Self Publishing nightmare

AndrewMowere · 11-04-2016, 04:29 AM

A week ago, I decided that I wanted to check up on my debut novel's editing. I was horrified, truly and utterly. It seemed like the thing was still on first draft, and it made me wonder if something had gone terribly wrong or if I was such a bad editor that there were even some missing words and half-written sentences in my work. I seemed to have no better version. However, there was a telltale sign. Years and such were in numerical form, even though I was certain they'd been changed.
After checking on goodreads through my blog, one of my writing buddies and reviewers confirmed that the version she'd read was different.

I misplaced my well edited version and had uploaded a bad one on smashwords and amazon. For three months.

You could imagine my reaction. I pulled the versions back and edited them from scratch in a flurry. Now they're up again. The whole time, my heart was clenched. Reveiewers had SEEN that nonesense. The book has been set to free now as an apology to the world in general. Also, sorry if you'd happened to pick it up.

Has anyone had any horrible experiences? I assume no one here is an idiot such as I, but still. What's the worst self publishing experience you've had so far?

Dr. Drib · 11-04-2016, 06:06 AM

You now have no recourse except to wear a disguise when appearing in public.

Here's the perfect solution to your embarrassing problem so that no one will recognize you.

I recommend you go with the disguise on the right.

drofgnal · 11-04-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewMowere

A week ago, I decided that I wanted to check up on my debut novel's editing. I was horrified, truly and utterly. It seemed like the thing was still on first draft, and it made me wonder if something had gone terribly wrong or if I was such a bad editor that there were even some missing words and half-written sentences in my work. I seemed to have no better version. However, there was a telltale sign. Years and such were in numerical form, even though I was certain they'd been changed.
After checking on goodreads through my blog, one of my writing buddies and reviewers confirmed that the version she'd read was different.

I misplaced my well edited version and had uploaded a bad one on smashwords and amazon. For three months.

You could imagine my reaction. I pulled the versions back and edited them from scratch in a flurry. Now they're up again. The whole time, my heart was clenched. Reveiewers had SEEN that nonesense. The book has been set to free now as an apology to the world in general. Also, sorry if you'd happened to pick it up.

Has anyone had any horrible experiences? I assume no one here is an idiot such as I, but still. What's the worst self publishing experience you've had so far?

Use a Mac, and a time machine backup for all your work. It saves old versions, even if you mistakenly save over one.

AndrewMowere · 11-04-2016, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drofgnal

Use a Mac, and a time machine backup for all your work. It saves old versions, even if you mistakenly save over one.

That's a useful feature.

Doctor, your prescriptions always pick me right up! I like the shiny white coat on that left one, though.

dgatwood · 11-06-2016, 01:14 AM

The way I avoid those sorts of issues is to always name interesting files with date stamps, e.g. tiw-2015-12-01.fixed.html.

matteomatt · 12-08-2016, 04:22 PM

I did not have any nightmares that bad but I had alot of trouble learning to submit the proper format to Amazon KDP.

I also noticed graphical errors throughout one book based on word not copying certain characters over to HTML properly, but I got that fixed. I had to go through and re-upload books many times.

AndrewMowere · 12-09-2016, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteomatt

I did not have any nightmares that bad but I had alot of trouble learning to submit the proper format to Amazon KDP.

I also noticed graphical errors throughout one book based on word not copying certain characters over to HTML properly, but I got that fixed. I had to go through and re-upload books many times.

What kind of graphical errors? I don't understand what this means. Images from the book not translating to amazon's .mobi?

11-04-2016, 04:29 AM	#1
AndrewMowere Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 2050612 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: none	Self Publishing nightmare A week ago, I decided that I wanted to check up on my debut novel's editing. I was horrified, truly and utterly. It seemed like the thing was still on first draft, and it made me wonder if something had gone terribly wrong or if I was such a bad editor that there were even some missing words and half-written sentences in my work. I seemed to have no better version. However, there was a telltale sign. Years and such were in numerical form, even though I was certain they'd been changed. After checking on goodreads through my blog, one of my writing buddies and reviewers confirmed that the version she'd read was different. I misplaced my well edited version and had uploaded a bad one on smashwords and amazon. For three months. You could imagine my reaction. I pulled the versions back and edited them from scratch in a flurry. Now they're up again. The whole time, my heart was clenched. Reveiewers had SEEN that nonesense. The book has been set to free now as an apology to the world in general. Also, sorry if you'd happened to pick it up. Has anyone had any horrible experiences? I assume no one here is an idiot such as I, but still. What's the worst self publishing experience you've had so far?

11-04-2016, 06:06 AM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	You now have no recourse except to wear a disguise when appearing in public. Here's the perfect solution to your embarrassing problem so that no one will recognize you. I recommend you go with the disguise on the right. Attached Thumbnails

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11-06-2016, 01:14 AM	#5
dgatwood Curmudgeon Posts: 629 Karma: 1623086 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: iPad, iPhone, Nook Simple Touch	The way I avoid those sorts of issues is to always name interesting files with date stamps, e.g. tiw-2015-12-01.fixed.html.

12-08-2016, 04:22 PM	#6
matteomatt Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Colorado Springs Device: none	I did not have any nightmares that bad but I had alot of trouble learning to submit the proper format to Amazon KDP. I also noticed graphical errors throughout one book based on word not copying certain characters over to HTML properly, but I got that fixed. I had to go through and re-upload books many times.