Monday, February 15, 2016

Moondancers--A Journey In Self-Publishing

I haven't blogged much lately, and usually when I do blog it's marketing tips and information for writers. Today, however, I am blogging about my new book, Moondancers. Moondancers is not only the first book in my new paranormal series, The Beautiful Creatures of Beverly Hills, it represents my initiation into self-publishing.

While I have tested the waters with a few shorter works, and a novella under my pseudonym, Sal Conte, Moondancers is my first push into taking over all my publishing and marketing. I am very excited about it, although I must tell you, launching a book all by yourself is a lot of work. I'm sure many of you reading this are already self-published and are probably saying "Tell me something I don't know." I knew it was hard, but I didn't know it would be THIS hard. But I have to tell you, while I don't have any real sales yet (today February 15th is soft launch day), I am feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

 I think I've written a pretty good book. I found two excellent editors to tighten it up, and help proof read it. I I designed and created my own cover (something I have absolutely no skill at) buying stock at Shutterstock and creating the finished cover in Canva. I think I did a damn good job.


 I think I've crafted a pretty good product description. My book launches on Amazon first, and within the next few weeks it will be on many other platforms. I did flirt with the idea of making it exclusive to Amazon's KDP program, but decided to see how the book fared in the world at large first. I can always circle back and make my book exclusive to Amazon at any time. For now, I can gather information on how to do a wide release. Information I will share with you.

 I've been building up my mailing list (something I blog and tweet about), and have put together a kickass launch team from my list. The launch team has been charged with making sure the book has some reviews up on launch day. As of right now I have 22 mostly 4 and 5 star reviews. I've put together a marketing plan that goes into full swing mid-March. And I started implementing the plan over the past weekend.

So, here I am world, diving in head first into the deep end of self-publishing. I've been talking the talk, now it's time for me to walk the walk. I think I'm ready. I know I will fall on my face in some areas, but as long as I'm learning and growing, I'll be okay.

Want to go moondancing with me? If you're into paranormal and romance, and you'd like to check out my book's Amazon page, and maybe even buy a copy, here's the link.  Even if you don't buy, I'd love to hear your questions and comments.

Here we go!


4 comments:

  1. Would you puh-leeze help a 'Plethora Of Wurdz' which are look'n for a new home in your novel? Yay! Whew...

    Q: Can anyone tell me the difference between K2 and IQ? A: Nthn. In Seventh-Heaven, we gitt'm both for eternity HawrHawr Need a few more thots, ideers, raw wurdz or ironclad iconoclasms? Voila!!

    VERBUM SAT SAPIENTI: As an ex-writer of the sassy, savvy, schizophenia we all go through in this lifelong demise, I just wanna help U.S. git past the whorizontal more!ass! we're in (Latin: words to [the] wise)...

    "This finite existence is only a test, son," God Almighty told me in my coma. "Far beyond thy earthly tempest is where you'll find tangible, corpulent eloquence". Lemme tella youse without d'New Joisey accent...

    I actually saw Seventh-Heaven when we died: you couldn't GET any moe curly, party-hardy-endorphins, extravagantly-surplus-lush Upstairs (in [the] end without end -Saint Augustine) when my beautifull, brilliant, bombastic girly-girl passed-away due to those wry, sardonic satires.

    "Those who are wise will shine as brightly as the expanse of the Heavens, and those who have instructed many in uprightousness as bright as stars for all eternity" -Daniel 12:3, NJB

    Here's also what the prolific, exquisite GODy sed: 'the more you shall honor Me, the more I shall bless you' -the Infant Jesus of Prague.

    Go gitt'm, girl. You're incredible. See you Upstairs. I won't be joining'm in the nasty Abyss where Isis prowls
    thesuperseedoftime.blogspot.com
    infowars.com
    -YOUTHwitheTRUTH
    -------------------------------
    PS Need summore unique, uncivilized, useless names? Lemme gonna gitcha started, brudda:

    Oak Woods, Franky Sparks, Athena Noble, Autumn Rose, Faith Bishop, Dolly Martin, Willow Rhodes, Cocoa Major, Roman Stone, Bullwark Burnhart, Magnus Wilde, Kardiak Arrest, Will Wright, Goldy Silvers, Penelope Summers, Sophie Sharp, Violet Snow, Lizzy Roach, BoxxaRoxx, Aunty Dotey, Romero Stark, Zacharia Neptoon, Mercurio Morrissey, Fritz & Felix Franz, Victor Payne, Isabella Silverstein, Mercedes Kennedy, Redding Rust, Phoenix Martini, Ivy Squire, Sauer Wolfe, Yankee Cooky, -blessed b9 (or mixNmatch)...

    God blessa youse
    (trust-N-Jesus)
    -Fr. Sarducci, ol SNL

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  3. What is the aveage cost to have your book covers designed?

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  4. HeeHee
    God bless your indelible soul.

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