Adventures In Publishing – Part 3

The last few weeks have been a learning experience in so many ways. I tried as hard as I could to learn out how to create an ebook cover and a paperback cover, which I didn’t do too bad at, except it ended up being in a format non-compatible with publishing. The task of typesetting or book layout is much more complicated than I expected it to be. I tried and trialled so many templates, programs, and even software and came to a dead end. I was completely stuck and frustrated!

This sent me back to the Lord in prayer (which I should have been doing all along), but the drive to get my novel published by February 1st, set me into a pattern of striving to attain that goal. It took a hot minute for me to realize that I was outside of God’s timing. I didn’t mean to run ahead, but I did without being aware.

How?

I lost my consistency in prayer. I lost sight of the fact this novel is the Lord’s—not mine! I had to repent and put it back in His hands and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice. I moved the launch date to March 1/23. Within fifteen minutes of doing that, it was confirmed through my proofreading editor as a good decision and she reminded me that March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month in the US. I live in Canada, but given this book is going to be released on Amazon internationally, it is perfect timing. The Holy Spirit showed me that I could use this for promoting the book by donating $1 to the CP National Network here in Canada, so I am in the process of setting that up.

Those were my 1st and 2nd confirmations this was the right decision. The 3rd and final confirmation came out of nowhere and blindsided me in the best way possible. I was in a Zoom meeting which was unrelated to my book or writing in any way. The person leading the group is a new friend of mine and a sister in the Lord. My mouse had a mind of its own that day, and it shot across the Zoom galley screen, which highlighted everyone’s name that was participating. My friend, had written “Bestselling Author” beside her name and those words leaped out at me even as the meeting was closing.

Long story short, I messaged her after the meeting and found out that she has published 60 books with more coming. Once I told her about my novel, she and her husband offered to help. It was a God-ordained moment, and one I will continue to praise Him for as this book is moving along with a professional layout and a conversion of my book cover to a paperback format that Amazon will accept.

So, where does that leave me? Well, I am now free to get the things together (another learning) curve to ensure everything is in place for the book launch. First is updating my bio and adding the other necessary components to a media kit. Registering a trade name for a my own publishing house as this will not be the last book I self-publish.

Then there’s the social media posts, organizing the cover reveal and a pre-sale if there is time, so there is still a lot of work to do. I wanted to give honour where it’s due and update you all on how things are progressing. As of this blog post, the book will be coming out in paperback format only. If I have time to sort out the ebook, I will, but that may be done after the launch. I still have proof copies of the paperback to order and go through for final approval, and this is a full-length novel, just to forewarn everyone. I know a lot of new books are shorter in length these days, but Claire’s story had to be told and it wasn’t finished until God said so.

Many authors release their ebook first, but that doesn’t seem to be the way the Lord’s leading. I obey Him first, so my decision comes from a place of submission, knowing His ways are not mine. Nothing is impossible for Him or for those who love God.

That’s my update for now, please stay tuned for further announcements and social media posts. I will also update the blog when necessary.

It won’t be long now!