It’s here! I’ve published my second book Until Italy: a Traveler’s Memoir! A long journey to be sure…nearly two years in the making. (Learn more about my indie-author path to publishing here .)
It’s exciting! I check my sales report daily (ok, maybe twice…or that one day it was every hour or so…) and I rejoice when a book finds its way to you. My heart skips a beat when one of my readers leaves a review on Amazon and I know that my work has made an impression. Yet I know from experience the initial rush will pass. Life returns to normal.
So… What does success mean to me? What does success mean to any writer? This is what I’ve been thinking about all week. I turned to my author “friends” for inspiration and here’s what I found:
Writing is the Best Part
From Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird) :
“Publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is. That thing you had to force yourself to do–the actual act of writing–turns out to be the best part….The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.“
Quiet Glory
From Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic):
“There is a quiet glory in merely making things and then sharing those things with an open heart on no expectations.“
Pure Joy
From Stephen King (On Writing):
I have written because it fulfilled me. I did it for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can do it for the joy, you can do it forever.“
Success Occurs in the Privacy of the Soul
And from Rick Rubin (The Creative Act) comes the definition of success that rings truest for me:
“How shall we measure success? It isn’t popularity, money, or critical esteem. Success occurs in the privacy of the soul. It comes in the moment you decide to release the work, before exposure to a single opinion. When you’ve done all you can to bring out the work’s greatest potential. When you’re pleased and ready to let go.“
Have I been successful? Having done all I can to bring out this book’s greatest potential, I’ve let it go. I feel pleased, successful, where it matters. In the privacy of my soul.
What’s next for this author? Again I turn to Rubin’s words: “Once the work meets your highest standards, you sign off on it, let it go, and begin the next chapter of your life’s work–whatever that may be.“
Another book in the works? We’ll see. For now, I’m going to bask in the glimmer of this one for a few more days.
INTRODUCING!
Until Italy: a Traveler’s Memoir is the story of an ordinary woman transformed by an extraordinary country. A fun, quick read, perfect for a cozy evening at home, a beach read, or tucked into a travel bag for your next adventure!
Good News! You may soon hold a copy of my new book in your hands! My story is going from my imagination to words sent out into the world! Ever wonder how that happens? There are many ways to publish. As a proud indie (independently published) author, I’m in charge of all aspects of publishing my book. It’s exciting, but can be daunting at the same time.
In this post, I share my experience as an indie author who is about to publish her second book. Here is my Pathway to Publishing:
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Editing
After the last sentence of a rough manuscript has been typed (Anne Lamott calls this the “shitty first draft”), the real work begins. Editing.
Stephen King says “2 drafts and a polish.” Draft one is a closed door; the author goes over the manuscript by her- or himself. Draft 2 is an open door; the manuscript goes out to others to see for the first time. This is where being a part of a writing community pays off. I am fortunate to have a group of close friends who are talented writers. We spend time together, going over each other’s work. Considering the feedback, I edit my manuscript. This process (developmental editing) takes time, but is crucial to creating a well thought out and cohesive manuscript. (By the way Stephen, I’d be happy with 2 drafts…my manuscript has had many, many more…)
The “polish” then is the line editing. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, spacing. No stone is left unturned. Again, my writing friends come to my rescue. One of my critique group friends is an excellent line editor. Her work is invaluable to me. Back to the manuscript I go.
The Book Takes Shape
So, at the time of this writing, my manuscript is ready. Now on to formatting: This is the nuts and bolts of the book…sort of like building a house. Here is where I consider the size of the book, font style and size, line spacing, chapter headings, margins, buff or white paper, placement of page numbers. eBooks have their own format. There are tutorials and templates out there, but for me (she who has limited tech skills), I trust this to a professional. I contract it out. My formatter takes my manuscript and cover ideas and gets them ready to submit to KDP/ Amazon.
A Book by its Cover
And speaking of cover…this step is crucial. The cover is the face of the book–it’s first impression. It holds the power to make a reader stop and pick up the book, or walk on by. Colors, images, text all play a part. I’m a visual person and love designing my own covers. I start with a stock photo (purchased on Shutterstock). Then, with the help of my formatter, or programs like Coverjig, I play with the text to create the look I’m going for.
And don’t forget about the back. Back cover blurbs are the book’s second chance to grab a reader. Notice the next time you are browsing in a bookstore. Don’t you look at the cover first, then flip it over to see what the book is about? Yep, that’s intentional. There is an exact art to writing a back cover blurb…part word smithing, part psychology. The goal is to draw the reader in without revealing too much.
Upload
Almost there. Now, the book needs an ISBN (international standard book number). That little number on the back cover uniquely identifies the book. Amazon and other publishers will assign one for free, but then they technically own this number which may limit who you can sell to. This time around I am purchasing my own ISBN through Bowker.
