A Time For Everything

The process of publishing six (and more) books gets exponentially more task-riddled as the days go by. I now have a  FIVE-PAGE TO-DO list, because for most of what I have to do, I have to do for six books.

When I became an independently published author back in November of 2017, I did so by publishing directly with major retailers where I could and using two aggregators (virtual distributors for all intents and purposes) for the the ones I couldn't, as well as for the dozen or so smaller retailers.

I had one file for everybody--meaning that purchasing the next book was a two- or three-click process rather than a one-click endeavor. At the time, I just needed to get the books out into the world, and I did that. The rest had to wait for the new year.

Well, it's the new year and it's time to do the nitty gritty grunt work of creating unique files for each book for each retailer so that if you bought your book for the Kindle, the link at the end of the excerpt of the next book is going to take you directly to that book's purchase page in Amazon. Same for iBooks, Kobo, Nook... Well, you get the picture. Six books, six retailers, plus a generic link for miscellaneous use... You can see that it's quite a project.

Back in November, I used an aggregator to get my books into Barnes & Noble because the aggregator offers pre-sales and Barnes & Noble doesn't when publishing directly through them. Fast forward to January, and I want to publish the live books directly so that as much of the royalties go into my pocket as possible. Well, shoot-- I didn't even think that doing so was going to render the original purchase pages/links (through the aggregator) unavailable because Barnes & Noble was going to generate a its own new purchase pages/links. Add a new task to the list: updating all Barnes & Noble links.

I'll have to update links again when I'm able to upload to the Apple Store directly... *sigh*

Of course, once I get all of this figured out and done, it'll be one book at a time and much less daunting.

As I mentioned a post or two ago, I may be called upon to talk about aggregators vs. distributors to my writing group... I think I'll call it "To Aggregate or Not To Aggregate, That Is The Question..." Anyway, I think the specific issue of transitioning books and the hassle it causes needs to be a talking point for sure.

Maybe there's an easier way, maybe I'm making things way more complicated than they should be, but...

I didn't pay much attention to this stuff when it may or may not have been discussed in front of me. It's not fair now for me to constantly beleaguer my friends for information. So I'm plodding through the best I know how, learning as I go. But maybe that's better. I'll certainly remember how to get things done!

On a more exciting note, I get to attend my writers group meeting for the first time in four months. I'm so excited to see my chapter mates and especially my writer besties. I published all my books during that absence, so I get to return as a published author. I get these really cool jumbo pencils, one to celebrate each book. I get charms for writing min 25 pages each month, as well as a charm for completing a book. I can't wait. It's going to be so fun.

Hope your weekend will be as fun as mine--!!

See you Monday.

Okay, so...more reading and light research in the last couple of days and I came across some blogs and articles that say all business plans are not created equal. What ho??

For someone like me who's a one-woman shop and not planning on needing investors or to go to the bank for a loan, I don't necessarily need the traditional business plan. Oh, thank goodness, 'cause really, why???

There are some modified--simplified--plans for entrepreneurs like me who just need some basic direction and areas to focus on to get started. I dutifully answered all the questions on the form that spoke to me and they were helpful.

I'm still planning a more formal business plan with the vision, mission, and goals portions because I think those are important, even for me. As I said Monday, those things will help me make decisions later on down the line--will my decisions support and move me toward or away from my defined purpose?

Knowing what those are and keeping them in sight somewhere in my office will be helpful I think.

Now that I don't feel like I *have* to have some twenty page document full of research and revenue projections, I'm breathing a bit easier. My vision, mission, and goals are modest, but if I do someday need to approach the bank, I can certainly upgrade my plan and, by that time, I'll probably have some sales figures behind me to use.

Still some work ahead of me, but it's no longer as daunting or scary a task. :)

I spent some time yesterday contemplating the new hat I'm wearing...or planning on wearing. That of publisher. No, I'm not planning on becoming the next Avon Books or Bantam Dell or anything. I'm not going to be publishing other author's books, only my own, but creating a personal publishing company will open some doors that an indie publisher on his or her own cannot enter (at this point in time).

Being a published author as well as a publisher are both business endeavors, therefore I researched writing plans and business plans. I have to write books if I want to publish books, hence the writing plan. Publishing books is a business, hence the business plan. Even if I never need to approach investors or a bank for money, a business plan will be a useful tool in helping me make the best decisions in order to reach whatever vision, mission, and goals I establish for my little feifdom.

