Hi friends,

First, I'm really glad that my previous email about combating destructive thoughts resonated with so many of you.

I've had ups and downs with depression most of my life, and it really brightens my day when I'm able to help someone having similar challenges.

You're not alone! :D

Second . . . you are all so amazing and supportive! Awakening Horde has 183 ratings/reviews and a bestseller tag, thanks to you!

I can't believe how close it is to 200 already. Grinning here. :D

If you'd like to hop over to Amazon and say something nice about the story or give it a rating, I'd really appreciate it. (FYI - You don't have to buy the book to rate/review it.)

And with this new book coming out, some of you asked what is involved in publishing your own book instead of sending it off to a publishing company.

What complicated business stuff do independent authors have to take care of?

For those who enjoy behind-the-scenes author stuff, scroll down for the details.

First, click on a few of these books and collections to help support the newsletter - thanks!

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Publishing Again List

Here's a list of some of the things I've been doing that fall into the non-writing list of being a self-published author.

(Way more than I ever expected when I started this author thing!)

Five months before publication:

• Spend a month gathering reader comments and my own running list of things I need to correct in book 1
• Read and edit the entire book using tools like ProWritingAid to polish - at about 10k words a day, this takes 3-4 weeks.
• I need a final copy to give to the narrator, after which no changes can be made.

Four months before publication:

• Research list of narrators in the litrpg genre, listen to them, track down contact info and see if they are available and what they cost
• Get samples and choose the best one.
• Negotiate and sign a narration contract.

One month before publication:

• Format book 1 for paperback.
• Finalize blurb for back cover.
• Contact cover designer with final page count (so they know how thick the spine is) and ask for paperback cover and audiobook cover (with narrator name on the front)

Three weeks before publication

• Format official ebook as well as an ARC (advanced review copy)
• Gather emails of ARC team who would like a copy sent to them and are willing to review the book when it releases.
• Format side stories and create a link for readers to download as a freebie with newsletter sign-up.
• Get paperback ready to publish so reviewers can leave early reviews. These reviews will be merged with the ebook Amazon page, so it doesn't start launch day with zero stars.
• Finalize the back matter, which includes a sneak peek of book 2, link to free bonus stories, links to newsletter, website, Royal Road, Patreon, etc.
• Submit final audiobook files to Audible and hope they process it in time for release day.

One to Two weeks before publication

• Send out ARC copies.
• Encourage RR, Patreon and Newsletter readers to leave reviews.
• Research FB groups, Reddit groups and Discord channels to see which ones will let me post about the new book release.
• Contact mods and admins of the groups for permission (add required links over in the back matter of the ebook)
• Re-learn how to set up Amazon ads and make lists of books and categories similar to mine to target.

Last week

• Put ebook up for pre-order
• Start amazon ads
• Upload finalized ebook file
• write up FB, Reddit and Discord posts so they're ready.
• write this newsletter
• keep refreshing Audible to see if the audiobook got ready in time. It did! The night before!

I'm sure there are more things I'm missing, but I can see why some authors hire an assistant to do a lot of these tasks.

On the other hand, it's amazing that a new author can learn to do all these things on their own. It gives them an opportunity to enter the business on the power of sweat equity if money is tight.

Send me questions! I'm always happy to encourage new authors.

Thanks for all your support - and enjoy a good book this weekend!

- Misty :)

p.s. Follow me to get updates from Amazon here: Misty Zaugg Amazon Page

p.p.s. For a web version of this newsletter and previous newsletters: https://sendfox.com/mistyzaugg/campaigns