Repurpose, Recycle, Republish - Part Three

by Linda Wisniewski

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Today we have Part Three in a series by author Linda C. Wisniewski about her journey to publication of her book of essays Old Women and Other Strangers. Part One was why she did it, Part Two was how she did it, and in today’s post, the final product.

The Final Product

As writers, we all know there is more work to do after our final draft is finished. If we are going to self-publish, we need to design the physical product that would be most appealing to readers, and something we are proud to have our name on.

This was certainly true for my essay collection, Old Women and Other Strangers. I was pleased with the selection of essays I chose. I followed the arrangement I'd seen elsewhere, grouping each essay by subject. I created seven sections, starting with A Mid-Century Childhood and ending with She Writes. This arrangement follows a roughly chronological pattern.

I chose to add an acknowledgments section, as I think by now most readers look for one. I know I do. I want to know who influenced this author and who helped her with this book.

Since many of the essays were previously published, I needed to add a bibliography stating which titles were published where, and when. This also served to add to my credibility as a published writer. Who wanted each of these pieces? Here is proof. And, here is a list of literary magazines you might also submit your work to as a reader who writes.

Each of the three platforms I used - IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and KindleCreate – had a slightly different template for the front and back covers. I started with KindleCreate, then tweaked my choices to align with the other two.

One choice offered by all was a glossy cover or matte. Each also has many available fonts for the cover text. I found it a little tricky to make the font size and color show up against my cover photo but with a little time and patience, I made it work. I then uploaded an author photo for the back cover and a short author bio. All three platforms offer these options on their templates. And all three printed my ISBN and QR code on the back cover, along with my one-sentence book description.

A word on ISBNs: Most retailers require them. You will need one for each format and edition, printed or digital. It ensures your book’s information will be stored in the Books In Print database which is consulted by publishers, retailers, and libraries around the world when searching for title information. Rather than use the free ISBN from Amazon, I bought my own so I could use it over multiple platforms. I bought two from Bowker which is the source of ISBNs worldwide, one for my paperback and one for the ebook. I selected global distribution wherever possible. Some of the platforms include shareable purchase links, which I posted on my webpage, www.lindawis.com.

I ordered one copy from each platform after I had finished the process, to see if there were any typos and to check whether I liked how the book looked in my hands as well as on the screen. I did find typos and did not like the way the font looked on one or two, but I was able to easily edit them. To be safe, I ordered another single copy to make sure it was perfect. Only then did I order a carton to hand sell.

Finally, the final product is not final. With self-publishing, I can make major and minor changes to my book quite easily and instantly.

I’m in the process of reclaiming my rights to my novel, Where the Stork Flies, and I intend to self-publish it as well. With a second novel in the works, my hope is that my other books will appeal to people who find Old Women and like it. It’s been a journey I’m glad I traveled. Best wishes if you choose to do the same!

Linda C. Wisniewski is a former librarian who lives with her husband and rescue cat, Ace, in Doylestown, PA. She has taught memoir workshops and is a volunteer docent at the historic home of author Pearl S. Buck. Linda is the author of a memoir, Off Kilter: A Woman’s Journey to Peace with Scoliosis, Her Mother and Her Polish Heritage, a time travel novel, Where the Stork Flies, and an essay collection, Old Women and Other Strangers.

Good news! The SCN 2024 Anthology Real Women Write: The Power of Friendship is now available. In the foreword, author Len Leatherwood says, “The essays, memoir pieces, poems, and fictional stories in this anthology reveal the multilayered aspects of friendship. The joy, pain, ambivalence, and love that friendship brings, whether in the past, the present, or the hoped-for future. Within these pages, you will recognize your own experiences, empathize with those who chronicle painful outcomes, and laugh with those who describe the lighter, more joyful moments of friendship.” Go here to order your copy.