Some time ago, I promised you another post on “Things we
should do before we release a new book.” Here’s the first part – Goodreads #Giveaway- a smart step to take before you release your book! 

Of course, I’m taking for granted that you’ve all had your
stories edited and even proofread. Remember that nowadays we’re in direct
competition with the big five publishers and many of their books are being priced
to compete. Like the professionals they are, their products are perfectly
presented.

Indie authors need to do the same. 

Therefore, we also have to make sure the books are formatted
properly. I can’t emphasize enough just how annoying it is for readers nowadays
to find anyone’s work hard to read, indents all over the place and text that
changes from one size to another. As you’ve heard me say many times, I work
with Pressbook and I always feel relaxed about the presentation of my work. If
you haven’t read my earlier blog about that site, you will find it here.

Plus, I’ve recently heard that Amazon is getting seriously crabby about books not set up properly and are beginning to take a firm stance – giving the author a short time to make corrections with the threat of having the books removed….gulp!!

Of course, I’m also taking it for granted that you have a
good cover that will represent not only the story, but the feel of the plot and
characters if possible. For instance, don’t try and hook the readers with a
really sexy man on the front if it’s a sweet romance. They won’t thank you,
they won’t read you again and some might decide to leave scathing comments in
their reviews – that’s if they write anything at all. And isn’t that the goal
of every one of us. Having a book that the readers enjoy so much, they’ll leave
a review and start it by highlighting the five stars?

So… these steps are just the basic ones needed to be done
before you can set your book out in to world.

But there’s another step I take before my book is released.
I have gathered a list of 15 Beta Readers for my romantic suspense books and
these wonderful ladies not only enjoy reading my books, but they also make
notes of corrections and write reviews soon after the book is released. Out of
these fifteen fabulous readers, I can usually depend that at least 8-10 will be
available to me when I need them. As you all know, having 10 reviews soon after
a book is released is pure gold.

If you wonder how I managed to find these folks, I’ll tell
you. I built up a friendship with most of them on Facebook and from my
newsletter. If you wonder whether Facebook events are worthwhile – yes they
are. You can get pretty close to some of the ladies who come to these parties
and if you ask questions about what they like to read and they say romantic
suspense with kick-ass heroines, and that’s what you write, then ask how many
would be interested in joining your team. You’d be surprised.

If you’ve started a newsletter, you can ask for Beta Readers
there. After all, if they answer you know they’ve not only read the newsletter
but they’re interested in your career.

Personally, I line them up as soon as I’ve done the second
draft. Once I’ve reread it and made the changes I catch myself, I pray it’s in
decent enough shape for other eyes. I make sure it’s formatted nicely in a word
doc and then save it to a pdf file ( just click ‘File’ on the uppermost left
corner and then click ‘save as’ and when that window opens, go the second line on
bottom where it asks you “save as type” and when you click that arrow – choose pdf.
 

Next, I take the pdf file and use Caliber where I change it
into a Mobi file. If you’re not using Caliber, you might want to check into it.
It’s free, easy and there’re how-to videos (probably on u-tube also) that will
show you how it works.