Self-Publisher's Punch List

I can finally give this puppy away, but it's just the beginning.

Click on the cover and it should automatically pull up a blank email. In the Subject Line, type in: Punch List. I'll send you the ebook as soon as the request reaches me. It will arrive in PDF format.

Update: The giveaway is over but you can still buy Self-Publisher's Punch List on Amazon.

 




This book will go up on Amazon and Smashwords next month. I would've done it sooner, but I'm experimenting with the upload. Ever since I heard about the issues with Kindle's Paperwhite, I want to make sure it goes through without any itty bitty fonts showing up and messing up a perfectly good file.

If this gets a good reception, I have another book planned for next year on networking and even more resources.

Now for my other news.

On January 21, 2013 at noon (New York time) I am teaming up with the incomparable Gwen Gardner of Indie Services. We're going to hold one heck of a party for a whole week.

We're calling it the Indies 4 Hire Event and you can start joining now. We'll be holding discussions on self-publishing, answering questions, and posting lots of tips and tricks about publishing.

There will be free edits, blog badges, and blog banner giveaways.

If you want to join in, just click on the badge below and sign up for the event.

Come join us. We'll talk shop and have fun. Click on the link to join.



I'm kind of excited about this. I've never held a Facebook event before and this seems like a great way to connect with other authors without being limited to 140 characters.

***

In other news...I'm going to a con, and I'm going with friends. This almost never happens, but the stars must be in alignment because it's happening now. We'll be attending ConDFW in February. It's little, but it has a lot of loyal fans.

The last time I attended I had a TERRIBLE time. I got a phone call telling me that the house we were buying was surveyed wrong and we were losing four acres. I couldn't concentrate the rest of the day so I went home and muttered  some unkind things about the bank that was selling us this property.

It took us nearly a year to straighten it out, but we finally got back our four acres. All's well that end's well, and now after four years, I am going back--and with friends.

Did you ever have a bad time at a con? Do tell.





Comments

Mike Keyton said…
Damnit all. I'm in two minds, normally it's a more comfortable four. I don't think I intend to self publish or do I? should I download and attend or shouldn't I? Where is Socrates when you need him most. Even Frasier. Good luck with this, Maria, meanwhile my finger continues to hover and is talking with the thumb
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Even if you don't self-publish, everyone has to edit and most publishers allow you input on your cover--even if they ignore you later.

There ought to be enough information for all persuasions. Go ahead and join and then pop in whenever you want.
Gwen Gardner said…
Oooh, I'm incomparable! I like it. I'm so excited for our event - I've already sent out some invites this morning :)
Maria Zannini said…
Gwen: I don't know how else to describe you. You've got more get-up and go than an Energizer Bunny. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I'm not buying any more houses this year, so I should be safe. I hope.
LD Masterson said…
Hey, Mike - of course you want to download and attend. I'm not planning on self publishing at this point either but it never hurts to know your options, right?

Maria, hope you have more fun at this conference. A LOT more fun.

(Yes, I deleted my previous post. Washed my fingers this morning and can't do a thing with them.)
Unknown said…
My first (and only) was a blast! Only thing, I didn't get to socialize as much as I wanted. :(
Shelley Munro said…
I've attended some great conferences, but I'll never forget the last one. That was the weekend we lost Scotty, our dog, and I couldn't concentrate.
I'm looking forward to your Indies 4 Hire event.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: You're so much better at these things than I am. I get on Facebook only when something weird or funny happens to me. Sometimes to promote other authors. But generally just once a week. I don't know how I'll handle seven days in a row.

It's going to test my limits of funniness.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: Oh, man. I know what you mean. It's like the whole world is on mute. I see things happening but I'm too involved in myself to care.

That was a terrible time for you. And he was such a good boy.
Anonymous said…
Busy, busy lady! Looks like lots of fun though.

I've never been to a writing con -- scrapbooking, yes, and the occasional tagging along with That Man to one of the shows he's working on. I hope you have a great time.
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: I love cons. Always makes me want to rush home and write. I don't make it to too many any more though so this is special.
Angela Brown said…
I believe I should be marked as Joined for the event. WOOT!! What an excellent way to get the word out. I'm wishing you both the very best because there are plenty of us Indies, like myself, who'd rather just write and hire great contractors for the rest so we can put out a product we can be proud of.

