The Aftermath of Publishing My Third Book

It’s very hard to believe that I have published three books already. ��Yet, somehow I feel that there is so much more to learn! My latest book, Making Dollars & Sense Work,��is the first and only book thus far that I have decided to make available as a softcover (read:��real book). ��That one tiny decision made me absolutely��crazed!

I knew I needed a book formatter and…I didn’t know what else! ��Yes, I was that thrown by one additional detail in my indie publishing journey.

It was my very best friend and writing buddy, K.C. Wise, who alerted me to the fact that I need images/imagery incorporated into this nonfiction personal finance book. ��This way, the reader eye will not become fatigued by the information &/or the density of words on the page. ��My brain farted when she first told me this; but I pushed through the feelings of ambiguity and began researching to find an answer that I knew was out there.

[Did I mention that K.C. is an amazing nonfiction writer? ��Her fiction kicks butt, too! Can’t wait to read her first published book!]

The solution was E.M. Tippetts Book Designs. ��Emily and her team of graphic and book designers made the process easy! ��They even��called me — yes, on the phone! — and walked me through the steps and gave me insight into the process so I could be a collaborative partner in the process of making my theoretical book into a physical reality.

I am now anxiously awaiting my galley proof from the publisher to see my work in actual reality! ��You have no idea how excited I am by all of this!!

Being an Indie author, I knew that the content itself is very important. ��I knew that the words themselves were key and that the work had to be edited! ��So, my faithful friend and editor/proofreader/book re-structurer KLM Editorial was on the case. ��My beta readers were all very helpful after I got down the first and second drafts (thank you KC, Sharon, Andrew and Sue!). ��Then, back to KLM the book went.

By adding the physical softcover book as an option, this is where 3 additional sets of eyes were employed to further perfect��Making Dollars & Sense Work. ��In total, this book has been viewed by 8 pairs of eyes��plus the review system of my publisher (have no idea how many sets of eyes are there!). ��The team that arose to make this book happen puts me in awe. ��I did not set out to have this many people involved; it just happened. ��This book��just happened!

Long story short, I started 2015 with a New Year’s resolution of beginning a novel generational women’s fiction novel for which I have a fully drafted outline from start to finish. ��However, I felt such a resistance while writing it that I became conflicted. ��I spoke with a trusted friend and they suggested that I pull back and write��for myself. ��I should write that thing that was important to me that would bubble out of me without hesitation. ��My reaction? ��I laughed. ��I had just finished book 1 of a paranormal series (Fury From Hell) and I had two fully executed outlines to choose from ��Writing what��I wanted? ��There was no time for that!

About a week later, I tried to write more for the generation women’s fic novel. ��I gave up after only writing one page and began to doodle-write (free-write) on a blank MS Word page. ��About 3 hours later I looked up and had about 5,000 words of what 2 months later became��Making Dollars & Sense Work: A Financial Primer for Single Moms & Dads Plus College Kids Too!

So, you see, from its inception, this book has been a group project. ��This is why I say this Indie journey I find myself on is ever evolving and I know that no matter how many books I publish there will always be more to learn.

To all of those who helped directly, and those who helped indirectly (thank you, Mom!) I send you blessings and heartfelt thanks to all you sacrificed to help me get this book out to those who will find it useful.

I would love your comments and thoughts on your experiences in your Indie journey. ��How has it been for you?

If you get a chance, please follow me on Twitter (my favorite social media platform). I’m on Pinterest, too. ��Still trying to figure that one out! LOL. ��Oh! I have a new FB writer page but I am so in the dinosaur phase of learning FB I hope I direct you to the right one! :-) ��My new FB Writer page –��https://www.facebook.com/RochelleScribe.

All the best,

Rochelle aka The NoteBook Blogairy