Over the years, I have heard authors (myself included) lament over the fact that while writing a book is hard work, there is nothing so difficult as having to spend an exorbitant amount of time on editing, publishing, and marketing.

We DREAD it. And it often saps the joy right out of our labor of love.

I’m writing this as I watch the daily struggle of a friend and first-time author as she attempts the task of formatting for paperback and e-book. As she becomes more and more disheartened and discouraged, I tell her 

It doesn’t have to be so!

I will be the first to admit that it does cost money for cover design and all of the rest. Money that I scrimp and save for each week so I can pay for help each time I need it.

So, if you’re about to publish your very first book, here’s my suggestion: Do it all.

That’s right. Try to do everything for yourself. Even keep a log of your hours. In the end, I think (unless you’ve been technologically blessed) you will agree you never want to have to go through that again!

Professionals can get the job done in a mere fraction of the time it took you—and using them for your next book will assure you of coming away from the whole experience still loving to write!