Learning Experiences!

[ursulav]

So the new novella has been out for three whole days now, and I have learned a few things, which I will inflict on you in case any of you have ever thought of self-publishing, or in case you already self-publish and want to point and laugh at someone else (or perhaps nod knowingly and reach for the bottle.)

Doing this right is hard.

I have burst

Comments

[anonymous]

Huge congrats on just getting the thing out there. I would love to read it.
My partner did some work for an author who wanted to self publish several books on the reader platforms (I am trying to sound like I know what the hell I'm on about here...) and I can honestly say that you had the same experience she did. There were tears, screaming and things that were never meant to fly were seen leaving the room at about head height, unaided.

I have no idea why those things are so complicated. Whenever I get something to read it on this will be the first book I buy :)

[batwrangler]

All things considered, I think you did an excellent job and the flailing was totally reasonable and justified. You might consider having separate people copy-edit and proofread (and, as tedious as it is, having your proofreader double check any changes you make). Looking forward to the further adventures of our various heroes.

[subluxate]

This'd be my suggestion. I edit for a self-pub'd author, and she has a friend proofread as I edit, edits, sends it back to both of us, and repeats once more before publishing. It's work for everyone involved, but it helps avoid the stab wounds published typos cause.

[blaisepascal]

So far, I see six 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, one of which outs you and your DeviantArt page, and one of which compares you to PTerry and David Eddings (in successive sentences). The style was also compared to a Pixar movie. That's 6 5-star reviews out of 6 reviews total, btw.

I bought my copy yesterday after the double Chapter 2 issue was resolved. I don't know if that was version 2 or version 6, but assuming it wasn't the final version, do you know if there's a way to update my Kindle copy (or does that happen automagically)?

[ursulav]

That is a fantastic question, and you know, I'm not sure? It says that users will be able to download the update, but it doesn't actually tell you HOW, and I don't think I've ever done it myself!

Before I go flailing through the bowels of the beast, do any sharp readers know the answer?

[dfotw]

I was just looking for an answer to that, and I found that Amazon now has a feature called 'Automatic Book Update' which, well, proclaims to do exactly what it says ("Opt in for automatic book updates to receive new versions of your books when we have confirmed that improvements were made", in Your Kindle Account).

I also bought it and downloaded it yesterday, so I hope that this will do the trick to get me the newest version. Not that I mind the typos, though. It feels special to know that you swore at each one of them.

[ursulav]

I am not 100% sure how the "confirmed improvements" work, I'll be honest--apparently they want you to e-mail them and they'll decide if it counts, but it takes up to FOUR WEEKS to decide? But that may just be for "sending out a new e-mail."

I expect this is one of those things we'll learn...

[aurora77]

Congrats on a successful launch. I really hope it doesn't turn you off from doing it again, because I'd like to get more fun niche things to read from you.

The fact that it pains you to have typos makes me feel all the more forgiving, because I know you care and tried to get it right. If you just shrugged and said it didn't matter, I'd look side-eyed at you. XD

[t_c_da]

I'm glad to hear that you are planning more... And I can't wait for sequels/prequels to appear.

Typos are a fact of life - anything published WILL have typos - so I would advise you to stick with a minor grumble that this particular one got away and keep writing, just keep writing, OK?

I salute you on a fine product and bow to your eminence!

signed [Corpl Phreadde]