People with bipolar disorder usually leave behind a trail of expenses and unfinished projects. However, with the help of mental health professionals and an army of friends giving me moral support, I have tackled the publishing of my book as a project that needs cost, time management, and risk management. The scope of my project is to self-publish I Asked the Blue Heron: A Memoir early this fall.
I set up a budget that includes editing, proofreading, and publishing essentials as ISBN, barcode, and copyright. In the budget list also go cover design, printing costs, and marketing costs. Time management has been essential to keep expenses under budget. So I tried to be as meticulous as I can in the least amount of time possible. To manage the risk I have weighted the possibility of loss. How much will I lose if the book fails to sell? How much can I afford to lose? To minimize the possibility of failure, I have worked hard in writing the best story I could write, making every effort in holding the readers attention. I trust that my work is so good that readers recommend it.
However, this is not just a literary exercise. I Asked the Blue Heron, the title of my book, is a story written by a mentally ill woman, and that is a success story in itself. Whether my book sells or not, I feel I had done something most people with my condition are not able to do. I am managing the odds.
