She’s Real!

It’s a really strange feeling to be reading a book…and it’s my book…in book format. I wonder if this feeling ever goes away. I hope not.

This whole process has been such a learning experience. I should note that I’m a stubborn, independent person – and I love to learn. So if there is an option to do anything myself, I’m going to learn how (unless it involves putting myself in danger, of course). I should note that the fact my writing buddy did it all himself gave me an extra boost of confidence because, if need be, I could reach out to him for help (and I did).

I opted to go the Amazon route (I know, I know – trust me – if my local bookshop had this service, they would be my first choice), and I sat down with my finished manuscript open on one side of the screen and Amazon’s directions on the other half. I am a fairly tech savvy person, but even so, I feel like the directions were very clear and easy to follow – so if you’re considering this route but nervous about, give it a try. (My one complaint is that I followed their directions for embedding the fonts, and when I uploaded the file, it told me the fonts weren’t embedded. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Receiving the printed proof was, of course, thrilling – to hold my book as a book in my own hands. But I’ll be honest that it didn’t feel…quite right. Originally, I opted for the 6×9 size, but once it was in my possession, it just felt big. A bit cumbersome. I spent some time holding and flipping through the books on my shelf, trying to figure out what felt ‘right’, and I settled on 5.25×8, refigured the doc, and sent out for another printed proof, which arrived this week. Bingo. I love it so much more. ❤

I’m not one to write in my books, but I figured this was the easiest way to proofread – so I picked up my red pen and got to work, wondering how long it would take to come across the first typo (because I have proofread this thing SO MANY times – both on screen and printed out). Well, it didn’t take long at all. There was a typo in the first word.

The. First. Word.

But, in my defense, I had played around with drop caps (before ultimately deciding not to use them), and in changing back to regular text, the ‘r’ in wrangling got deleted without my notice. (－‸ლ)

That’ll teach me to play with drop caps.

I have about eighty pages left to proof, then it will be time to input the edits into doc, upload, and order a final proof (just to make sure the formatting is right). Then, it’s go time. (Well, more like wait time – wait until the author copies come in that I can send out to my Kickstarter backers, and then more wait time until the launch date on June 6.)

Music to My Ears

Several years ago, I admitted in front of a friend that I didn’t care for the music of a rather popular musician. I didn’t say I hated their stuff. I didn’t say it was bad. I said nothing other than it didn’t resonate with me.

This friend turned to me and said, “I feel sorry for you.”

The comment took me aback for a moment, but then I said, “There’s no reason to be.” I have plenty of music that brings me joy. That can put me in a good mood. That I can listen to when I’m feeling down. That I can sing to when I’m driving and feeling tired.

Music is such a personal thing. It’s a personal taste. What resonates with one person isn’t necessarily going to resonate with another. And that’s ok. There’s no reason to feel sorry for me. I don’t need all music to resonate with me – I just need to find the songs and musicians that do.

I do understand that people get so attached to the things that bring them joy that it can be hard to see how someone else could possibly not get joy from it. I get it because I’ve been there – felt that sinking feeling where you hand over a song, which has become a piece of you, and someone else says, ‘Meh.’ It can feel like a personal attack on our self.

It’s the same with books. I hate recommending books I really love to people because it again feels like, ‘Here’s a little piece of my soul, I hope you like it.’

I’m trying to keep this in mind as I’m about to launch my second book. Not everyone is going to love it. Or like it, for that matter. But that’s ok (I keep telling myself – eventually it will sink in). No one story is for everyone. My stories are not for everyone. My only hope is that people are honest with me about it.

Kickstarter Results

No, I didn’t forget about you all on Friday – I opted to wait a couple days until the Kickstarter finished up this morning before posting again. This has been a big week in my writerly world. I got to hold a physical copy of my own book for the first time! AND my Kickstarter campaign ended at a total that was beyond my wildest dreams! (Over six times my wildest dreams.)

I’m so grateful for every single person who backed this project, and I am so excited (and a bit terrified, honestly, as any writer would be) to get this story into their hands. There is still some work to be done before that happens, though! I am currently about a third of the way through proofreading the printed copy. Once I’m done, I’ll input those edits, do a final check on formatting, and print the final proof before ordering copies for everyone who pledged for a physical copy. I’m hoping to have those in my possession by the start of April so that I can get everything organized to be sent out.

