Ginger Scott's Blog - Posts Tagged "self-publishing"
Indie Authors and Midnight Oil
Good thing I have always been a bit of a night owl. When I finally got my act together and wrote the book I had been harboring in my heart for years, I needed to burn quite a bit of midnight oil. But the creative part is nothing compared to the marketing life of an indie author.
Not wanting to ever forget the blood, sweat and tears that gets me to whatever place my road leads, I thought I'd document the anxieties, projects, posts and whatnot that come with self-publishing. And if my posts happen to help the next author looking for help and guidance, then I am honored to pay it forward any way I can.
1. Pushing the publish button is just the beginning. I was pretty sure I had things lined up when I finally selected my launch date and sent my manuscript off into the cyberlands of Amazon's self-publishing aerospace. And I did have a pretty good head start. Facebook fan page, check. Twitter transformation, check. Goodreads account set up, check. Talking points, graphics and a thick (albeit not thick enough) skin...check, check, check. But just as I have learned from working on both sides of the fence in journalism and public relations, you have to constantly feed the beast. If you want to push your hard work out to the world, beyond your closest circle of friends, you need to make some noise, waive your freak flag, if you will. Set up is just what it sounds like: set up. Then comes the marathon.
2. Test it, try it, move on. This whole indie author thing is new for me. My journalism work was always already in a proven and read publication. Getting someone to read something they have no reason in the world to even know exists is another story. So, I'm trying anything and everything (at least once). I'm throwing a launch party -- look for posts and wrap-ups on that on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAu...). I'm trying to pay attention to this blog, and use it for education, engagement and maybe a little pot-stirring in the future. I've committed to try Kindle's Select program for 90 days before I post my book to iBooks and Nook. The jury is still out on how well this works, but I will be scheduling some great promotions through it in the coming weeks (look for those announcements soon). So just be open to trying new marketing roads, there are hundreds out there and every single project requires a unique mix.
3. Finally...breathe!I am sure this is true for most indie authors out there. Getting your book in the hands of strangers, and then maybe catching the attention of an agent, is the dream. It's such a vibrant and, let's face it, obsessive dream that it starts to interfere with sleep, thought and relaxation. I have found I can become so focused on my daily to-do's that I often forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. I've made it this far and have accomplished goals I thought seemed impossible. Before I launched my book I reached out to a few of my favorite authors, many who found success through the same indie road I'm on. Some wise words from author Katja Millay (Sea of Tranquility) stood out and ring in my ears on a daily basis. She told me to be sure to enjoy every moment and not get caught up in the stress of it all. So, while I'll admit to falling off of the stress wagon a few times, I will say I am trying damn hard to heed her advice.
With that, I think I'll start right now. It's a beautiful day outside, and I haven't read for my own personal enjoyment in weeks. I plan to do so starting now.
Not wanting to ever forget the blood, sweat and tears that gets me to whatever place my road leads, I thought I'd document the anxieties, projects, posts and whatnot that come with self-publishing. And if my posts happen to help the next author looking for help and guidance, then I am honored to pay it forward any way I can.
1. Pushing the publish button is just the beginning. I was pretty sure I had things lined up when I finally selected my launch date and sent my manuscript off into the cyberlands of Amazon's self-publishing aerospace. And I did have a pretty good head start. Facebook fan page, check. Twitter transformation, check. Goodreads account set up, check. Talking points, graphics and a thick (albeit not thick enough) skin...check, check, check. But just as I have learned from working on both sides of the fence in journalism and public relations, you have to constantly feed the beast. If you want to push your hard work out to the world, beyond your closest circle of friends, you need to make some noise, waive your freak flag, if you will. Set up is just what it sounds like: set up. Then comes the marathon.
2. Test it, try it, move on. This whole indie author thing is new for me. My journalism work was always already in a proven and read publication. Getting someone to read something they have no reason in the world to even know exists is another story. So, I'm trying anything and everything (at least once). I'm throwing a launch party -- look for posts and wrap-ups on that on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAu...). I'm trying to pay attention to this blog, and use it for education, engagement and maybe a little pot-stirring in the future. I've committed to try Kindle's Select program for 90 days before I post my book to iBooks and Nook. The jury is still out on how well this works, but I will be scheduling some great promotions through it in the coming weeks (look for those announcements soon). So just be open to trying new marketing roads, there are hundreds out there and every single project requires a unique mix.
3. Finally...breathe!I am sure this is true for most indie authors out there. Getting your book in the hands of strangers, and then maybe catching the attention of an agent, is the dream. It's such a vibrant and, let's face it, obsessive dream that it starts to interfere with sleep, thought and relaxation. I have found I can become so focused on my daily to-do's that I often forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. I've made it this far and have accomplished goals I thought seemed impossible. Before I launched my book I reached out to a few of my favorite authors, many who found success through the same indie road I'm on. Some wise words from author Katja Millay (Sea of Tranquility) stood out and ring in my ears on a daily basis. She told me to be sure to enjoy every moment and not get caught up in the stress of it all. So, while I'll admit to falling off of the stress wagon a few times, I will say I am trying damn hard to heed her advice.
With that, I think I'll start right now. It's a beautiful day outside, and I haven't read for my own personal enjoyment in weeks. I plan to do so starting now.
