Yesterday I added the ebook and paperback editions of Called to Account to my KDP bookshelf. When it’s something you only do roughly once a year, some things come easily, and others you’ve forgotten how to do. I had trouble with Kindle Create. I spent 2 hours formatting everything. Drop caps, front matter, back matter, and saving when prompted. I generated the file to upload to KDP. I exited Kindle Create, went to my KDP bookshelf, clicked import file, but there was nothing to import. Back to Kindle Create to find that that my project didn’t exist. I had to start all over again.
When I uploaded the paperback version’s pdf, it successfully uploaded. Then it started processing the file. It came up with an error, but didn’t give any hint as to what the error was. I eventually found that if I printed my Pages file as a pdf, rather than exporting it as a pdf, it worked.
I’ve scheduled the publication date as 18th November. My Kirkus review is due on 3rd October. Hopefully that will give me something to quote on the back cover blurb. I’ve asked my publicist, Brian, if 18th November gives enough time to be ready for radio and podcast interviews. No point in getting people excited if they can’t buy it straight away. Equally, no point publishing too far in advance of publicity, and losing out on the Amazon honeymoon period.
Next I’m going to try and generate an EPUB file from my Pages manuscript. I’m thinking of trying to generate reviews from booksprout, and they prefer EPUB to pdf. After that, I’ll think about submitting to Historical Fiction Company and LoveReading for editorial reviews. It’s a busy business being a writer. It’s also fun and frustrating.
I recently posted my review of The Man Who Died Twice in Readers Club. Clair’e sister is still reading The Thursday Murder Club, so why not help me out by submitting your own book choice to Readers Club. Click the share a book button. Tell us what you liked, and what you didn’t.