This has been a wild ride, and I’m still in awe over the support this story has gotten. Huge thanks to you all for coming along for the ride. 🙂

Some things I learned from this process:

Most backers seem to prefer intangible add ons (having a character named after them, naming a pet, etc.) over physical ones (bookmarks, journals, keychains – though of those, bookmarks was the most popular option). (I’d imagine someone who owned/did their own artwork would probably have success with prints, perhaps character art on things like totes, etc.)
It’s a great way to reach folks you might not otherwise – I had NO idea there was such a large publishing community on Kickstarter. If I had come up with a list of places to market my book, Kickstarter would not have been anywhere near it. And yet – a quarter of the backers are people I don’ t know. In addition, I was surprised a bit by some of the folks I do know that backed it (not because they aren’t supportive people – just because, again, if I had written up a list of who I thought would have backed this, the list wouldn’t have been very long). Either way, this process has felt like a warm hug.
One of the things they tell you when you are learning about goals (i.e. one of the things I discuss with my students about the research pertaining to goal setting) is that you need a realistic timeline. In this case, it was a timeline that once out there, there was no stopping it. Talk about a motivator. 😉 This turned out to be a really great way to hold myself publicly accountable (mostly to not let the imposter syndrome set in and delay the project out of fear). I first told a few friends about this, then my writing group – so I was accountable to get it started. And once it was live, everyone knew. There are legal obligations now. hehe. [averts eyes] It also allowed me to make this book a priority, which is sometimes hard to do when there are so many demands on my time.
I set my initial Kickstarter goal low mostly because I wanted to make sure the campaign met it’s funding. I put it where I honestly thought I could meet it. I came up with two stretch goals, figuring I’d need maybe one if I was lucky. Cut to me scrambling to figure out stretch goals. My advice? Be reasonable in your initial goal – but plan more stretch goals than you think you will need. If anything, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when they are reached – but not disappointed if they don’t. (And you won’t have to scramble if things move faster than you expected. Like I had to.)
If you are doing this is a way to give your backers access to your book before it launches, make sure you use something other than/in addition to KDP for printing – they don’t allow pre-orders on paperbacks, so you wouldn’t be able to get copies for your people until the book is live. Places like IngramSpark and B&N press do allow you to get copies in advance. Also, I’ve since learned that KDP won’t let you gift an eBook to someone in a country different than your own – so keep that in mind if you are including eBooks as a tier.

This has been such a wonderful experience so far. 10/10 – would recommend.

Childhood Dream Fulfilled

Ever since I signed the contract for my first book (well, ever since childhood – it just started to feel like a real possibility with the contract), I’ve been so excited to hold my book in my hands. My book. In book format. Like a real book. I thought that would have been Alice’s story, but as I’ve learned many times in life, you never know how things will go.

And so yesterday, I got to hold Lucy’s story in my hands. It’s been surreal, and the response has been hearth warming and supportive. I’m still in a bit of shock, to be honest. I’ve waited a long time for this.

And then my cat promptly rubbed her cheeks all over it and declared it hers. I should have seen that coming…

Soundtrack: Where Would I Be

Songs and music featured on the Wherever Would I Be Soundtrack

I had so much fun putting this playlist together. Click on any of the images above to hear the songs on YouTube.

A Big Week for WWIB

This has been a big week for the world of Wherever Would I Be. (And me.) This week, I learned ALL about typesetting, and it turns out, I actually enjoyed it. Mostly.

The formatting wasn’t so bad (Amazon provides pretty clear directions to follow; and yeah, I know, evil corp – but an indie author can’t get by without them these days…), and I remember the moment I realized my baby manuscript suddenly looked like a grown up book.

This is the joy I’ve been longing for with my first book.

After I got the typesetting all done, then found and fixed all the (truly, awfully named) orphans and widows, I put the finishing touches on the cover (much thanks to my editor and writing group for feedback on the back cover blurb… why is it SO hard to write those?). And then embedded my fonts and created a PDF, just like the website told me to.

And then I uploaded the doc. Hit preview. And:

There were suddenly new orphans EVERYWHERE, and every single line at the end of the chapter was formatted like the above pic. I kept fixing and uploading and fixing and uploading and… you get the idea. Then I lamented to my writing bestie, Jack, asking if he had a similar experience. He smartly asked what type of document I uploaded – he had uploaded a PDF.

And then I realized my error. I may have created the PDF. But I uploaded the word doc. Over and over. [sigh] I uploaded the PDF, and, aside from my fonts not being embedded (even though I followed the directions on their site ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ), the formatting was perfect.

And now, they are printing up a proof of my baby, which should be here by Sunday. And I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa.

Kickstarter: Halfway!

