A writer's work is never done. In the olden days (a year ...

A writer's work is never done. In the olden days (a year or two ago), once your book was published, it was out of your hands. This is largely still true with traditional publishing-- once the book goes to press, you probably won't be able to mess with it, unless someone wants to release a revised and updated version decades down the line.

But the world is different for independent publishers, whether small presses with an e-book first or e-book only policy, or individuals turning to self-publishing. With print on demand and e-book formats, it's easy to upload new cover art, a new book description, and even a new version of the interior text. You found a typo or factual error? Go ahead and fix it.  Reviewers complained about a weak plot or poor character development? You can revise and release. You decided the cover didn't give the right impression of the book's content? Tweak it or try something entirely new.

This new world has disadvantages. For one thing, who wants to keep messing with a book forever? But it does mean you can make improvements. I just fixed a few typos and formatting glitches in Rattled. It's taking a few hours to get the new versions updated and to check the formatting, but it's worthwhile for a better product.

Illustrator Lois Bradley and I also went over the cover art again, and she came up with this great new version.
I think it's more eye-catching. Here's the earlier version, for comparison: What do you think?

I'm also replacing my blurb (based on advice that I think came from Robin Sullivan's Write to Publish blog, though now I can't find the post. Stop by anyway, it's a great place to learn how to market better) and using quotes from reviews. Here's the new version:


Praise for Rattled:
"The action never stopped .... It was adventure and romance at its best."
"I couldn't put this book down. You'll love it."
Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Adventures
A legendary treasure hunt in the dramatic—and deadly—New Mexico desert....
The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends—a heretic Spanish priest's gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider.
When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she's not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch, really a hero, or one of the enemy?
Just how far will Erin go to find the treasure and discover what she's really made of?
"The story has it all—action, romance, danger, intrigue, lost treasure, not to mention a sizzling relationship...."
Read the first three chapters at www.krisbock.com.
*** It's always hard to judge results, because even if you see sales increase or decrease, you can't be sure what caused that effect. But it's nice to know you can keep revising as you gain skills! I wish I could go back and edit my first novel, The Well of Sacrifice , because I think my writing style has changed since then. Maybe someday....