Well, we’re into April and somehow, I’m still standing. Seems I’ve been taking an unintended blog break.
I wanted to provide a little update on my books that I’m currently writing and/or editing.
I’ve been focusing my time on my writing in these last few months and I’m feeling pretty good about this being a year of publications and finishing shitty first drafts.
There should be more than one or two books to read (by me) by the end of 2018 or into 2019 (if I’m being completely honest).
As an Indie author, every single decision is left to you as far as final editing, final proof reading, cover design, marketing, distribution (this is a challenging subset of marketing a book for any indie author). Many distributors will not take books from Indie authors regardless of whether they are represented by an agent. This little glitch makes it difficult to get the physical, paper back out into bookstores.
I worked my fanny off distributing my first book to local bookstores. Most took my book on consignment meaning they do not buy the books you give them, and they only pay you 50% of the cover price when they actually sell a copy. Interestingly, I had several bookstores where I was replacing with new copies and invoicing regularly while there were one or two that didn’t sell any. Eventually, I picked those copies up to sell from my website.
Insider info; as an Indie author, you have to stay on top of these book stores as they do not contact you when they sell your books. This makes your job a bit of a jumble. Tracking sales, checking in on stores, invoicing and collecting amounts due is a royal (notice the pun) pain in the ass. AND, one store went bottom up and did not bother to inform any of their consigned book authors. God knows where my two remaining copies at their store ended up. In a church book sale? At a flea market? In the dumpster?
Consequently, I’m thinking long and hard about how many physical copies of my short story collection I will print. I’m certainly not going to go door to door as I did in the past, to book stores that don’t want to even pay a pittance when they sell my book. So, that leaves selling physical copies off my site and using them for promotional (review) purposes.
Onto the topic at hand—what’s happening in my writing world. I’ll share with you my title, tag line, blurb and proposed cover image for each book.
1 . Title: Lost Hearts
genre: fiction-short stories
Tag line: Stories of Hope
Blurb: “What do a young wife, abandoned father, a cheating spouse, and a widow have in common? Lost hearts. Will they be found again?This collection of short stories offers the reader much to contemplate when it comes to love and loss. In spite of our circumstances, we are capable of rising above the ruins of love to find it once again.”
Note: I am still debating this title. You may recall my original title was The Icing On The Cake, which I still love. However when I searched the title on Amazon all kinds of baking books came up and I decided the title may not suit the genre. Would love your thoughts in the comments regarding title.
Process: Currently, I am awaiting beta reader feedback. By mid-April I hope to have the manuscript out for a final copy edit. Next, my formatter will get his hands on it and set it up as an e-book. I will also be making a print version for reviewer mail outs and purchase.
Estimated Publish Date: May, 2018.
Cover image reveal;
2. Title: The Wine Diaries
genre: non-fiction
Tagline: Musings on life and divorce, paired with a suitable wine.
Blurb: “One woman’s divorce diary. Musings on life before, during and after divorce, one glass of wine at a time.”
Process: I’m in the editing phase now. I’ve still to read through, edit for grammar, and flow. It’s essentially all of the Wine Diaries posts combined to make an e-book full of honest and raw posts about life and divorce. The fun part? It’s also all about wine because what’s divorce without a glass or two?
Table of contents range from pre-divorce to life after divorce musings. As well, a final chapter on one of my wine tours including my own personal photos and views from some of the most beautiful wineries in Canada.
This recent tweet is a direct quote from one of the diary entries;
“While tears streamed down my face it was contagious and soon all three of us were openly crying. My daughter told me “It’ll be okay Mom. You’ll see.” This brought a smile to my face as I wiped the tears away.” Excerpt from upcoming, The Wine Diaries an e-book. #truestories
— Lisa Thomson (@lisalisathom) February 24, 2018
Estimated publish date: June, 2018
Cover image mock up;
3. WIPs. (Works in Progress)
Title: Polarized
genre: fiction-novel
Blurb: “Diana is rebuilding her life after her divorce when a car accident lands her in a coma. As her boyfriend and grown children rush to her bedside, and pray for her recovery, they each learn the value of the woman they call mom and wife. Yet, she isn’t returning anytime soon as she awakes in another time and place. She finds herself in a mental hospital circa nineteen-thirty-something. How she got there has nothing to do with a car accident. As she faces the doctor’s diagnosis of “manic depression” she is subjected to the hospital’s cruel treatments. While she suffers, she knows one thing for sure; she has to find a way out of her nightmare.”
process: Okay, so this one I began writing a few years back and has been on my ‘writing shelf’ for too long. It’s in shitty first draft format and remains unfinished. As I read recently, finishing the rough draft is the only way to complete a novel, obviously. I am not giving up on this. Apparently, it is common for new authors to abandon shitty first drafts before they’re completed. Ironically, I took my MC on quite the journey while in the mental institution all on her path to escape. I thought I went way off track so left it unwritten since then.
