I have a question to ask you. And since it’s a multiple-choice question, it should be easy. Ready?
What does the number “1440” designate?
- a) The name of a blog
- b) An IRS tax form
- c) Minutes in a day
- d) All of the above
Take a moment. I’ll give you the answer in a minute.
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Well, I even gave you a hint, but the answer is: c) Minutes in a day
And the reason I’m mentioning this is that since there are 1440 minutes in a day, they’re a precious commodity. I’m working hard to optimize my minutes, but no matter how I figure it, I’m oversubscribed. Out of time!
Lately, I’ve shared my plan to publish Love at First Sight in April. As we’re within hailing distance of April and I’m still revising the book, prior to sending it to my editor, (not to mention time to send it to my formatter wizard, and collaborate with my book cover designer on the back cover), I’m postponing publishing.
I hope you aren’t too disappointed, but I’m a perfectionist on your behalf. How many times have you read a book, even one published by a big publishing house, and found words left out or other errors? It’s exasperating, isn’t it?
A few years back, a friend who published several books with a small publishing house gave me two of her books to read and review. After reading the first page, I started a page to record the mistakes. Only about three-quarters through, I had 66 marks on the page and, while the story had possibilities, I was done. I told my friend about the problems. She freaked out!
Editors don’t have enough time to complete their work thoroughly. I’ve been a newspaper editor, so I know what that’s like. Deadlines zap you!
At a webinar series I listened to this week, Eric Van Der Hope gave a talk, “The Process of Creating a Great Book.” (https://www.ericvanderhope.com/contact) With thirty years of experience in publishing his own books and coaching others, his message is, “take your time, get it right.”
In a publishing checklist, he advocated spending six to nine months to launch a book once the manuscript’s complete!
From Eric’s publishing checklist, I realized I needed to prepare better for launching and stop rushing.
I have terrific, talented people working with me as BETA reader, editor, book cover designer, and formatter. My support group will appreciate not being rushed. I’ll spend time on the PR and pre-launch events that help books become bestsellers.
In this publishing landscape, everyone wants to know what other people think of a book. Is it worth the time to read? Again, time is finite.
Taking the time to consider, I thought about my need for “social proof.” My few reviews have been positive, but I need more readers to bolster my readership and offer reviews.
The upshot of this introspection is that I’ll wait to launch Love at First Sight in a few months. Probably in time for the start of school in the fall, which is when the story begins.
What I can promise is that the book will be as polished and engaging as I can make it. I’ll share two recipes again. My book has even more humor in it than the other three books in the Louisa’s Vineyard Series. Since Love at First Sight is a prequel to the series, you’ll get to know how Louisa’s parents met. (The book is definitely a steamy contemporary romance. 18+ please.)
What I’d really appreciate from you is an honest review of a book in the series. If you’d like, the first five chapters of Love at First Sight are available for free. Just sign up with your email at the bottom of my homepage, www.shelleysommers.com. You’ll receive a link to the sample to read. I’d appreciate a first reaction, a 2-4 sentence review. If you’re willing to do more, we’ll make you a member of the street team with lots of fun perks. I’d provide more books for you to read in pdf format. Instant gratification! (If the cover is ready, you’ll see that, too.)
Please let me know if you’ll share a few of your 1440 minutes to help me make these labors of love a more widely known reality. And, I’ll be happy to share your name (first name only, if you prefer) in the acknowledgments of future books. Maybe even name a character after you!
Thank you for sharing this journey with me!
*****
PS Here Come the Brides!
If you’re an aspiring romance author, consider writing a 6,000-10,000-word short story that includes a bride or wedding in the steamy romance sub-genre. Submit it to: contest.janerohde.com (See this link for all contest details.)
There’s no fee to enter your short story. You could be a finalist or winner, and then published and promoted in an anthology. Start writing!
Warmest regards,
Shelley Sommers
Romance author
www.shelleysommers.com
shelley@shelleysommers.com