As a writer, I’ve been working on one project or another most of my life. I would go so far as to claim the written word seems to be part of my genetic makeup.
There were the silly stories in school, the wealth of poetry (limericks count!), the angst filled letters among friends, and the lengthy essay explaining my utter brilliance in physiology as contrasted to my utter ineptitude in chemistry. That essay earned me a passing grade in the chemistry class, btw.
When I started writing with an eye on a career, it was many years ago. There were the published poems (talk about your validation!) followed by the multitude of rejection letters as I lurched my way into the fiction market – before I found my pace and my voice in action packed paranormal romance novels.
Apparently, I’ve had enough measure of success to date that people ask me about my publishing experience and what advice I might offer.
Well, if I were an author new to the publishing world, investigating my options, I’d definitely consider going indie. However, going indie will sometimes feel lonely. Heck, some days it feels like you’re standing in the middle of a writer’s conference consulting the hotel map, desparate to find your next workshop room, only to realize you’re stark naked!
Trust me this is the worst of the undressed and embarrassed type of dreams. Fortunately there are others who have paved the way, who’ve proved success as an indie author isn’t a pipe dream.
Based on my personal experience, I consistently tell the curious and bored alike, if a new author wanted to go indie with one work or an entire backlist, that author should look at the following resources for advice, guidance and motivation:
Give Joe Konrath’s blog a read sometime, if you want hard numbers and a tough-love message about a writing career. Love him or hate him, he knows what he’s talking about.
Authors from all walks of publishing can find resources, hope, and guidance along with excellent team spirit at the Indie Book Collective.
Bob Mayer and Jen Talty have created a fantastic site at Write It Forward that educates and motivates with a solid, comprehensive message for writers at every level of the publishing experience.
Mark Coker’s Smashwords site and blog also provide exceptional technical expertise for an indie-bound author. You can learn everything from how to format to how to market your book when it’s uploaded. He’s on the leading edge of what’s next in publishing and he’s an author advocate all the way.
I’ve learned (and continue to learn) from all of those sources during my transition from a traditionally published author to an indie author. Of course there are plenty more sites out there packed with advice.
Much like writing, going indie requires dedication to the research and development of your career.
Live the adventure!
