I just realized how similar it is that at the same time I’m preparing to get this baby out into the world, I’m trying to get this book out into the world as well. This is how similar both processes are:
~Same crazy elation in the beginning. The idea of it all sounding so wonderful. Not truly thinking about how much work was ahead.
~Five months of morning/day/night sickness equal to the painful revision process. I also took two grueling workshops during this time that was as helpful as it was critical.
~As the baby grew so did all the things I needed to read about self-publishing.
~Spending money: factoring in all the things I needed to purchase for my expanding belly and for the needs of the baby and started laying out money for the website/cover/editor/copy editor/book formatter/ISBN’s/review copies…
~Having to lean on others. I haven’t been able to lift things over 20 lbs for a while, I can’t pick much up off the floor, and I can only waddle around so long before I get Braxton Hicks contractions. I’m also at the point in self-publishing where I’m asking more detailed questions on the forums and blogs.
~Starting to get tired. Tired of moving around and also tired of trying so hard to get this book out there. I keep trying to stay focused on the outcome I’m working toward but it is getting pretty hard to feel motivated at this point.
~Worries. The closer I’m getting to my due date/launch date the more I’m getting worried at what’s ahead. I had a baby already and I know exactly what’s to come. How much sleep I’ll get and how much time I’ll have for myself. I’ve also heard how grueling bad reviews can be, how my sales will most likely be few until I can really get noticed somewhere, and how tedious all the self-promotion can be.
~Can’t change things now. This baby/book is going to come out and I’ll just have to try my best to get it out as perfect as I can get it. I can’t keep either thing inside me any longer!
~Letting Go. These two things I’ve been creating for so long–two incredibly important things–I must release into the world. They’re going to go from being safe inside me to starting their own journey; where other people can ultimately ignore or judge them. But hopefully, where some will appreciate and love them the way I have.
laurenwaters 
Lauren, congratulations about your baby!
It’s important to have reviews, so send your novel to as many blog reviewers as you can. The Kindle Boards have some supportive discussions you can join when you have time: people check the tags for other writers, which helps your book come up on searches, plus follow each other on Twitter, which helps everybody get some exposure. But take time to breathe and enjoy this moment. You have some wonderful accomplishments.
Thank you, Holly! The baby will be here before I know it! I need to get ready to send out for reviews. I’m working on a whole blog review list right now and I’ll hopefully get a few out in time for my launch date. I love the Kindle Boards but I don’t know anything about checking tags. Where are you able to check tags for other writers? That sounds great!
Hi, Lauren:
If you look under Kindleboards, then under Writers Cafe, there is a tag thread (up to about 750 pages). They ask that new people list their books and then go back about 6 pages and check the search tags of the other books going forward. The search tags are the descriptions of your book that come up in searches.
I need to send out for more reviews, too. I’ve requested a few, but need to sit down and request dozens more. I’ve heard a lot of review sites have long waiting lists.