[because in books we kinda hate that off-the-cuff, “I’m so original” flare] Yes! This is exactly what I meant. I can think of one recent example where the author took on an “I can break all the rules because I am ME! I am SPECIAL!” and it didn’t quite work out as the person hoped.

And I appreciate the clarification on what you meant. I love the idea of taking it higher. Brilliant! We all need to continually challenge ourselves to move to the next level.

Thanks!

Sandy

Agreed, too, that—particularly in writing—being zany and off-beat can really destroy your story, and lose readers. Because you’re giving yourself license to go uncensored, unedited. Thanks for pointing that out, because in books we kinda hate that off-the-cuff, “I’m so original” flare. Like, no, murder those deplorables. I guess I meant it in a more sedate, knowing the medium sense….like, now that I understand this, where can I take it higher? Thanks for the clarification, very important point!

Well, hey there, Miss Wendy! This is great info., as always. I especially love your recommendation that you set a launch date that’s farther out than what you think you need at the moment. As you noted, it allows time for you to deal with issues — and there WILL be issues — and reduces your stress level. And in most cases, that launch date is arbitrary, anyway.

To your last point, I think that many self-published authors need to play follow the leader because they need that “template” approach. They need a blueprint to follow because they don’t have the background or experience that you have at this point to wing it. Case in point: I’ve seen a few “there are no rules” book descriptions that left me confused about the book’s category, topic, you name it. There are some standards you really should adhere to, especially when you’re a beginner. Readers have certain expectations and when you don’t meet them, they’ll move on to another book that does.

Thank you!

Sandy

I have maybe 2 of those 9 under control. Launching is a push-pull, a “hurry up and wait.” Maddening, because you’ve got extreme exuberance about your almost-finished book—and that palpable excitement is your best marketing asset—but you must pace it out so a) you b-u-i-l-d excitement in others, and b) you and your book are truly ready on D-day. (Not “Okay, good enough, let’s publish.”)

My personal writer police say: 1) Select a launch date way, way farther out (several months or more) than you think the book will be ready. That gives you breathing room to both improve the book and stoke the crowd, and takes the pressure off. 2) Don’t feel ashamed or shy about promoting. At this point in internet evolution, everyone understands what you’re doing and why (it’s not frowned upon). (Frowners are probably envious.) You just have to keep the style and voice they love in your books, i.e. be yourself and have fun. 3) Have realistic expectations. Mine are usually that this launch should be bigger than the last (more sales), I might try a new tactic or two, and I’ll learn stuff. With more lead time, I wasn’t frantic this time (with “Nicaragua Story—Back Roads of the Contra War,” out July 7!!) about updating my website, whipping that ornery ebook into shape, chatting with Author Central and KDP, and tons more. I even threw some last-minute yellow bananas on the back of my blue cover! 4) There WILL be snafus! You’re okay if you have that extra time. 5) Gospel: you may not get the feedback, sales, and accolades from whenst or whomst you thought—support can be random and pops in unexpectedly, often from strangers—but it’s all good. And you continue accumulating true loyalists as you add more books. 6) KNOW you can’t do it all, and that certain marketing avenues won’t appeal to you. For example, I’m letting Pinterest slide for the moment because it seems less user-friendly to me now, and I never mastered selling there. Things shift. 7) I totally accept that I’m not and never will be like marketeers making healthy livings on sales and promotion—not what I do, not who I am. Y’gotta believe in your own thang.

I’ll also add, tangentially, that it saddens me to see self-pubbers trying to imitate other authors, from covers to story-lines to marketing approaches. Yes, we need guidance, but part of the glory of self-publishing is that you can do what you want, be as creative as you please, be zany and free. It’s such an exciting venue to push limits—with finesse, of course.