In one week my debut novel is set to be released. To be honest, I’m anxious about its launch. Not because I’m worried that people won’t like it or because of the quality of the work. No, I’m worried that I when I finally hit “publish” I may accidentally delete the book from websites, or release the wrong version of the text, or initiate a Wargames scenario.
I have never done this before, and because I am self-publishing this book it is entirely upon me to ensure it is properly edited, formatted, distributed, marketed and released. While I have hired professionals to help me with some aspects, and I am still 100% accountable for all aspects of its publication. And much of that work I’ve done alone with no one around to help.
So, in a few short days I will find out if I did everything right.
But I know the answer already: no.
It’s my first novel, of course I didn’t do everything right. In fact, I’d put good money on the fact I did most things wrong. But that’s the challenge of self-publishing—it’s an incredibly isolated endeavor. And, yes, I recognize the irony in a writer saying that.
I’m very comfortable writing alone. The process of creating characters, breaking characters and developing themes has become natural to me.
However, being the sole proprietor of a new business venture is completely foreign to me. Especially for a business I have no experience in. I might as well be the CEO of a saccharin mine (presuming that’s how one collects saccharin—I don’t know, which is my point). Everything from production to distribution to marketing is on my shoulders. All things I’ve never done for a book.
Now, I’ve done my research. I’ve read books, scoured blog posts, watched YouTube videos and sought counsel from the most learned minds I could find on Reddit. Still, there’s only so much I can learn by studying.
The hardest lessons will be learned by doing.
So, in one week amidst the uncertainty of so many other things, I am about to start a business for which I have one product, little knowledge, and zero experience.
The best-case scenario is, despite my inexperience, the book launches without a hitch and finds a modicum of success.
But if next week results in Skynet becoming self-aware, apologies in advance.