Hi Everyone
Have you been working on the dream of publication?
Today I’ll talk about the post-dream and what the journey’s been like since I published my debut novel.
The journey to publication was hard but ultimately rewarding. It’s been a long-cherished dream and to see it realised has been incredible but that dream has come with some surprises. More about that later.
The week before publication has to be one of the hardest. Everything rides on making sure the manuscript is as perfect as possible. I must have read and re-read the book over 70 times to make sure I’d not let anything slip. That might be an over-exaggeration but I know it was A LOT.
The hard work didn’t stop there though.
All the writerly sites and booktubers and other places I scoured for guidance warned me that the promotion was just as much work as the birth of the book. If I wanted to give my book the best chance in the crowded book market I needed some understanding of book marketing.
I spend time every week on promotion. I write a blog, develop short clips, email bookshops and libraries, post three times a week on twitter, facebook and instagram and write guest posts.
It’s quite a bit of work on top of a full time job. It’s also hard finding time to write new stories.
But I want to give my book the best possible chance so it’s worth it.
Which brings me back to the topic of this post. I’ve loved sharing my book with others and finding an audience. Hearing my readers’ reactions to the book has been amazing and I think having people read something you’ve laboured over for years is the greatest reward. To have a reader enjoy your book, and want to know more about the story, the characters and the ideas, is an even greater reward.
Would I do it again? Definitely – it is in the pursuit of this very dream that brought me to this stage so I do want to write and publish more works.
I’m a lot wiser about what’s involved in the process though. The thought of writing a book and publishing and marketing is a little daunting but, I hope, with a bit of a break, I’ll be invigorated to start again.
What’s been your experience? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Until next time,
Jacqui.
Jacqueline Hodder 
Oh I totally agree that your troubles don’t end after publication. Marketing is a whole other beast, and is not exactly the easiest thing to do as a writer. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Thanks so much for commenting! The marketing IS a beast and something I don’t feel I’m close to mastering – yet! All the best.
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Hi Jacqui, I so relate! We begin writing that first book with no idea that finishing the book means the real work is only just beginning. If I’d known this, would I have finished the bloody book? Of course, I’m proud of my achievement. Writing a book is a common aspiration but very few of us follow through to finish. I’m struggling to find time and energy to write (marketing as an indie is time consuming and I also run a small business) but there’s no shortage of ideas. I intend to just be patient, with myself. Play the long game and remember why I write. Take care of yourself. ♥️
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Hi Jodie – I love this comment! If only I’d known…but, for me, the dream of writing and publishing was such a long treasured aim. I’m so glad I did but there were pitfalls I’d never foreseen! At the end of the day our work is out there and that’s a treasure in itself. All the best to you – you’re doing so well ❤
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