Producing My Next Book on a $0 Budget and Pimping My Friend's Book

I'm doing it.  I'm producing the next book all on my own again on a $0 budget with no beta reader, editor, or cover designer.  I am grateful for all the work my friends have done, and their sage advice, but I need to hire a professional editor.  I find this search to be a lot like dating, and to some degree marriage.  (Make sure you have a real contract and invoice.)  Ideally, the editor should be familiar with your genre (and write in it).  Sample their feedback style first to see if it works for you and meets your needs.  If it doesn't.  Move on. 

The real valuable lesson I learned is to slow down and copy-edit the shit out of my work, slowly.  I also believe reading the printed and e-book numerous times is the best strategy for me.  My last editor (thank you for the feedback on La Bruja del Barrio Loco) recommended that I read for specific errors, and that works really well because I know what my patterns are. 

What about the cover?  I have a writer group friend who is going to give me advice on my next cover. I've had the design in mind for a while, and I also have a friend who wants to take a crack at painting the cover.  She's quite good, but also a teacher, so I am going to see what emerges (for $0 ha ha).  

Wish me luck.  My next book is going to be a set of three YA short stories, all dealing with folklore.  I'm going for the PG-13 edition.  What?  You think I can't do it?  We will see.   

Well, The Harvest beckons, and I have a horrible migraine, but I'm finishing this novel this weekend.  

Oh, I almost forgot. If you want to read a genuinely hilarous book, you have to check out Todd Heldt's Jukebox Loser: An Owner's Manual for Idiot Desires.
It is available on Kindle Unlimited and worth the read!

Get to the finish line!  #Resist 

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