I still haven't done everything on my list, since I published my book. Partly because I haven't felt motivated to, as my Dad died the same week.
Last night I cleared out a few things from my wardrobe. I came across some notebooks with amusing anecdotes from when my son was little. This anecdote keeps playing through my head.
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An online friend asked 'What now?' after he saw I'd published my book. By the way, he said he's not going to read it (even though he's is in it), or he might 'burst an artery or three.' (Not all your friends will be a fan of your books). I did send him the parts where he's mentioned and he thought it was a fair assessment, neither embellishing, nor demonising.
I'm going to answer some of the 'What now?' in this blog post. The ebook and paperback formats of my memoir, Bipolar Courage: Are You Sure You're Not Autistic? is already live on Amazon (all major platforms), just a few hours of publishing it. I'll link some of the main marketplaces at the end of this blog. There is a free app to read on any device, if you don't have a Kindle (I don't have one).
I've included a sample chapter 1 in this blog post, free (I can't get the paragraph indents to align in this blog but they do in the books). It's an unconventional love story, in the world of autism and mental health advocacy. I was aiming to publish it in September, the beginning of a New Zealand Spring. I've done it! (Incredibly challenging with my disabilities). I've just submitted my book for review as a paperback and an ebook on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) which uploads to Amazon. It's a bit of a nightmare everytime I do it. I've done it a total of 4 times now, with 3 books. Always forget in between, so need to look at my notes. There were some additional issues such as embedding errors, that I haven't had before. Will outline a few things, to go back later with more detail, as I intend to write a guide for those who are keen to self-publish.
Finally, my memoir, is ready to publish (as print-on-demand) and e-book. A project taking two years.
Last night, I tweaked the cover. I also converted to an EPUB for the ebook. The print book format stays as a PDF. I've noted down instructions as I did things (yet again), so that I can write a guide for those navigating this daunting process. Had the external stitches out from my surgery (skin cancer) today. Was VERY painful as the stitches at the corner of my mouth were very tight. Still healing.
As a distraction from the pain, I started my book cover design. Should only take me a few days to complete it, using my own art. Then I need to do the ebook conversion. Then, I will be ready to publish (hopefully within a week). It's been two years of hard work but I'm nearly ready to publish my memoir. Proof-reading was a bit tricky with blurred vision from side-effects of medications after surgery.
I've been plodding along with the finalising stages, including proof-reading a printed manuscript, then updating them in my digital manuscript. I keep wanting to tweak this and that but it gets to a point where it's 'done.' Tonight, I exported to a pdf for the print version of the book. Will try to keep this short, as I have wet hair that needs drying, late at night.
I've had to sleep a lot the past few weeks, as I've had the flu then recovered from that, then had surgery. Still recovering from that. I'm still on track though to self-publish my memoir by mid-September, even though I had a break from it. Doing a mockup from ideas in my head for the back cover my memoir, Bipolar Courage: Are You Sure You're Not Autistic? The colours blend well. Of course, I will fluff around to optimise the images when I do the final files.
These were the two paintings most inspired by 'Maxwell' (the 'anti-hero' in my story). They're mentioned in the story. They're cut up now but I can always ressurect them. (Tip: take pics of your paintings). Started a mockup of a book cover design for my book. It's a mockup to try out some ideas in my head before I fluff around trying to get things just right.
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Xanthe Wyse('Zan-thee Wise'). Archives
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