Can I start by saying that I’m shocked how many folks have taken me up on naming a character after them in my murder mystery? 🤣 So many friends totally ok with me offing them on paper…

If that wasn’t shocking enough – the project is currently sitting at 546% funded. I had dinner with a friend this week who told me that I set the original goal too low – but I honestly set it where I felt it would be most manageable – where if I didn’t reach it, I could back the difference myself (if you’re unfamiliar with Kickstarter, if the project doesn’t reach its goal, then you don’t get any of the money pledged – it’s all or nothing). If you had told me we’d be at this level by the end, let alone halfway through, I probably would have called you a liar. Yet here we are. I keep saying over and over how overwhelmed I am by this support – and I’m being 100% genuine in saying this.

We still have two weeks to go. While the project continues, I’ve been working on finishing up edits, typesetting, and putting the finishing touches on the cover. Soon, I will get to upload and order a printed proof. In a short while, I’ll be holding a bound copy – and I cannot wait! One more read through, and Lucy should be ready for the world. 😊

Wherever Would I Be: Excerpt

Lucy blinked.

Then she blinked again, harder this time, certain that her eyes were playing a trick on her. But there he sat.

The man, seated behind a worn, dark walnut writer’s desk with thin, hand-carved legs, wore a chocolate brown dress jacket with a high collar and small puffs on top of his shoulders – the likes of which Lucy had never seen outside of a history book or museum. A line of golden buttons started beneath each shoulder and veered inward, meeting high on his waist and giving the illusion of broad shoulders and slim hips. Though when the man stood up, the illusion proved unnecessary. His light brown, high-waisted trousers, dotted and smeared with black ink from the fountain pen he held, accentuated his long legs. His eye-catching, out-of-place clothing hadn’t stopped Lucy in her tracks – but rather how she could clearly see the patterned wallpaper directly behind him.

She blinked once more, attempting to clear her eyes of whatever distorted her vision. Surely the man before her was not actually translucent. Surely this was some sort of trick of light.

He lifted the paper he had been writing on and carried it closer to the window to allow the sunlight to fall directly on it.

Through it?

He squinted at his work before giving a quick nod and returning to his seat.

Lucy reached her fingers up to her own hair, the curl and the auburn color with copper highlights almost a perfect match to the man’s.

Something felt familiar about him, which prompted her to take a step to her right, to stand within the frame of the door despite her heart racing as she did, begging her to flee. Something told her she didn’t need to be afraid of him, something more than their resemblance, but she couldn’t place it. She opened her mouth to speak.

“Lucy? Where’d you wander off to?”

Lucy peered over her shoulder at the sound of her boss’s voice, blood rushing to her cheeks, embarrassed that the man certainly heard and caught her intruding. When she turned back, however, the man had vanished, nothing in the sunlight but the dust hanging in the air.

Kickstarter: Day One

I’m not playing when I say that I went into this assuming that I’d have to “back” myself in order to make up the different to get to the initial minimum goal – so perhaps you can imagine my (genuine) shock when the project reach the minimum goal one minute shy of four hours from the launch… We still have twenty-nine and a half days to go.

Most of the backers are folks I know – and I appreciate each and every one of you who have pledged. It means so much that my friends want to be a part of this journey. (It also terrifies me to think about any of you actually reading the book. Hello, imposter syndrome, my old friend).

A couple of the pledges are from folks I don’t know, and it probably sounds strange, but it feels validating. Someone wants a copy of this story – and not only because they know me. (Not saying my friends don’t want to read the story, too…)

Legitimately just trying to wrap my head around this. Six hours in, and sitting at 124% backed. ❤

Kickin’ Off Kickstarter

Today is the day! My Kickstarter is live. Part of the process of creating the campaign is the “story” and rewards – I thought I’d share them here:

WHEREVER WOULD I BE

Hi. I’m Ami Maxine, a writer of quiet stories. I love to explore the way in which people form and maintain all kinds of relationships, which translates into a love of consuming and writing character-driven stories.

Wherever Would I Be (new adult) is my second novel. I’m opting to self-publish partly for the experience, partly for the control over the project. My debut novel is being published with Scarsdale Publishing, and while I wait for edits, I’ve turned my attention to Lucy.

Image of a handdrawn girl reading a book while lying on the floor. The text reads as follows: When Lucy, now 17, was one, she was adopted into a loving family, eventually joined by four other adopted siblings. Unlike them, though, she doesn't know anything about her birth family. Oh, and she can see her dead ancestors.

