Several days ago I made a note to myself that I needed to find--or write--an all-encompassing work flow for getting a project from finished draft to published, in both ebook and print formats. I wanted it to include items I had forgotten in previous forays into the indie publishing world, such as registering a copyright.
I know I have such a chart somewhere among my treasures, but at the time I couldn't find it, or maybe I didn't look in the right place. At any rate, I wanted to find something that would serve, so I went hunting on the Internet.
Of course, keywords being key in a search engine, I started off with workflow. Well, that was all about software, and not what I needed at all. After a couple more adventures with keywords, I hit the right one. What I needed was a checklist.
I hit several sites that were helpful, and many that were not. Along the way, I collected links to some of the more useful ones, but none was exactly what I was seeking.
Perhaps some of these lists and posts (some of which are quite funny) will be of use to you:
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2013/06/13/how-self-published-books-are-made-start-to-finish-part-i/
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2013/06/19/how-self-published-books-are-made-start-to-finish-part-ii/
This post nearly came the closest to what I needed, plus it's designed for self-publishers:
http://www.eschlerediting.com/how-to-self-publish-a-checklist/
But then I came across this post, and found even more elements that I wanted for my list. Oddly enough, it's from a book printer's site, about sending a manuscript to them for printing, but hey, there are things there I want--also some I don't need but you might, so I include it here.
http://www.book1one.com/HelpfulResources/SelfPublishingChecklist.aspx
In the end, I will have to winnow through the various suggestions and write up a checklist that will work for my business, but that's okay. At least I have many suggestions so I can make a start on that project.
What will your publishing checklist contain?
Interesting. I am involved with an online/inprint publishing company that is having marketing issues. I'm gonna ck out this whole new way of publishing but esp the marketing end of it. So far our writers come in from having self published and have rather poor sells from it. What's been your experience in that area of actual sales? As usual you have me thinking alternatively!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...first on my checklist. Write the darn book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful post. You, as always, rock.
hugs~
Terri, I have decent sales. Sometimes, I base my measure of success on other elements besides sales, but yes, I do make enough money to pay the costs of publishing and then some.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kari. Just write the book, in your spare, empty-nester time, heh-heh!
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