Current Events > I just self-published my second book (first novel). AMA!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Bring it on, CE. No question is off limits.

is it good?

Why would you self-publish?

Isn't it lame how the Sparda sword really fell by the wayside in DMC5? I mean DSD has the summoned swords and the swordmaster style built into the default moveset. You'd think they'd at least return the Sparda to its DMC1 final boss battle glory, even if it's a non-canon unlockable. They just made it an alternate Rebellion, didn't even give it drive which Rebellion had in 3 and 4.
You will be happy to know that this is not my only complaint about DMC5 weapons. I have at least a few armfuls.

@Robot2600 posted...

is it good?

I like to think so, and it was reviewed by an independent panel of judges and they gave it 7.5/10, so I'd say, yeah, it's alright.

@Llaeto7 posted...

Why would you self-publish?

Cause trying to get a traditional publisher is a fucking crap shoot, and it's how these things work today. You gotta do your own thing, make your own sales, and be close to the top of the charts before they even think about picking you up. Unless, of course, you know someone in the industry; in which case, they'll help you out. I don't know anyone like that, and it was a more laborious process (doing everything myself) but all the dollars come back to me at the end of the day.

Whats it about?

@ViewtifulJoe posted...

Isn't it lame how the Sparda sword really fell by the wayside in DMC5? I mean DSD has the summoned swords and the swordmaster style built into the default moveset. You'd think they'd at least return the Sparda to its DMC1 final boss battle glory, even if it's a non-canon unlockable. They just made it an alternate Rebellion, didn't even give it drive which Rebellion had in 3 and 4.
You will be happy to know that this is not my only complaint about DMC5 weapons. I have at least a few armfuls.

Not really. Homie sealed themself away because they felt that that shit was too strong. It was a decision Densetsu no Makenshi made, and should be respected. Who are the developers to tell the character that they were wrong in their choice?

@Shablagoo posted...

Whats it about?

I'll just drop you the back synopsis. It's a horror novel, by the way.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/2/8/AABMX9AADF9M.jpg

Congrats, but that back cover is really hard on the eyes.

I just think if the game was gonna go that hard on fanservice then turn everyone's power level up to over 9000 at the end, even letting Majin Devil Trigger find its way back in, it'd be cool if NG+ at least gave the other two swords some unique style points if making them sidegrades was too much because it would just make DSD look bad.

I kind of like the Resident Evil 4 boxart looking cover but it does not make me think of shady hospital goings-on at all. I am guessing the anonymous doctor was not actually a doctor.

@Conception616 posted...

Congrats, but that back cover is really hard on the eyes.

Yeah. Online it is. In the actual print version it's not too bad (it was one of the problems we originally had until we got a print copy). Thankfully, it's way toned down on the kindle version. Also, thanks homie. It feels good to have a five year project that I've done everything for finally come to fruition.

@ViewtifulJoe posted...

I just think if the game was gonna go that hard on fanservice then turn everyone's power level up to over 9000 at the end, even letting Majin Devil Trigger find its way back in, it'd be cool if NG+ at least gave the other two swords some unique style points if making them sidegrades was too much because it would just make DSD look bad.

I kind of like the Resident Evil 4 boxart looking cover but it does not make me think of shady hospital goings-on at all. I am guessing the anonymous doctor was not actually a doctor.

I mean, the problem with doing fanservice is you're never gonna be done with it, because there is always gonna be a fan calling you out on something while another likes/loves it. It's a very difficult fine line to walk.

As far as the cover art goes, I can get with that, but it's based off a picture of the hospital I took that I based the whole story off of. Sure, it looks more like a house, but hey, that's how they built 'em in the 1800s. I used a lot of the real world history behind said hospital as well. Most humans who live in Montreal will see that cover and go, "Holy Shit! Is that the ***********?"

Stars are there to ensure that no one will ever know the actual name so I cannot get sued, cause I believe that @Crono99 would recognize it, and I dunno if they'd dime on me or not, haha.

Good for you TC, that's amazing.

Nice. I may order a copy and check it out. I like reading horror.

If I order it off Amazon how much money from the sale goes to you? I've no idea how any of that stuff works.

@MorbidFaithless posted...

Good for you TC, that's amazing.

Thanks, homie. It was a 5 year love/hate affair. I loved writing it, and somewhat loved editing it, but absolutely hated finding humans to edit it, make cover art, doing marketing, and everything in between.

@a-c-a-b posted...

Nice. I may order a copy and check it out. I like reading horror.

If I order it off Amazon how much money from the sale goes to you? I've no idea how any of that stuff works.

Horror is the best genre!
The book is priced below $20 CAD, and I make $5 from every purchase. That's fine by me because they (amazon, b&n, etc) do it print on demand, so I pay zero up front, they take the printing and shipping costs, while I still get like 25% of the revenue, which is roughly what I'd make going with a trad publisher.

Since we're both into the underground music scene, it's like Stomp records is doing all the leg work for distro, and I just collect after the final product is out.

Amazing!! Way to go.

@Stalolin posted...

Amazing!! Way to go.

Thanks, homeslice. You have any creative endeavors you'd like to share?

Eat More Beef posted...

Yeah. Online it is. In the actual print version it's not too bad (it was one of the problems we originally had until we got a print copy). Thankfully, it's way toned down on the kindle version. Also, thanks homie. It feels good to have a five year project that I've done everything for finally come to fruition.

A general tip for color contrast (the main issue with the back cover) is to put a black outline around the letters. That way it'll show up much more clearer regardless of background color / pattern used.

@Life Sympathy posted...

A general tip for color contrast (the main issue with the back cover) is to put a black outline around the letters. That way it'll show up much more clearer regardless of background color / pattern used.

Oh shit. That's a great tip. I'll make sure to tell my graphic designer that next time for the back; however, it was not necessary for the front, I believe.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/1/9/AABMX9AADF-n.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/3/5/AAaYRLAADF-3.png

Did it get reviewed thru a sensitivity reader before publishing? You don't want to get cancelled right?

nice

I hope this is just the beginning of a fruitful career.

@a-c-a-b posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/3/5/AAaYRLAADF-3.png

Wicked! I hope you enjoy it. Feel free ti give me the business when you're done.

@sneakysnake posted...

Did it get reviewed thru a sensitivity reader before publishing? You don't want to get cancelled right?

Actually, it kinda did. Through the site I used to publish it. They do keyword checks then read for context. It ain't no Shapiro book.

@[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Nah, but it's an MTL institution, so better safe than sorry. They got lawyers. I'm just a janitor.

@g0ldie posted...

nice

I hope this is just the beginning of a fruitful career.

Thanks, homie!

@[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Thanks, duder.

What did it cost to self-publish?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Yeah. That's a paddling.

@WingsOfGood posted...

What did it cost to self-publish?

Technically, it's free. It's print on demand through all major online retailers. But, if you want a good product, you gotta pay for a graphic designer if you can't do that yourself. Pay an editor (spec is $0.02 per word, so for a 100000 word manuscript...)

You're essentially paying for quality and professionalism. It cost me around 3Gs by launch, but it was spread out over a year and a bit.

Eat More Beef posted...

@

Thanks, homeslice. You have any creative endeavors you'd like to share?

I am working on a novel but it's a long, long way from being finished.

MorbidFaithless posted...

Good for you TC, that's amazing.

Yea, congrats.

so awesome, congrats. i've been working on publishing my first novel but i've been sidetracked/distracted the past couple months and now it seems more impossible than ever

really awesome though, keep it up!

Congrats! I'll check it out :)