I was happy to read that this does happen where some characters will take the writer on their journey and the story veers a hard right or left. One can always edit out these plot turns later if they don’t work, but let them happen in the first draft.
cover image B & W sketch;
Estimated publish date: 2019 (unknown)
4. Daughter of The Moon
genre: fiction-novel
Blurb: “Joele’s gold hair, pale skin and green eyes seem to emit a glow that causes many adults, small children and animals to magnetize to her. Although Joele has accepted this as a fact of her existence, she holds very few people close to her heart and lives with a mystery she’s been unwilling to investigate—until now. Since Joele’s loss of her beloved, adoptive mother, wounds have opened that she hadn’t realized festered deep in her heart. Who, exactly, is her bio mother and why did she abandon her?”
Process: In the shitty first draft stage. About half way through Joele’s story. I hope to see this one published before year’s end.
Cover image; None yet. Although I have a visual of Joele sitting with her loyal companion Jasper (her rescue German Shepard) with their backs to us looking up at the moon. She has an affinity with the moon so I guess that image makes sense.
Estimated publish date: November, 2018
I have a few more novel WIPs which I will share with you at a later date. I’ll keep you posted as to the publications of the first two here as they are the closest to completion.
I certainly hope you will take an interest in my fiction as much as my non-fiction writing. At least, now you can hold me accountable eh?
What projects do you currently have on the go? Do share your WIPs in the comments (doesn’t have to be writing).
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Aleen @ Lampshade Reader
May 7, 2018 at 7:13 pmSometimes it’s nice to take a blogging break. 🙂 I’m sorry about your experiences with bookstores, I don’t understand the lack of support for indie authors at all.
I like the title for Lost Hearts better. Icing on the Cake sounds like a baking book or a romance.
Hope you have a great week!
lisa
May 8, 2018 at 2:13 pmYes, it is. 😀 The bookstores don’t make it easy that’s for sure. I agree about the titles. I’ve come up with a new one though. Thanks for your feedback, Aleen. Much appreciated!
Mabel Kwong
April 22, 2018 at 6:01 amI so feel you, Lisa. As an indie author and someone who just self-publishes, it is so much harder to get books printed unless we self-fund – and even that is not a means to an end. Getting your books stocked in a shop is another thing altogether and on your own, you have to take care of everything from content to design to royalties. I’m currently working on a second draft of my first book. The first draft was very underwhelming so to speak. The second draft so far has had its shitty moments but some better ones too.
Hats off to you for working on a number of books at one time. I know you can do it and I wish you all the best 🙂
Shantala
April 17, 2018 at 4:49 amSelf publishing can be a daunting process. Have you tried following authors on Youtube? Also known as author-tubers. I follow a bunch of them (even though I have no intention of writing a book) and they always have great advice & insights when it comes to the publishing process.
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:44 amHi Shantala, YOU TUBE…a wealth of info. Thanks for that valuable tip. I in fact, just yesterday found a you tube author and watched his video on formatting a manuscript from word to mobi (amazon ready) for ebooks. It was a huge help. I normally hire a formatter but so far, I’ve been able to do it myself. A big step. I will check your youtube account and see who you’re following. 🙂
Donna Merrill
April 15, 2018 at 8:57 amHi Lisa,
You must be the most creative person I’ve ever met! Writing all those books with interesting subjects is amazing. I always secretly wanted to be a writer but never found the time. I will one day!
-Donna
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:41 amAw, thanks, Donna. The ideas come to me, it’s getting them onto paper that’s the hard part LOL. Trying to create a story out of a three sentence idea can be a challenge. But then the words begin to flow. Oh, I hope you write a book, Donna. You make tech blogging fun and your book would be a unique take on that whole wide subject.
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
April 13, 2018 at 9:26 pmI’m so proud of you—this is wonderful news. I can already tell that the Wine Diaries would probably be my favorite, lol!
