What I've learned so far about being a self-published author ~ Guest Post by Stefany Rattles

Back in 2013 when I decided to self-publish my first book, I didn’t know what I was doing. To me the idea of self-publishing was new and for some reason I thought that because I was done writing the book, the hard part was over. Of course, that’s not how it works.

I found out the hard way that there’s so much more to self-publishing than just finishing a book and hitting the publish button. There is a lot of information out there. I should have done my research and built my marketing plan before I published my first book. I should have hired professionals to help with the editing and the designing my book cover. Most importantly, I should have started my mailing list sign up early on in order to build my audience and have my advance review team ready as I finished other books.

I admit that I am guilty of prematurely publishing my first YA Paranormal Romance book. Unfortunately, that’s a mistake that many make and have a hard time recovering from. Now, I have learned that you have to think beyond being an author and learn as much as you can and hire help. You have do so much on your own and it’s not easy. After two years of trying and failing to gain some momentum with my books, I had to make some hard decisions.

This road is not easy but it has been an intense roller coaster ride and finally I feel like I’m actually getting somewhere. One thing for sure is that I know there’s people that like the stories I’ve written (even if they needed tweaking) and have asked about the next books. That is a great feeling, someone telling you how much they enjoyed your work and want more. Even though I made several mistakes at the beginning of this journey, I look forward to what will come next. I will keep writing because that’s what I love to do.

Recently I discovered Something Or Other Publishing. Who are they? They do things a little different. Instead of taking queries from authors, they will take book ideas from several different genres. Then they review them and if the story idea gets approved then it will posted on their site where people can vote. They ask for the stories to get 1,000 votes before they can offer a contract to the author. There are levels that authors can reach each time they pass a certain amount of votes and they will receive help from them when this occurs. They ask for people to vote that would genuinely be interested in reading the book. This will tell them that the idea is great and the book would do well once it is published.

My book idea was accepted and now I need votes in order to get this new YA Paranormal Romance book published

Here’s a little info about the story:
Seventeen year old Everleigh Anderson has the ability to see the future. Of course, normal is not in her dictionary. When a mysterious man comes into her life, she starts to question everything around her. There’s a connection between them but she doesn’t know what to make of it. She is told she is special but she doesn’t know why. Everleigh begins having some side effects due to the visions and must find answers before those who are after her, get to her first.
You can help get this book published by voting for it!

http://soopllc.com/blog/book-ideas/otherworldly-stefany-rattles/

Author Bio:

Stefany Rattles, lived in Los Angeles California for eight years and then moved to Arkansas and has been living there ever since. She has a full time office job and writes on her free time. She graduated Springdale High in 2007. Currently she is also attending Post University and hopes to get her degree in Computer Information Systems. She loves to read, write, read and write!

Author has also published a prequel to the Sweet Dreams Series under M.S. L.R.