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New Year... New Mission - Self Publish Mental Pause!

This image courtesy of suphakit73 at freedigitalphotos.net
What a wonderful day yesterday with family gathered together reminiscing about 2012 and talking about what's in store for 2013.  The next generation of my family are just the type of young adults who are going to change the world!  Really... I'm not biased... they're brilliant!  Okay, maybe just a little but I'm allowed to be a proud auntie, especially since I don't have children of my own.

Anyway... During the past year, I had some great projects to work on, including assisting in the launch of the corporate division of 'embers of the world' as well as working with the Dubai office of DBM as they merged with Lee Hecht Harrison (as of January they will be LHH Gulf).

I also started on my journey to find an agent for my for my first novel, Mental Pause and it's been a year now.  I've had a little interest, many asking for the first few chapters and one NY agent who actually asked to see the full manuscript... three months ago.  My follow up seems to have fallen on deaf ears.  I do have several more on a spreadsheet that I've targeted but I had an epiphany the other day and decided that I would publish it myself.  I've been studying the options for about two years now and tested the Kindle Direct Publishing process with a simple e-book so I've decided to take the plunge (with lots of encouragement from family and friends who have already read, and enjoyed, my first attempt at fiction).  I will do both electronic and print versions and will use Create Space.

So, I've taken the following steps so far:

1. Hired a designer to start working on cover (Graham Booth at Creation Booth who also designed the covers for @Home in Dubai and 10 Steps to a Successful PR Campaign for me.  He has done many fiction covers too so I expect great things from him)... :)  As soon as it's ready, I'll share it here.

2.  Have asked yet another professional writer to edit it.  This is critical!  Even though I've been writing professionally for years, you can NEVER edit your own work.

And...

3.  Chosen a launch date, which means the editing will have to end soon as I've targeted March 8th - International Women's Day... thanks to my friend Alison Delory (a fellow author and blogger) who made that suggestion as sometimes I just can't see the forest for the trees.  I thought it was perfect.  Thanks Alison!

Stay tuned as the launch plan comes together!
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Comments

Tricia Pimental said…
I'm thrilled for you about your self-publishing project. (Love your title.) I, too, tired of attempting to find the right agent who dealt with my genre(s), in the right timing, etc. The very best to you in reaching your goal by March 8th. I'm rooting for you.
28 December 2012 at 17:01
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
Thanks Tricia! Fingers crossed. I'll definitely keep everyone posted.

Have a very Happy New Year.
Anne :)
28 December 2012 at 19:12
Steve McMillen said…
Congrats, I also used createspace to publish my first book. I have been very happy with them. They can also set up Kindle for you. Be sure and do a website for your book. Mine is www.stevenmcmillen.com Good luck. Steve Mcmillen
5 January 2013 at 21:00
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
Thanks Steve! I plan to do an ebook on Kindle as well. I've already published a short book called 10 Steps to a Successful PR Campaign - A Do-it-Yourself Guide for Authors, which was sort of a test run for me. It's pretty simple once you have the book written! Good advice on doing a website. I have an umbrella website - http://www.anne-oconnell.com and have just begun a blog specific to this book http://www.mentalpause-thenovel.com so I've got a start! I'll definitely swing by and check out your website as well.
Anne :)
5 January 2013 at 21:29
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
oops! The blog URL is actually http://www.mentalpause-thenovel.blogspot.com

Sorry about that!
5 January 2013 at 21:30
Unknown said…
How exciting. Look forward to hearing that it is ready for reading.
6 January 2013 at 07:25
Anonymous said…
Very exciting! Best of luck to you and Happy New Year!
6 January 2013 at 14:09
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
Thanks Kathryn and Lynda! I'm excited too :)
7 January 2013 at 07:42
linda@adventuresinexpatland.com said…
Count me in for a blog post at launch, Anne. Must confess I'm behind but hope to read it on a long flight next week :)
14 January 2013 at 05:59
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
Thanks Linda! That would be awesome. Pencil me in for March 8th, which is launch day and will be day one of my virtual book tour.

I'll look forward to your review!
Anne
14 January 2013 at 13:38
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