This is a story about family and identity – about a young woman who loves the family she has, and who at the same time can’t help but wonder about the family she lost. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon an imprint (like a ghost – but not) of what turns out to be her long-ago dead ancestor. She makes the choice to follow this thread, and she is sent down a path that will lead her to everything she has ever wanted to know about her birth family – and some things she didn’t.

WHY YOU SHOULD BACK THIS PROJECT

Well, if this sounds like a book you might like to read, then the answer is you will get the book a month before it launches. If you know me, and you were going to buy it anyway, again, you’ll get it early – but you’ll also get the warm fuzzies for helping me fund the most perfect cover this book could ever have. 🙂 Plus, if you opt to add them on, you can receive some Lucy swag that won’t be available anywhere else.

THE COVER

I’ve been following Pascal Campion on Instagram ever since my writing buddy, Jack, first brought him to my attention in 2015. I love his style – the way he creates layers and uses light (which is, coincidentally, a theme in this story). And one day, he posted an image that made me think – that’s Lucy! After spending a long time assuming I’d never in a million years be able to use said image as a cover (including attempts of trying to contact Campion through Instagram), my writing group convinced me to try and find an alternate route of contact…and here we are. I encourage you to check out his work.

THE REWARDS

WWIB Digital – $10USD

For this level, you’ll receive an eBook version of Wherever Would I Be (formats available: TBD (pdf, ePub, or Kindle-friendly .mobi)).

*Add ons include ‘name a character in my next book’ ($25) – see below for more information

WWIB Signed Paperback – $20USD

For this level, you’ll receive a personalized/signed paperback copy of Wherever Would I Be shipped through USPS (to U.S. only, currently – if you are elsewhere and interested in this level, please contact me for shipping cost – but just a heads up, prices start at thirty bucks just to ship to my neighbors to the north – hi, Canada!).

You can also opt to add a second signed copy for an additional $15. Get one for you – and one for a friend.

*U.S. shipping adds $5USD

*Add ons include set of three bookmarks ($5), WWIB Journal ($10), second signed copy of WWIB ($15), Name a character in my next book ($25) – see below for more information

WWIB Bookclub eBook Bundle – $50USD

For this level, you’ll receive six codes for the eBook version of Wherever Would I Be (formats available: TBD (pdf, ePub, or Kindle-friendly .mobi)).

*Add ons include ‘name a character in my next book’ ($25) – see below for more information

ADD ONS

WWIB Bookmarks – $5USD

A set of three bookmark images. On the left, there is a hand drawn young woman with red hair - she is laying on her back and reading with the title of the book and my name above her. The middle is a section of the cover showing the silhouetted young woman with the title and my name along the bottom. The one on the right has a tall stack of books. The same hand drawn red haired young woman is sitting on the stack of books and reading.

Limited Edition WWIB Journal – $10USD

Limited edition WWIB journal exclusive to this Kickstarter campaign (blank inside, 5.5×8.5, Metal spiral bound, 80 lined pages). (Unless we reach the second stretch goal, only ten of these will be available.)

One for a Friend – $15USD

You can also opt to add a second signed copy of WWIB for an additional $15. Get one for you – and one for a friend.

Have a Character Named After You in my Next Book – $25USD

I’m currently working on a murder mystery novel (in the research stage). Add this on to your donation, and I will name one of the characters after you (and I will consult with you about it).

STRETCH GOALS

$500 – Set of Three Bookmarks

My goal for this project is to cover half of the fee to license the cover art. If we keep going and reach this goal, bookmarks all around! (If you included bookmarks as an add-on, you’ll get an extra set. Digital purchases within the U.S. will receive a set via USPS; digital purchases outside of the U.S. will receive a printable PDF.)

$750 – Cap will be removed from number of journals available

$1000 – 👀 Revealed if we reach $750

About Ami Maxine

Image is a cartoonized version of myself - it's a woman with a blonde ponytail, a maroon shirt, and black-rimmed glasses.

I’m Ami Maxine. I’ve spent my entire life moving back and forth across the WI/IL border, though I currently reside in Green Bay, WI. I writes stories under the genres of Women’s Fiction, low Science Fiction/Fantasy, and Murder Mystery. I am on a quest to find the best chocolate, the best chai, and the best whiskey. You can find me here:

Image shows my twitter/instagram handle, which is @ByAmiMaxine, as well as my URL, which is www.ByAmiMaxine.com

Risks and challenges

Generally speaking, this should be a low-risk project. The book is finished. The only risks at this point would involve supply chain.