How To ePublish - I Wish I Knew!
Posted: Thursday, November 03, 2011
by Jennifer Stewart
Stepping out of History
I don’t know how many times I’m going to keep posting this coming soon image! I swear I am working hard to get this wretched epublishing thing worked out, and every day I think “right, tomorrow is the day”. Then tomorrow comes and I despair as I gaze into my immediate future and see only a long long long line of tomorrows when I didn’t manage to publish!There’s an ebook creator guide but surely whoever put it together never knew nothing. Doesn’t know what it’s like to know nothing. So of course it doesn’t make sense to a pleb like me. Anybody got any chocolate? Maybe a cup of tea. Right, that’s what I’ll do. It might stop me wanting to chuck my computer out of the window. Through the window, actually, just like in the movies. That always looks so satisfying.
I have renewed respect for anybody and everybody who’s ever tried something new from scratch. You start out with a kind of vision, and it all looks nice and neat, easily attainable. The fantasy carries you for a while. Then you start getting your hands dirty and clarity flies out the window but there’s nothing satisfying about it.
Soda water in the brain is more what it feels like. You curse the day you ever had even a tiny spark of a dream or an idea, wish you hadn’t started, and you lust after the idea of giving it all up and never ever EVER starting something new again. But it’s in your blood now, and something drives you on, through the dense fog of nothing. making. sense.
Downright sado-masochism, that’s what it is…
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Those were my sentiments exactly when I started. Go with Amazon.com first, as it's easier than Smashwords. If you don't have microsoft word, then open office writer is free at cnet.com. A .doc is needed for both platforms, although you can use other formatting at Amazon. There is a free ebook at Smashwords on formatting and ebook publishing, it's very good by Mark Coker. The important thing is to learn the 'nuclear method' that Coker talks about, it's for us who use an 'enter' for a return, and you will eventually get the hang of it....hang in there!Thanks for this advice, Elle. It's good to read of somebody having made it past this frustrating stage! I hadn't heard of Smashwords, but I downloaded that book and it pretty much confirmed what Lulu.com's guide said, so that was good. I'm actually using Lulu.com to publish as they put it on Amazon plus a bunch of others.
I spend at least 8 hours a day 5 days a week using a computer, and some may think I know what I'm doing. I use it, but I don't understand it. So, like you, when I have to do something different I find it discombobulating. I look forward to how your venture ends. I know you'll get there. Good luck and good writing.Discombobulating - my god, what a difficult word to type! - that is the best word, Tex!
Hi Jennifer.
A lot of us who ride horses say that same thing ... maybe not so much that it is sado-masochism .. but for certain that we are nuts. But if you want it badly enough, you stick with it. You'll get there ... eventually. :) I'm sorry, I have to chuckle a bit at my picture of you sitting at your computer and maybe moaning and groaning a bit with your hands in your hair and a slightly wild look in your eyes. :) I've been there myself.
If I ever finish my two books, I will have to pick your brains about e-publishing. Considering the rate at which I am progressing, you should have it all figured out by then. :)
Good luck, Sweetheart!
Hugs,
DianneI don't mind you chuckling, Dianne, I was actually laughing at myself when I posted this - and I love your picture of me! Good news though, today I got the formatting 100% correct, hooray! It's sooo satisfying to succeed at something after overcoming obstacles... oh there's that masochism again!
I hope you do finish your books, I'm sure they'll be brilliant. And I'll help you with pleasure. :)
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