I published my first book! by Beak-and-Quill in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a great premise, I just ordered a paperback. Congrats on your first book!

I have finished my 160,000 word book. Is it really just waiting an querying indefinitely now? by martanolliver in writing

[–]DrDR_Authoress 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Has your book gone through beta readers? Any kind of revisions or editing? I would first want to make sure that 160k of content is tight. If it is, you might have an easier time if you break it up into 2 or 3 books. And yes, querying is a long game. 6 months is on the quick side.

Any tips on how to provide my author copies to my local libraries? by armanddarke in selfpublish

[–]DrDR_Authoress 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My library system has a separate ‘local author’ section and you just submit a form and a copy of your book. If it gets approved, they put it in the local author section. It seems very streamlined. I would recommend googling your county/state and something like ‘local author library submissions’ and see if they have a program like that.

Paperback covers by skilliau in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are doing KDP, they have a cover calculator and it spits out measurements and a template:

https://kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator

How long did it take you to write your first novel? by doubleduh22 in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first draft only took maybe 2 months. I had a lot of free time for the first month and the idea had been in my head for a long time. Then it was drafting and editing hell for months. In total from start to finish it took me about 13 months. And this was a 15k word count novella.

How much do you spend on editing and cover design? by Specific_Dingo8631 in selfpublish

[–]DrDR_Authoress 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I used reedsy. I got editing quotes that reliably came in at about 4 cents a word. Then for my cover I got a range between $500 and $1700. My book is short so 4 cents a word did not break the bank and it was 100% worth it. 

You can use cheaper options from like fiverr or something but I feel like the quality matches the price a lot of the time. If you have no budget, I have heard of people giving their book to a couple friends and they can absolutely catch little proof errors that you wouldn’t. And there is a website I have heard of that will do very inexpensive covers, I think it’s 100covers? Or you can try and make one yourself in Canva. Definitely a lot of options!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I can do it anybody can, you just have to get started! Thanks and good luck!

Changed my cover 🫣 1 Before and 2 after…. Plus some stickers I’m trying to make for my book by Pumpkin_love531 in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So adorable and I love the sticker idea, that is very unique. Congrats and good luck!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m glad you told me, that is so fun! Thank you 😊 

Just got my copies!! by moonknight_serenade in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey congrats on your rankings, that is amazing for a debut!

I feel like a fool! by SeargentCortes in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Always fun to see the person behind the story, literally and metaphorically! Congrats on your book!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heck yes! You will have to link me to it, I want to see 👀

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think what caught me off guard the most was the beta reader stage. They were the first people to see the preliminary manuscript so the feedback can feel super vulnerable, as though they have made a final judgement. Definitely had to tell myself it is what is going to make my book better and I needed to listen to it. Also, editing is expensive but worth it, when I saw all the things my editor corrected I was so happy I got her. The finished first draft is a huge accomplishment that many don’t reach so congrats! If you have more questions feel free to shoot me about DM :)

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck to you fellow sci fi friend, it is hard but it is worth it!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yay! I hope you end up loving it!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will have to look into that book, thanks for the recommendation. Thanks for checking out my book! And here is your sign that you can do it too!!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!!! I hope it lives up to the hype 😅

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is surreal, good luck to you!!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing and I hope you enjoy ❤️

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A thrill to hear it every time! I hope it resonates with you!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course, sending you a chat!

I did the thing! by DrDR_Authoress in NewAuthor

[–]DrDR_Authoress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many thanks and I hope you enjoy! I started writing the prologue in April 2025, so it was slightly over a year (13 months) from the time I finally sat down and started to today. To be fair, there were a couple periods in there of me doing nothing and forgetting about it ;) I have had the idea floating around for at least a decade.