Friends – Activity – Barny

Janette posted an update 4 months, 1 week ago

So sorry for my absences. I have made the decision to self-publish my books after careful consideration, reading how some trad friends have fared, and revisiting notes from my last (self-publishing) workshop in York. I’m very wet behind the ears regarding publishing, especially self-publishing, so I am deep into swatting about it before I make any…[Read more]

Bella replied 4 months, 1 week ago

Good luck. Please let us know how you get on. I’d like to piggy-back on your request for tips. I am part of a group currently ready to publish a non-fiction book. We’re trying a few pitches via the traditional route just in case it lands but it’s quite likely we may end up self-publishing because we don’t want the book to languish, unpublished, for ages.
- Janette replied 4 months, 1 week ago
  
  Hi Bella. So far I’m deep into reading the Writers and Artists Guide to Self Publishing, which is very ‘involved’ though gives lots of advice. I have also signed up to David Gaughran’s free self-publishing course (on his website). I also found this: https://justpublishingadvice.com/publishing-companies-to-avoid-and-nasty-new-author-scams/
  I’ll let…[Read more]
  - Sandra replied 4 months, 1 week ago
    
    Janette (and Bella), one tip I didn’t mention earlier is that it makes very good sense to set your page size for composing to Blurb’s trade book size. Makes it, in my opinion, a lot easier to read on screen too. Blurb’s page size is 13.02cm x 20.95cm. Select mirror margins , set top margin 2 cm, bottom 2.25 cm, inside 1.75cm, outside, 1.75 cm…[Read more]
Libby replied 4 months, 1 week ago

Hi Janette, I’ve never self-published but am in contact with editors and proofreaders who work with self-pub authors. This tip usually doesn’t apply to experienced writers so I just add it as a general comment. When self-pub authors approach editors for a proofread or copy edit, often what’s needed is a more substantial developmental or…[Read more]
Janette replied 4 months, 1 week ago

Thank you, Sandra and Libby. All taken on board, but the novel has had three beta readers so far, plus an agent’s when she almost took it on. Better luck this time, eh?
- Libby replied 4 months ago
  
  You are well prepared, Janette! Good luck with the self pub.

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RichardB

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Sandra

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Athelstone replied 3 months, 4 weeks ago

And to you, Kate! A chilly start to Christmas morning here in West Sussex. Off to see our daughter start the festivities with a 5K Park Run soon. Then home for breakfast and dividing up the spoils 🙂

Athelstone replied 4 months ago

Well done, Libby. A really fine story and definitely worth another read.
- Libby replied 4 months ago
  
  Thank you, Ath.
  And Bella.
Kate replied 3 months, 4 weeks ago

Congratulations, Libby.

Libby replied 5 months, 1 week ago

Thank you, Ath. A good idea. At the moment updated profiles aren’t necessarily being mentioned on the activity page, but you may well know that already.
- Athelstone replied 5 months, 1 week ago
  
  I didn’t know, Libby. Have you done an update recently? There’s a full change log in the admin menu, but I didn’t see anything. I haven’t looked at how the Activity Page is built; I know it’s complex and occasionally flakey, so I’ve tried to steer clear.
  - Athelstone replied 5 months, 1 week ago
    
    Oh, or did you mean that my post about the changes has slipped down because of subsequent posts? That can be a nuisance sometimes. There’s a banner headline facility that I also avoid.
    - Libby replied 5 months, 1 week ago
      
      Thanks, Ath. Some profile updates are mentioned on the Activity page, e.g. Richard’s and Janette’s, and others aren’t, e.g. Sandra’s and mine. Perhaps it’s just an example of its flakiness.
      - Athelstone replied 5 months, 1 week ago
        
        Exactly that. I’m not even certain whether the activity page is a WordPress thing or one of the plugins that makes it a community site.
Libby replied 5 months, 1 week ago

It sounds as though it presents frustrations. Thanks for keeping it all going and working with its idiosyncracies.
- Athelstone replied 5 months, 1 week ago
  
  I sometimes feel a bit like the man who asked for directions and was told, ‘Well, I wouldn’t start from here.’

@barny