I’m the same as you, Courtney. I write my drafts all the way through without reading what I’ve already written. The only time I have to do that is if I’m away from draft for a month or more (which isn’t the norm since I’ve been publishing). I forget what I wrote at the beginning by the end and vice versa I’m happy to know that the way I do things when trying to plan for a release is on the right track. I do just about everything you mentioned. I have checklists for each step (cover reveal, pre-writing, drafting, editing, and publishing). I’m a list person and it makes me feel better to have it all planned out. It helps too.
That's amazing! You've already got the keys to success in your pocket. All you have to do now is plan and execute, then rinse and repeat!! You're right on track!
@@TheCourtneyProject That’s good! I still think I don’t know what I’m doing so it’s nice to see that I’m on the right path! Like you said, now the next steps are to plan and execute 🤞🏾🤞🏾
Super helpful as always! The KU question and response was informative. I never think about the pirating aspects of books so that was eye opening. Thank you!
Great content and subscribed. I'm about to publish my first book on lifelong learning which is also the focus of my channel. Your content is inspirational and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you very much.
Great video! I love your Q & A Mondays. Earlier in the video you mentioned hiring a promotional company to help with releases. Do you have any recommendations? What company would I Google to do this? I could use this type of business for my debut novel which I plan to release in May 2024. Any help is greatly appreciated!
LOL! I learned I'd never finish anything if I kept editing. So now it's write, write, write. Move one. lol. Then edit, dread, edit, dread, edit, dread. I'm sure others have a cleaner draft so editing doesn't suck as much. There are pros and cons to both, I suppose!
I plan to finish the first draft of my current WIP this week Friday or Saturday then take a week break from the book. I want to know if doing the marketing plan and all that in the break is ok?
@@TheCourtneyProject for a first time author what is the length of time you should spend on a book while in school. also I'm trying to prevent causing myself to stress, yes I love writing but stress triggers my seizures.
Great Q&A sesh Courtney! I wish my brain would allow me to sit and wait a month between drafting and self-edits lol. I would go crazy thinking about it. I swear I wouldn't be able to work on anything else lol. I think it's different for you because in editing your brain goes back to the finance Courtney at that point its more about analytics and fact-checking rather than coming up with fresh story.
LOL, right! Even if there was time, I dunno if I could just let it sit there because I hate edits so much I'd rather just suffer and get it over with, hahaha. But yes, that's the perfect description. Corporate Courtney has to come out to play when it's editing time. I like to keep her locked up as much as I can. hehehe.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if your book is in KU it’s only exclusive in ebook form, right? I’ve seen authors have their ebooks enrolled but then have paperbacks available in places other than Amazon.
I am trying to self-publish on KDP, and the books I have gotten have such light printing. It seems really bad. I use palatino linotype size 12. What do you use if you use KDP? Should I try to use a darker font like Georgia or Rockwell or is that one too dark?
I don’t think there’s any such thing as too dark. You’re going to pay the same amount of money for your book regardless of which font you use on the inside, so it’s best to choose one that’s readable. You can never go wrong with Times New Roman.
📚 I have no interest in using facebook or IG. Is it going to be more difficult for me as a romance author if I do not use these popular social media platforms?
Are you on tiktok? I’d be active somewhere. Facebook is great for ads. I feel like Instagram could probably be skipped if you’re on tiktok. Regardless, I’d create the accounts in your author name so if you change your mind in the future, you’ve got your @ secured.
Great video!! It is funny the discrete covers are back again. In the 70's and early 80's the romance covers were bodice rippers or clutch covers. I read constantly and didn't want people to see these. Then at at time the same thing started happening--discrete covers. It seems like the direction now is the same--lol
You know I love the livestreams, they're super productive for me. I'm also apparently 12 because I definitely giggled when you said 'people who do do that' because doo doo 😅
I’m in the editing phase of my second book. I was laughing during your editing question. I’m the same and forget what I’ve written. It’s like we get in the zone and are a different person when writing.
