10 Things I Didn't Know About Becoming a Published Author by C.V. Rosasco

Literal Exposure

ABOUT C.V. ROSASCO

C.V. Rosasco is an author and psychotherapist living and working in a weird town called Hollywood. He has worked as a stage and soap opera actor, a childrens' social worker in South Central L.A., an addiction specialist with gay addicts, and a janitor. He is a beach volleyball player, just took up Jiu-Jitsu, has had two nervous breakdowns ( 3 if you're really counting), and is an avid meditator / yogi.


  • 10 Things You Didn't Know About Becoming a Published Author

  • 1. The first thing I didn't know about becoming published was how easy it is to do as a self publisher. I used Amazon's Create Space to self publish and they made the process incredibly easy. Their support team was very easy to access and I had a whole lot of questions as we progressed.

  • 2. The second thing I didn't know, but had heard about, was how important editing is to a manuscript. I think I spent as much time editing as I did writing. It was also obvious that I could literally edit this book until I died and had to, at some point, let it go to publishing. I will take advantage of all the editing services Create Space has when I publish again.

  • 3. Thirdly, I didn't realize how hard it would be to market my book without a publisher. While the internet obviously makes marketing easier, without the leverage of a publisher, it is very challenging getting attention as a self publisher. Still, I think with the right work ethic, it is very achievable to get a good book sold .

  • 4. I didn't know about book trailers. I hired someone through Pump Up Your Book to do my trailer. The finished product was not only great, it gave me renewed energy in the marketing process of my book. This is really important when the marketing of a book starts feeling like a long, tedious chore.

  • 5. I didn't know that I would have to field constant questions from friends and family about "how's your book selling?" In that book sales take time, I sometimes wish they didn't even know about the book. I think the best response to this question is, "Great."

  • 6. I didn't know anything about book blogs and the value of them as a self publisher. I read Amanda Hocking's blog on how she got started and she credits blogs as a major form of leverage for her career. Her success, including attaining a publisher, is largely credited to the endorsement of book bloggers.

  • 7. I didn't know how fearful the whole writing / publishing process could be. Each time I sat down to write I had to overcome a fear that what I had to say was of little consequence. I had to trust the process and discipline myself to keep going. I joined a men's support group to keep me on track which was a huge form of motivation.

  • 8. I didn't know there were literally thousands of new titles that come on the market each month (thank God I didn't know that). I also didn't know that Stephanie Meyers and the Twilight series success was about as common as winning the lotto.

  • 9. I didn't know the value of people reading my book and absolutely loving it and the equal value of people reading it and shrugging their shoulders. I saw an interview with J.K. Rowling who said that each time she wrote a book she knew, "there would be many people who would think it's absolute crap, and that's the way it should be." That was comforting to know.

I didn't know that the writing itself, and accomplishing the finished product would truly be satisfying enough in and of themselves regardless of whether I sold one book or a million books. It was a constant source of enthusiasm and love for my life.

The Big Throw
The Big Throw

ABOUT THE BIG THROW

The terrifying challenges Charlie faces in a strange, parallel world called the Devic Realm, must be faced alone. His animal and spirit guides can only point the way.

An ominous test awaits him that will throw him into the shadowy forces of Washington D.C., al-Qaida, and the envoys of darkness on Earth.

On a planet lost in political violence and disconnected from the natural world, Charlie is challenged to grow up and embody the nature of love, commitment, and ferocity.