The Realities of Self-Publishing
I spent one entire day on the phone and filling out forms on the computer.
OK, it wasn’t every second of the day, but it sure felt like it.
I started the day by calling GoDaddy with questions and got a few things straightened out.
I’d received a letter from the state demanding my new publishing company pay taxes. I called to say they could demand all they wanted, but I hadn’t so much as printed a book, let alone sell anything.
In which case I learned I had online forms to fill out. Now I’m good to pay taxes as soon as I have money. Joy.
Next I went to Copyright web page and filled out more forms. I must have typed the same information at least five times. Then just as I was about to post my book, I got a phone call.
We chatted a little too long and the site closed on me. Fine. Get back to it later.
I moved on to the Library of Congress, but they wanted my ISBN number first.
I had questions for ISBN, so I called. Got the information I needed, bought product and began filling out forms.
Forms are not short. NO! They are pages and pages long, wanting information that I didn’t have and/or didn’t understand. But I’ve learned I can go back later and fill in the blank spaces.
I didn’t finish. By late afternoon, I’d had enough. I wanted a nap, but I was too wired, so I went for a walk.
As I started out, I thought, “This is why I never wanted to have my own business. I hate the details of running a business.”
But as I walked and relaxed, a sense of accomplishment came over me.
Up until then when anyone asked me if I was excited about my book, I had to say, “Not really.” It didn’t seem real.
Now reality was settling in.
Since that day, all forms are finished, my book and cover are copyrighted, I have assigned an ISBN number to my novel, and I have applied for a Library of Congress number.
I’m feeling a sense of excitement. My book will be published and I’m the publisher.
***
Launch date is February 2015. I plan to start pre-selling in a couple of weeks.
Click on Pegasus Colony and read more about the progression of my science fiction novel.
Wow, quite a journey! Well done for battling through and not getting too discouraged.
Thanks. I learned a long time ago — One Step at a Time —
and things get done.
Sometimes it helps to take a break, breath and come back later.
Well – this is amazing — albeit filled with so many details that indeed, it would seem tedious and frustrating at times. The best thing – apart from the impending sales, of course, is that you shared your thoughts about it here – and maybe, this will let others who are considering the same process know that it *can* be done.
Well done!
Thank you. That’s what self publishing is about, not being afraid to take the risk.
I do hope I’ll make the sales. along with blog and fb I have friends who will send emails to their friends to help get the world out.
So we shall see…….
BUT YOU DID IT !!!!!! ♥
Yes. And things are coming alone. Slowly but one day it will be finished.