Hi everyone,
I have been asked to give you all an update on my self-publishing dilemma.
Just in case some of you do not know, I decided to give self-publishing a go for my first novel, Jacob Jones.
At the beginning of April of this year (seems like last year) I found a company that said they could do all this for me in 4 weeks but mostly they get it done in 3 weeks.
Well I have a website ready but NO books yet, No PR, No Posters or Bandstand, NO e-book ready and No confidence left in them.
I had to cancel two press statements because I did not have a book or a cover. On the third attempt I HAD TO PRINT A COVER OFF AT HOME and rap it round a book to make out it was my book… Shame, I felt like a prat.
I was promised everything on my doorstep by the 30th. When I phoned them today to see if it was on its way I was told, "What more do you want us to do"
My book launch is in two weeks…. Just got an e-mail to say the proof copy will be with me before 1030am.
Do not let this put you off, Just don't go with the same people whatever you do…….
Have a look http://www.jacobjones7.co.uk/
If you have been down this road we would love to know, good or bad.
Damien ;(
Alice,
Thank you for your kind words... You and everyone have come up with some good points and I will start to make some changes to the site. Writing is fun and I loved it very much and I love reading all the work on this site.
Regards
Hi Damien,
Firstly, I'd like to say that I'm so sorry you've been having problems with this - the extracts of Jacob Jones that I read on here were absolutely brilliant and certainly deserve more respect than the company seems to have given.
Regarding the website - I think it looks good! It's a little sparse, but professional-looking, and I'm sure you'll have more and more to add once the publicity really gets going. I think that I'm maybe in agreement with what other people have said about the J.K Rowling quote - it does seem to have been taken out of context a little, as it sounds a bit like she's saying, 'Thank you for writing such a wonderful book'. It IS a very wonderful book, I'm sure, as doubtless J.K Rowling would think, but as she might not yet have read it, it seems a little unfair - and might put her off from making a proper comment later.
Also, as the target audience is 8-12 year olds, perhaps you could make it a little more child-friendly - have you got any people of that age who have read the book and could give a comment? I think that perhaps you could give a little more information about the people who have given you comments already, too - I can't really think of what would be appropriate, but when it's just names something seems a little lacking.
Hope I have been a bit of help, and I wish you all the very best of luck with getting your book out there - and CONGRATULATIONS for having written one!! It sounds like it was a real labour of love and it's such an admirable (and enviable!) achievement.
Hi Dor,
I do understand everything your saying and I am taking it on board. Would you like to read a snip of a chapter ??? would love your input on it. I don't claim to be the next J.K or anyone.... this is done out of love.
Regards