Category Archives: Author Post

Finding a new printer for my softcover edition of book 2

Posted on by

Have my first book printed by Mira Publishing was very informative. I had no idea what I was doing.  Fortunately I had an angel, Brittney Braur, as the internal PM to Mira that made sure everything went flawlessly.  She quickly, but carefully, explained the various options available to me for a digital press run and made recommendations about things like paper stock that increased the quality. Knowing I was paying for it all on my own she also pointed out things that I could do that would reduce costs for the project. In the end, her influence produced a superior result that I was very happy with.

Then came the second, offset, print run. This meant a different printing process was being used to handle my larger volume of 2000 copies. Brittney was no longer with Mira, and it had been bought by another company. There were numerous disconnects that led to a print that, while still good, wasn’t as good as the first print in my own opinion. For instance, the stark white paper isn’t what I requested. In fact, when I got my printed proof I specifically called out that wasn’t the right paper.  They said it was just a test for the proof.  It turned out that WAS the paper they used in the end.  Another oddity, there’s BLANK PAGES at the end of the book.  No one mentioned that going to an offset printer (versus a digital press like my smaller first print) would mean I’d have to work in print palettes, groupings of 12 or 16 pages.  I could have EASILY adjusted margins or font size to soak up the extra pages.  Instead it looks like I have a bunch of errors at the end of every book. The cover, while it has a great gloss on it, lacked the color depth seen in the original print.  The red nebula looks much muddier, even brownish. It’s still a GREAT visual, but it was an AWESOME visual to begin with.  Regardless the book was still a great product, sells well, and has not had a single complaint or return.

When I began pre-printing planning for book two I returned to what I new. However, this time Mira’s bid on the project was significantly higher.  In fact, they said I had gotten quite a deal the first time through. I just couldn’t justify the additional cost.  At this stage of the game I didn’t need 2000 copies of book 2, just enough for initial launch, publicity copies, and a small stock to sell on Amazon.  Once demand existed I’d print more.

This led me on a search for additional options. I consulted with Brittney Braur, who now has her own promotion company (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND). She and I had talked about a company called Lightning Source that actually handed all the self-published printing from Amazon and other large companies.  They’re kind of the Roundy’s of the printing industry.  Everyone slaps their own label on, but it goes through them.

I made a mistake and typed in Lightning press. Turns out they really do exist http://www.lightning-press.com/.  I’d forgotten the second name in the printer (“source”), so I thought I found what Brittney and I had talked about.  They had a very easy online quote tool, and their sales process was responsive and helpful. My sales contact, Paul, was easy to work with, and answered my questions quickly.

I placed the order, was able to follow-up with payment on the phone the next morning (which I preferred).  Paul and I even talked about the project, and some of my concerns.  I also got clarification about the use of #100 cover (I had selected), and discovered a 12pt cover would be a more solid stock to use, especially since I didn’t need printing on both sides of the cover.  He spelled out the dimensions for the Word manuscript document, and the Photoshop cover. Because I adjusted the margins, used single spacing between rows, and reduced the font size I was able to reduce the overall page count (page count can dramatically impact printing costs), the spine size had to change. I had to adjust the Photoshop file I used from cover one to accommodate. I was nervous about getting all the dimensions exactly right.

I updated the files, and submitted them via their Web site. I received the digital proofs the next day. I also found an error in my manuscript that they changed without additional charges. I also noticed the cover was a few pixels off.  Yes, I wanted to fix that. I made the change, re-uploaded it, saw the new digital proof, and hit approve.  I got the physical proof (that I ordered with the printing package) in a few days.  It looked great.  No changes to make.  I approved it online as well.

The 120 printed books came in 4 boxes the next week. They were packed and protected well, and the books looked AMAZING.  The cover looks exactly like the digital image (lots of detail, bright blues, etc.). The content looked exactly as it was supposed to.  I’m VERY happy with Lightning Press. I do plan on using them again and highly recommend them.

I’m still interested in Lighting Source, and plan to try them out for the short-order of book 3. It’s important to have a few options. But I KNOW I will be using Lightning Press again too.

Your audio book is LIVE!

Posted on by

This is part 3 to the audio book creation posting.

Part 1: Creating The Audio Book On Audible.com
Part 2: After Signing your audio book talent
Part 3: Your Audio Book is Live

—————————————————————————————————————

Once the voice talent has the initial recordings “in the can,” then they work with their own producer to assemble the final cut and perform their own QA process.

After Kyle and his producer wrapped up their part, they posted it to the ACX.com site for my review.

I then began the process of reviewing all 11 hours and 45 minutes of final audio.

In a perfect world I’d be sitting in front of a computer, the original script in view while listening to the recording.

Initially I was curious what it sounded like, wanting to hear it “organically” without following along with the voice-in-my-head that would be reading my manuscript while listening to Kyle.  I found that I remembered, word-for-word, the manuscript without having to see it in Microsoft Word.

I actually found it better to listen to it without my script. Believe you me, after working so long on a book, you’re going to remember what you wrote.