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:39 amThank you, Marcia! Yes, I think you’ll like The Wine Diaries! To be read while sipping…
Charlotte
April 13, 2018 at 1:05 pmWow, Lisa! I’m so impressed by your works in progress! Each sounds completely different, but they all sound fascinating to me. I can’t wait to see finished drafts! Also I like all of the titles you chose, and I feel like they state clearly what the book is about. What about something like Lonely Hearts Club OR Lonely Hearts Hotel for the first one? That’s actually what my old landlord called the building where I moved in Hoboken because all tenants were recovering from heartache lol 🙂 Anyway, I’ll keep thinking. I am most especially excited about the Wine Diaries I think, but also the story of the woman who ends up in a mental institution in 1930–SO excited to read that one!
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:37 amThanks, Charlotte! Your enthusiasm and support are appreciated 😀 *beams*. Oh…did I hear you say drafts? You’ll be chosen to read the “Polarized” when it’s completed in draft form as a beta reader…
I’m happy to hear the positive responses to that story. That’s the one I wondered if anyone would be interested since it’s kind of a ‘crazy’ story. This has given me renewed encouragement to get it done. Lonely Heats Hotel—LOL. I like that idea. I did play with words a bit and have come up with a potential new title; “Hearts Unbroken”. It plays on the idea that the hearts may have been broken at one time but have been put back together. Let me know what you think. xoxo
Charlotte
April 19, 2018 at 6:26 amYES YES YES! I’m so excited to get copies of them all and share everywhere! Thanks, Lisa <3 And I really like Hearts Unbroken–great title! Always happy to support your work and wish you all the best with the process. Seriously, you inspire me so much!
lisa
April 21, 2018 at 6:04 pmThank you so much, Charlotte! xxoo
Mahesh Nair
April 12, 2018 at 6:55 pmA blog post on the works in progress tells me how committed you are or want to be. All the best, Lisa. I like all of them but like Polarized a bit more. The intriguing blurb and its fascinating cover image. Looking forward.
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:38 amThank you, Mahesh. I’m pleasantly surprised Polarized caught your attention. I shall pull that one off the shelf, dust if off and get back to it.
Marie Kléber
April 9, 2018 at 5:37 amThat’s SO good Lisa! It’s terrific. I am so happy to read abour your creative work and how far you’ve come on your different stories.
As an Indie author, there is so much more work to be done. But it’s all worth it. Can’t wait to read you or even better, have a copy in my hands. I’ll treasure them.
Many ideas on my side too, a french poetry book and a fiction I am working on, not sure where it’s going to get me. Just holding on for the moment.
Sending you love. You are inspiring Lisa. xoxo
lisa
April 17, 2018 at 8:30 amThank you, Marie! There really is quite a long check list as an Indie author. The more you publish the easier it gets, I believe. I’m delighted you’re interested in reading one or two of my works. And I hope you’ll be publishing in English as well as French, Marie. I will look forward to your poetry book!! xoxo
dgkaye
April 8, 2018 at 2:47 pmHoly moly girl, you’re on a tear. I love all the covers, especially the Wine Diaries, and I look forward to reading all of them too! And kudos to you for busting your butt trying to get your books in stores. I figure out it wasn’t worth it to me, by the time we pay in US plus shipping for our books and what stores want out of the price, it’s not worth it. I must think about getting out of KDP to spreadout more. <3
lisa
April 19, 2018 at 8:56 amThanks, Debby 😀 Your support is greatly appreciated, Deb.
Well, my first book did get into many bookstores, probably two dozen. But they didn’t sell well in every location. Also, one library in Alberta contacted me to buy two copies. That was cool. Getting libraries in several provinces would have been fantastic but I didn’t contact them in the early stages.
In any case, on Amazon now, you can create print books on demand so your readers have a choice to purchase either digital or print. I think I may try that with the short story collection. Otherwise I would have to go through the print process locally which means I would have to store and mail the books from home again. With Amazon, it’s on demand so no printing until a book is ordered.
You could go on itunes, B & Noble? I’m no longer on those platforms and strictly on Amazon. I agree with you on the print books in bookstores though. Won’t go that route again. I just want copies in my hands to mail out for reviewers or agents.
dgkaye
April 19, 2018 at 7:28 pmLis, you didn’t print your books on demand with Createspace? No wonder you could distribute them to physical stores and not go broke in the process, lol. All my books are in paperback on Amazon beside the kindle version. Createspace is Amazon’s sister where we print our books and Amazon links them to the Kindle version. Amazon only recently started doing paperbacks, and there are pros and cons to both. I’m sticking to CS for now. 🙂
lisa
April 21, 2018 at 6:04 pmNo, I chose a local printing company. I didn’t go broke in distribution 😛 although it was quite time consuming for little pay. Although the hard work did pay off when I dropped a copy off at a B.C. Book magazine who reviewed it and gave it a mention in the Indies to watch category. Also, just a good learning experience.Yes, I recall the Create Space option. Amazon has offered the print option now for about two years and apparently have ironed out some issues. Only thing is if you don’t have paperback copies at home, you have to buy them from Amazon each time you want to send one to a friend, a reviewer or an editor etc. Could be a bit of a pain and costly. Still deciding best route to go for this upcoming short story collection.
dgkaye
April 22, 2018 at 6:56 pmYes, we do have to have copies of our books. I usually order half dozen copies of each book twice a year to have on hand. The books are reasonable price on CS, it’s the damn shipping they kill us with.
