Writing is hard.
Editing is hard.
Publishing is harder.
Why is publishing harder?
Because you thought you were done.
Done writing.
Done editing.
You thought you were ready to publish.
You were wrong.
Okay, I.
I was wrong.
There is SO MUCH that goes into the publishing process.
I had no idea.
I honestly thought the hard stuff was over.
THIS! This is what I’ve been working so hard for!
PUBLICATION!
Yes, but…
Cover art.
Back blurb.
Copyright page.
Dedication page.
Title page.
Acknowledgements page.
Author page.
FORMATTING.
(Holy crap, the formatting.)
Did I mention cover art?
Should be easy, I’m a graphic designer for goodness’ sakes!
But it’s crazy hard.
Seriously, Formatting is the new “F” word to replace the old “F” word.
And then there’s the re-writing.
And the re-editing.
And the re-designing.
And the re-formatting.
As I go through the process (again and again), I promise myself that I will now be much more conservative in my criticism of published works.
Seriously, writing is hard, editing is hard, publication is harder.
Unless you’ve done it, shut the formatting up.
Mary Lamphere 
Are you at work on a particular publication? Are you doing it all yourself? Even publication?
I like this post!
Thanks, Carol. I’m working through CreateSpace on both a print and epub. First time for me and although I think the site is very informative, it’s much more work than I anticipated! I will be SO much smarter once this is done. 😉
Mary, I feel a certain consolation here in my heart as I read your post. If YOU, savvier than me, have ALL those problems… gee… I am starting to feel lucky now! 😉 I am still struggling with my final (8th, perhaps?) editing of THAT book I wrote in … when? 2009? Something ALWAYS seems to be wrong, or missing, or ugly, or, or… Not mentioning the long hibernation periods.
Two years ago I decided to publish it “as it is” using Smashwords. I was doing fine until the moment when I figured out – DURING FORMATTING – that I could not upload my manuscript with tables and other “things” that were not words. I even had to convert quotes and paragraphs and remove my balloons and call outs – Well, I NEEDED them! It’s an educational book! So, what happened? What they call Formatting is for me a DisFormatting! My manuscript started to look like sh*t, I lost my motivation, and stopped until I could find a better way to do that. And here I sit. Still not brave enough to go through all that process.
I have thought of trying CreateSpace. Maybe I will.
Meanwhile, as I work on the website and create programs for my students I face almost the same fear (of the process) as I have to deal with SEO, payment pages, membership pages, etc, etc. If I work on the mechanics of the website, I cannot write or coach; if I write or coach I cannot be a webmaster, and then my products don’t go to the website. And I don’t make money.
I am looking for a VA now. Someone with the expertise and time to deal with technology while I write. I cannot do everything.
Maybe neither can you. Have you thought about contracting a virtual assistant? The new F word would be in her hands! 🙂
I wish you success, Mary!
Thanks, Rose! I’m finding out that this blog is resonating with a LOT of indie-published authors. I recommend trying CreateSpace, I think you’ll be able to address your images and balloons. But, yes, a Virtual Assistant may be the solution for all! Good luck to you!
You’re braver than I am. I scrape money together and hire someone to do the publishing. Once you’re successful, you’ll make millions writing a how-to F book!
How-to F! That’s hilarious! And thanks, 🙂