Ask the Author: Matilda Scotney
Answered Questions (8)
Matilda Scotney
Happy to give it a look Hamish. Would you mind emailing to matildascotney@gmail.com. It will be kept completely private. I have never accessed Inkitt before. But I am happy to help if I can.
Beta readers, hmmm. Are you a member of Writer's and Authors Promotions on Facebook? I have seen members asking for beta readers there with positive responses but I can't vouch for how good/reliable they are. If you have friends who are willing to read and comment after you give them a clean manuscript (one you have edited) and who will undertake to get back in a reasonable amount of time (I expect ten days from mine), then go with them.
Beta readers, hmmm. Are you a member of Writer's and Authors Promotions on Facebook? I have seen members asking for beta readers there with positive responses but I can't vouch for how good/reliable they are. If you have friends who are willing to read and comment after you give them a clean manuscript (one you have edited) and who will undertake to get back in a reasonable amount of time (I expect ten days from mine), then go with them.
Matilda Scotney
Hello Hamish
I did answer your question but I seem to be having a problem with my dashboard so forgive if you get more than one reply!
I did try the trad publishing route but it takes too long for publishers to deliberate, more than a year in some cases and most prefer exclusivity while they deliberate. As I am in the older age bracket, I decided to go Indie. I have two books on Amazon but as Amazon don't deliver into Australia, I also put the books on Ingram for global distribution. I did consider going "wide" and using Draft2Digital but I get good results from Kindle Unlimited so I have stayed with KDP Select up to now.
As you say, editing is a bitch but essential. I have good English skills but also put my books through ProWriting Aid and Grammarly (the premium versions). I then send the manuscript to my betareaders who do another punctuation and grammar check, look for character development issues, relationships issues, story flow etc and anything that needs clarification. Often, they are happy to reread parts that I have amended. Once I get the book on Amazon, I market the hell out of it!
I use a professional book cover design and formatter and I think my book covers are beautiful! My next book, The Soul Monger, due out in a couple of weeks, has a very dramatic cover!
I am not familiar with Inkitt and Wattpad but I do know Amazon has most of the market for ebooks.
If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know, I am more than happy to help even though I am still learning the Indie process myself. Thank you so much for contacting me. Best Wishes
Matilda
I did answer your question but I seem to be having a problem with my dashboard so forgive if you get more than one reply!
I did try the trad publishing route but it takes too long for publishers to deliberate, more than a year in some cases and most prefer exclusivity while they deliberate. As I am in the older age bracket, I decided to go Indie. I have two books on Amazon but as Amazon don't deliver into Australia, I also put the books on Ingram for global distribution. I did consider going "wide" and using Draft2Digital but I get good results from Kindle Unlimited so I have stayed with KDP Select up to now.
As you say, editing is a bitch but essential. I have good English skills but also put my books through ProWriting Aid and Grammarly (the premium versions). I then send the manuscript to my betareaders who do another punctuation and grammar check, look for character development issues, relationships issues, story flow etc and anything that needs clarification. Often, they are happy to reread parts that I have amended. Once I get the book on Amazon, I market the hell out of it!
I use a professional book cover design and formatter and I think my book covers are beautiful! My next book, The Soul Monger, due out in a couple of weeks, has a very dramatic cover!
I am not familiar with Inkitt and Wattpad but I do know Amazon has most of the market for ebooks.
If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know, I am more than happy to help even though I am still learning the Indie process myself. Thank you so much for contacting me. Best Wishes
Matilda
Matilda Scotney
Take a day off, play with the dog, go for a walk or visit family. Fortunately, it's not a big problem for me. I'm more likely to have a day of being too critical of my work.
Matilda Scotney
For me it's inventing galaxies and spaceships and aliens. Creating wonderful futures and people who rise up to meet challenges. Sharing my stories with readers I know and those I don't know.
Matilda Scotney
Get to know your characters, listen to them, they'll develop themselves. Also, use a copy editor before you publish. A must!
Matilda Scotney
I am just about to publish The Afterlife of Alice Watkins: Book Two.
Then I will polish my manuscript for The Soul Monger, a tale of intergalactic slave mongering.
Then I will polish my manuscript for The Soul Monger, a tale of intergalactic slave mongering.
Matilda Scotney
Daily life inspires me. People I meet, situations, conversations all light a spark.
Matilda Scotney
A lady I knew many years ago, overlooked, uneducated, downtrodden and one of the kindest people I ever met. I wondered how she would get on if she was transplanted into another time.
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