This post is more of a “got to clear my mind” post than anything else. I have tried private journaling, but for some reason coming onto this public blog and getting stuff sorted out helps a lot more. Weird, I know. But it’s how things are for me, and I might as well do what works.
Going Back to Pre-orders (except on Amazon)
After going through an entire day of publishing Ruined by the Earl with multiple formats (one for Amazon, one for B&N, one for Kobo, and one for Smashwords) and having to resize my cover at one place, I realized I need to simplify my life.
I think I’ve had enough of going through all these channels independently. I’ll do it if I have to. Like if the book is supposed to be on Kobo or B&N but isn’t for some reason, I’ll go in and upload it through that retailer. (This happens about 10% of the time when I publish the book through Smashwords, but most of the time, things work like they’re supposed to.)
So I made the decision to go back into pre-orders. It was nice to be able to publish on just Amazon and Smashwords. I forgot what a pain it was to do four retailers. I would rather spend more time writing than trying to work out all the kinks I need to in order to get the book “just right” for every channel.
I want the book to be available on the same day at Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iBooks. In order to do that, I am going to upload the book to Smashwords 5-6 weeks out. That should be enough time for it to go up on all the sites so it’s available on the day I’ll be publishing it on Amazon.
I am not doing pre-orders to gain any traction or make extra sales, so I’m not going to worry about doing this on Amazon. My only goal is to have the book on the channels on the same day. So I won’t be posting any links until the day it’s actually available.
*The exception to this will be the books I submit to my awesome publisher, Parchment & Plume. I don’t have control over the distribution on those books.
I am way behind in my writing schedule.
And I’m extremely frustrated because of it. Words can’t describe just how frustrated I am. So much has been going on in my personal life. There’s nothing serious. It’s just a lot is going on, and it keeps on coming. I feel like I’m plugging up a hole in a dam only to realize there’s another leak. I finish one task and think, “Good, now I can write.” But then something else pops up, and I have to tend to it. So yeah, frustrated is the best word I can come up with to explain how I’m feeling.
What’s worse is that when I finally do get a chance to sit and write, my mind draws a blank, and I don’t even know what to type next. It usually takes me an hour to write 1,000 words. Now it’s like 250 words. The answer (as ironic as it seems) is to keep at it. I know it’ll get easier. If I take a break, it’ll actually be harder to get back to. The answer (for me) is to keep at it and plug away. This, too, shall pass. It’s just getting it to pass that is going to be the grueling part.
The Books I Would Like to Publish For the Rest of This Year
Now that I’m coming up toward the mid-point in the year, I can get a clearer picture of what I might be able to publish for the rest of this year. And since I need to sort this out (probably more than anything else), let me list that in this post.
This probably won’t be available until August. I know. It’s not as soon as I was hoping. I was hoping for May. Then I pushed it back to June. Then I said “this summer”.
See why I’m frustrated? Believe me, no one is more upset about it than I am, but I don’t want to publish an “eh” kind of book, which is what it would be if I rushed it. So that means pushing it back to mid-to-late August. I need to give myself enough time to get it through pre-order and such, too.
This one might be out in July. Janet Syas Nitsick went through two funerals in her family and today her husband is in the hospital. This, of course, affects her writing.
Since this won’t be in pre-order, it should be out before The Earl’s Stolen Bride, unless something serious happens to her husband. We don’t know what is going on yet. He went in this morning. If you’re inclined, she could use the prayers.
This will also be with the publisher, but I’m thinking it will be a September release. We’ll see how things play out.
I have this planned for November.
And I have this planned for December.
Ruth Ann Nordin's Author Blog 
I think maybe I should let Anya go ahead and work on my covers as she has time so I can post like this on my blog. Maybe it will motivate me more, although I’ve been doing really well on my story for the anthology I’m going to be in. I know having the cover ready inspires you to write the books. While you’re flailing, I’m doing better. Next, I’ll be flailing, then you’ll be doing better. LOL.
I took a writing day off Thursday, although it was a planned writing day. One of my good friends died, so I just didn’t feel like it. But I wrote lots of words yesterday and today. I’ve got Janet in my thoughts right now. I’ll be sure to pray for her husband. When it rains, it pours. 😦
I always go through Smashwords except for Amazon and B & N. That way I only have three places to publish. One thing I like about Smashwords is that they’re pickiest about the formatting, so if it works on Smashwords, it’s going to work everywhere. I was surprised to see you decide to go back to pre-order, since it puts pressure on you for a deadline, but I see why you’re doing it.
It really helps me focus when I look at the cover. I don’t know what it is about the visual aid, but it makes me feel like the story is real. Oh, I hear you on the doing better vs flailing thing. Usually, when I’m doing great, Stephannie is flailing. 🙂 This was the first month we flailed together. I’m blaming your doing better on it. LOL
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. 😦 This year hasn’t been a very good one. You’re the third person I’ve talked to who’s had to deal with a death of someone close to them.
I plan to only do the pre-order when I have finished the book and have it ready to go. So technically when it’s ready to be read, I’ll set the date for when it’s to be released. I’ve had enough with doing deadlines before I have the book done. That is too much pressure, and I won’t do that kind of craziness anymore. I learned my lesson on it.
I usually have a cover conflict with B&N, so I don’t want to go directly through them anymore. People said you got more exposure on B&N for going directly with them, and after sinking with my last book, I decided I didn’t see any benefit to it. I seem to sell the same whether I use SW for them or not. The same is true with Kobo. So, to me, there’s no reason not to use SW as long as SW will get the books up to those sites. That’s the only reason I published directly to begin with.
I’m behind on my writing too. And I just hate it.
You have my sympathies. It sucks. 😦
Well, I’m taking the weekend off to write, so hopefully I’ll get at least a short story in. Fingers crossed…or typing away at the keyboard. Whichever you like more.
I hope you were successful. I ended up with only a couple hundred words. Maybe I can make up for it today.
Very successful, about four-thousand words. And still going!
Awesome!