Holly S. Roberts
Even indies have romance rules or guidelines that they should follow before publishing...
There are so many things I wish I knew before releasing my first book. At the top of the list is patience.
Editing: Have your book professionally edited. If it’s not in your budget ($400 - $2000) get as many eyes on your manuscript as possible. Run your manuscript through audio. I use the paid version of Natural Reader after 2 editors and one proofreader review. Do everything possible to have an error-free book. I spend over 80 hours editing once we go into edit mode on a book.
Formatting: I do my own using Jutoh but there are other programs out there or you can pay for formatting. I enjoy fixing up my final book and adding a bit of pizazz. If you dish this out expect to pay between $50 and $200. Time: 2-4 hours to do it yourself.
Cover: This is something I hire out and use Fantasia Frog Designs. Like formatting, expect to pay between $50 and $200. When I order a cover it takes about 2 days to see the finished project. I also like having a cover in the beginning of writing a book. It helps me visualize characters.
Promos/Teasers: I do my own and waste hours coming up with them but it’s something I enjoy. I use Deposit Photos for my images and Canva to design. I also save good teasers I see online so I can emulate the ones that catch my eye. I spend about 2 hours per book and make an estimate of 10 teasers. This can also be hired out at about $5 per teaser.
Here’s the hardest part and yes, you can start singing the song… Let it Go!
It’s time to start working on your next book. There will be good and bad reviews on the one you just finished. My best-selling and best-reviewed book with over 200 5-start reviews has one of the worst reviews I’ve ever received. Not everyone will enjoy your writing. LET IT GO. Think of your book as liver. Some people hate (I do) and some love. To each their own and all that. Embrace those bad reviews and know that you’re not alone. You really can’t consider yourself an author until a reviewer tears apart your book and thoroughly hates it.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Amazon Reviewer: Buy a man a fish and he can feed his family for a meal. Buy a man this book and he will be bored.
I’m sure the reviewer felt wonderful after writing something so witty. At the same time, I’m thankful Jules wasn’t alive to read it.
Now go forth and publish but take your time and do it right.
About the author
Holly S. Roberts aka D’Elen McClain is a retired homicide and sex crimes detective who loves long walks on the beach and sweet music. Not really… she hikes mountains with her Rottweiler and listens to hard rock with heavy bass and bad words. She’s the USA TODAY Best-Selling author of the Fire Chronicles and Fang Chronicles. Writing as Holly, she’s the USA TODAY Best-Selling author of the Completion, Club El Diablo, and Hotter Than Hell series. If a book doesn’t have enticing romance, sex, and hot alpha men she doesn’t read or write it.
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