As for a bad conference experience, can't say I've had a bad con. Last time I went to one, I was probably the cheese-grinningest thing there and most people took that smile for being joyful, when it fact, I was so nervous my brain just forced me into smile mode lol!!!
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: When I grin like that, it makes people nervous. Oy.

I credit Gwen with coming up with the idea of the event. I already had the book in progress so it played into her plans perfectly.
I've only ever had an awful time at writing cons where the services that I paid for were never provided.
James Garcia Jr said…
Thanks, my friend. I got the file and have also joined the event. Very curious. See you there!

-Jimmy
Angelina Rain said…
I'm so excited about your new book! I can't wait to read it. I feel bad you're giving it away as I would pay for it. Such resources!!!

The other day I was in a book store and there was a book about self publishing by some unknown author who never even self-pubbed anything. I prefer to get my self-pub books from authors who have done it.

I'll have to check out that event as I'm always looking for new info.
I have been in two minds about self publishing. I have two novels that have been praised etc by traditional publishers, but either it's a cross genre, or they want more romance which will destory the story. They are suspense with romantic elements.

This has come at a good time Maria, as I'm thinking of going this avenue but of course I have a romantic suspense novel which will hopefully find a home with a publisher.

I figue I can self pub as well as perhaps a trad or epress publisher as well.

Thanks again,

Suzanne :)
I've just checked out Gwens site and she formats as well. That means I can spend more time writing. Woo Hoo! I'll be contacting her later this year. Perfect. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: Ref: cons
Cons can be so expensive. I don't blame you for being upset. I wouldn't mind hearing (offline) which one was the "bad" con so I know not to attend.

Maria Zannini said…
Jimmie: You're welcome! Hope you like it.
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: Basically,that's what I use as the model for this book.

I listed everything I do to pull a book package together. I also added UPDATED posts about various marketing venues, and finished with a list of resources.

Maria Zannini said…
Suzanne: Yup. Gwen and I are a whole package. LOL. Be sure to stop by next week for our Facebook event, and bring your questions.
Sarah Ahiers said…
I've already told 3 people about your book!
I've never had a bad experience at a con. Though at Wiscon last year my allergies were out of control on the last full day, so i went back to my room early and just read. But that was super fun too!
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: Thank you!

Ref: allergies
That reminds me on how so many people catch con crud. I try to wash my hands a lot when I'm at a con.
Carol Kilgore said…
I've been to three conferences and had lots of fun at each one. Good luck with your book! What a great offer :)
Cate Masters said…
I haven't gone in a few years and I miss it! There's nothing like hanging with others writers to make you feel like you're not (totally) crazy, lol. Have a blast!
Looking forward to the FB event too, and I'll be emailing you about the PDF. Thanks!
Maria Zannini said…
Carol: The best conference I ever went to was RWA. It was so expensive, but it turned out to be the best return on my dollar.
Maria Zannini said…
Cate: It energizes you, doesn't it? I am ready to run home and write like crazy.
Lauren said…
I wasn't able to open your contact form.

I go to LTUE every year. That will be my only conference this year, unless I can somehow start making a living off my writing...

Lauren
Maria Zannini said…
Lauren: Ref: Contract pdf: I checked the link and true enough. Looks like they changed the landing page. I've updated it just now, but here it is if you want to take a look.

https://www.graphicartistsguild.org/typeroom/assets/uploads/loa.pdf

Ref: LTUE
Holy cow! That sounds fantastic. And I've never been to Utah. I'm going to add this to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Nick Wilford said…
Your email links came up with a blank for me, so I used the email from your profile page. Thanks for the great giveaway; this sounds like a very useful book. Can't wait to read it!

Good luck with everything else you have going on. You sound busy!
Maria Zannini said…
Nick: Thanks for letting me know about the link. Blogger removed it, da bums. But it's back in there again.

By now you should've received the pdf of the book. Enjoy.
Anonymous said…
Oh, I want a copy!!! This is exciting:-)
Maria Zannini said…
Jamie: Just email me at the link. I'll send it over asap.