BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Life Coaching Steve's Goal List

I still can't get into the Editors furum - it keeps telling me access denied LOL. So I don't know what's going on there. It is a shame for ppl trying to get published ATM - but hopefully things will change for the better.

No Jill, I've never even written a short story with zombies in it LOL. I like some of the zombie movies - though the last but one Romero movie - literally made me sick - I had to run out of the cinema and come back in. I love the Resident Evil computer games, but I hate what they've done with the movies - I think if they'd have stuck to the game script then the movies would've been fantastic - but ppl seem to love the movies anyway.

I'm going out shopping tommorow for my Halloween costume with friends - so that should be fun

Steve, have you tried self-publishing? Several authors here use places like Lulu (print on demand) and there are tons of ways to sell your novels as ebooks (increasingly popular with e-readers everywhere). Even Amazon & Barnes & Noble have self-publishing options. (Forget at the moment what Amazon's is called, but B&N is PubIt!)

Even with a publisher, you have to do most of the marketing yourself if you want any real sales volume these days anyway, unless you write the next Harry Potter, I suppose.

Why not upload your best novel as an ebook & then create a big social media push to teens to promote it? A blog, social network postings, etc. You could totally get a few editors here to review the book, I think, too, and that always helps.

Sometimes, a little buzz in the real world helps propel a publisher to offer a deal, too.

Thanks Deb, that's really good advice - I never really thought of it that way, though I should have. The old me would have LOL. What would you reccomend as he best for self publishing?

Or has anyone here self published and how did it go? I'd love to hear some people's thoughts on self publishing and how it went for them.

I'm working on another book at the moment (nearly finished - after another edit) which would be the start of a trilogy - so getting people hooked with the first would be a good idea too.

Check out Lisa Shea's info page on self-publishing. She has worked through and tried out most of the available options and written them up, very thoroughly. (Create Space is the Amazon one & she's covered it on her pages. I couldn't remember the name yesterday. Amazon also sells a book or two about using Create Space.) I am assuming Barnes & Noble's PubIt is similar, but I really have no idea.

Here is her main getting published page that lists all her articles on it:LIsa's publishing pages

Steve -

The Editor's chat is completely separate from the forums - it's in the chat room. Did you get my email messages about it?

If you can't log into the Editor's Forum, talk with Jeanne, she's the one who can grant you access. Her email is in the Editor's Assistance site.

Yes even if you find a "real publisher" they will make you do most of the marketing work, and they take most of the money. It can definitely work in your favor to self publish!

Hi Lisa,

No - I haven't recieved any of your e-mails Though my e-mail was chock-a-block for a few days, so I had to clear it. If you could forward them again to my Bella e-mail I'd really appreciate it.

I'll e-mail Jeanne and discuss it with her - thanks

I'm pleased to find that out about publishing - because even though I love writing, I can't live on fulfillment and I do want to make some money out of all the hard work - I'm just being honest here

Someone just walked past singing "Paperback writer" - that must be a good sign? LOL. I need to go drink my shake now LOL.

Steve, it sounds like you are getting your shakes into a great habit and that the writing is heading into the forefront in your life. So i see maybe you are feeling happier?

New job ideas? Maybe you can volunteer at your library or something for now, if what you need is the chance to be around people.

Funny enough Jill, I've just had two days of hell. Though I'm trying to keep my chin up and I've run away to the seclution of my grandmother's house where hopefully I can do some writing (though it's fireworks night LOL)

I think I really need a job of some sorts, it's a double edged sword though because I'm so nervous about it. I saw a psychiatric nurse the week before last or sometime around then and now I have to wait till the 22nd to see my psychiatrist (at last) I just dunno if I should be pushing myself when my GP is playing with my mental health. At the same time, I feel like there will probably never be a good time and probably always an excuse or a bad thing happening to put it off.

Today has been rotten though I'm dealing with it better than I thouht though.

Steven -

I'm sorry to hear things are rough! It's true that there will always be a challenge. If you have a goal in life, it's best to start for it, even with small steps.

All editor email messages are stored in the Editor Assistance site so you can reference them whenever you wish, at your leisure!

Steven, I hope things are better for you now. I had a hard time lately too with my mental health, so I feel your pain. I hope you are still eating better, and that you have been able to find places of respite from family troubles.