Choices, Choices...

So, I've sent off for my proof copy of Songbird, which was a scary feeling. Each day I get closer to publishing and I realize how little I know about the publishing world. Over he past few days I've been reading blogs and trying to learn everything I can.

Well, yesterday I spent an hour reading a forum about the importance of book covers. I knew they were important, but I don't think I'd really considered how important and what exactly it is that captures the reader's attention. Until yesterday, I was pretty happy with the cover I created using Create Cover. The stock photo was pretty and soothing, just the effect I was going for. But did it really represent my book. The field has a nice mix of colors, but my book takes place in the city.

After long hours last night trying to  figure out my photo program I came up with a new possible cover. All that's left is getting a few opinions. 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Self-Publishing

I've resisted this. I've used every excuse I could think of to avoid doing this. Self-publishing was definitely not something I wanted to do. Everything I read from agents and even other authors (published and not) told me not to even try.

But I'm going to do it. For a long time, I've gone the traditional route, and I haven't completely given up on it. I'm just at the point where I need to feel like I'm moving ahead. So, I'm going to take Songbird and self-publish.

I'll do another round of edits and change some minor things, but as a whole I'm pretty happy with the way it's written. I don't really see this as something an agent will pick up. The number of times I've read things like "don't use flashbacks" is countless, yet that's what this book is about. A girl who lets her memories control her choices.

Today, I went on Create space and started working on the cover. Last year I had used my free proof copy from the Nano competition to creat one, but that was too dark and I felt that it didn't really work with the romance genre of the book. This is what I have so far:



The photo was a generic one that Createspace offers but I'm pretty happy with it and I'm going to play around with it to see if I'll be able to use it for my Smashwords (ebook) cover as well.

The blurb on the back is:

There are defining moments in life when everything changes.  For Dani Mays, it was the day she witnessed her father kill her brother.  Now seventeen years-old, she still hasn't put it behind her.

After Jace's death, she bounced between her alcoholic mother and foster homes, until she found a permanent place.  And a reason to stay:  Reece McCabe.  He's her best friend, yet Dani wants more from Reece.  When he turns her down, he shatters her illusions again.

Faced with losing Reece, Dani struggles to define his place in her life and escape the memories of her brother's death and the influence it has over her choices.  Even as she weaves the pieces of her heart back together, the past becomes more than a memory when a former foster brother reappears and Dani begins receiving threatening phone calls.

There are still a couple of points in there that I'm considering changing, so feel free to make suggestions!

I'm actually really excited about this! I still have a ways to go since it'll take me a week or so to edit then another to format. then the wait for my proof copy, but I'm hoping that I can have the Smashwords version up sooner. Then I'll have to work on the marketing aspect!

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

I made the first round of cuts! Whoo! I didn't even realize how anxious I was until I woke up yesterday morning expecting the results.  When they didn't show and no email came I started thinking I hadn't made it.  The only thing that kept my same flame of hope alive was that there didn't seem to be anyone who'd received an email.  After ten hours of constant check the list was finally up.  I think I opened the file about ten times before I actually believed it was my name and my book title.  Together.

The first round was the pitch round.  I made it so I know my premise isn't crap and that essentially my query isn't crap either, although I have improved on it since submitting my pitch. Being rejected in round one just means you need to work on your pitch, find a way to distinguish it form the rest of the pack. I was kind of hoping to be eliminated in round one, that way I could tell myself that it's just my pitch they don't like.

Going into this second round, I'm scared to face the reviews of people I don't know, who I haven't established a writing relationship with. It's a month until the next elimination and I'm determined to put the contest to the side.  To not worry about what the reviewers will say or whether I make it or not. But for now, I'm going to basking in the glory of having made it through round one! :)

On my iPod:

I'm in Love with a Girl by Gavin DeGraw

Moving Forward

 

Today I spent almost three hours getting my butt in gear and using Createspace.com to create a proof copy of Songbird.  No, I haven't given up hope that I'll meet that perfect agent, nor am I self-publishing, but I needed something to motivate me in the next step of the process for Songbird.  I need to query more.  I've sent out a total of nine queries and had four rejections so far.  I can't keep waiting, but it just seems surreal. I continually doubt whether I'll ever get an agent, much less get published.  So I am now anxiously awaiting my proof copy so that I can actually see my name in print.  The picture above is what the front and back cover will look like.  If you've had the opportunity to read Songbird you'll probably understand why I chose  a swing instead of a bird for the cover.

As for how good Createspace is, well that remains to be seen.  Once I hold my book in my hands, I'm hoping I'll be able to say they're fantastic :)  Once I get it in the mail I'll take a better picture.

On my iPod:

I'm Your's by Jason Mraz