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Robert Stephen, writer, photographer, storyteller
  • Home
  • blog
  • Writing
  • Helpful Hints for Writers of Fiction
  • WHAT OTHER WRITERS HAVE TO SAY
  • AUDIO ESSAYS-STORIES-AND MORE
  • Photography
  • Rory and El Paso
  • Pierre and the Baker
  • About
  • Connect
Robert Stephen, writer, photographer, storyteller

THE EXCITING JOURNEY OF Writing
​a Fictional Book

"IT'S A LUXURY BEING A WRITER,
​ BECAUSE ALL YOU EVER THINK ABOUT IS LIFE."

​AMY TAN






The Process Continues-Next Level of Difficulty

7/8/2016
​Now that the book is published and is available on several platforms, I guess waiting around for the sales to roll in could result in a long wait. Is not the world aware of all the hours that I spent writing this gem? Early mornings, late nights, re-writing along with more re-writing. The store is open and the book is in the window. Oh-my, oh-my, where did I go wrong?
                This level of self-anxiety is ill founded. I equate this experience to someone who makes great tasting ice cream in several flavors. However, his storefront is in an empty back alley four blocks from the main street full of foot traffic. No one knows the quality of his product because no one knows he exists!
                Welcome to the next level of self-publishing. Until my friend the ice cream vendor becomes known for great ice cream, he has to stand on a corner, give away samples, talk about his product, and build word of mouth. If he is any good than little by little, his fan base will grow.
                Going to Smashwords was not a bad decision, uploading the book to their requirements might have been a pain, but after a few tries we were successful. They in turn distributed the book to several platforms, iBooks/iTunes, Nook, and many more. Kindle, very easy, we uploaded to their platform without any real problems.
                Giving a book away for free has not been as painful as I first imagined. On the first day, 34 strangers, no friends, downloaded a copy. It has slowed down on the second and third day, but SWWC, "so what who cares," the journey continues with one foot in front of the other. We will keep updated as to see what sales are like six weeks from this posting.
                Currently, the next book is in re-write and will be out Sept 15. With another scheduled to be published in mid November, and the fourth will be out by March 1st. My friend the ice cream vendor found that the more flavors he had to offer, the bigger his business grew.

Again, thank you for visiting the website and taking a moment to read this post. A free download of the book is available until July 13. 

Sincerely,

​Robert Stephen
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    Author

    Robert Stephen.
    What makes a writer? What do you envision when you think about that question?

    Someone sitting by an open window looking out over the ocean, desert, mountains? Rainy day, foggy, sunny? 

    My definition of a writer of fiction. A person who drives himself or herself to the edge of insanity when writing a story to the best of their ability that you the reader find entertaining.

    I can honestly say my life has been interesting, far from boring.  Land baron, restaurateur, photographer, artisan, author. A life full of ups and downs. A life full of stories.

    Along the way I've met hundreds of people, some interesting, some not. Some dangerous, some beautiful, some kind, and some cruel. During my lifetime I've even had my heart run over a couple of times, but when all of it is said and done I wouldn't trade it in. 


    Writing has always been inside of me, but the siren never called to me. I wasn't ready until one day in October of 2015 when life said, "Start writing."

    Writing is a long journey, full of many perils, but don't be afraid it is an exciting adventure! 

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