I am now officially three weeks ahead of schedule, which means I can start my audiobook prep ASAP. And that means I should be able to make the November 1 book launch for all formats — paperback, ebook, audiobook, and possibly even hardcover — with time to spare. I finished reading through the manuscript yesterday morning after I dropped the girls at the bus stop and before my exercise class at 24 Hour Fitness.
I wasn’t 100% finished, though. There was a name I wanted to change and some language I wanted to adjust, and I wanted to look over chapter 8 again. It’s the chapter that discusses what finding the travel itinerary means in regard to Santa. Due to the nature of the story and the age of this character, there was some question about how to approach whether he believed in Santa or not. What I have landed on is not so much he stopped believing, but what happened was that after Harrison’s father died, Harrison stopped caring about Christmas and didn’t care about Santa or presents. It felt more fitting to the character and the story and for the audience, most of whom I imagine still believe in Santa Claus, as they should. I don’t want to be responsible for making them start to wonder about any of it. That said, the entire book serves as proof that Santa Claus does in fact exist. The magic starts on the very first page.
On the way to Bethany’s school birthday celebration, I got an idea for an epigraph. I made a note in my notes app: The following is based on a true story. Some of the names and a few locations have been changed at the request of the Elf B.I. If I’m a parent reading that to a kid, I’m gonna smile at that. I’m gonna know I’m in the presence of something silly and fun. It sets the tone right away.
I took care of those adjustments when I got back from 24 Hour Fitness. I was sweaty and gross, but I wanted to take care of that right away. After I showered, I continued with audiobook prep. I went to Findaway Voices and ticked off the appropriate boxes for tone and character and voice. I wanted to mention that I want to hear audition voices that sounded similar to Kristin Bell, but there was no opportunity to do so, or I skipped it. That’s okay, because I should have plenty more opportunities to collaborate. Once I agreed to the production and distribution terms, I received a message that I will have voice samples to listen to within seven days. At that time I should see what each voice actor’s rate is.
Somehow I need to pay for this. I figure the audiobook is going to cost at minimum $1000. More likely, it will cost closer to $1500. I would like to be able to pay for everything without using a credit card or having to borrow money. That’s the goal. I don’t want to be in debt any more than I already am. So far the expenses to publish the book independently has been around $2000.
I am not going to borrow money or ask for money from anyone. I want to feel like I did this on my own. When it’s a huge success, I want to know that I did it on my own.
It’s a million-dollar idea. It has been rejected by agents and publishers because they can’t take a risk on something they can only market two months out of the year. That’s my guess at least, and an author friend agreed. Maybe it’s too long. Maybe it’s too boring. Maybe it’s no good. Or maybe it can’t be sold year-round.
When I publish independently, I can take that risk, and I will, and I will market the hell out of it in November and December. I just need to make sure I have the money to do so.
