Michelangelo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Did you write and self-publish a book that you’re embarrassed of?
Here’s a secret: we’ve all done that!
Ok, maybe not ALL of us.
But many creative, resourceful authors–who decided to bravely take a chance on themselves and release a book–have.
Michelangelo’s Creepy Robot Baby
Your first self-published book (and mine) is like the creepy robot baby in Mr. Peabody and Sherman (one of my favourite kid’s movies). After time-travelling to the 1500s, Mr. Peabody and Sherman are visiting Michelangelo, who expresses regret over a creepy robot baby he created which didn’t quite turn out as well as he hoped. Amongst Michelangelo’s jaw-dropping inventions (including the Mona Lisa), he had some epic public failures as well. In this case, a creepy robot baby which wanders the town and freaks everyone out.
Here, you are Michelangelo! And this is how we learn. By trying stuff, imperfectly.
Recently I read this incredibly inspiring quote by Di Brown, author and tech director of Puget Sound Educational Service District:
"You tried a thing. You assessed the thing, and now you're adjusting based on the learning... never kick yourself for trying something, for doing the best you can with complex things that aren't in your wheelhouse, and being willing to ask questions, learn, and adjust course based on your needs and the knowledge you gain!"
– Di Brown, Author and Tech Director
You did your best with what you knew at the time. You were brave. What more can you expect of yourself? In fact, you may have done the work of a entire publishing team, or somehow managed a project containing numerous moving parts you had no clue whatsoever about… You!
Your next book can’t help but be better; that’s just the way things work.
Here are 3 productive actions you can take now:
1) Assess how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned
Take a realistic view as to what you learned since you wrote and self-published your book. What unexpected benefits came from that experience? What did you perhaps learn that may have led to the next thing?
What role did it play in your life?
I am willing to bet the baby that however it performed in the marketplace, you grew from the experience of writing and self-publishing a book.
2) Consider re-releasing your book as a second edition
Of course, you may be over it.
But, if you believe in your heart that your book could still benefit your clients or audience, re-release it.
Consider whether the title/subtitle could be more powerful.
Hire someone to create a more professional cover
Get a new ISBN for the book
Add a Foreword by someone credible in your field
After you re-write whatever parts you want to re-write, have it proofread and formatted again
Create a pre-launch campaign and marketing plan
Launch!
3) Be a good friend to yourself
You tried a thing, from start to finish. Now do that thing again, better!
Andrea’s upcoming book Almost Done Writing: Now What? A Guided Workbook for Self-Publishing Authors (Nonfiction) will be launching Tues. July 13. Book pre-order is available!