Returning to Paradise!

I've gone through a hair pulling HELL to get my most recent book into IngramSpark. After another day of messing around with them I finally decided to LET IT GO!!!!! I went back to Createspace on my book page for Gypsy's Quest, and easily navigated to the place where I could include expanded distribution. A few buttons and 'save and continue's' later, I have officially chosen them as my expanded distributors.

I do not understand why ANYONE would choose to work with IngramSpark/Lightning Source. I inputted everything they wanted, including pretty much promising them my first born and they still kept me from getting though. Seventeen e-mails later and I ams SO DONE.

With Createspace I have paid nada to get my formatted book onto Amazon, the only cost a measly ten bucks for my personal ISBN. Since I worked with them on my first three, having them format and do covers for the first two, I had no idea how incredible they really were if you sent them your formatted ms and cover design! I would always recommend them. The only problem I've had is that when they printed my cover, the colors seemed a bit on the orange side. After speaking with them about this issue, (they have a 'call me!' feature) I decided it was too picayune to pursue.

And so my book is out, it has expanded distribution now and I am well on my way to figuring out how to market. (Did I really say that?)

More later....

Trouble in Paradise

I have my proof and it seems a little more orange than I expected, but after perusing my options, I've decided to leave it the way it is. My perfectionism can certainly drive me crazy if I let it!

The main issue now is expanded distribution. I have e-mailed back and forth with IngramSpark for weeks now. The two people I've corresponded with have been helpful to a point...and it's that point I want to discuss.

I decided to do expanded distribution with Lightning Source (IngramSpark) because I've run into trouble with bookstores who have complained that when they order my book they cannot get the proper discount through Ingram. When one does the expanded distribution through Createspace, Ingram won't give the regular discount to the buyers. Apparently this is because Amazon won't return books. Understandable since they are print-on-demand. But from what I've read and understand, Lightning Source does give the proper discount. Now if I could only get my book up on their site!

The latest missive I've had from them is that I have to pay first and give them my tax number. I wouldn't mind doing that if I could figure out where--they have seriously the worst interface I have ever encountered!

And so the e-mails go back and forth with me asking how to do things and them taking two days to answer and on and on...At this point I figure having my books on consignment is easier than dealing with them. I have them on consignment in nine bookstores now. Maybe I should just call it a day. And I have no idea what the costs will be for this service because I can't get into their website to find out! Does anyone publish with them?  I'll tell you, after the delight of working with Createspace, their site is beyond frustrating.

If anyone has any insight on this matter, please let me know. I'm tired of beating my head against the wall.

paperback writer...paperback writer...la la la, la la, la la

The paperback version of Gypsy's Quest took a mere three days from uploading the formatted ms to createspace to up on amazon! The Wolf Moon took at least a month with many revisions due to CS problems. As I spoke about in my last blog--formatting is the way to go. That and having a designer do the cover. I am NOT saying to do it yourself. Exactly how many hats can one put on one's head and not have said head explode?

This week I've put my books on consignment in two new places here in Tucson: Mostly Books and Antigone Books. Two weeks ago I sent my books off to Om Base Yoga studio in Portland, where Todd Williamson graciously put them on his shelves.

Now to decide my plan of attack for the launch. I need to reach more readers! I'm hiring Christine Myers to help me with this. I'm taking my time this time around--slow launch--it may not happen until the retrograde thing is over in early March.

I've been e-mailing with Ingram Spark about doing my expanded distribution with them. I'm still somewhat confused about the difference between Lightning source and Spark but I think Spark has less flexibility when it comes to bookstore discounts. They either do 40 or 55%--But I may be completely wrong about this. The spark rep. told me they can't do expanded distribution if I have a CS isbn--I have my own publishing name and I paid for my isbn, so hope I can get around this.

So now I'm hard at work on second book in Gypsy series...I've decided to be more disciplined this time around--setting a goal of 2000 words a day. If I stick to this the book should be released before the end of the year! However--time travel stories are complicated.

I've also decided to re-vamp my website since I am unable to do anything with the one I have. It sits there being beautiful but I want access! I will have the same url but the new one will be simple and practical, with a blog.

Hope what I share here can help other writers who are looking to self-publish...it can be daunting!

Thanks for reading and all comments are appreciated!