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The last six months have been particularly challenging for me in making progress. In May 2024, I received a manuscript evaluation from my editor, but my day job has kept me so busy that I have little time to focus on it. After months of juggling responsibilities with no clear end in sight, I finally decided to quit my job. I feel a tremendous sense of relief with this decision. I plan to spend September recovering (I've been sick for the last 3+ weeks) and recharging before moving in a new direction. I will get back on track with revising my second manuscript. I'll also dive into tutorials on how to use TikTok to market my first book, Spark, and commit to updating my blogs more regularly. 
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I have completed my second manuscript! It is currently under content review from an editor, who can point me to what works well and what needs to be improved or fixed in the story. I’m leaving the manuscript alone for two to three months so that I can edit the story with a fresh perspective. In the meantime, I am updating the blogs on this website and on Facebook, as well as posting on Instagram. I’m also brainstorming new outlines for my next project(s). The second manuscript is not a sequel to Spark. It is a story about a young adult who believes she is being haunted by a ghost after almost being hit by a car near a cemetery in Hong Kong.  Determining the investment required for self-publishing Spark involved meticulously considering various expenses. Upon completing the manuscript, I performed multiple rounds of self-review and edits. Subsequently, I engaged a professional editor for a comprehensive edit, encompassing copyediting, line editing, proofreading, formatting, and more, which amounted to CA$2,570. Navigating the self-publishing process led me to FriesenPress, which offered a spectrum of publishing packages. Opting for the Classic plan, priced at CA$4,999, granted access to a suite of services, including an editor’s manuscript evaluation, copy editing, book cover design and formatting, print and ebook distribution, and creating an author's website. To enhance Spark's visibility and appeal, I opted for supplementary services not covered in the Classic plan. These included creating a book trailer for CA$699 and acquiring an advance reader copy file and a physical book copy before publication, costing CA$51 and CA$126, respectively. Consequently, the total expenditure for the publication of Spark tallied at CA$8,445. Then, there were promotional endeavours that amounted to approximately CA$2,500. These initiatives encompassed securing paid editorial reviews, obtaining book insurance, and paying for my website’s domain, plan, and privacy protection. Reflecting on this experience, I acknowledge the need for discernment in promotional expenditures, as not all avenues yielded the anticipated returns. I'm curious—how much did you spend to self-publish your book, and what lessons did you learn? What would you do differently if you could do it all over again or when you're ready to publish your next book?  Lake Louise, AB Lake Louise is within Banff National Park. It has a beautiful lake surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Since moving to Calgary, my family has always celebrated our anniversary at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for afternoon tea. It has always been a wonderful experience, and the views of the emerald lake and mountains are truly breathtaking. In Spark, Jenny and her companions decide to rest at Lake Louise after a long day’s travel from BC to Alberta. It is also at Lake Louise that they learn about a deadly new virus with horrific symptoms tearing through BC. Calgary, AB Calgary is a city in western Alberta and the third largest city in Canada. I currently live in Calgary! In Spark, the characters discuss about the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is an annual ten-day event in July. It has shows (rodeo, dog bowl, freestyle motocross, etc.), music, attractions (parade, midway, shopping, etc.), and more! The book also mentions Calgary’s high elevation. If all the ice caps melt, Becky and her friends believe that Calgary, at an elevation of 1,047m, will still be above water. Regina, SK Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan. Driving from Calgary to Regina in the summer feels like gliding across an endless canvas of flat prairie land, framed by vast fields of golden wheat and other crops. In Spark, two people are airlifted to the Regina General Hospital, one of the city’s two major hospitals, after a particular event. Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg is the capital and largest city in Manitoba. I haven’t been to Winnipeg, and whenever people talk about it, they always mention the snowstorms. Anyhow, I hope to travel there one day. They have the largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the world, the Folklorama. Becky and her companions travel to Becky’s aunt’s place in Winnipeg's Linden Woods neighbourhood.  Thank you Indigo (The Core location) for giving me the opportunity to do a book signing event last week at their store. I got to meet so many people in the process. To those who have purchased a book, I hope that you'll enjoy reading Spark. If we've missed each other last week, Spark is still available at Indigo (The Core location), the Indigo online store, Pages . . ., Shelf Life Books, and of course, all other major retailers including Amazon and the FriesenPress bookstore.  Join me at the book signing event tomorrow! Come by Indigo at the Core (T.D. Square, 317 7 Ave SW T159, Calgary, AB) between 11 AM and 2 PM and say hello!  I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by, and now the Fall is here. The FriesenPress Book Catalogue: Vol. 14 has been released and a copy can be downloaded here. Spark is on page 82. Good news! Indigo Spirits (The Core location) is carrying Spark! Please check out the bookstore in the heart of downtown Calgary.  Working hard with my day job during the day, and writing my next book during the night. :) Saw these painted rocks at a neighbour's yard the other way when I walked the kids to the playground.  |
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