I've created a lot of content on this blog, my stories have been featured in three book anthologies, and my first book is releasing in January 2023. And there's plenty more where that came from. , and I have a few more in the works. I'm not saying that I'm THE expert above all others, but I am pretty successful as I define success. I didn't have "actual" experience when I started. Writing and business aren't what I went to college and got student loan debt for.
But I'm now a full-time writer and content creator. I make money with my words as a freelancer, and author, and sharing things online to help other women in corporate go creative. Even if they're introverts, and marketing is confusing, and they haven't done this before.
If you want to be successful as a writer with a readership, then there is one essential skill you need.
SELF-PUBLISHING CHANGED THE GAME
Self-publishing allows anyone to become an author. It’s the dream of millions to be a published author, to share their stories, and make a great income doing it. In the past, self-publishing looked like finding a printer, painting hundreds upfront to have the book printed, and selling copies out of the back of your car. But technology has expanded, and publishing can be as simple as uploading your manuscript and cover files. Your book can be available as a print-on-demand book or ebook and sent all over the globe. There are other aspects involved in fully optimizing the publishing process. One thing at a time. Where do you publish?
Read more...
Starting with the why since this is a continuation of Why Amazon Is Bad for Authors .
Building an email list is one of the most important things you can do as an indie author. You want an email list because you want access to your buyers, to your perfect reader, to your community.
Read more...
An author asked me recently about not getting feedback on her newly released book. When I asked her what marketing she'd done, she said she hadn't done anything. I'm not sure exactly why she didn't do market it. You wouldn't open a new store in your town and not tell people about it in some way or another. The only brand that can release new content without marketing and make a billion dollars is Beyonce. The rest of us have to do a little more. There are a lot of factors that go into becoming a successful author. One way that separates success from failure is marketing.
Read more...
I read "We Should All Be Feminists" in less than an hour with a toddler and 9-year-old underfoot. I wrote a review for it here, but there are several takeaways from the book from an author's perspective I want to share. Being a successful indie author can take many paths and lead to many destinations for each person. So maybe the lessons I found from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will help you.
Read more...