I found several different websites dedicated to writing plans and a slew of them dedicated to business plans. Now to read and compare and decide what the best way to go about creating these plans are.

Part of me feels a bit anxious that I'm behind the eight ball even though I know I'm not, and I don't want to rush and make mistakes--although I've learned that rarely are these kinds of mistakes fatal. I'm not a brain surgeon. I'm an author, writing books I want to read and putting them into the world for others to find and enjoy. I can make mistakes and then make corrections as needed.

DH is part of this advertising and promotion group specifically for IT companies and MSPs (managed service providers), and the head of the group says just to do it--whatever "it" might be at the time. Take a website for example--all it needs to do is serve its purpose. It doesn't need to be pretty, it needs to get the job done. You can go back later and give it a face lift when you have the time or the money.

The author/publisher who's put all these crazy ideas in my head says the same. So...while there's no rush, I guess I shouldn't worry overmuch about getting it wrong either. I can revisit and adjust--which I think businesses do on a regular basis anyway as time passes and things change.

My anxiety stems more from getting the four, five, six books ready to publish in June, July, and September and juggling all the tasks involved in that. I've decided to put the cart before the horse a bit and set my deadline for the business plan for December of this year...if I get it done sooner, great. If not, then I haven't busted any of my goals.

The publishing company however will be official in the next month or so...lots to do to get ready for the big release day. I've got the plan for that started. Just need to add some target dates for the various milestones and I'll be all set.

So...what'd you do this weekend??

Not the "magic" kind of course, but the kind that requires one to keep track of several different things and all the inevitable sub-things and shoot-offs that go with them.

As you know, I've been coordinating, as we say in the romance writers community, a contest. Not just coordinating, but pulling off, pretty much single-handedly. I'm not doing it again. I'll be happy to coordinate as in truly directing others to do the various tasks, since I did it this year, but I'm not carrying the whole thing myself next year.

In addition, I've been working on a major project for work. It was technically supposed to be finished last week, but that didn't happen. It'll probably be the end of next week before it's 100% done, though most of it will get done this week. Next week will be for double-checking, crossing T's and dotting I's.

There are a few business ventures I'm researching and prepping for.

I'm also working on several projects from my proofreading business--one proof job and a couple of series bibles for an author friend of mine.

Then there's Sonshine I have to keep an eye on.

But every now and then my arms get tired and I have to drop the balls and rest.

What do I do to rest...I read though, to be honest, I read for a purpose.

The only thing I do that has no double purpose is play computer games. I decided a few weeks ago that I really missed playing them and started up again. I don't--can't--play to the exclusion of all else like I once did, but I must say it's been fun to just play for a few hours here and there.

What do you do rest and relax that has no other purpose than to let you do just that?

A few months ago, I decided to turn my time and talents to proofreading. I added a static page to this blog (the link is just to the left) outlining my services and rates, and though things were slow to take off, they finally did. I'm not overwhelmed or anything, so that's good.

I talked to my hubby about it and he was supportive. This past week, we had another conversation and he advised me to file for an Assumed Name Certificate, aka a doing business as name, as well as opening a checking account for the business.


Today, I researched the process and cost of filing my Assumed Name Certificate: fill out a form, take it to a courthouse, and pay $20. Simple enough. Now to get it done.

The other thing I checked out was whether or not I have to collect sales tax. And unfortunately I think I do. It's not difficult. I do it for DH and my business, so I know what and where and how. But it's just something I'd hoped to avoid.

The final consideration is what my assumed name should be. As an unofficial freelancer, I called my little business Put Your Best Work Forward Proof Reading Services, but now that I'm going official and legal, not only is it too long, but it doesn't really encompass everything I do or what I may want to offer in the future. Tell me what you think of:


So far I proofread (the scope of which you can read on the static page), I'm creating a series bible for two different series for another author, as well as updating websites, and my critique partner requested I learn how to format manuscripts for self-pubbers. That was seconded by two other authors. Who knows what else I may add to my repertoire in the future. The C.P. stands for critique partner, as in I'll read like a C.P. and not just a basic proofreader--if you want me to.

So your opinions are requested and welcome. What do you think of the name I came up with? And if you have suggestions, I'd love to hear (read) them.