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Post by unclegarf on Aug 5, 2019 22:54:35 GMT -8
I decided to give a couple of my books away as presents so ordered the paperback versions of 'one man's dream' from amazon. This was the first full length novel I wrote, based on a dream of buying a small chunk of New Zealand where I was living at the time. Reading it again, I still love and relate to the story, but it could do with a rewrite. What was I doing sprinkling all those commas around with such abandonment? Not too many pytos thank goodness, but enough to annoy.
Nothing selling much with this one these days, so is it worthwhile doing a revamp?? Not a huge book at 148 pages, so it wouldn't take too long to polish up. Do I update and rewrite it, then repackage it possibly with a new title? It was originally going to be called 'seventeen acres'. Maybe I should leave it be and forget about it. A simple rewrite won't cut it. It would need to be republished to attract new readers.
Tips and advice for this dilemma please.
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 6, 2019 7:58:31 GMT -8
I thought, what the hell! Started the re-write on my new loptap with keys that don't actually stick like old cranky. I made the right decision. What I intend to do is to unpublish the original then republish the new version via D2D as a paperback and ebook. I still value opinions of others so add your comments please.
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Post by djmills on Aug 6, 2019 14:39:25 GMT -8
I think you should put in the blurb or on the cover something like "Retitled <i>old title</i> after full edit". This way, anyone who purchased the old unedited version ISBN won't purchase again.
Or, just update the original with the new version, using the same ISBN without unpublishing the old version, and with a new cover if needed, because those who purchased before can then update with paying again. :-)
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 6, 2019 23:42:47 GMT -8
It is a tricky one. This book was always about me ridding my mind of some demons. They only sold a handful in either paperback or ebook. I can as you suggest, include the old title somewhere or simply keep the old title and republish via D2D which should have it out as a new release. D2D will sort out the I S B N. Having reread it, I still think the story holds up and is worth the update and re-release. Maybe I'll contact D2D and see what they suggest.
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 7, 2019 9:53:42 GMT -8
My question and response from D2D hi. I have many titles out, mostly via D2D. MY first book was One Man's Dream, written several years ago. It was self published through createspace as a paperback and is still out there on Amazon,along with the ebook. Having just read it again I decided it needed updating and editing again which I am now doing. 95% will be unchanged. I would like to give this book the best chance of an audience, so I'm thinking I can either keep cover / title as it is now but re-release it so it goes out as a new release after un-publishing the original, or I can change title cover / title with a note somewhere to say it was once out as the old book. It is highly unlikely anyone would buy the new one having previously bought the old version. Your advice and opinions please.
and from D2D
Thanks for taking the time to reach out to us. So with 95% of the book remaining the same is not a big enough change to warrant delisting the book, and then listing it as a new book. I would recommend updating the cover possibly. However, as the author and sole rights owner you can decide what you feel is the best direction for your book.
My thoughts Fair enough, but I'm thinking of keeping the cover as is so as not to have folk buy twice but a relaunch to reach new readers. I've a whole new chapter going in the book to add to the romance triangle.
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Post by djmills on Aug 7, 2019 13:14:32 GMT -8
Good luck with the new updated version of your book. :-)
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chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 7, 2019 23:12:02 GMT -8
If you have a whole new chapter, that would almost count as a revised edition. Readers who purchased before might be interested in it. So, maybe same (or slightly different) cover, but with a strapline about exclusive new material?
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Post by jjmainor on Aug 9, 2019 19:15:10 GMT -8
If it's not changing all that much, I'd just release it as an updated volume. Then again, rebranding it and releasing it as a new title does give it that "new release" boost.
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 9, 2019 22:23:59 GMT -8
The new chapter has been drafted and included in the rewrite now and as usual, it creates a knock on effect for other parts of the book. This was my first full length book, so understandably my gradual progress to where I am now makes me see this early work in a different light. The essence of the guts of it still works well and the changes only enhance the whole story. Rather like making a good stew then adding a pinch of this and a little of that to make it a great stew. It will have a new release in time for Christmas
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Post by Julie Harris on Aug 10, 2019 0:02:05 GMT -8
Want the grammar nazi chef to have a look before it’s cooked?
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 10, 2019 2:09:13 GMT -8
You read my tiny mind. I was just about to email you. I have added the extra meat to the stew and I just need to spit out the inedible bits. Damn thing still made me cry a bit at the end. Must be the onions. As always, your help and advice helps me be a better writer. Thanks
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 13, 2019 3:38:09 GMT -8
The rewrite is winging its way to Julie. Hopefully she will agree it has improved the story. So out of practice, I struggled a bit with the formatting. With this book out of the way, I am now easing myself into total writing zone for the new book, Drifter's Quest 2. This will be done as I hibernate for the British winter and bashed out on my new loptap, not old cranky here, with the sticking keys!!!Now back online after a very frustrating few days, life is back to what passes as normal for me. Right. Gotta painting to finish.
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 17, 2019 2:54:00 GMT -8
So looking forward to the journey of having D2D convert my doc to both ebook and paperback once Julie has completed her indispensable magic. I previously used createspace (now absorbed into Amazon) for the handful of paperbacks I did. I have always found D2D most user friendly and contactable. As they are relatively new to paperbacks, the conversion process will be interesting. I assume they looked long and hard at what was around and improved it. I'll be handing them the formatted doc and trusting it to them do the deed. I'll report back the journey in due course. Fingers crossed. This off the D2D site. We can also create paperbacks for any books generated through our conversion service (that is, everything except pre-formatted epub uploads). You can use these files for distribution through CreateSpace or any other print-on-demand service you choose. Here is the Zon site for more investigation later. kdp.amazon.com/en_US/l/print-on-demand
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 19, 2019 8:12:01 GMT -8
Well, it looks like I wasn't quite understanding the D2D thing with paperbacks, so sorry for that. It certainly wants revising on their site! So with the thing up in the air at the moment, it seems I have to see what is available via the mighty zon. Anyone have experience with this??? Below is the "answer" from D2D.
I apologize for the confusion. While we previously had a partnership with CreateSpace, that was dissolved over two years ago, prior to CreateSpace being brought into Kindle. We currently have a print service in beta called D2D Print, but it is not yet ready to release to our wide userbase, so currently, we are only distributing ebooks.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Best Regards,
Alexis Draft2Digital
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Post by unclegarf on Aug 19, 2019 22:23:15 GMT -8
With great help from Julie, I'll be able to publish the paperback version directly with Zon and the ebook version via D2D. This should cover all bases. I just need to apply myself to new blurbs which is not my strong point. Writing the book is far easier I reckon. Julie did say the ending had a few tears being shed. I heard somewhere some women only think a book or film is good if they get through a box of tissues. I'm just a bloke so what would I know?
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