It’s late January and so far I’m keeping a resolution to write more new sonnets in 2023 than in 2022. My production slowed to a trickle last February when MSI Press offered to publish SPUNKY GRANDMAS….And Other Amusing Characters. Suddenly my efforts went in a different direction.
Turning a manuscript into a book involves more work for an author than most people realize. Manuscripts are really just a draft, so there is still an opportunity to make improvements.I went back and looked at every word and made quite a few tweaks. Then comes a final editing process which involves quite a bit of back and forth communication with the publisher.
While publishers take the lead in publicizing and distributing a book, they expect authors to be active in book promotion, as well. That meant creating and maintaining a website, harnessing social media, and calling on area book stores and gift shops to set up consignment sales arrangements. It also meant finding opportunities to share excerpts with live audiences.
Those promotional activities for Spunky Grandmas will continue in 2023, but if another book is in my future, there’s work to be done.