Publishing Seemed Less Work When I Didn't Know Any Better

 
Now I know better. Or I think I do.
 
Let's just say I'm learning on the job and (hopefully) improving as I go.
 
Every story, novel, or collection I release, I learn something new. Which means I see how I could have done a better job after I release the work. Then I try to remember that for the next work. Which means, so far, every new publication requires the same or more time and energy than the one before it.
 
Here are the tasks I've learned/added as I've gone along:

Simplify the formatting in the base Word doc, including the front matter and back matter. Most such formatting is wasted in ebook form, anyway, and too much formatting (different font sizes, font faces, etc) confuses the conversion software.
Line edit/copy edit. I do a reasonably good job editing, but I don't always see the less obvious things. I use Serenity Software's Editor, and that catches most mechanical issues as well as helps me tighten the copy (e.g., just use "She stood" instead of the slightly redundant "She stood up").
Proof read. After I line edit, I have to go back and make sure that everything still makes sense. Many of the line edits are done with a tight focus on one sentence. A proof read helps me see the changes in the larger context.

 
Those are just the editing/document preparation tasks. If I'm going to put out the story as a print-on-demand paperback, I've learned to:

Verify page numbers (even on the left, odd on the right).
Maximize word count on the page (minimize margins).
Calculate the exact spine width for the cover.
Check the printed proof before approving the project for sale.

 
I didn't really believe it before, but now I know it to be true: There really such a thing as "book design".
 
Covers have actually been the source of least issues (except for when me and CreateSpace have disagreed about the spine width; and that was my fault). I pay Don to take care of the covers, ebook and POD. I provide some initial comments and concepts, he applies artistic skill, and my covers magically appear. It's wonderful.
 
In addition to all the above, there are also the chores of paying bills (proof copies, cover art, etc), tracking expenses (usually per project, but there are some expenses that are general purpose), recording royalty payments (from 4 separate sources), and the myriad little tasks that afflict any business.
 
As much as I can, I automate the tasks, or create templates that simplify things. Some tasks, though, like line editing, can't be automated, but that's OK. Overall, I enjoy what I'm doing.
 
I would say the biggest lesson I've learned since last September's release of "Nostalgia", my first ebook, is this: Writing ain't publishing.
 
But I think that's a subject for a future post.
 
Have a good weekend!
 
-David