Chrys Fey
April 8, 2018 at 2:31 pmYour covers are so artistic. I love them!
And oh my. Your Daughter of the Moon reminds me of one of my characters. The only difference is the hair color. And…she does glow. Even the stuff about her losing her beloved, adoptive mother and wanting to know the mystery of her biological mother. The stories are different, though, but still…creepy.
lisa
April 8, 2018 at 6:39 pmThank you, Chrys 😀 OMGOsh, that is too freaky. We have dreamt up similar characters! Perhaps they are long, lost sisters!!
Christine Carter
April 7, 2018 at 9:45 amLISA!!! Just AMAZING all this work you have put into all of these books! I absolutely LOVE every single title and every single book cover. I want to read them ALL. Truly.
My gosh, you are on FIRE, girl!!
And I wondered if each of these incredible books will be on Amazon? I hired a small press (ie: a friend who specializes in editing and helping me through the publishing process, formatting etc.) and I paid a cover artist for my book. I haven’t put it in any stores but continue to get sales through Amazon and my blog posts about the topic that refer them to it on Amazon.
I used CreateSpace, but I hear there are changes unfolding with that process, which sucks. Anyway- I sure hope you have incredible success with all of these. Please let me know when you get them out, because I will GLADLY help promote them online and would love to read them and write about them too!
lisa
April 7, 2018 at 1:55 pmAw, Chris thank you so much! That’s encouraging. All of them will eventually be on Amazon. The first two are closer to publication. The last two novels are a ways away yet. I may have to get the name of your small press contact…my formater tends to be pretty busy. I LOVE your book cover, Chris. It’s absolutely perfect for your book. One thing I read that eased my mind was, we can change our book covers after publishing. So, we don’t have to be forever committed to one idea. If it’s not working, try something else. That takes a little pressure off the final decision.
Thanks for your encouragement and tips, Chris. I will be updating when I have published the first one and share an excerpt here most likely. Hugs!!
Kimberly
April 5, 2018 at 4:29 amLisa, I adore you. I adore you to the front cover and back. It makes me sweat thinking of all the work that goes into writing a single blog post let alone an entire book and here you are – doing it. You’re doing it! The pride beaming from my face is just *BAM*
This is hard work my friend but it will be worth all of it. I know it will be. You are a gifted writer. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. xoxox
lisa
April 5, 2018 at 10:18 am*Beams* Back at ya, lady! Thank you for the encouragement and kind words. Ya, well, I haven’t published these works yet so the truth will be in the publish (rather than the pudding). The hard work is damn right, but the reward is tremendous. I won’t stop and I’ll think of you when I want to (and will NOT STOP).
Tamara
April 4, 2018 at 6:09 pmFun to see an update! And March was pretty shitty in general. I think it was a great time to take a break. I’m impressed by your focus and range. I don’t think I have as much of either, or I do, but in different places. I would read all of them!
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 9:58 pmThank you, Tamara. That would be awesome. Yes, you certainly do have focus and range (notice the puns) in your photography and your writing!
Balroop Singh
April 4, 2018 at 10:10 amWow! You have so much in the pipeline Lisa! Fabulous work! I am so happy for you…keep going dear friend. You are an inspiration!
May I suggest? Lost Hearts is a negative title.
Icing On the Cake is misleading.
Stories of Hope or Hope Never Betrays? Think on those lines.
Wine Diaries is an excellent title, Polarized seems intriguing!
Wishing you all the best!
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 3:01 pmThank you, Balroop. I do have quite a bit of rough drafts and projects at various stages 😀 I appreciate your feedback regarding titles! I use my intuition on titles and something about Lost Hearts isn’t selling me. It’s the title of the last story in the collection, which is good for the story itself. Many short story collections are named after one of the stories within i.e. Timothy Findley’s Dinner Along the Amazon and Alice Munro’s The Love of a Good Woman (aren’t those great titles?). So, I will consider a different story as the title or maybe a whole new title, and yes the word ‘hope’ is always a positive slant. It makes me think of the movie “Hope Floats” also a great title.
