Getting Closer
Another month has gone by, and things have happened.
I got the flu; that’s what happened.
Despite that, the book is progressing. Since the last update, there have been two additional rounds of editing. That boosted my confidence enough to invite a round of beta readers. If you are unsure of what a beta reader is, just like I was before I started this process, take a look at the below definition from Reedsy.
A beta reader is someone who reads a book manuscript with an eye towards providing feedback for the author. Though beta readers are not editors or professional critics, they can play an important role in helping the author improve the work by pointing out errors, plot holes, inconsistencies, or unclear passages.
This was a big step for me. Before, the only people who had read the manuscript were my parents and in-laws. Although they did provide some great feedback, it was lined with silver. This was inviting an outside perspective. A perspective that had no reason to sugarcoat anything, just honest feedback. Which is what I need right now.
Feedback is beginning to trickle in, and it's overwhelmingly positive. A small spoiler alert: there are two shocking points in the book that were received very well. Readers couldn't put it down, and as a storyteller, that's incredibly gratifying.
However, there has been criticism too, which has sparked some clarifications and additions to the story. That’s what I’m working on now. I’m hoping to get this first round of feedback addressed this week and do one more read-through. That may be it before final editing, depending on what comes back from the remaining readers, of course.
After that, it's onto copy editing.
Then, I have to learn how to format a book. Do I use Word or Atticus? I need to look into this more.
On the business side of writing a book, I've taken a significant step by opening a publishing company—C&F Alpine Publishing. The plan is to acquire my International Standard Book Number (ISBN) through this entity and publish on both Ingram Spark and Amazon directly. From my research, this seems to be the best approach to get the book in front of as many readers as possible.
Marketing remains a giant mystery. Any marketing ideas would be greatly appreciated.
For those still reading and wondering when I'm planning on releasing "Betrayed in the Wild"? I'm targeting February. That's my goal, but life happens.
