The self-publishing night shift...
And bringing the Christmas glow!
Its been a hectic two weeks since my last newsletter, and the full final edit of my debut picture book, “Foster Care for Florence and Bear”, is complete - I have to admit I had happy tears in my eyes seeing the full internals for the first time.
So for anyone thinking of self-publishing, here’s a snapshot of the many and sometimes seemingly-endless things i’ve been squirrelling away on to bring the book to life in a run of late nights over the last few weeks…
Lots of back and forward collaboration with my wonderful illustrator Jasmine, working on the final internal edits and, very excitingly, the cover design.
Meeting with a graphic designer friend to talk through website options and purchasing a domain and host for my author website (watch this space!).
Purchasing ISBNs - the long number on the back of every book that identifies it, essential to be able to sell the book in different formats and through different retailers.
Setting up a publishing company name for the above ISBNs to be listed under.
Beginning to reach out to my network of social work colleagues and other authors to seek readers for Advanced Reader Copies, to gain feedback ahead of publication.
Getting quotes from UK print houses for a print run - and roping my husband into helping me with the dreaded spreadsheet to work out numbers (not my strength!).
So, with both my wee ones off school / nursery for Christmas, and two contract jobs on the go in my role as an independent Social Worker, it has felt BUSY!!!
As a big thank you for following along on my journey with Florence and Bear, and reading this far, below is a “Merry Christmas” code for 75% discount on any printable poem from my Etsy store (sorry I can’t make this 100% - Etsy won’t let me and I have to cover the listing charges!) So if you’re looking for a last minute stocking filler for a loved one, grab them a lovely little poem print, stick it in a frame and they’ll love having something a bit unique in their stocking:
Etsy code: MERRYXMAS
And to all those who feel a tad exhausted with making the Christmas magic happen for small ones, this poems for you…
