Monday, January 29, 2018

Impostor Syndrom


There are so many ways we wind up feeling like an impostor!  For years I didn't quite believe that I had written a 'real' book, in spite of its physical presence on my shelf.

When it went out of print, I struggled again with the fact that I had actually written a book.  There were no more copies to be had, so was it really real?

Eventually, with the help of some friends, it got turned into a PDF and I sold copies that way.  But is a digital version really 'real'?

Now I am working on a second title.  I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I am once again attempting to put technique into words.

The Intentional Weaver is much bigger in scope than Magic.  And much, much more difficult.

Meeting with a professional editor suddenly made this whole endeavour real in a way that it had not been previously.  A 'real' editor!  Somehow it made me feel as though I really was a 'real' author!  Because I had an editor!!!

Since I cannot afford to print any kind of copies, then warehouse them, the decision was made to use an on-line host.  We found one based in Canada that offered both digital and print-on-demand options.  Since people had been saying over and over again that they wanted a 'real' book, not a digital version, this hosting site seems to fulfill everything that will be required.

The offering for Magic, already in PDF format, went live on Wednesday.  Since then there have been sales to customers in the US, Canada and Great Britain.

I was amazed anyone was still interested in getting a copy.  On the other hand, there have been new weavers come along since the original Magic became out of print in it's original format.

Being able to test the site to see how easy/difficult it was, then have real, actual, customers purchase, well, it was eye opening.

And I think I am a little more comfortable calling myself an author.

The really valuable thing about the trip to California and spending four days going through the manuscript is that I now feel that I have good bones to build on.  There is much more to do before it will be ready for publication.  But it feels right now.  And I feel a whole lot more confident that this (oh, my!) second book has something of value in it.


5 comments:

Peg Cherre said...

YAY!!! I already have a copy of Magic so didn't even really check out the new site, but so glad for you that it worked so well. You are many things...a weaver, an author, a blogger (and many more, I'm sure). In each of them you are thoughtful, careful, and thorough, not to mention generous, rational, and caring.

Can't wait for the new book.

Laura Fry said...

Thanks Peg. I’m looking forward now to getting the edited file. Then I will start working on the projects. Still lots left to do but the hard bit is more or less done. :)

Keesha said...

Got a copy of Magic through the new site. It worked great and the book is very helpful.
I am so looking forward to your second book.

Brenda said...

Just took a peek at your online site for the book. Did you know that Prince George has apparently moved to Alberta? HAHAHAHA!

About the Creator
LauraAnnFry Laura Fry Weaving Studio
Prince George, AB, CA

Laura Fry said...

Yeah - we noted that and thought we'd fixed it. Well, at least you got a good chuckle out of it!!!