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Editing: It’s not for sissies. [Self-Publishing Basics]

June 17th, 2010 by Shannon

photo by tvindy

Stop biting your nails and looking fretfully over your shoulder, it will be okay! I promise!

I know that to many authors (myself included) the editing step of the publishing process can seem both terrifying and intimidating. Along our path to success, this is the first step when we start to seriously consider retreat as a viable option.

It’s not.

So far in our two week-long series of Self Publishing Basic Training we’ve covered the initial pre-writing planning and decision stage and the writing process itself, which brings us to the dark and tumultuous world of editing. This is the part where you have to take the piece of word art you’ve poured yourself into for months (or in many cases, years) and do the absolutely unthinkable: Let someone else read it.

Wait! Don’t head for the hills just yet! They say that the joy of love is only so great because we take the ultimate risk to find it, putting ourselves out there and taking the chance of getting hurt. This is no different. Your success will mean even more because you know how easily it could have been crushed into the ground. (more…)

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Atten-tion! This is Self-Publishing Basic Training!

June 14th, 2010 by Toni

Photo by DVIDSHUB | Flickr

Quick story: My husband and I recently began rewatching LOST. It’s the first time for him, and I’m having a blast watching him “OOH” and “AHH” with every twist and turn. Since I had been watching from day one, I didn’t think I’d get much out of the rewatch — wrong! I’m discovering all kinds of little juicy tidbits I forgot and am enjoying the ride right along with him.

Bottom line: no matter your level of knowledge or familiarity with a topic, we can all use a refresher. That’s what we’re going to offer this week in our series on Self-Publishing Basics.

Who Will Gain from Self-Publishing Basics?

Although geared mainly toward authors completely new to the process (HI! If you’re one of them), this step-by-step walkthrough will allow all of us to learn from each other’s experiences (good and bad). Because, the truth is, Shannon and I don’t know everything. We’re drawing from our personal experiences, and would love for you to jump in with yours!

The goal: to make the self-publishing experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Tall order, right? (more…)

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What Do You Love About Self-Publishing?

May 27th, 2010 by Toni

By:KuzeytacWhat a great discussion we had yesterday about self-publishing “haters!” You all had some very interesting and insightful comments, both on the blog and on Twitter. We’ll be posting a follow-up soon.

In the meantime, however, we thought something a bit more positive was in store for today — and we want to hear from you!

If you’ve been through the self-publishing process, we want to know:

  • Why do you love your self-published book?
  • How did it feel to hold your book in your hands for the first time?
  • What was it like to see your book for sale on Amazon/online?
  • How did you react when you sold your first copy?

If you haven’t been through the process:

  • What appeals to you about self-publishing?
  • Which is the biggest factor that would drive you to self-publish?
  • What would you say to others who react negatively to self-publishing?

We know everyone may not be so “in love” with the self-publishing process or their book, but we are looking for the positive today — surely there’s something good you can share with others!

Share your experience in the comments or @duolit!

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Why So Much Hatred for Self-Publishing?

May 26th, 2010 by Toni

“NO author should PAY to be published.”

“SELF-publishing is CHEATING.”

“All paid publishing companies will STEAL your money and give you a LOW-QUALITY end product.”

“Sure, self-publish. If you only want your GRANDMA to read your book.”

Ever hear phrases like the above? We have. And more.

A few days ago, we decided to visit a few popular writing forums on the web to offer advice to those considering self-publishing. We expected to find frustrated, hopeful authors with more questions than answers, eagerly looking for help.

What we found instead was vitrol. (more…)

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The future meets the future: Kids and the Internet

March 22nd, 2010 by Shannon

What Kids’ Internet Usage Means To Children’s Book Publishers

photo by fd

My family purchased our first home computer when I was nine years old. It was heavier than a small vehicle, had no internet connection, and included one of those old school, dot matrix printers with the sides you had to tear off after it printed. Still, I thought it was the sweetest piece of technology ever built because it had (what seemed like) the world’s most advanced piece of software technology on it: MS Paint.

Nowadays, toddlers are practically editing their digital images with Photoshop on their own personal laptops. My four year-old pseudo-nephew can go to the next episode of iCarly using my X-Box controller and school me in a few computer games on Facebook.

(more…)

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