Good day to you again, my dear readers! It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you back to my literary musings and bubbling thoughts. In this post, I am planning to delve into the chaotic mess that I grappled with during my relentless pursuit to perfect, and subsequently publish, my newest literary work, Caregiver's Companion. The journey was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I am eager to share the details of this frustrating, but rewarding, adventure with you.
Before we speak about all the craziness, allow me to first explain exactly what the Caregiver's Companion is, which more likely than not, is something you are not expecting. This book is a comprehensive sort of planner/organizer that I decided to create in an attempt to reduce the epic amounts of stress that caregivers take on while they do their best to provide for their loved one/patient. After caring for my grandfather throughout his final months and witnessing my older brother caring for his paraplegic wife for the past several years, I decided someone had to do something. As an indie author, I realized that someone was me. Caregivers need help people! The job they take on is near-constant, stressful work.
You guys won't believe the epic saga of getting my Caregiver's Companion published — it took a jaw-dropping 14 attempts! Yes, you read that correctly — 14 painstaking times of me heading back to the proverbial drawing board, reformatting my manuscript like some sort of mad scientist in a laboratory brimming with bubbling potions (aka a never-ending supply of coffee and herbal tea, preferably lemon-ginger with a touch of honey). Seriously though, each submission felt akin to embarking on a new level in a video game... speaking of which, it vividly reminded me of how frustrating that lava in the original Mario was, constantly thwarting my progress before Bowser ever even entered the picture...
Whether it was the arduous task of decoding the cryptic guidelines of Amazon's KDP or tackling the sometimes-overwhelming feedback that demanded nothing less than a complete rewrite of significant portions of my work, I was fully immersed in the process. Literally working on it non-stop from 5 AM until 10 PM every day for nearly a week (this timeframe only tells you the actual finalization of the formatting, not the entire concept, writing, details, etc.). Not to mention the relentless pursuit of ensuring that every tiny detail was as polished and shiny as a new penny, reflecting the care and attention I wanted to convey to my readers. I was on it, determined to see my vision come to fruition as soon as possible. Afterall, I came up with the idea for this book in 2022 and have been sort of sitting on sit since then.
Picture me, if you will, magnifying glass in hand — though I must admit, no actual magnifying glass was involved, more of a zoom button really — scrutinizing every section of my manuscript with the precision of a hawk eyeing its prey. I was analyzing the flow of the text like a seasoned river guide navigating through treacherous rapids and ensuring that the tone resonated perfectly with caregivers who often find themselves juggling responsibilities that would make a circus performer envious. It was tedious and repetitive... extremely repetitive! The process was both exhilarating and exhausting, demanding every ounce of creativity and focus I could muster. Did I mention how repetitive the whole ordeal was? I have to say, though, despite the countless hours spent in frustration and the hair-pulling moments of doubt, it was worth every single second. The satisfaction of seeing my work evolve and improve with each iteration was a reward in itself but actually seeing it LIVE and available for purchase on Amazon?! Yesss...
You know what's really the major kick in the pants here? After — of course it had to be after the painstakingly numerous corrections and revisions to my manuscript — I discovered that Amazon's KDP actually provides authors with TEMPLATES designed specifically to help streamline the publishing process. Yes, the freaking templates were there the whole time, sitting in plain sight (well, plain sight if you read through everything on the guidelines page then click on the templates page from there), and I was completely oblivious to their existence! That sort of dee-tee-dee moment serves as a humorous reminder of the old adage, "knowledge is power." If only I had known sooner, I might have saved myself a considerable amount of time and frustration!
Just a heads up, if you're thinking of using those templates, make sure to check them out BEFORE beginning your manuscript, especially if it's for a planner or organizer. For novellas, novels, and similar works, I strongly suggest using Amazon's Kindle Create program, as it simplifies the formatting process significantly. I absolutely love their Kindle Create program; whoever created it is a bonafide genius that loves and cares about the sanity of authors everywhere.
Ultimately, the arduous journey taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, resilience, and the fine art of nitpicking. Each challenge I faced added to my growth as a writer and as an individual. I am beyond thrilled that my Caregiver's Companion is finally out there in the world, ready to be embraced by those who need it most. I sincerely hope it becomes the go-to planner/organizer for caregivers, who are often the unsung heroes of our world, tirelessly supporting others while navigating their own complex challenges. May it serve as a way to reduce stress for anyone who finds themselves in the noble role of a caregiver.
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To find out more information about the Caregiver's Companion or to purchase a copy, use this link: https://a.co/d/47euIHC (paperback) or https://a.co/d/iB0IAkH (hard cover).
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