You see, I’m pretty certain most of you thought I couldn’t pull it off. “How can that crazy broad possibly come out with three books in one month?” you might have asked. Hopefully you didn’t answer yourself. If you did, you may want to seek some counseling.
I have to say, there was a point last week when I realized the month was more than half over – and I got a little nervous that I was not going to be able to meet Ms. Laurie Boris’s double-dog-dare to produce three books during November 2012. I’m a ridiculously competitive person, and the thought of not being able to get those three books done instilled near-panic in me. Sure, everyone else would have said, “You got two books published, that’s awesome!” But that’s not good enough. Not for me.
Written, compiled, edited, formatted, converted, uploaded and available for sale – those were the criteria I gave myself. I was hoping that all three would be available not only as eBooks, but also in print. That didn’t happen. Maybe if I hadn’t taken the time to make video trailers for all three books, I could have done it. Mmmm – no, probably not. In any case, it breaks down like this:
Book 1: Indies Unlimited Authors’ Snarkopaedia – available on Kindle, print proof in my hands awaiting some tweaks and resubmission.
In Volume One of the Authors’ Snarkopaedia, sentences have been painstakingly crafted together using nouns, verbs and other words, bringing you paragraphs of text. These paragraphs flow into pages of expert tips, advice and insight for authors at all levels of the publication food chain. If you like information to grab you by the throat and smack you in the face, the Indies Unlimited Authors’ Snarkopaedia is the reference book for you. A special thanks to Stephen Hise and Laurie Boris for contributing to this book.
Book 2: Postcards from Mr. Pish: South and West Edition – available on Kindle, Smashwords, and in print. BAM!
The adventurous Jack Russell Terrier, Mr. Pish, is back – this time to guide readers through portions of the southern and western United States in Postcards from Mr. Pish Volume 4. Each postcard Mr. Pish sends is filled with engaging text and full-color photographs designed to inspire both young and old to read, explore, and learn. As with all his books, history, geography, and more become inviting and fun – because of the charismatic traveling terrier!
Book 3: Indies Unlimited: Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World – available on Kindle. This book kicked my ass.
Whether you are an author wanting to expand your book’s market or an entrepreneur selling candy-coated knitting baskets, you will benefit from an enhanced social media presence. In Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World Volume I you’ll find 62 step-by-step tutorials and tips/tools for everything from establishing a presence on multiple social media platforms to tools for optimizing your web presence to bonus tips tailored specifically for authors. Knowledge is power. Fish is brain food. This book smells way better than fish, and doesn’t require refrigeration. How can you go wrong? And a special thanks to the contributors: Laurie Boris, Lynne Cantwell, Jim Devitt, Yvonne Hertzberger, Al Kunz, L.A. Lewandowski, M. Edward McNally, Rich Meyer, Melissa Pearl, Kathy Rowe, Cathy Speight, Carolyn Steele, and Carol Wyer.
I couldn’t have managed this without the contributors mentioned above, as well as my blog partner, Stephen Hise – so thank you, Evil Mastermind, for handling the blog whilst I battled the forces of evil to get this thing done. I also would like to thank the academy, my mom, my editors, proofreaders, beta readers, and formatting “checkers” who not only did a fantastic job but did that job super quickly. I don’t think it had anything to do with the fact I sounded completely frazzled or perhaps slightly insane when I threatened…uh, I mean… asked them to do it.
This was grueling. While it almost makes sense to me to slack off the first three quarters of the year and crank out three books in November, I really never ever want to do this again. I’m exhausted. What? Another author who shall remain anonymous (Ed Drury) said if in November 2013 I can turn out FIVE books he’ll build an altar to me? Hmmm…. Nah. Well, maybe. Throw in some gluten-free cupcakes and a week at a spa (for afterwards) and you got yourself a deal.
Grueling? This means extra gruel for you, doesn’t it? And it will come from my share, just like always. 🙁
(Great job getting those out though.)
You are awesomesauce on toast. Where do I send the cupcakes? 😀
Fabulous! Congratulations, Kat! Honestly, I think my head would explode if I tried something that insanely ambitious. But it is encouraging to see that it’s humanly possible (without the use of incarceration and/or torture, apparently).
OMG, you did the TRAILERS this month, too? Laurie had better send you a *whole batch* of cupcakes… Congrats!
Congratulations Kat, I’m so proud of you! I just knew you’d do it. Needless to say I will be buying two of them. 😉 xx
Fabulous job, Ms. B. Calling the bakery…
I’l bet Mr. Pish helped. That’s cheating. 😉
Woot! YOU ROCK!
Congrats! I hope you’re getting some well deserved rest after all that!
Congrats! I had every confidence in you. 🙂
I never doubted for a moment, Kat. Having been a victim of – er, experienced – your awesomeness, I know nothing stands between you and a gluten-free cupcake. I salute you, Madam! 🙂
You do rock! I did the NaNoWriMo for the first time ever this year, and actually had about 20k to start with, but went on to 62k and very happy about that. It was quite an experience and if I didn’t work for myself in my own little space at home office, I don’t know how I could have pulled it off. I don’t know how others pull it off in a 9 to 5 work place and then write 50k also.
I didn’t doubt you for a minute, Kat. Well done you! 🙂