So I have something to tell you that I’ve been keeping a secret.
I’ve written an ebook.
If you’ve felt like this blog was suffering in content at all, it’s because I’m feverishly writing, planning and thinking about this ebook. Ebooks seems to be all the rage with bloggers these days. I see a new one pop up in a tweet or blog post almost daily. With the amount coming out, I thought the process must be pretty simple. Write a few blog posts, put them in a word doc, convert it to a pdf and ta-da! I was ready to share my story with the world. Not so, my friend. Not so AT ALL. I’m not quite ready to share my book yet but there are some things I’ve learned already that might help some of you considering one:
- Writing the book is the easy part. Many of the chapters were written in one sitting. Just because I’m passionate about the subject and it’s something I’ve never written about, the words came tumbling out. That’s not to say they came out just right.
- That said, making effort to increase youtube subscribers is hard. Who knew there was content editing, copy editing, ebook formatting, book design, web design and video editing all to think about when really you just wanted to slap a link to a pdf out into the world wide web?
- Different ebook formats needed for the Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc are technically intimidating and confusing. And I’m a programmer for goodness sakes!
- Writing marketing material is apparently an art I never learned.
- Publishing an ebook is really expensive and I’m constantly weighing the cost against my incompetence to see if it’s worth the risk of not doing it well.
- That said, sometimes it’s just not worth the cost-saving and leaving it to the professionals is worth every red cent.
- I have some amazing friends that are so supportive. This book wouldn’t be happening without their encouragement.
- I have some super talented friends. One of my favorite parts of this process has been to watch my friends do their best work.
- Writing an ebook can be one of the most vulnerable positions to be in. This book will be my heart turned inside out and while I’m excited about it, it took and will continue to take a good dose of courage to share it.
- God is so entirely amazing it blows my mind. He has shown up at every turn without fail. If He calls you to it, He. will. provide.
I can not wait to share this with you. Do I know when that will be yet? Not yet. But when I know it, I promise it’s a secret I won’t be keeping.
This post has been linked up to ohAmanda’s Top Ten Tuesday
I can not wait for this to be published! 🙂
so. freakin. excited.
This is very helpful advice – and a very exciting teaser, all at once!! I can’t wait to read it – and to learn more about the process, which sounds like was a big learning experience too.
I’m not sure which I could talk about longer…the eBook or what’s IN the eBook. I’m still learning so hopefully I can get this thing off the ground!
Looking forward to you reading it too! I might need to slip you a review copy 🙂
Yes please!!
When you say, publishing an ebook is really expensive, are you referring to the costs of hiring an editor, book cover designer, etc.?
Looks like the actual publishing process, at least for the Kindle, is free.
I just started an editing business, and like you, am working on an ebook — as well as offering to help clients go from MS Word to Kindle. So, I’ll be interesting in reading more about your experience.
Yes, Lee. Sorry not to be clear. The designer, editor, etc is what has been the cost.
Okay, gotcha. Yeah, you’re right. The editing and designing process can be costly up front. Those are costs authors aren’t accustomed to paying if they’ve gone the traditional royalty publishing route in the past. But e-book royalties (either 35% or 70% for the Kindle) are much higher for authors on the back end than they are for authors who go the traditional route (typically, a graduated scale starting at 8% or 10%).
Ooooh, you have certainly raised my interest. I can’t wait to read your book!
It will be great! And it’s a process, even if you had a traditional publisher. It’s like having a baby! But this one will never talk back. 🙂
It IS like having a baby gypsymama left a comment here once referencing that.
EEEK! Can’t wait to spread it! A thought for you from my radical lesson today: Only in my own complete inadequacy can God’s strength and glory be revealed. It’s been amazing to watch you rely on Him through this process and I can’t wait for His glory to be revealed in a magnificent way.
So true and thank you!
So excited, I always knew this would happen. Can not wait to read it.
That is very exciting news! Congratulations on sticking with it.
Amy, that is FANTASTIC!!! I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to hear all about and get to read it. I think it’s great that you decided to complete it even though it was a “testy” process. Good for you!!
Thank you!