WHO!?! I have tried unsuccessfully for three years to find someone - anyone - who will help me build an ARC team. I have had ZERO success. Ain't NOBODY want to read my book and leave a review. I've put out ads on FB, I've posted on my website. I've sent individual requests (it took me MONTHS) to over 200 BookTubers and book bloggers. I've put the damned thing on NetGalley and BookSprout. It's a good book - I won a writing award, but I can not find ARC readers for love nor money. This is my debut novel, so no fan base to draw from. WHAT company(ies) will help me with building an ARC team?
If no one wants to read it, you should take a hard look at your cover and blurb. It’s usually a cosmetic issue if you’ve sent out over 200 copies and no one wants to read it.
@@TheCourtneyProject I broke down and hired a book launch coach. Her diagnosis: it's a historical novel with a romance in it - not a romance. I'm going to try re-branding it as historical fiction (subcategory: women's fiction). When I looked at top sellers in that category on Amazon - I spotted dozens of near-copies to my cover (I used a period portrait painting with a dark background). Looks like it's a good cover - for a historical. It's terrible for romance. God bless you for helping out, Courtney! Love your content - your loyal fan, Linda
I’m the same as you, Courtney. I write my drafts all the way through without reading what I’ve already written. The only time I have to do that is if I’m away from draft for a month or more (which isn’t the norm since I’ve been publishing). I forget what I wrote at the beginning by the end and vice versa
I’m happy to know that the way I do things when trying to plan for a release is on the right track. I do just about everything you mentioned. I have checklists for each step (cover reveal, pre-writing, drafting, editing, and publishing). I’m a list person and it makes me feel better to have it all planned out. It helps too.
That's amazing! You've already got the keys to success in your pocket. All you have to do now is plan and execute, then rinse and repeat!! You're right on track!
@@TheCourtneyProject That’s good! I still think I don’t know what I’m doing so it’s nice to see that I’m on the right path! Like you said, now the next steps are to plan and execute 🤞🏾🤞🏾
@@teralynmitchell5444 you’ve got this!!
Super helpful as always! The KU question and response was informative. I never think about the pirating aspects of books so that was eye opening. Thank you!
You're welcome! Pirating of KU books is so terrible right now. It really hurts the authors.
Great content and subscribed. I'm about to publish my first book on lifelong learning which is also the focus of my channel. Your content is inspirational and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you very much.
Great video! I love your Q & A Mondays. Earlier in the video you mentioned hiring a promotional company to help with releases. Do you have any recommendations? What company would I Google to do this? I could use this type of business for my debut novel which I plan to release in May 2024. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Uhh I'm early. I love your videos and those livestreams. 😎
Woohoo! Thank you!
I wish I had your ability to write AND NOT EDIT what I just wrote. That's a golden skill right there!
LOL! I learned I'd never finish anything if I kept editing. So now it's write, write, write. Move one. lol. Then edit, dread, edit, dread, edit, dread. I'm sure others have a cleaner draft so editing doesn't suck as much. There are pros and cons to both, I suppose!
I plan to finish the first draft of my current WIP this week Friday or Saturday then take a week break from the book. I want to know if doing the marketing plan and all that in the break is ok?
Of course! You’re the CEO of your own business. You have to do what’s easy for you and schedule in time when you can.
@@TheCourtneyProject for a first time author what is the length of time you should spend on a book while in school. also I'm trying to prevent causing myself to stress, yes I love writing but stress triggers my seizures.
Hot Mess Express 🤣😝👏🏼 It's good to be established and Have Relationships!!
LOL! Yes!
Great Q&A sesh Courtney! I wish my brain would allow me to sit and wait a month between drafting and self-edits lol. I would go crazy thinking about it. I swear I wouldn't be able to work on anything else lol. I think it's different for you because in editing your brain goes back to the finance Courtney at that point its more about analytics and fact-checking rather than coming up with fresh story.
LOL, right! Even if there was time, I dunno if I could just let it sit there because I hate edits so much I'd rather just suffer and get it over with, hahaha. But yes, that's the perfect description. Corporate Courtney has to come out to play when it's editing time. I like to keep her locked up as much as I can. hehehe.
@@TheCourtneyProject 😂🤣
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if your book is in KU it’s only exclusive in ebook form, right? I’ve seen authors have their ebooks enrolled but then have paperbacks available in places other than Amazon.
