Barcode Snafu

 So,

Another problem. There are always going to be problems. This is the fourth time I have gone to publish a book, and every single time, I have run into some type of issue I couldn't solve on my own. It's frustrating, even if it is somewhat expected. 

Anyway, the problem is that the barcode and ISBN (basically, the tracking number for my book) are not registered to my name. You might wonder how that is possible. I don't know! I have used the same service and account as the past to buy my ISBN and barcode, so I've got no idea why it went wrong this time.

My printer assures me that they have their support team working on it. However, it's been several days without an update. I hope to begin the cover reveal soon. 

Sorry this is taking so long!

Peace,

-Troy

Cover is in Revisions

Welcome everyone!

I have just a short update for you today. I’ve seen the first versions of the cover for my new book! They need some revisions, as always. Getting a cover done is a process. The cover artists are good, but they can never fully capture what I want on the first try. I’m sure that’s true for every self-published author.

The cover is the last piece to the puzzle before going to print. Once I have the final version, I can submit my book to the printer. Usually it takes a week or two to get the proofs back, but then, once the proofs are approved, I should be ready to fully publish. Expect to see the book in in stores in just a few weeks! Perhaps by mid-April!

Peace,

-Troy

 

Layout Done, Cover Next

Welcome everyone!

We are making great progress toward publishing my next book! I have received the layout files for it from the creator. They look great! I can’t wait for you to see them. To be clear, these are the interior pages of the book. As you know, I like to use some type of aesthetic to open my chapters. You can see an example below:

Just to be clear, the above image was from my second book, The Huntsman and the Vampire. That is NOT an image from my upcoming novel.

So now that the interior is done, I can make my cover request! You can’t really get a cover artist to do a good job until you now the page count for the book. And obviously, you won’t know the page count until the internal layout is done. I expect the cover will take another week or two. It’s hard to say. If you’re interested, I am having my cover done by a company called “GetCovers”. Below is an example of their work from another author:

Anyway, I don’t have too much to update you with today. This part of the production process is just slow. I have to wait on others to get their work done.

Be back soon!

Peace,

-Troy

 

A Happy Surprise - My Books in a Store!

Welcome everyone!

As an author, it’s never really been my goal to get my books into physical stores. Most book sales happen online anymore and my in-person events at libraries, schools, a local festivals have been incredibly successful. All that said, however, it would be hard to say just how it felt the other day when I walked into a bookstore, and I saw my series sitting on the shelf along side so many other books series out there. To have my name next to the names of other esteemed fantasy authors was both exciting and gratifying at the same time!

My next book should be out in just a few weeks, but regardless of what happens with it, I already feel like a success. And that’s not because I’ve had good sales, which I have, or because I’ve made a good profit, which I also have. The reason I feel successful is because real people have told me face-to-face that my books have meant something to them. Some have even told me my books have helped them through hard times. If I can write something that brings people happiness and comfort, I don’t think I need anything else. For me that is more than enough.

Peace,

-Troy