Few more weeks to go

I just emailed my manuscript into a digital converter house to be uploaded on to all of the various ebook distribution platforms including Smashwords, Barnes and Noble (Nook), Amazon (kindle), Kobo, Diesel, Sony and more.  I never knew there so was so much work involved AFTER I finished writing my manuscript!  

Once the book is complete, it needs to be converted into different file formats depending on the digital eBook distribution platform. Some sites require .epub, some require .mobi and some require .doc.  If the book isn't formatted corrected, then it won't work at all, and I also wouldn't be able to get Premium Status, which enables me to get into the Smaswords premium catalog. (basically means nobody would see it.)

So this has been quite a long process.  I never thought that a two week trek in the Himalayas to go to the summit of Kala Patthar and Mount Everest Base Camp would turn into an almost ten year journey, but it has.  And it has been quite rewarding in the process...particularly the last eight months.  I have spent 40 hours per week in the library or in my basement writing my manuscript, and then editing, and then reading it, and then starting all over, time and time again.  I need a vacation, but definitely not a trekking vacation:)

So where do I go from here?  Well, I figure I will spend a few weeks trying to heavily promote the book, sending it to various places to try to get some exposure, promoting it through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and plenty of other social conduits.  When this is all done, I need to decide the next path for me.

A few people have asked whether or not I would I do it again?  Well, possibly.  I'm going to wait and see how this all turns out.  I have a few other ideas for future books, one of them an historical fiction and another non-fiction.  I think both would make for great reads.

First, I need a little break.

I plan on updating all of you every few weeks as to the status of the success (or lack thereof) of The Trek.  I urge anyone who has any questions about self-publishing, or trekking - whether in the Himalayas, or any high mountain summits in the United States - to please get in touch with me and ask away.

Thanks for reading my blog and staying connected.

-David