I easily caught a few mispronunciations, some extra long pauses, even three words that were missed from the beginning of a character’s statement. I documented out the chapter, what the issue was, and the words around it so he could find it easily.  In hindsight, I could have added a time index as well for them.

I actually wondered how things would be handled when an important name was mispronounced, and worried it would be a good deal of rework.  It’s one of those things where you want your fans to hear the words as they were intended, while also not wanting to burden your voice talent.  However, I am paying for the audio book’s production, and I do want it to be the best quality and most representative of my work as it can be.

One thing was crystal clear: Kyle was the right choice!  He did an amazing job. I loved the way he voiced the many characters, and really brought the story to life.

I sent my notes off to Kyle.  He was professional and easy to talk with about the issues I found.  In a matter of days they were fixed–even the mispronunciations (where one alone had 18 instances across multiple chapters).

I then worked on the cover.  The Audible.com format requires a cover that’s 2400×2400 pixels. That’s very different from my soft cover size. So I needed to rework it a bit.  I did an initial design, uploaded it to ACX, and hit approve.  I made the assumption it would be easy to change like it is in “Seller Central” on Amazon.com.

Once I approved the book it then brokered the payment for services.  It actually let’s you pay outside ACX.  I ended up using PayPal. You hit a button that says you paid, the provider clicks a button that says you paid, and it’s done.

Next the book moves into an approval cycle with ACX itself.  They review the book for quality before putting it live. That’s great!  I totally understand why. Their email said it could take up to about 14-20 days. My day 1 was Feb. 27th.

I wanted to tweak the cover design before going live. I did a few iterations, had my fans on Facebook provide some feedback, and locked in a final cover.  The problem was, there’s no way to update your book once you hit approve.  NONE.  I sent a message to ACX and they said I could send them the new cover and they’d manually update it. WHAT? That seems really strange, but okay.  I sent the update off to them.

On March 4th (6 days after the review started by ACX) I received an email from ACX that D’mok Revival: Awakening was approved and release live for sale.

WAIT!  For how much?  What was the product copy being shown with it?  Was the new cover there?

I had no idea!  So I logged in.  I went to the “Completed Projects” tab as instructed by the same “you’re on sale” email.  All it showed was how many books were sold (zero).  There’s no clear way to get at price, or channel.  Remember they also sell on iTunes and Amazon.  So confusing!

I replied to the email from acx.com asking how to set the price, and when the new cover would be posted.

I went to audible.com and searched for my book.  Surprise!  It was out there.  The cost set by audible was $24.95. Not sure where that came from or if I can adjust it.  Then I noticed the “Publishers” copy and the mini-promotion by the cover.  They simply took the text I used to attract voice talent and plopped it out there!  I was shocked and horrified.  I never intended the public-at-large to see that?!  Nothing I read said that’s what would be taken.

Knowing ACX didn’t have a real editing system for published books (since you had to send them image updates for your book and have them do it), my assumption is I’d have to go to them to change the publisher copy too.

Wow.  It’s not the end of the world, but come on!  I knew something seemed wrong when I couldn’t find any information or posts about what happened outside of the production process.

We’ll see how fast ACX.com can get back to me and how quickly I can correct things.  GREAT lessons learned!  🙂

Overall, I still love the ACX process. Next time I know what to watch out for right out of the gate.

Multitasking

Posted on by

There are so many incredible things going on right now!

I just finished my review of Kyle McCarley’s audio production of D’mok Revival: Awakening. I think he did a superb job. His creative take on the characters really brought them to life, and took the printed word to an entirely new level.  There are certainly a number of lessons learned from this experience, which I’ll post another blog entry about soon.

It’s time to start ramping up the promotion machine to prepare for the launch of the audio book.  I’m guessing late March for the début!

Then there’s book number 2: D’mok Revival: Retribution!  I’m working with Arlene Robinson again, my original editor that took on the 286,000 word manuscript (which became the Nukari Invasion Trilogy).  So much has evolved since I initially worked with her that I wanted her special touch in polishing the new incarnation of the second manuscript.

I’m very proud of how the second manuscript has transformed. At first I was apply the changes to the universe based on edits to the first book. Then I began to apply everything that I learned from the release of Awakening, and took into consideration reviews and fan interests.  I ended up reworking a great deal of the manuscript and wrote around 150 pages of new content. Some things were pulled back from book 3, others pushed forward, all in the name of creating a solid book two arc in addition to the invasion story progression. She’s currently doing her editing pass, and will have that complete mid-March.

For those that have been following D’mok Revival on Facebook, they know that I’ve been working with Glenn Clovis for the cover design of book 2.  Posting out to Facebook has allowed me to gather instant fan feedback and help cultivate the final look.  I should have the print-ready cover in a week or so.

The back-cover copy has also been vetted on Facebook a few times.  In essence, the soft cover and ebook marketing components are in great shape and nearly ready for prime-time!

I also have an initial marketing strategy prepared including solicitations of reviews and advertising to promote book 2.

As much as this seems, when my son goes to sleep I find myself still with more bandwidth. I’ve actually started working in book 3 already!  My goal is to have it out by holiday 2014 (yes, this year)—winter 2015 at the latest.  I really want it out this year yet.

