My first E-Published Book - Fun, Exciting - And Daunting!
Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011
by Jennifer Stewart
Stepping out of History
D-day approaches, the moment when I press the “publish” button and launch my book out into the world. It’s one thing writing something; that’s challenging enough, but you only have to deal with minor things like writer’s block, and an inordinately powerful inner critic that makes what you write seem like crap half the time.
They’re all what ifs, of course, but they’re such fun. Then one day it’s finished. And suddenly that lovely fantasy is set to be tested by reality, which is a great trigger for another set of what ifs which aren’t much fun at all. Frankly they’re daunting.
What if everybody hates it, what if people read it and say “what the hell is this book about? it doesn’t make any sense”. What if they boo and hiss and laugh at it and me. What if everybody’s just indifferent? What if friends and family read it and are just terribly polite or condescending. Yes, it’s lovely. Well I can see you tried. More tea? Great weather we’re having…
I guess that’s why some people prefer to dream and not do anything about the dream. There’s no risk involved. I don’t entirely blame them. The problem is, though, just dreaming gets really frustrating. All your creative energy just boiling away, the live wire in you dying to engage with the world. Better to stand behind yourself and your work solidly, develop good armor and nurture your sense of humor. So you can handle whatever comes at you.
So you can get out there into the world and play. A friend said to me “it’s just the price for sticking your head above the parapet; people can see you; the ones that are looking to take pot shots at anybody will take them at you.” She’s right, that’s all it is.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Congrats on your book, Jennifer! Way to go. I hope, I will also publish one some day sooner or later.Thanks, Shyam! I'm sure you will publish one day - it's inevitable :)
Be sure to ADVERTISE and there are lots of free avenues to do that, and give a press release too, when you are ready for it. There are almost a million ebooks on Amazon.com, so read the statistics on it, because to find it people must know it's out there. Best Wishes!Absolutely, Elle, I know that marketing is very important. Even if you get your book published by a regular publisher if they don't market it it's not likely to sell.
Jennifer, congrats to you and good luck. Guess this dream should be the dreams of all writers here. How thrilled it must be for you.Thanks, Hilda. You know who inspired me a lot? Brianna, when she just announced that her book was published. I'd done a lot of writing about my writing projects, but I hadn't finished anything. So I decided to get on with it. It does feel pretty thrilling! :)
I am your fan and I hope the best for your effort. Keep cool. You'll be elated, and probably discouraged. Be proud of your work and take the praise and the criticism in their measure. Let your joy flow. This is a big time for you.You're absolutely right, Christofer, I'm feeling all those things. Thanks for understanding, it makes the discouragement bit easier to handle. Yesterday I wanted to quit!! I won't though, not this time - with a bit of help from my friends.
It's about time! hehe Yes you'll probably be confronted with all of the above, nature of the business, but your part is done, now are they ready to play?! Congratulations and good luck!Hi David, and you're right, it is about time! :) Thanks for all the amazing support you've given me...
Jennifer! I am so happy for you! And I can relate. I have been dealing with the what if's as I finish up the final touches on my book. There were some new things I learned about myself along the way. Even though my first book is a collection of a lot of what I have written on-line, it brought on new feelings as I revamped and relived some of the circumstances. I will certainly be supporting you, so shout it front the roof-top when you hit that Button! You are an inspiration! Blessings to you, TeresaTeresa, that's exactly what's happening - the new feelings, or perhaps old feelings at a deeper level. I will shout from the roof-top! Thanks for your all your enthusiasm - it's divine!
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