How I Got Started Writing and Publishing on Amazon
My first book was a collection of previously written articles that I combined into one book, basically to see if I could produce a book on create space a self-publishing platform. I really am a technophobe, but with a little help from Arty, my trusted tech plus the help line at create space I got my first book.
Since I had not professionally proofread and edited it, it was peppered with errors, but I had achieved my goal of writing and publishing a book. I’ve made a little video to promote it on YouTube, set up a Facebook page, and left it to languish on Amazon with very little change for now. A useful point to remember is that it is possible to redo both the cover and the content when you are ready to improve it. This is one of the advantages of desktop publishing.
It all started with 2 years of sudden health problems that compromised my ability to walk 100+ yards without having to stop for breath. Needless to say, this led to an indescribable depression. My life had changed, it felt like overnight. Until then I had been a fit active retiree working until age 75, but then disaster struck me in two consecutive blows.
Apparently, when trauma or a debilitating illness occurs suddenly, preventing you from following your life plan, you are likely to suffer from severe depression until you can create a new life plan for yourself. This certainly happened to me.
We had just bought a holiday home in Spain where we intended to spend the cold winter months, plus a mobile home in the English countryside for the warm summer months when the disaster struck. My first mistake was not learning the language, so anyone buying abroad, heed my warning and learn enough of their language to converse with the natives. I felt so bad that I didn’t want to go back and the house was sold.
It wasn’t until I developed my new interest that I started to feel human again. Now I had something to sink my teeth into. Writing has always been something I enjoyed, although until recently it has been a latent skill. So I’ve just finished my second book with several others in the planning stages and a new way of life has begun. sadly i find myself create space it’s been swallowed up by Amazon, so for my new book I’ll have to figure out the intricacies of the new system.
But I’ve learned that if you have a hidden talent or desire, don’t wait for ill health to hit you, make the decision to start right now and you’ll be glad you did. You are never too old to start something new; Don’t go to your grave wishing if only…