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I wrote my first book Rusty the Singing Horse some years ago. I admit that I am not the perfect writer, but I do have a very good imagination. When the time came for me to submit my manuscript, Last year. I was pretty confident because it had gone through about four different rounds of editing with various family and friends. Well, at the last phase of pre-publication,( if there is such a word) I inquired about the editing services. I was told that it was too late. "WHAT, TOO LATE!" Mind you, I know I inquired about the editing services in the beginning. So when the book came out, this past February,I had mixed and reserved feelings about it. I wasn't happy at all. All though I was proud to be a published author, I still wasn't impressed with my book because my intuition was telling me that something was wrong. I received 60 books with my book package and I gave them all away. Donating to various churches, after school programs,day cares, family and friends. I was even invited to read at a school and a daycare, but I still didn't feel right about my book,
my pride and joy. After I did all of my networking, I was told that I had errors in my book by a dear friend ( I appreciated that) and then it was insinuated and I was asked about the color of the characters in the book. ( I didn't like that) What difference does it make and further more; with that book I didn't think of color. So I became depressed for a month. 1. Because I had just sent those books off to people, prestigious people at that. What an idiot I was feeling. 2. I learned that most book buyers don't acknowledge self published books. 3. How can I find an editor. and 4. How can I get a book review. Well I finally found and editor from a well known publisher's website. I received her services and at no time at all I found out how many errors I had. I was EMBARRASSED. I might as well had written my book over. I was embarrassed and relieved at the same time. I immediately had those errors corrected (Like recently) and I am also making a change to one of the characters. After all of that turmoil, there was a silver lining in the sky. I received a very good book review and I added it to my back cover. All of my changes should be finished by the 3rd week in May, I hope. I am so glad that no one bought my book. For all of the people that I gave and donated books to, well, I have to go back and give them new copies. Despite all of that, I'm still on good terms with the publishing company, but I learned a valuable lesson. "GET AN EDITOR FIRST!"
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Jeffrey Butts Jr (IN RESPONSE TO THE BLOG)
ReplyDeleteWhat a story and whirlwind you've endured! I didn't know you were depressed. Furthermore, it depresses me to know that this could have been avoided if I had only paid more attention to your book and gave you the constructive feedback you'd been asking for.
First off, I wouldn't worry so much about the "color" of the characters; thats a minor element. The important thing is that your book was edited by a professional and the story can now be told how it is originally intended.
I hope your depression has now become a recession of emotion.
You know, I actually enjoy the "Jackabee Books". It has a child quality to it. It sounds like something I would like to get for my children (if I had any).
Jeff Jr.
I am personally proud of you Aunt Jackie. I think you accomplished something that most people only talk about. I am sorry that you went through that "whirlwind" of emotions, but I believe it made you stronger and was a major learning curve for the next time (wink!). For the record, I think your book catered to the crowd that you intended, and that it was an easy read.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your future projects.