Tag Archives: book release

A Learning Experience

Posted on by
8

10550914_10152386034908558_6447433252414343799_n

I’m getting more of my drafts back from my beta readers, and I feel like I still have a lot to learn about self-publishing, about deadlines and about editing and how much this process takes.

Editing is CRUCIAL, but what I’ve found that is also crucial is not to subscribe to tight deadlines UNTIL someone has read your draft. Someone other than your mother or your best friend, but someone else that you can trust tell you exactly how they feel about the story because they are experienced writers and readers.

I got a line edit back for Killer Orange and it looks like it’ll need more polish and TLC before my original release date. Am I sad? Not really. I’m cautious and thankful, and I feel a little foolish.

Am I going to make my self-imposed release on August 31st? Probably not – not with the scorch and burn editing I want to do, the submission back to a few beta readers AGAIN, and then the final polish. It’s going to take more loving care, as mentioned.

To make up for it, I’m going to do something for Unbridled. I think I’m going to do a promo during that first week of September at a lower price.

I thought it would be smooth sailing with this book, and I envy authors that can pump out three to four books a year. It boggles my mind. Of course they are probably full time writers, or at least have part time jobs. I can’t wrap my brain around it; I can only work on what works best for ME as an author.

I’ve learned a lot this past summer. I read at another blog that your first couple of books are going to suck. That your fifth book’s draft is going to suck, but it’s a journey and maybe someday I’ll learn and get to a point where I’ve hit my stride. Success for things like this do not happen over night (for those who do have such success, please tell me your secrets!). The original writing business is so SO much different than writing a mere drabble or one-shot of fanfiction for your favorite manga or TV series. There IS blood, sweat, tears, and feelings of complete self-loathing to this process.

The good thing is… I abhor self-loathing and I never dwell in such dark places within myself for too long. I’m ready pour myself a glass of wine, fire up the computer, hook up my dual monitor screens, and start slashing this baby.

But before I do that I have to finish my day job, go to my part job tonight, and attend a funeral tomorrow.

I’ll keep you posted on those upcoming promotions!

Cheers,

HK Rowe

Author Hibernation

Posted on by
2

images

Hello, real world! I hardly see you anymore…

My first beta draft came in last night and I’ve heard mutterings of more coming in at the end of this week. I’m excited to finally slash through this story and then work with the final edits. I’m going to make this release deadline for Killer Orange even if I lose sleep over it. Though lately it hasn’t been necessary. I just need to be dilegent in my free time to work on my book and only my book. Sorry but TV time and housework has to suffer!

I have also been struggling to sketch out what I want to do for the cover but this morning I had a moment of clarity and I jumped on iStock and found THE PERFECT stock photo to use. I will be doing some illustration on the background and style but it’s nice to have an image to work with that I don’t have to outright draw. My background maybe illustration but sometimes it’s hard to get back in the saddle when I haven’t been doing it for awhile. I’ve been doing a lot more UX design than actual traditional design and art, and therefore I’d be wary of drawing anything that I’d want to sell. And there really isn’t time to brush up on my drawing…

And I also kept feeling it wasn’t something that was appropriate for book covers. I’ll keep my illustration skills for commissions on Livejournal for now. 🙂

Anyway, I’m excited to sit down and use that perfect image. Fingers crossed my day job won’t be too draining and I will have motivation to do so.

I have my schedule cleared for outright author hibernation! I will have to decline a few social invitiations this months, and I will have to be adamant when people judge me for being an antisocial hermit, but hey, it’s book release time!

Do or die!

Cheers,

HK Rowe

Bit by Bit

Posted on by
Reply

The August deadline for my next book Killer Orange is looming close. Of course, I am glad I didn’t specify a deadline day in August because now it’s looking like August 31st will be the day.

I apologize for neglecting this blog, but in reality, any morsel of freedom I’ve had lately has been devoted to writing and editing this book. I am THIS close to sending out to beta readers. Thankfully it’s a shorter story, the same length as Unbridled.

Once that’s out in the hands of my betas, I’ll be working on the cover design, and then editing again when I get feedback. The formatting process doesn’t take me too long (hello, designer!) but I really want to be careful with the editing process for this book more than anything else.

So that’s where things are. Look forward to some excerpts, and maybe a reduced price of Unbridled coming up. I will still be doing a book giveaway on Goodreads but I haven’t been able to order print copies yet more than anything to begin that.

Well, back to my work day and then hopefully writing time later!

Yep

I can relate…

Removed from Google Play

Posted on by
Reply

So I got a notification today that Google Play has removed my book “Unbridled” for violating content. I’m pretty sure the violation was the “pseudo-incest” which the book has, since Elekta and Ethan are cousins but not related by blood. Elekta is adopted, in fact, but still engages in sexual acts with Ethan.

I honestly don’t remember reading in their terms that pseudo-incest was not accepted. Nor do remember my book ever being approved by Google Play Books. I remember uploading it, getting warnings that it wasn’t approved and that I needed to enter my bank information (but I don’t think I did) and figured it wasn’t accepted. No biggie. Google Play doesn’t have the name Amazon or the Nook has in books.

I didn’t even advertise it here, mostly because I honestly never remembered Google ever approving it.

So oh well! It is what it is.

I’m still drafting “Killer Orange” and I’m hoping to send out to beta readers Sunday night. I need to get going on this! Plus, I’m really excited about creating my cover for it. I have a really good idea for it.

Soon I’ll be posting more excerpts. Stay tuned!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Memorial Day

Posted on by
Reply

The proof copies for Unbridled have been ordered and they are on my way to my house. Create Space recommended I look at a physical copy before selling, and I agree. I bought the maximum number they allow for proofs too.

I should be getting them next week some time. I hope sooner than that, but I understand they have to print them. 🙂

I hope everyone had a good relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Bless you all.

Marketing for the book continues, and then next up is working on some of my WIPs and drafting “Killer Orange”. I’ll probably peruse through my kindle app to read some indie books while I’m at it, as well as catch up with my poor overflowing DVR shows. 🙂

Cheers,

H.K. Rowe

The Day After: Thank You!

Posted on by
5

Unbridled has been out for less than a day and I thank everyone for spreading the word, purchasing and reading the book.

I want to do a special shout out to Heather who even plugged me on her blog.

Kisses!

Thanks so much!

And don’t forget, Unbridled is available at Amazon right now!
I will update my blog further when other purchasing options become available.

Also please tag it on Goodreads if you intend to read!

Please also sign up for my mailing list at the link on the side!

Thanks!

H.K. Rowe

On Schedule

Posted on by
1

The release date for my book Unbridled that is set for tomorrow appears to be on schedule. I’m doing my last minute formatting tonight, and then I will upload to various distributors, check formatting at those places, and then finalize some marketing.

It must be fate because on Sunday I got called by my supervisor at the IT company I work for that they will need me to go to a career show tomorrow from 12 to 7 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Which means she doesn’t need me into work until around 10 in the morning. I will have the early morning tomorrow to release the book and post at various social outlets. I’m nervous but it seems like the opportunity is falling right into my lap.

I was talking to a co-worker today (one whom I thought didn’t like me, lol) and he was surprised that I was releasing a book, let alone that I wrote something that could be about 250 pages. He was even curious about the process. I’m shocked myself, buddy!

Haha, and here I was thinking 250 pages was too short.

Okay all, until later.

H.K. Rowe