didn’t want to hire a book editor until I had a steady income. Unfortunately, for the next few years I was only successful at securing temporary or contract jobs.

It wasn’t until I was 25 that I got my first permanent job, and my second one at 26. It was then that I decided the timing was right for me to hire an editor as I was receiving a steady income and making more money at my new job.

Self-Publishing

I contacted an editor the same month I started my second full-time, permanent job. My editor helped me improve my manuscript and gave helpful suggestions to make my story stronger during the revision process. My editor also recommended a great self-publishing company that helped design my book cover. After I completed the self-publishing process, my book was ready to be launched.

With my debut novel coming out soon, I’m excited to share my book with readers. Even though I wish I could have published my novel a lot sooner, I’m thankful that my ambition of publishing a novel is finally a reality.

The post Self-Publishing: Why It Took 10 Years to Publish My Novel appeared first on Jaire Sims.

Why It Took 10 Years to Publish My Novel

I began writing my debut novel two weeks after I turned 17. It was October, and I was in my junior year in high school. When my novel becomes available for purchase in August, it will be two months before my 27th birthday. So why did it take me almost ten years to publish my book?

Writing Process

It took me four years to complete the original draft. I was busy in high school when I began writing, but I made time to write anyway. However, I decided to take a year off from writing when I was a senior because I was busy applying to colleges and I wanted to focus my attention.

I returned to writing my novel when I was a freshman in college. I was far busier, but I didn’t want to hold off any longer. So, I made sure to put aside time to write when I could. I finished writing my novel when I was junior in college. So, you might wonder why didn’t I work on publishing my novel then?

Finance

When I finished writing my novel, I knew the first thing I had to do was hire a book editor and I knew that hiring a book editor would be expensive. I was still in college and in debt, so I decided to wait until it was the right time for me financially to find an editor. I was fortunate enough to pay off my college debt several months after graduating. I didn’t have a job lined up and didn’t want to hire a book editor until I had a steady income. Unfortunately, for the next few years I was only successful at securing temporary or contract jobs.

It wasn’t until I was 25 that I got my first permanent job, and my second one at 26. It was then that I decided the timing was right for me to hire an editor as I was receiving a steady income and making more money at my new job.

Book Publishing

I contacted an editor the same month I started my second full-time, permanent job. My editor helped me improve my manuscript and gave helpful suggestions to make my story stronger during the revision process. My editor also recommended a great self-publishing company that helped design my book cover.

With my debut novel coming out soon, I’m excited to share my book with readers. Even though I wish I could have published my novel a lot sooner, I’m thankful that my ambition of publishing a novel is finally a reality.

The post Why It Took 10 Years to Publish My Novel appeared first on Jaire Sims.