Shann Eva
April 3, 2018 at 8:38 pmWow! It seems like you’ve done a lot of work. Indie publishing seems really challenging, and I love how you explained the process. I also love your cover art, especially the first one. I like the Icing on the Cake as the title too.
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 3:52 pmThank you, Shanna. I appreciate the feedback on the cover art and the title. So, The Icing On the Cake is a metaphor of course, for when things are not going our way. But not sure everyone gets that. 😛 Unfortunately, on Amazon, readers may mistake it for a cake recipe book LOL.
ShootingStarsMag
April 3, 2018 at 8:00 pmLooks like you’re working on a lot of great projects! I can’t imagine being an indie author and having to take care of so many tasks of selling a book!
-Lauren
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 3:50 pmThank you, Lauren. well, I do hire out for formatting and editing. But still, indeed there are many facets to publishing and then marketing a book. still, it’s worth it.
Jeri
April 3, 2018 at 7:37 pmHow exciting that your short story collection is getting close to publication!
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 3:48 pmYes, finally. Thanks for all of your suggestions and questions to help me through. I’ve learned a great deal from you, Jeri.
Crystal // Dreams, etc.
April 3, 2018 at 6:57 pmIt was so much fun to read what you’re working on. And I love the cover of Lost Hearts!
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 3:49 pmThank you 🙂
Lecy | A Simpler Grace
April 3, 2018 at 6:21 pmI need some of your motivation, Lisa! I can’t wait to read some of the things you’re working on. 🙂
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:57 pmThank you, Lecy. I’ll definitely announce the publish dates and do a free week on Amazon.
Jane Thrive
April 3, 2018 at 1:05 pmOoh ooh ooh thank you for sharing, Lisa!! I admire your dedication and writing so much!!! You are an inspiration!!! <3 <3 <3
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:56 pmThanks for reading it, Jane. Aw, back at ya!
Beth
April 3, 2018 at 9:29 amI loved hearing about your works in progress, I think they all sound like great reads, the Lost Hearts especially sounds interesting to me. I hope all the publishing works out for you!
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:36 pmOh, thank you, Beth. I will post a blog when the Short story collection is published and I’ll be offering it free on Amazon for the first week. A good time to grab it.
My Inner Chick
April 3, 2018 at 9:24 amOmmmmGGGGG,
You spur me forward, onward.
Such accomplishments, Lisa.
How did you create your covers?
I really love them.
Perhaps you can do mine!
I’m so proud of you.
Thank you for all you do)))! WOW. I didn’t know this about you. xxxx From Snowy MN
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:34 pmAwe, Kim…thank you. My covers are sketches and watercolor except for the wine diaries which is literally dripped red wine 🙂 Then I use photo shop to add the writing. The images have to be minimum 96 dpi for amazon. The covers for my published books are purchased images (from Dreamstime) that I then added the writing on with photo shop. Kim, I can’t wait for you to start your book. Your writing and poetry are amazing and putting your blog posts into a book would be fabulous. I would love to have your words on my kindle! xoxo
My Inner Chick
April 4, 2018 at 8:04 amI’m ready to begin writing my book.
I ;ve been getting many signs and praying about this for a long time…
I now have the title for my book.
Thank you for spurring me onward w/ your empowering words & endurance!! You were one of my signs!!! xxx from MN
lisa
April 4, 2018 at 8:29 amKim, that’s so exciting! I totally believe in signs from the universe and God. I am honored to be counted as one for you!! xxoo Will you share your title? I’m so excited for you!!
Bren Pace
April 3, 2018 at 8:56 amOh my gosh, Lisa! I so envy you! I would love to write books, GOOD ones, not the couple crappy ones I published. Writing has been a blessing for me in the past and I often want to pick it back up. If only I had a good editor?
Suggestions?
Rock on sister! Can’t wait to read these!
Bren
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:31 pmThanks, Bren. Although I’m a little discouraged with the length of time the short story collection has taken to finalize. I do love editing though so it’s not all bad. Yes, Jeri Walker is a great editor. She did the content editing for the whole Lost Hearts collection. Chrys Fey is a published author who edited three of the stories. She’s really good as well. Writing is therapeutic whether it’s journal, non-fiction or fiction.
Liv
April 3, 2018 at 8:46 amWow. I love how creative you are. If I could get my ass motivated…maybe I could write a book. 🙂 I look forward to reading them.
lisa
April 3, 2018 at 7:28 pmAw, thanks, Liv. I’m sure you could write your book!