by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’ve really ramped up my writing in the last couple of years. It’s been even more important to keep myself organized through the process. If I get off track, it’s easy to make mistakes. And publishing isn’t the most forgiving industry. Here’s what my process looks like and how I keep things straight:
I start loading the book onto retail sites. For me it’s Draft2Digital, KDP, Google Play, PublishDrive, and IngramSpark. I also load the book onto Prolific Works so I can share it with beta readers (my editor works with Word).
I draft a newsletter to announce the release and give updates on my life and what’s publishing next.
I list the book for preorder, giving myself enough time to address edits and beta reader suggestions. I make sure the book is linked to the rest of the series on Amazon and other retail sites. I also make sure it’s up on Goodreads as part of the series (which has been an issue lately).
I update my website with the preorder listed first.
Then I outline the next book in that series, while my brain is still in that story world. I start with my cozy mystery outline template, which helps me out.
I write the back cover copy for the book I’m outlining first. It gives me a global idea of the story. Then I send it to my cover designer. It’s important to get on her calendar early, but it also helps me visualize the project better when I have a cover.
I register the ISBNs with Bowker for the project (epub and print).
I upload the new cover and the cover copy to my website under the “coming soon” section.
Once I’m finished with the outline, I move right on to write the next book (which, in my case, is always with the other series I’m writing–the one I’d have already outlined after finishing a story in that series). This may sound more confusing than it actually is.
And I work harder to celebrate the publication of a new book. It’s important to recognize these moments!
That’s my end-of-book process, but I’d like to hear what yours looks like for publishing, or starting a book.
My Process When Finishing a Book: Share on XImage by Deactivated from Pixabay
And that's how you release so many books in a year! I can only deal with one at a time though.
Which is probably smarter, since you don’t get confused about what you’re working on!
Thanks for sharing the way you get ready for a release, Elizabeth! Each step matters, doesn't it? What I really like about your process is that you blend in your marketing with the more technical things (like getting an ISB number), so that it's all cohesive. Impressive!
I try to handle it all as a whole, for sure. Practice helps with this stuff!
You run it like a business, which it is – smart!
Thanks!
I always love when you tell us your process. I'm saving this. :)
Thanks, Teresa!