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May 17, 2023Liked by Darcy Pattison

I think what I realized this morning is that just because a book is ready to go doesn't mean you have to push that publish button. That's what I was doing. Something inside me says I need to get them illustrated and ready to go. But now I realize (I hope) that it's all right to wait and dole them out when the time is right. Now all I have to do is figure out what 'time is right' means. I'm thinking Kindle presales might be the answer. You can announce your book up to a year ahead of time which sort of makes you feel it's out there.

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Yes, exactly! There's also Kickstarter, which can give a book a boost. Lots of work, but lots of potential for a good launch. Publish when the time is right!

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May 17, 2023Liked by Darcy Pattison

It's the order that seems to be my folly. I jumped in with way too many books. Now I'm trying to play catch up...and not very well. Would you focus on one or two and let the others ride along?

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Without knowing specifics, it's hard to say. But in general, I just plug along on my projects. I make mistakes, forget to do this or that, and circle back to FIX everything. The thing I try to remember is that this isn't a race. Copyright lasts my lifetime plus 70 years, which means I don't have to hurry. Legacy publishing says books are only in print a very short time and if you miss it, you're in trouble. Indie publishing says, my craft takes time and if I have to re-upload three times, well, that's what it takes to get it right. It's a different mindset for me. So - do what feels right to YOU! You're the author and creator of the works. What do YOU think?

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May 17, 2023Liked by Darcy Pattison

I really appreciate what you share--all the work you do for us. But that last little sentence says it all, it is up to us to learn how to promote, how to market. Once we get over this hump there is still more to learn as your blogs demonstrate. Does it ever get easier?

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Hi, Tricia:

It's not that it gets easier. But I have my processes in place and things are smoother and more automatic. Learn what process works for you! That is, when faced with a task, what will you usually do and in what order? Once the process becomes automatic, it's simpler to deal with exceptions to the rules.

But easy? No. Doable? Yes!

Darcy

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