Starting January 2013, the Indelibles will be hosting a monthly feature
called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group,
this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find
each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and
anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.
What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (starting 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!
What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (starting 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!
Because being Indie doesn't have to mean going it alone.
JOIN US FOR INDIE LIFE!
This is my first post for Indelibles Indie Life and I have been contemplating where to begin....
I have so many things to say about being an Indie Writer, but if I say them all in this post, I won't have anything to write about next month. So, I have decided to stick with one particular topic each time I write for The Indelibles Monthly Meme.
This month I would like to tell you how and why I decided to self publish my novel.
Some of you who know me will have previously read this, so I hope it isn't too boring to read again....
One day a few years ago, I paid a visit to my local library and found a brochure advertising speaker Judy Barrass, who was to visit the Sunshine Coast Libraries, and was being commissioned by the Queensland Government to present steps and tips to Self Publishing.
I had already completed my book and was at a total loss before the conference, as to how to market and publish it. I was so impressed with Judy's lecture that I investigated Smashwords.com and decided to publish my first novel (He Came For Me), through their platform.
I found it quite easy, with my background knowledge of Microsoft Word, to upload my work to their site, following the instructions in their - How to Publish and Style Guides. I believe some people have difficulty with this task, but I believe, if you follow the steps set out in the Guides you should have no big issues.
At the time I published, I had never blogged or created a marketing network, which looking back was quite a challenge and a big mistake! If I could re-do my choices now, I would definitely try to build up a support network of other authors who would have helped me with the launch of my first book. It is very important to have a solid base to begin.
But, as I did not have this network in place, I released the book without any fanfare and was pleasantly surprised with the result. I was so excited with the news of my first sale! I felt elated that someone had actually bought my work! It was a great feeling and one that I re-live every time I read through my sales reports.
Just a reminder, my illustrator is having a sale on her custom designed book covers until the end of the month.
This is my first post for Indelibles Indie Life and I have been contemplating where to begin....
I have so many things to say about being an Indie Writer, but if I say them all in this post, I won't have anything to write about next month. So, I have decided to stick with one particular topic each time I write for The Indelibles Monthly Meme.
This month I would like to tell you how and why I decided to self publish my novel.
Some of you who know me will have previously read this, so I hope it isn't too boring to read again....
One day a few years ago, I paid a visit to my local library and found a brochure advertising speaker Judy Barrass, who was to visit the Sunshine Coast Libraries, and was being commissioned by the Queensland Government to present steps and tips to Self Publishing.
I had already completed my book and was at a total loss before the conference, as to how to market and publish it. I was so impressed with Judy's lecture that I investigated Smashwords.com and decided to publish my first novel (He Came For Me), through their platform.
I found it quite easy, with my background knowledge of Microsoft Word, to upload my work to their site, following the instructions in their - How to Publish and Style Guides. I believe some people have difficulty with this task, but I believe, if you follow the steps set out in the Guides you should have no big issues.
At the time I published, I had never blogged or created a marketing network, which looking back was quite a challenge and a big mistake! If I could re-do my choices now, I would definitely try to build up a support network of other authors who would have helped me with the launch of my first book. It is very important to have a solid base to begin.
But, as I did not have this network in place, I released the book without any fanfare and was pleasantly surprised with the result. I was so excited with the news of my first sale! I felt elated that someone had actually bought my work! It was a great feeling and one that I re-live every time I read through my sales reports.
Carolyn
Just a reminder, my illustrator is having a sale on her custom designed book covers until the end of the month.
Simply email Rebekah @
rebekahromani@gmail.com
to request a cover and
include this code: CBC30S
7 comments:
HI! I agree with you, all the bits about networks and marketing require a huge learning curve, so the sooner you dip your toe in the pond:) the better!
Yes, I agree with you. All the marketing and networking stuff entails a huge learning curve, so the sooner you di your toe in the pond:) the better!
Hi fellow Aussie Indie. I was much the same when I published my first book in Jan, although I did a have the startings of a network, it wasn't (and still isn't) very big. Thanks for the post.
Heidi - Thanks for dropping by.
K.A. - Nice to meet someone from Oz!
Marketing as an indie author is hard, but you're well on your way. Great post!
You were so brave to take on self-publishing when you didn't even know or have the support of other indies! Can't wait to see what the indies have to share :)
Great idea. Supporting indie authors is so important.
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