It’s only exclusive in digital format. Paperbacks can be on ingram too!
I am trying to self-publish on KDP, and the books I have gotten have such light printing. It seems really bad. I use palatino linotype size 12. What do you use if you use KDP? Should I try to use a darker font like Georgia or Rockwell or is that one too dark?
I don’t think there’s any such thing as too dark. You’re going to pay the same amount of money for your book regardless of which font you use on the inside, so it’s best to choose one that’s readable. You can never go wrong with Times New Roman.
What should a pre-pub checklist include?
Ahh thank you for answering my question! You're advice is so so helpful, thank you for making these videos
You’re welcome! ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks for submitting!
I appreciate you Courtney! Great video with lots of information.
Thank you! Glad you’re finding these helpful!
📚 I have no interest in using facebook or IG. Is it going to be more difficult for me as a romance author if I do not use these popular social media platforms?
Are you on tiktok? I’d be active somewhere. Facebook is great for ads. I feel like Instagram could probably be skipped if you’re on tiktok. Regardless, I’d create the accounts in your author name so if you change your mind in the future, you’ve got your @ secured.
The fact that you thought you wrote Brookes chapter cracked me up. So cute!
😂😂 It happens so much!
❤❤❤
So happy you brought this series back! Love the live streams too! 😍
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing about Planoly. I had never heard of it before.
you’re welcome! It’s great and you can schedule on a webpage. Don’t have to use your phone for everything!
@@TheCourtneyProject Oh my gosh! That's an extra plus! Fantastic!!
Great video!! It is funny the discrete covers are back again. In the 70's and early 80's the romance covers were bodice rippers or clutch covers. I read constantly and didn't want people to see these. Then at at time the same thing started happening--discrete covers. It seems like the direction now is the same--lol
Everything is cyclical! LOL, tropes, branding, etc. Kinda goes in and out of style like fashion.
You know I love the livestreams, they're super productive for me. I'm also apparently 12 because I definitely giggled when you said 'people who do do that' because doo doo 😅
Hahaha, I'm 12 too! So yay!
I think you and I have the same writing process. I don’t edit while I draft either. I write what I write and move on.
Yes! Apparently we're a rare breed! Virtual high five.
I've been thinking I should find someone who wants to be a time-share an author's assistant. That should be a job
Hahaha! That would be awesome. I think people would timeshare a PA!
I LOVE your discreet LII series covers. Like they pull me in!!!! 😘
Aww, thank you so much!
I always learn something new in your Q&A videos. I just love these videos so much!
That makes me so happy! Glad you're here!
Great advice! Thanks girl. ❤️
You're welcome!
I’m in the editing phase of my second book. I was laughing during your editing question. I’m the same and forget what I’ve written. It’s like we get in the zone and are a different person when writing.
LOL! I just can't remember the beginning so it's all fresh to me. It's a good thing for us!
Yup! I can’t imagine putting my manuscript down for a month or more!
WHO!?! I have tried unsuccessfully for three years to find someone - anyone - who will help me build an ARC team. I have had ZERO success. Ain't NOBODY want to read my book and leave a review. I've put out ads on FB, I've posted on my website. I've sent individual requests (it took me MONTHS) to over 200 BookTubers and book bloggers. I've put the damned thing on NetGalley and BookSprout. It's a good book - I won a writing award, but I can not find ARC readers for love nor money. This is my debut novel, so no fan base to draw from. WHAT company(ies) will help me with building an ARC team?
If no one wants to read it, you should take a hard look at your cover and blurb. It’s usually a cosmetic issue if you’ve sent out over 200 copies and no one wants to read it.
@@TheCourtneyProject I broke down and hired a book launch coach. Her diagnosis: it's a historical novel with a romance in it - not a romance. I'm going to try re-branding it as historical fiction (subcategory: women's fiction). When I looked at top sellers in that category on Amazon - I spotted dozens of near-copies to my cover (I used a period portrait painting with a dark background). Looks like it's a good cover - for a historical. It's terrible for romance. God bless you for helping out, Courtney! Love your content - your loyal fan, Linda