Inspiration and Procrastination: My Kindle Project

The previous post is why I have 3 completed novels.  Every time I would finish a novel and start to even think about searching for an agent, I would get inspired with another story.  "I can't waste my time looking for an agent today.  I'm really hot on this new novel.  I probably wouldn't find an agent anyway."

As a champion procrastinator, the first rule of procrastination when faced with an unpleasant task is to find something more important to do.  Since inspiration has no schedule, you must strike when the iron is hot.

That is not to say that, I haven't procrastinated a bit since I first began exploring the Kindle option.  At the present time, I have ideas for 5 more novels in various stages of notes.  In the last week or so I have become very inspired to write other things, but I am forcing myself to focus on Soul Searching.

I have the cover art.  That was a huge stumbling block.  I have finally sorted out the royalty option choices.  I know what format it needs to be in prior to uploading.  When the final proofread and corrections are complete, the file will be ready for upload.  But there was more more thing to agonize over.  The description.

The description isn't just something to go and fill in.  You don't just sum up your novel in the text box with no prior thought and move along.  The description is what will make people either click the button to download or keep searching.  I find that daunting, especially after searching the internet for tips.  "Write in the style of your genre," says one.  "It will drive your English teacher crazy but don't use complete sentences," says another. 

Today, inspiration struck for my description.  I'm still fine tuning it, but I'm sure I'll have it ready before the final draft is complete.

All I can say is "soon."  Which is actually a little frightening.  More on that later...

Progress Report

My wife is proofreading and highlighting, and I have been exploring Kindle.  I think I have a pretty good handle on what's involved.  Two of the biggest things in the Kindle process, for me anyway, is coming up with a description of my book, and what payment option I want.

The description is a tough one.  How much do I say?  They allow a massive number of characters; up to 4,000.  Far more than I think I need.  I was thinking four or five sentences.  But there is room for so much more.  I'll have to ponder that and sit down with a blank Word document in front of me and see what flows.

Pricing on the other hand turned out to be a no brainer.  It seemed like a no brainer at first, but it made me wonder: "Is it really a no brainer?"  You have two royalty options.  35% and 70%.  Automatically, I think, "I want more money; I'll take the 70%."  But then my suspicious nature kicks in.  Surely there is some kind of catch.  Without getting into ALL the details, no there is no serious "catch."  To qualify for 70%, an ebook must be priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and a small download fee comes out of the author's end.  Choosing the 35% rate allows authors to charge as little as 99 cents and as much as $200, for their ebook, and Kindle picks up the tab for downloading.  So 70% it is.

Now I'm off to set up the camera gear to do some test shots for the cover art.  I have a vision, and I think I can do it.  Just need to play with the lighting.

More to come...