I should spend more time at the library searching this stuff up. It is far too easy to get lost in the clicking of links – hoping and praying for a direct answer.
It isn’t for a lack of online resources, however…except to the questions I currently have. After deciding to shut down my other business and change it over to handle publishing my book(s), my husband, who is extremely supportive of this measure, has been asking questions that I don’t know how to answer.
Business questions. Wanting numbers and figures. It’s got to be the accountant in him. But the more I delve into the self-publishing industry, the more I become lost and confused.
And sometimes the responses I’ve gotten are less than helpful. “Don’t bother with print.” Well, I’m vain and I want to hold my baby in my hands. “You don’t need a business.” I thought I did if I didn’t want the imprint to say CreateSpace (where I’m currently planning to go). I half-wish Rendezvous was here so I could volunteer and listen to all the great advice from people.
Probably only to be confused again.
My husband wants me to push to have everything done by April and I’m just sitting here like “WHAT?! Do you know how much work I have to do? And I don’t know if [client] is done with me yet which may push off that business change even further. And I can’t talk to a cover designer until I choose a trim size and this and that and the other thing…”
With all the weight of everything and so many unknown variables, I guess I’m starting to question the sanity of my decision. Right now I’m trying to take things one step at a time, but my husband is already talking about how many to order to sell directly. Of course that only brings my thoughts to marketing and talking to bookstores, what to do for a launch, how to set up a signing. And then the ever-present worry of will anyone care?
GAH!
2016 has been an odd year to start, that much is for certain. How it will progress, only time will tell. The look ahead is exciting and scary. I’ve been struggling with the second book, but I think my critique group has got me on the right path. I need to finish my submission for them for the month, then pull Twisted Magics back from beta and get to work on that. One step at a time, right?
J.C. Jackson 
Self-publishing is a huge undertaking, and my significant other was just like your husband—asking all these questions I just didn’t know the answer to. It took a lot of research and a lot of time. But you have it right—one step at a time.
Best of luck to you!
I lucked out and he’s an accountant with knowledge of business in general. I was talking to him about it over supper, trying to see what details I could put in his lap to deal with, and the only reply I got was: “I get to be your manager?!”
He was all giddy and started thinking too big of thoughts and I contemplated slamming my head on the table. Except I still had food on my plate.
Sometimes I swear he never matured past the age of 12.
It’s a lot. I don’t know how you guys do it! I am SO clueless when it comes to that side of things. My mom self-published her book and she was asking my advice on how to format and such and I was all, “Uhhhhh…”
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
Um…I don’t know either. x.x
Research and poking local indie authors has been my go to so far. I just get confused/frustrated when I think I see a link that is helpful and they’ll contradict themselves or want money for services I’m not interested in.
Formatting is something I’m going to have to look into also. Trying to keep costs down.
I totally feel ya. There are a lot of options out there, and you’re never sure which one is right for you. I wish I had good advice and a surefire way to help walk you through it.
From my personal experience, I’ll probably stick with CreateSpace for print books. The cost of IngramSpark setup didn’t sit well with me, especially considering that I don’t market my books, and therefore don’t sell many. I own my own ISBNs and imprint, so CreateSpace can’t distribute to libraries. I haven’t looked into other options to get my books into libraries though.
My e-sales are pretty much all through Amazon, so the expanded e-distribution through IngramSpark also didn’t help. Plus I couldn’t price it low, like at 99cents, which annoyed the heck out of me. Therefore, I’d recommend doing the distribution yourself to the different platforms instead of relying on IngramSpark. But it does mean there’s more places you would have to look at in order to upload and change your book. The primary places would be Amazon (through KDP) and Smashwords. Once I get Isto done and Sovereign in the works, I’ll probably look into adjusting the distribution of Thanmir War to include Smashwords, and move This World Bites to just Amazon/CreateSpace and Smashwords, cutting ties with IngramSpark.
This is just my experience. I’m not a highly successful indie author, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Oh, and I care. I’ll totally come to one of your signings. 🙂
I hadn’t even heard of IngramSpark until now. I figured I’d at least start with CreateSpace, but I don’t know how their ISBN options would work with say Smashwords. I’m going to start a LLC so I can do my own imprint. Okay, really change my current sole-proprietor to an LLC with a new name that way I just have to change the name on my bank account and other stuff that is incredibly boring. Naming a company is hard though and I have to wait until I can officially shut my bookkeeping business down (he could pay his invoices faster).
You don’t know how glad I am to hear that! Except I know nothing about signings and launches. To the research! Maybe after I stop freaking out about the book cover and my lack of any idea of what I want. I have a particular designer in mind to approach for pricing first, but with no ideas, I haven’t sent a request for an estimate.
Oh, and I’m participating in a fiction book exchange (a friend of mine back east set it up) and I got a copy of This World Bites to send along to my partner. I will spread word of your greatness to the other side of the country!
Seriously though, that was a fun book. I still need to get a review up.