I had written my story, a story I had never in my wildest dreams even think of writing. I'd been driven to put these words on paper night after night like some possessed but now what was I going to do with it?
Send personal manuscripts to any friend or family members who would agree to read it? Did that. Some criticisms were helpful, so were not, but after four times of doing this process of writing and re-writing I was finally happy with the final version. Checked for story content, grammar and finally editing my book was ready to send out to literary agents.
KDP Publishing was not my first choice for publishing my book. I'd already decided that vanity publishing for me was a definite non-starter 'if I can't get someone to believe in my story enough to invest time and money into it, then I wasn't going to pay someone to feed my ego, I didn't want to just be writing for no one to read but myself, friends and family, my book has a story to tell, a message to the world and I want it to be read by many.'
'I want to do it properly' I thought. Find myself a literary agent who would do all the hard work for me; finding a suitable traditional publisher who was as enthusiastic about my story as I was, someone who could see the potential that I saw in it, and could take on the role of marketing, and yes... pay me for the honour! I am now able to appreciate just how hard marketing a book can be in today's market, with so many people writing books the competition is overwhelming! How do readers choose a new book to read? What are they looking for? What are their search criteria? I was at a loss!
After emailing several literary agents, sending them a synopsis of my story, an elevator pitch aimed to enthuse someone about your book in a few short minutes and the first three chapters then waiting weeks and weeks for a reply only, in the nicest possible way, to be rejected, I finally gave in.
A fellow author Comedian Lester Crabtree told me about him writing a book during lockdown about the Real Life of a Comedian 'Born To Die' he called it; he introduced me to KDP Publishing, the modern method of publishing your book widely used today. I was sceptical, but I was prepared to look into what they had to offer... Professionally published book available as an eBook, Audio Book and Paperback all to your own specifications, but under advisement of themselves and best of all NO UPFRONT COSTS TO THE AUTHOR KDP only get paid when a book is sold!
'Joan - Put On A Happy Face' by Carol M Mottershead
was published Sept 2020 with the help of KDP / Amazon.
I really was unsure about publishing independently. I'd heard some negative stories about doing it yourself, that they were a waste of time, royalties were poor, which at 70% on eBook and 60% less print costs on paperback I don't think that's a bad deal myself! No upfront costs was a definite bonus too! Traditional publishers don't ask upfront costs, if anything they pay you to publish your book and recoup their money from future sales - they take the risks! Vanity publishing was one way I was 'definitely not' going to use - so KDP Publishing it was...
Personally I've found the KDP publishing to be a great help, and they will support you throughout the process of publishing without charging I might add!
Like many people, I was scared of the technology in case I pressed the wrong buttons! But KDP were supportive... and very quick to reply to my enquiries. Marketing options are available... free promo's or countdown deals and of course click to view, which personally I don't like the idea but have yet to try it... maybe!
I'd recommend KDP Publishing to anyone who has written a book and not found a traditional publisher, but not vanity publishing... only my personal choice though. :-)
Having said all that, I do recommend that you check and recheck your writing, or have edited by a professional if grammar, spelling and punctuation aren't your forte lol! To produce a published book that has loads of errors gives independently published books a bad name of being sloppy or of poor quality which will prevent potential buyers from taking a chance on purchasing books of other independent authors, which isn't fair on the rest of us who HAVE bothered to check our work!
I am now a published author!
And there is no better feeling than the day you see your first book in print!
It's marvellous!
You can take a 'look inside' courtesy of Amazon or have a read of my author page...
Whichever you decide - HAPPY READING
And remember what Joan says 'Put on a Happy Face' - KEEP SMILING :-)
Joan: Put on a Happy face eBook: Mottershead, Carol M: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
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