Amanda Hocking

Amanda's Blog Post

Countdown for Switched!

September 19th, 2011 by
This post currently has 17 comments

I’m starting to get pretty excited about the release of Switched. So excited, I made this countdown:

So far, I’m really enjoying the traditional process. I was pretty transparent about my experiences with self-publishing, and I have no reason to not do the same with traditional process.

Some things I especially like: My editor. Also: The multiple copy-editors that go over my books to make sure they are error free, and the marketing time at St. Martin’s that is working on many, many fancy things for when my books are released.

My editor is really great. When I went into this, I’ll admit I was nervous. I’d heard all sorts of horror stories about editors wanting to slash and change everything and basically mutilating the original work. I’ve had none of that experience. While Rose does suggest changes, they’re only to support the overall vision of the book and make it stronger. There has been no slashing or mutilation, which I think is good.

We talked a lot about the Trilogy before she started editing and how I wanted that to go. I said that I didn’t want there to be too much editing, because the books had already been released. My goal was to make the changes subtle, so a reader re-reading the books wouldn’t be able to pinpoint exactly what was different, but they were left feeling more satisfied with things more clarified.

I was a bit more nervous with Wake, which is the first book in the Watersong series that is coming out next year. It hadn’t been released, so Rose was free to slash and cut, if she wanted to. But she didn’t. The edits she suggested were smart, clean, and simple. It still stayed true to exactly how I wanted the book. She only suggested things that made it stronger and better, which is exactly what an editor should do.

On the subject of Wake, I’ve been actively involved in every process of the book so far. Since it’s still a long way from being released, that’s basically just the cover. We talked about what I envisioned as the cover and picked through images that represented it. Then I picked out the models for the cover, and I even picked out their clothes.

I did not pick the photographer, but it acutally turned out to be my favorite photographer doing the cover photoshoot. I was so excited I actually shouted when I read they were doing it. (For comparison, this would be like if Christopher Nolan directed my book trailers.)

Plus, they’re planning a crazy amount of publicity for when the Trylle Trilogy is released. Something I’m excited about is that Switched is having a one-day laydown. I didn’t know what it was before I found I was going to have one. But now I’ve found out, and I’m excited about it.

I guess to be honest the biggest thing I’m enjoying about all of this is that there really is a huge relief off my shoulders. I send the book to them, give them notes, answer questions, and they take care of everything else. I just get to sit in my house and watch reruns of Frasier while they make my book awesome.

(And honestly, it’s freeing up a lot more time to write. I have several ideas for new books and serieses that I think I’ll finally have time to work on next year.)

I’m hoping to self-publish another book soon-ish, and when I think about all the work I have to do for that, it stresses me out. I have to edit it a ton, and I know it will still have errors, which frustrates me so much I want to rip out all my hair. I have to format it, and there’s a good chance it will still turn out wonky on a page or two. I have to do the cover, which means getting the title and lettering just right, and that always gives me a headache. Plus about  a hundred other little things that don’t seem like much but add up to being a whole lot.

That’s not say that I don’t enjoy self-publishing and there isn’t something gratifying about the work. Because there is. But anybody that says “self-publishing is easy” is a liar, and you should immediately punch them in the face for being such a liar.

But regardless of where the future takes me, I’m happy with what I’ve done so far, because it’s gotten me where I am now. And I’m tickled pink with where things are now, and crazy excited about the things to come. 

Leave a Reply to Tracy Rozzlynn Cancel reply

  • WA Kincade says:

    Glad to hear it. Hope everything continues to go well.

    Weston Kincade

  • P.A.Lupton says:

    I am thrilled for you. You should be so proud of all that you’ve accomplished so far. The publishing world is impossible to break into and I lOVE that you didn’t give up! No one knows until they try how crushing it can be when you get rejection after rejection–many, many authors quit. You are an inspiration, not just to authors, but to everyone who has a dream. Enjoy your newfound success, you deserve it.

  • Red Tash says:

    Thanks for the update, Amanda. It means a lot that you’re so forthcoming with how it’s going. I’m so happy you’ve found a good fit with St. Martin’s.

    I’ve just self-pubbed my first book, and you’re absolutely right, it is a lot of work, even for someone with a marketing background and years of experience laying out books. I shall commence punching people in the face in thy holy name, amen. 😉

  • Dania says:

    So what happens if you already purchased the book switched?… won’t be changed too much will it?

  • Nick Rolynd says:

    Just stumbled upon your blog. Congrats on getting into traditional publishing. And even more congrats on getting your own vision incorporated into a cover! I’ve heard that the unpublished/novice/first time authors usually get no say. So good going! And I will check out your works in the near future!

    Good luck with all your future works! I’ll be following you from now on!

    – Nick

  • Amanda, you said:
    “But anybody that says “self-publishing is easy” is a liar, and you should immediately punch them in the face for being such a liar.”

    I’ll agree. Not easy. But there’s definitely a sense of accomplishment when it’s all finished. And for some of us, being able to say we did the whole thing (or nearly the whole thing – I can’t do covers)is important.

    Not sure about the punching in the face thing, though 🙂

  • Sarah Allen says:

    Omg, I am so excited and so impressed and awed by you!

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

  • Unknown says:

    You are everyone’s heroine, in both trad and epub. I love all your books and you deserve all your success. There’s a wonderful new epub YA book you should read if you have the time- Snow White and the Alien by Artemis Hunt.

  • Shilpa says:

    Its your hardwork that has borne fruits…all the best with your books – published either way!

  • Tracy Rozzlynn says:

    I’m happy your experience with St. Martins is going well.

    You’re right self publishing is a lot of work. I had no idea just how much until I actually did it. I have a love hate relationship with my covers. I love the end results, but I curse my way through the hours of trying to get it just right. So far I’d have to say my biggest self-publishing challenge has been finding a good but affordable editor. I know I cannot edit my own work. My brain reads what it know should be there instead of what is actually there. My first two books had two separate edits, but I’m still finding scattered errors. I’ve found a new editor for my third book and I’m hopeful that I’ll have much better results.

    I feel lucky that I purchased your Trylle Trilogy before you sign your deal. I’m impatient and would hate having to wait to read it. As is I’m anxiously awaiting Hollowmen.