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A Very Productive Day Indeed
Now....I probably shouldn't be saying this, but um.....here are some things I did today.
Filed my Trade Name Registration papers with the DC government, registering "Old Gold Soul" as my official business name. Since I am a sole proprietorship type of business (not a partnership, limited liability corporation(?), or regular corporation) that means YOU can write a check to "Old Gold Soul" and I, Rashid Darden, can legally cash it.
That's kinda hot.
In DC, the kind of business I will be (sole proprietor seller of books via the innanet, book fairs, festivals, and directly to bookstores) means that I won't have to get the business license that say, a hot dog stand or barbershop would have to get.
It's kind of neat....and interesting just how much the government (even municipal) regulates.
One good thing is that Old Gold Soul has already been introduced to the public via this website, so it's like already a "recognizable" trade name. Not that that means anything particularly, I just thought it was cool.
I made my FINAL edits to my manuscript today, less than 90 minutes ago. It WAS finished, but then, a few months ago, I decided to have an editor review it AGAIN. Since I am self-publishing, and self-published authors have a stigma of producing sub-standard work, I wanted to make sure that the inside of my book was PERFECT. I really appreciated my editor's hard work. I took most of her suggestions, but kept certain things that I felt made the book uniquely a novel about black Greek life.
Favorite quote from my editor: "What's a Skee-Wee?"
Now, here is something I think is pretty important to share with other people interested in self-publishing. I have decided on my book manufacturer. I REALLY like these people. They are respected among self-published authors, and I'd found good reviews on them on the web. Also, they are one of the book manufacturers listed in The Self-Publishing Manual. I don't want to give their name just yet since no contracts have been signed.
But that's not the issue I wanted to share....the issue is that I asked for a prie quote for my novel based on 330 pages.
Um, how about I have 366 and counting?
Yeah.
So basically, after I add the back matter (basically just an order form for more books) I may have 368 or 370 pages.
That will affect the price of printing, unfortunately. It will probably go up. By how much? I don't know. But I'm not going to ask for a new quote until I am really, for really really ready to go to print. Like, we're talking the whole thing has been typeset, the cover is ready, and everything. Because I don't want to go back and get ANOTHER price quote -- it's not like I'm shopping around at this point.
Speaking of covers, now I feel I can talk about my situation with my cover designer. First of all, let me say this: I love that man. He has been my friend since 2000, and we have a friend in common. He's a talented architecture grad from Washington University in St. Louis. I am pleased to be able to introduce his work to all of you.
However, I wasn't feeling the proof that he sent me before the holidays. In fact, I was kind of upset with it. Not because it was BAD -- the boy does great work. But I think he and I need to improve our communication with each other. He had taken some elements AWAY from the work that he hadn't told me until he emailed it to me. So I am like "What?" when I'm checking the proof and thinking to myself "Where is this...and this...and this?" Well, I showed the proof around, and it seems as though I was the only person who hated it, LOL.
I know, hate is a strong word. I didn't hate it. It just wasn't what I was looking for. But once my artist returns from Cambodia (!) he and I will regroup, refocus, and have a cover for all of YOU to be proud of!
Yay us.
I plan on kicking off the pre-sale sooner than I originally thought, which is good. I also think I'll be able to bump up he publication date. HOWEVER, you all should know that the more successful the pre-sale is, the sooner we can move forward with publishing the book.
You see, self-publishing, as I like to say, is more like "Do it yo DAMN self" publishing. Every little thing that you see about a book will ultimately come down to little old me for LAZARUS.
BUT, the phone rang, so I will continue this another time!
PEACE
Posted by Rashid on December 27, 2004 10:03 PM