Once the formatting is in order, I upload the book to Amazon. If everything meets their standards, I will order an author’s proof copy. It’s an exciting day when this arrives on my doorstep. This is when the book becomes real for me and I can see it as the reader will experience it. If everything looks good, I go back to my Amazon author’s account, press PUBLISH and…(drumroll please) the book is released into the world!
It seems like this should be the end of the story…but there’s one more thing. Amazon has an estimated 32 million published titles. Publishing a book is like dropping a tiny pebble onto a beach covered in 32 million tiny pebbles. No one will ever notice my book…unless I tell people about it and show them where to find it. Now I need to…
Market the Book
There I said it. For any author, but especially indie authors marketing is critical. There are many ways to do this: word of mouth, friends and family, social media, blogs and newsletters, book signings. I like to think of this as another outlet for creativity. Each book has its own personality, and it’s up to me to find a way to connect to its audience.
So there you have it. A long process, yes. Why do I do it? Well, why does a painter paint or an actor act or a quilter quilt? It’s a way of expressing myself, of creating something that didn’t exist before, and maybe, just maybe I will connect with someone who will relate to my story.
“When you make it real, it can gloriously travel to all sorts of places. Even a seemingly tiny story can deeply affect other people” -SARK
So, Watch this space…Book #2 is coming soon! I can’t wait to share it with you!
Threads of Thought
You play an important part in this process! Readers can help authors by purchasing their books, writing a review on Amazon, attending local author book signings, liking or commenting on a social media or blog post. Even a friendly “hey, I loved your book” goes a long way!
I’ve learned a lot since publishing my first book three years ago, but this debut book will always be close to my heart. The story of my transition from teaching to writing sets the stage for book #2. It’s not too late to get your copy here! http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
The Tucson Festival of Books: Imagine a Disneyworld for authors and book lovers! Every spring, thousands descend on the campus of the University of Arizona for a weekend of workshops, author meet and greets, books sales, food , music, and fun. This is the third largest book event in the nation, and I look forward to it each year. But this year was special. I participated as an author!
How did this happen? First, I had to submit my self-published book to the TFOB Indie Author’s Committee for review by October 15. In January I received notice that Out of the Crayon Box had been accepted as one of the books to be featured in this year’s Indie Author’s Pavilion. I was thrilled to be given this opportunity to sign books and meet readers face to face!
Did I sell some books? Yes! Enough to fund a European vacation? Well no, but enough to cover the cost of my registration fee and a nice dinner out. (or maybe lunch at the local sandwich shop, when you factor in cost of the promotional poster I had printed and the blue top and crayon earrings I bought to wear because they matched my book cover, ha-ha…) But here’s the real payoff:
Being Part of a Literary Community
Writing, putting thoughts to paper, is a solitary act, but to be a writer you need a community. This means being there for writers, learning from those who have more experience, encouraging emerging writers, participating in critique groups and writing organizations, buying and reading books, attending workshops, and yes, celebrating reading and writing. At the Festival of Books, I truly experienced this. Friends and family came to cheer me on, and I met new people, fellow published authors, who had come from all over the country. We shared tips and celebrated each other’s successes.
The Festival of Books gave me the opportunity to send my words out into the world.
My book went home with retired teachers who connected with me as we shared common experiences, young teachers who responded to my book’s dedication “to all past and present educators and the stories they hold in their hearts”, and to a man who hoped my book would inspire his wife to write her own stories. To send my words out “gloriously traveling to all sorts of places” (SARK) and touching the hearts and minds and imaginations of other people….this, this is why I write.
A Nametag
A simple 3×5 piece of plastic hanging from a black lanyard that reads: Tucson Festival of Books 2024: Where Words and Imagination come to life: Debra VanDeventer…Indie Author. I know, I know, it sounds silly, but I kinda teared up when I put it on and took my spot in the pavilion. My nametag now hangs on the bulletin board by my desk, there to remind me if I ever doubt myself, or struggle with my latest manuscript, or worry about sales, or wonder why I’m writing… I AM AN AUTHOR
Threads of Thought
Be part of the literary community! Celebrate reading and writing! Support local authors and local bookstores. Buy their books and leave a review. Write your own stories or books. Be a part of the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books! Maybe I’ll see you there next year! http://www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
This month marks the third anniversary of my blog, Seams Like a Story! My debut post “Creating a Space to Write and Sew” was published on January 4, 2021. Since then, I’ve published 104 posts (59,201 words) and generated 13,885 views.
Some influencers and social media experts say blogging is dead. You’ll get no traction. No one reads blogs anymore. Go to Tik Tok. That’s where the cool kids hang out, they claim. Yeah, maybe. But here are 5 reasons I still blog.
