So, since I had finished my detective novel that I had been working on, I had decided that it was time for me to release the 2nd novel in my Chronicles of the Dragon Kings series, Invoking the Fallout. I had already revised it and finalized it a couple of weeks ago, but as they say, you can't ride two horses at the same time (and if you try, it's gonna hurt). But, I had sent my detective novel out to my beta readers and until they finished it and critiqued it, I had the time.
I use CreateSpace for my print versions (which also shares it with Amazon, since that is its parent company), and I use Smashwords for my e-reader versions (which also includes listing it on Barnes and Noble). Unfortunately, both use different versions (SW uses only Microsoft Word 97-2000 which is a doc and CS can use the latest which is a doc.x) but that's not really that big a problem. I just saved the original document as a separate file with the appropriate version, and now I can upload to both.
Well, after I uploaded the version to CS, I found that I had copied and pasted my "about the author" from the first book into my second book. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but it didn't have my FB author page info and in the text, it mentioned how this was my 1st novel. Whoops. OK, that's not that big a deal. I fixed it and then uploaded it once more. The only problem is, that means it has to be verified by the site for errors...again.
Then, I tried uploading the version to SW. The cover I had my friend create didn't fit the specifications they requested (1400 pixels wide by 2400 pixels tall is their preferred size). Not a problem, just got a hold of him and he took the title off of the picture, added a space at the bottom, and moved the title and my author name there. Cool deal, uploaded it yet again to SW and they accepted it. Only, now they had a problem with my manuscript (!!) having page numbers in the Table of Contents (which, since they can sell it on various formats, does make sense) and with there being spaces between my paragraphs. Funny thing is, my first novel was the same way (about the spacing; I didn't include a TOC in my first novel since most books I read don't have one, but only did it for this one since Amazon bitched about it) and they accepted that with no problems. Yay.
When I tried to upload the cover to CS for my book, I ran into a snag. It fits their format, but the way they shape the book my author name is cut in half on the bottom. Thankfully, my friend left a good amount of space between my title and my name, and so all he has to do is send me another (?!?) version with my name raised up closer to the title in the picture, just so when I upload it yet again to CS it doesn't cut my name in half. Oh, double yay.
Not a very "productive" week, to be honest. I mean, yes I did get it registered with the copyright office (they don't care about little things like formatting as much as they do about it being original work), but as far as my goal of having it ready to sell by this weekend, it doesn't seem bloody likely I will make it. Oh well, self-publishing is a different beast that's for sure; and I just have to remind myself that Rome wasn't built in a day either. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!