Hi, Friend!

It's been a hot minute since my last Are You Shitting Me?! How to Survive, Thrive and Transform through Colorectal Cancer update. I've gone from saying I'm writing a book to referring to it as my book project, because there's writing the book AND all the things that have to be done to get the book into the hands of readers like you.

I said I would give it a year after the Publishizer pre-sale campaign ended in April 2021 to get a contract with a traditional publisher. The difference between a traditional publisher and a self- or hybrid publisher is that the traditional publisher pays all the costs of getting the book to market, and may even pay the author an advance, and then takes a percentage of sales forever, while with a self- or hybrid publisher, the author pays all the costs of getting the book to market, including the services of the self- or hybrid publisher, one time and gets to keep all the sales minus the cost of producing the book (print on demand, mailing, etc.). Bonus that the reputation of self-publishing as a vanity press has faded as social media has given authors and other creators a means to reach a niche and/or large number of people without the difficulties of getting a traditional gatekeeper.

After more than a year of pitching to and getting rejected by numerous agents and traditional publishers, I hired 1106 Design in June to do all the things to make the book available everywhere in paperback or electronic form, which entails a lot of things. In July, 1106 designed 3 potential covers which I will share through my website soon. Last month, they secured ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers - commercial book identifiers required to to sell books in any retail environment, including online book sellers) for electronic and paper versions of the book. 1106 Design will also copyedit; produce original interior designs; proofread; format for ebook; do title setup and file upload to IngramSpark and Kindle Direct Publishing (which ensures my book is available everywhere through bookstores and major retailers); and offer indie publishing coaching, marketing consultations, and editorial evaluation. As additional services, they secured my ISBNs and will enable fulfillment from my website through IngramSpark (meaning they print and send book orders). 

Having been told to wait to finish the book until I got a traditional publisher because they would want to help shape the book, I did just that. I would love to finish the book and have it available by Christmas, but I think setting my sites on having it available by March, which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month might be more beneficial from a quality and marketing standpoint. I will personally sign and deliver your copy to you in person if you're near me or by mail if you're not when the book is finished. 

I'm going through other routes to produce the journal/planner and note cards that will be available through my website (which really will launch any day, with the domain name recently secured), while the book is being finished. 

I will not only keep you updated through the duration of my book project, but I will also keep you engaged by asking for your input and sharing previews. I am grateful beyond words to you for your support and motivation in helping me help others.

Much Love, Kim