I am so excited to continue this streak of amazing progress. It’s wonderful to have amazing fans who share HONEST feedback (not just the stuff they like), which helps me evolve as a writer and bring more to the D’mok Universe.

Your baby is ugly

Posted on by

One of the things you must be prepared for when you publish your work is the public’s reaction.  Before going into my experience thus far, I just want to reiterate how important it is to remind yourself why you write, and what your goal is.  Here’s an obvious warning: if you want to please everyone throw in the towel now as it will never (ever) happen.

Anytime you venture into the whimsy of consumers you are going to have people that LOVE your work (and everything about you), and *HATE* your work (and everything about you), and every shade of gray (far more than 50) in between.

I’ll be honest, logically this all sounds well and good.  After all, it’s to be expected. But thinking this through is much different than the barb your heart feels when you read something grossly negative.

I’ve been very lucky to date. I had four fantastic reviews of Readers’ Choice, and a number of positive responses on Amazon.

But I have had two very negative reviews. I found myself wanting to talk with those people to understand things better. In the end, rather than responding, I just absorbed it as information to trend against other reviews I receive.

Don’t bother looking for the bad reviews, here they are:

Rtbookreviews

“Zummo’s space saga, a planned trilogy, is based on a short story and role-playing game he created in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, the resulting tale is a derivative take on several sci-fi series. The protagonists are two-dimensional characters seemingly targeted to appeal to certain demographics: there’s the widowed hero learning to use his newly acquired superpowers; an anime-inspired techie and her robotic pet; an ancient and wise teacher who may be the last of his kind; and a young girl whose talent is defense. Even the powerful and evil aliens are never fully realized as bad guys; in one world they’re simply in the technology business. Too many grammatical mistakes mar the prose, more showing and less telling would have ramped up the action and the ending is simply the jumping-off point for book two.”

 

Amazon, Sixiron

“While the writing isn’t bad at all, the story telling and plot is a mess. From the very beginning you dont(sic) have a clue whats(sic) going on or motivating people other than vague notions. As things progress and characters are added, not much makes sense at more than a superficial level. The plot is absurd and follows its own logic, what passes for logic at any rate. I struggled to finish it as our expanding group of heroes bumbles into one absurd thing after another. Plot convenience is one thing but this takes it to new levels. I wont(sic) be buying a sequel.”

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. People have their preferences for the type of story they enjoy (for instance: hard-core action or hard-science vs. soft fiction, etc.). Perhaps the book was far outside the type of science fiction they enjoy.

I would prefer people who post their “reviews” would do so in a professional manner looking at the things that were and were not to their liking, citing specifics, and kept a civilized tone.

(Really brief rant)

My favorite review word is “derivative.” It’s such a generic and dismissive term to describe someone else’s work. Sure, high story arcs sound the same, but it’s the details that make them unique—it’s the individual characters and their actions that differentiate “my story” from “your story.”  If people want to see derivative, look in any genre.  Anything having to do with individuals having abilities/super powers could be said to be “derivative” of Stan Lee’s work. Or how about space adventures? Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, FarScape, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, V, and so many others present materials that directly inspire so many other series. Okay, I’ve made my point on that word.

(/Really brief rant)

Then there’s when they get things wrong in their reviews. One has to ask “did they really read it?”

I will give the rtbookreviews post one concession; they saw the preview version of the original print which DID have more errors in it.  Those have been fixed in the new print and ebook versions.

So stripping out emotional reactions, what did I learn from the two negative reviews?

  1. Preview copies must have the same high quality as the finish product (blatent error on my part)
  2. “…more showing and less telling would have ramped up the action”
  3. There was a feeling the ending was “simply the jumping-off point for book two” and perhaps wasn’t as satisfying for the reviewer. Strengthen the “book’s” story arc more, while still supporting the trilogy’s progression.
  4. My intention of dropping people into the story is loved by some and reviled by others (“From the very beginning you dont(sic) have a clue whats(sic) going”). It was a deliberate decision I made because I wanted the reader to feel the chaos experienced by the main character.  Just because you’re the reader, I didn’t want “you to know” what was going on and the main character not. You know what he knows, nothing more. Some people don’t like that. My anticipation of this risk has been realized.
  5. My intention of traditional stories progression (especially following that of Japanese animes and video games) isn’t liked by all reader types per the comment “convenience is one thing but this takes it to new levels.”

Some positive notes:

  1. There was a clear level of chaos introduced at the beginning which readers picked up
  2. “The writing isn’t bat at all” (HURRAY)
  3. They picked up on the homage’s and ties to well established science fiction universes

There are always going to be people that hate your work. That’s expected and it’s okay. Do your best to take the emotion out of it (even if they were snarky and/or one-sided, or just flat out inaccurate about things they say) and see what you can learn. Something things have already adjusted my approach to editing in book 2. Other things I’ve just kept in the back of my mind, assessing when something may be appropriate to challenge a component of what I’m working on.

Future books and projects will be better off for absorbing and internalizing every piece of positive and negative feedback you get.  That doesn’t mean take it to heart, get disenchanted with sharing your stories, and quit. Nor does it mean you have to change your style of writing.