1. Through my blog I share my writing with others.
The bio on my sidebar reads : I designed this site to feel like a cozy conversation with a friend over a cup of tea or coffee. It’s a place where you can read articles that you can relate to, stories that make you smile, think, or encourage you on your own writing journey. I remind myself of this each time I sit down to compose a post.
2. My Blog is a creative outlet.
Composing, editing, and sharing 104 posts has helped me hone my writing skills in creative ways. Now when I’m out and about, I use my writer’s eye to zero in on things I might have passed by, and find ways to bring these stories to you. Using my own photographs to enhance my posts, I see the world with a photographer’s lens as well. Though sewing isn’t the main focus of my blog, I share snippets of projects that I’m working on. Creativity takes many forms and you, my readers, are a talented bunch.
3. My blog posts generate fertile ground for future writing projects.
Though I like to keep the content of a post concise, many of the ideas can be further developed into stories, magazine articles, or books.
4. Writing my blog helps me discover my audience.
Believe it or not, writing for you through my blog helps me discover my audience and my voice as an author. Each post ends with “Threads of Thought”, a place where I encourage you to respond or think about something. When you leave a comment, when my words reach you in a specific way, when we make a connection, my heart sings and I know I’m on the right track.
5. Marketing
There, I said it. The dirty word. Full disclosure, I began my blog prior to the release of my first book in hopes that I would gain exposure as an author. Blogs travel not only to subscribers, but out into the world on the wings of the SEO (search engine optimization) gods, thus expanding my reach. This is crucial for a self-published author. Pretty soon, friends and family tire of buying, or hearing about my book. To take the pressure off of you, at the end of each post, I add a link to direct new customers to my author’s page.
So my friends, I’m not going to TikToc myself. I’m happy right here, blogging for you, and for myself , for as long as the mood strikes me. Three years! Wow! Happy Anniversary, Seams Like a Story!
Threads of Thought
How did you discover this blog?
Do you have a favorite post?
Send a birthday wish to Seams Like a Story!
Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life is soon to be featured in the 2024 Tucson Festival of Books! Stay tuned for mor details or grab a copy here! http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
This week, the painters came. It was time. When we moved into our home we inherited the previous owner’s color scheme–beige with a dark red accent wall and a foyer that was sponge-painted with sparkly gold paint. It’s only paint, we rationalized. We can change it. Eleven years went by, other things took priority, and I did my best to decorate around it. This week, the painters came!
Before they arrived, we had to decide on colors.
“What do you think?” Ed asked.
“White, ” I said.
“White?”
“White.”
Many Shades of White
Interestingly enough, it’s a bold choice. Most folks opt for some color. (Is white a color? Is it the absence of color?) Anyway, I was taking my inspiration from “Desert Modern” décor. Look it up. It’s a thing, and since we live in the desert it captured my imagination.
“Walls the color of white-washed adobe are the perfect backdrop for warm desert colors,” the Pinterest post promised.
Of course, what they don’t tell you is there are hundreds, maybe thousands of shades of white at the local paint store, and not one is named White-Washed Adobe. After squinting at paint swatches taped around our living room for several days, I finally narrowed it down to two.
“Deb, just pick one,” Ed pleaded.
“Ok, here, ” I said as I squinted one last time and grabbed a sample off the wall hoping it was white-washy enough.
The Big Reveal
During the painting process, our home was like a construction zone. A team of professionals swooped in, taped, primed, and painted. I stayed my office/studio venturing out to take a peek now and then. From what I could tell, I was going to like the new look. After a two-day flurry, the painters packed up and left. I stood in the middle of the living room.
“It’s a lot of white.” I said.
“That’s what you wanted, ” Ed said. “Think of it as blank slate. Now we can start creating the look you want.”
Enter Creativity
“I Walk into a White Room…”
That’s the title of the first chapter of Twyla Tharp’s book The Creative Habit. This is how she starts each of her choreography-design sessions. She walks into the empty white studio and begins the creative process of bringing music to life.
I’m not a dancer, I’m a writer, but the creative process is the same. My brain begins to re-arrange bits and pieces of my room. Could the sofa move here? This picture looks better there. We need a pop of color over here. A plant perhaps?
It’s like moving dancers around on a stage or words on a page. Playing with color, texture, and shape in this way stimulates a burst of creativity that’s bound to spill over into my work as a writer.
Work in Progress
It’s a work in progress. Our original sofa and chair was repurposed with a hand-knitted throw and some new accent pillows. A rusty-brown saguaro lawn ornamant in a green pot makes for an interesting art installation. Some thrifted pieces have added interest.
Fixing things up, moving bits around, adding in some new elements. Yeah, I’m working on my manuscript.
Threads of Thought
What experiences with paint colors or painting a room have you had?
What do you do when you are blocked creatively?
Don’t you wonder who comes up with the names for paint colors? What’s the funniest one you’ve come across? (And if you find White-Washed Adobe let me know)
