The Road So Far...

     So, as you might know, I've been writing for some years now and getting better as times goes on. At least, I think so! 
     Naturally, the first thing I did to start my journey to becoming a self-published author was to find out what type of stories I enjoy reading about. What is my passion? Well, that part was easy...Fiction! I love to read about new worlds, magical or non-magical and travel adventurous journey's along with the characters. I've read romance, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and paranormal. So out of those types of books, I enjoy reading fantasy fiction most.
Step 1: Check!

     What I did after that was, research. I researched any and everything about writing a great fantasy series, self publishing books, what has and hasn't been written and just about anything on marketing. It was so much information, my brain was overwhelmed! So, I found one particular author whose work I loved to read and I found out what they did; what worked for them and what didn't work and set my own timeline for my books.
Step 2: Check!

     The next step I made, was to copyright my work, even though I was just starting out. I also started building my fan-base on twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other main social media sites. Honestly, I didn't really focus much on it as I should have but, it's a work in progress.
Step 3: Check!

     Next, I wrote! And wrote...and slept, and wrote, and ate and wrote. I would eat, sleep and breathe writing! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I became...a writer. I set a time with the minimum of 30 minutes but, mostly I wrote for at least 5 hours a day or however long it would take me to write 5,000 words per day. I wrote until my first book was completed.
Step 4: Check!

     Well, what came after that, you ask? I read my own book, of course! And edited, tweaked it here and there, and read it again. I then took time to find professional editors and self publishing companies.I uploaded my novel and had them edit it professionally. I've read so many authors, self published and traditionally publish alike, say that you should skip this. And I agree 100%. Besides, you want the best for a novel, right?
Step 5: Check!

     After finding a self-publishing company, I found a professional book cover designer and had my cover made exactly the way I wanted. Many people use pre-made covers but I had a different course set for my fantasy series. I also found an illustrator for the illustrations inside of novel. Lots of intensive searching for the right illustrator but I eventually found him. Book cover, Illustrations and editing were now completed.
Step 6: Check!

     Whew!!! Who ever knew self-publishing was so exhausting? Wonderfully so, I think! Well everything is falling into place for me and my book is starting to look more and more like a shelf-worthy read. Now what? Interior! And that...is what I am currently working on!
If you are reading this, please let me know if anyone has any advice or would like to share their steps on becoming published. Everyone has different views and ways of doing their own thing, so no way is the wrong way! I'd love to hear what others are doing on their journey!

Stay tuned for more about my Journey to Becoming a Self-published Author!

The Beginning of My Journey to becoming Self-Published

     One day in my very strict childhood, I decided to escape into a new world; a world that had fewer rules, a lot more junk food and magical powers. So what did I do? I read books, any and all books I could get my hands on. As a 6-year old,  I found many of the books to my liking, but, none that ever really ended the way I wanted. So from then, I would take those same books and rewrite the endings, making them into what i wanted to read. 
     At 8 years old, I began writing short stories that eventually ended up resembling novels AND I LOVED IT! At that moment in my childhood, I just knew that I wanted to be an author and write my own novels. I wrote and read, read and wrote until my mother had to ALMOST drag me out of my room to eat, literally. I was so engrossed in what I wanted to establish, even as a kid and that feeling has never left.
     I love to read, as much as, I enjoy writing. And I love both of those things as much as I love breathing. Call me a bookworm or book-nerd all you like, but truth is, that is a compliment to me :) 
     So now, many years down the road...after high school, 7 1/2 years of serving in the military and college, I decided to continue doing what I love: WRITING!!! 
I've finished my first novel: MICHAEL HANSON AND THE DESOLATE WOODS, Book #1 of the Powers of Ezron Series. The date of release is December 17th, 2014. 

     I am super excited about this chapter in my life and looking forward to sharing the steps I've taken in order to become a self-published author.
So please stay tuned and follow me on this weird & wacky, but, self-fulfilled journey!!! 

***I am very knew to blogging so hang in there with me! 


Much appreciation, 
~E.L. Ervin

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