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Author Topic: How do you know?  (Read 77503 times)

AJTrelawny

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How do you know?
« on: September 18, 2018, 12:13:50 PM »
Hey guys,

I think I am second guessing myself here but how do you know that a short story is ready for self publishing on Kindle Direct Publishing?

This will be my first foray into publishing and I think I am just freaking myself out and letting my self doubt in. I was all ready to go in my head until I set up KDP and now its all too real.

I want to start publishing my short stories to get my name out there before I start sending my novel off to traditional publishers.
 I would share it on here but I'm not sure it meets the community guidelines  :o and I know we have some younger members who I wouldn't feel comfortable reading it.

So, how do you know?

Thanks in advance for your advice.
AJ xx
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hillwalker3000

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2018, 03:41:05 PM »
When it's as good as it can possibly be. Having the jitters once the final draft has been sent off for publishing and it can't be withdrawn is nothing new. I'm sure we all feel a touch of last minute self-doubt no matter how many pieces we've had published. Trust your instincts and press that button.
Good luck.

H3K
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Gyppo

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2018, 04:34:01 PM »
I agree with Hilly here.

Even if you've been doing this for years you will probably still find things you wish you'd worded slightly differently long after a piece has been published.  But there comes a time when you just have to let it go, like sending your child to school for the first time.

Gyppo
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AJTrelawny

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2018, 07:08:36 PM »
Thanks for the advice...

I did it!
I pulled up my big girl pants and pressed the damn button.

Now I have to wait for KDP to process it but it should be available within 72 hours.

Thanks again
A.J xx
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Gyppo

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2018, 07:45:17 PM »
So there you have it.  A lesson for anyone else who's spent a lot of time working on their tales, is running out of excuses to tinker with it any more, but is still feeling a bit timid.

As they say in the Nike adverts...  "Just do it."

Gyppo
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rewh2oman

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2018, 11:19:29 PM »
How did it go?

...russ

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AJTrelawny

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2018, 12:29:21 AM »
I've sold 6 copies!

Well on my way to £2 in royalties. Should arrive in time to buy myself a cheap bottle of bucks fizz for Christmas. I'm feeling quite proud of myself if I'm honest.

All six have been sold to people I know. Including one to my Father, who said it was a tidy little story.
My sister in law and a friend have both left reviews.

So, all in all, well worth pulling up my big girl pants and getting on with it. (Note to self - less dithering next time please!)
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rewh2oman

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2018, 12:58:03 AM »

Outstanding, AJ!!!

Congrats to you.

And you should be proud.  :)

...Russ
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AJTrelawny

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2018, 09:39:09 AM »
Thanks x
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DGSquared

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2018, 07:54:50 AM »
Great job! Congratulations. Here's to many more sales. Good luck!

~Deb
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AJTrelawny

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2018, 05:30:04 PM »
Thanks,
My first goal was to get it published. Next I'd like to sell a copy to a stranger!
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DGSquared

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2019, 11:08:46 AM »
I'm strange. Does that help?
Share your link.  ;)
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"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark. -Chinese proverb

Blondesplosion! ~Deb

Tandy

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #12 on: January 11, 2019, 02:09:52 PM »
Congratulations! AJTtrelawny Great news.

Since we last comunicated re my book that I sent to a publisher - which they seemed to like, but they wanted it increased in size to 15000 words which I did, plus I completed another book and sent it, today they have decided if I contribute £1900 towards costs they will publish the first one!  Forget that I'll try another avenue!

So well done!

Anyone know a good publisher!!
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hillwalker3000

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #13 on: January 11, 2019, 04:42:08 PM »
Quote from: Tandy on January 11, 2019, 02:09:52 PM
Since we last comunicated re my book that I sent to a publisher - which they seemed to like, but they wanted it increased in size to 15000 words which I did, plus I completed another book and sent it, today they have decided if I contribute £1900 towards costs they will publish the first one!  Forget that I'll try another avenue!
Anyone know a good publisher!!

Never, never, never spend your own money to get a book published. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but the only part of the book they like is probably your name on a cheque made out to them. Anyone who asks you to contribute towards the cost is unlikely to do anything to help promote it or boost sales. Why would they bother when you've already paid up front for what they'd normally have to work their socks off to earn.

My advice - self-publish. It doesn't cost a penny on CreateSpace/Kindle Direct and can earn you more sales than a conventional publishing house in my experience.

H3K
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indar9

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Re: How do you know?
« Reply #14 on: May 15, 2019, 04:52:27 PM »
I noticed the above reply from hillwalker and filed the information away as a plan B should I not find a publisher for my book. I went through the process of submitting my manuscript to the Minnesota historical society press which was surprisingly complicated. The fulfillment of their requirements for a proposal ended up being 32 pages long. They went as far as requesting the manuscript to read. The reader was also managing editor and I was extremely hopeful from the feedback I got from her but alas, when she presented it to the acquisitions board it was a no-go. The editor suggested I submit to the University of Minnesota press but I don't have the will or strength of character to go through their gauntlet of requirements. Hillwalker, I would love to hear more about your experience with Kindle Direct---or anyone else's
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