Indie Tuesday—Tips to Survive the Rapid Release Model for Indie Publishing

Jessica @AuthorKeller here: There are two schools of thought within the indie world when it comes to book release strategies. The first is to follow the same pattern that the traditional industry has, which is about a book a year—causing a series to span for 3-4 years on a release schedule. This strategy follows the slow-and-steady-wins-the-race model. It's the strategy I'm using, not because I picked it, but because it fit best with my career plan (and sanity) as a hybrid. The second model is a rapid release model. That can span days to a few months maximum between book releases. Many of my author friends are doing this release strategy with excellent results. Author Carol Moncado is one of those friends and she's here today to talk about why she chose the rapid release plan.

Indie Tuesday—The Positive Side to Receiving a One Star Review

by: @AuthorKeller

Most of us dream of that elusive publishing contract. Of having deadlines and planning a release party. Soon after our books launch we start checking our reviews. They tell you not to, but believe me, somehow, when you least expect it—you find yourself reading over some reviews. The first ones are great. Friend and family write sweet five star reviews that you want to share with the world. But one day you go back and look and there it is: the one star monster, staring you right in the eyes.

Now…take a deep breath and say this with me. Ready? A one star review is a good thing.

Indie Tuesday—Why Quality Matters (A Reader's Perspective)

Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin: Long-term success as an indie or hybrid author depends on a number of factors. Some of which you can't control. However, one you can absolutely control is the quality of the product you introduce into the market. This fall, Jessica and I will focus on giving you resources to help you put out a great book. But first, our YA friend, Kim Vandel makes the case for why quality matters from a reader's perspective.

Indie Tuesday—Making Sense of a Bad Critique

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

Conference season is upon us. Some people have recently returned home from the RWA Conference and many are gearing up for the ACFW Conference. These events bring a whirlwind of emotions. Elation from finding people who completely understand you to holding in tears as you glance over a hurtful paid critique or after feeling like you totally bombed an agent/editor appointment.

I’m here to offer encouragement for the latter.

Indie Tuesday—Characteristics of a Successful Hybrid Author

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

A few weeks ago Edie shared the Characteristics of a Successful Indie Author which got me thinking about what it takes to flourish as a hybrid author. Like Edie pointed out in her post, some of the things I’m going to share today probably apply to more than just the hybrid author—but they are hats a hybrid must be able to wear—and wear well.

The term hybrid describes an author who is published in both the traditional market and self-publishes in the indie market. They produce new content for both markets, simultaneously. To do this successfully an author has to morph into different personalities. Thankfully, we’re good at using our imaginations!

Indie Tuesday— Getting in the Write Zone: Simple Strategies for Creating Productive Writing Time

Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller here: I first met author Kristen Ethridge because our books debuted in the same month. We’ve been kindred ever since. Not only did we launch into the trade publishing world at the same time, but we both decided to dive head first into indie publishing right next to each other too. Like me, Kristen juggles a full-time job, kids, a writing career and managing her household (did I mention she makes AMAZING dinners?) so we often commiserate about how to find writing time. Today she’s agreed to stop by and offer pointers for getting in the write zone: simple strategies for creating productive writing time.

Getting in the Write Zone:

Simple Strategies for Creating Productive Writing Time

by Kristen Ethridge @KristenEthridge

 

When Jessica asked me to join her here, I jumped at the opportunity because there’s so much great information and conversation on this blog.

Indie Tuesday—What To Do With Goodreads

Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller here: Confession time. Goodreads used to terrify me. Especially as an author. I couldn’t figure out how to interact on it and felt overwhelmed the first time I signed in. Avid Goodreads users have told me that authors can really get themselves into trouble by using Goodreads incorrectly for promo—which made me shy away from it even more. But no longer. My friend, critique partner, and David C. Cook author, Amanda , taught me what to do with Goodreads and now I’m loving my time there. You can too!

What to Do With Goodreads 

Indie Tuesday—Ten Easy Ways To Show Tumblr Love

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

I'm switching gears today. Still talking about Social Media, but instead of only talking about how an author can use Tumblr, I'm going to share about how we as people who love to read and support other authors can do so in this medium. I've broken it down into ten easy ways to show Tumblr love to your favorite book/author. This is a repost from when I guest posted on the wonderful Kim Vandel's blog*

Tumblr is a place for microblogging amazingness. Not just a place—it’s THE place. One of the best things about Tumblr is that it has outlets for everyone. The blog platform includes photo sharing, written entries, video uploads, music sharing, a platform just for quotes, and the ability to post links. The best part of Tumblr is that it attracts creative people so books and stories are always welcome and reblogged. Unlike Twitter, you aren’t limited by a certain number of characters and you can use as many tags as you want. The latest Tumblr data shows that they host 187.0 million blogs. Don’t miss out on the fun we’re having over there!

Indie Tuesday—Using YouTube As An Author

Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin: 

I must confess, YouTube is the one social media platform that terrifies me. Don't get me wrong, I love watching the original series, book reviews, interviews, and casting videos on it. But ask me to create content for my own channel and watch me squirm. Luckily, my indie mentor Susan Kaye Quinn is a YouTube pro. 

Sue is the best kind of successful indie author - the kind that drops breadcrumbs (or whole pieces of toast!) for those coming behind her. I followed Sue's indie journey years before I considered becoming an indie myself, and when I decided to take the plunge, I devoured her Indie Author Survival Guide. So, let's all grab a cup of chai, take a deep breath, and maybe, just maybe, lose the fear of using YouTube as an author.

Indie Tuesdays—Pointers for Marketing with Pinterest

Jessica here. Today I have the pleasure of introducing my friend Dawn Crandall. One of the first things I remember from when we met was how gorgeous Dawn's One Sheets were. They were jaw-dropping, stunning. So when Dawn joined Pinterest I went right away and drooled over her boards. Today she's sharing some pointers for marketing with Pinterest. 

by Dawn Crandall @dawnwritesfirst

I was purposefully late onto the Pinterest boat when it became all the rage a few years ago. I didn’t especially like to cook, craft, or organize ... and that was what everyone pinned about, wasn’t it? At least that was what my friends seemed to pin about. And why did I need Pinterest to save my favorite photos off the internet? I already had several years’ worth of photos saved to my laptop to feed my imagination ... a whole folder full of “book photos” to show the different aspects of the imaginary world I written about for the last few years.

Indie Tuesday—A Ten Step Crash Course on Instagram

Charity here. Jessica and I are thrilled that Rajdeep Paulus kicks off our social media series with a guest post on Instagram. Rajdeep is an indie YA author who writes "Marsala-Marinated YA Fiction." (Which is a great tagline, am I right?) So buckle up, hold on, and get ready for a ten step crash course on Instagram. I promise, it won't hurt a bit.

by Rajdeep Paulus @RajdeepPaulus

Picture it. Edit it. Frame it. Meme it. Hashtag it. Tag it. Heart it. Witty Comment it. Share it. Repeat. 

It really is that simple. In a day and age where social media, love or hate, isn't going anywhere, might as well jump on the Instagram wagon with your GPS set to keep it simple. Keep it fun. And keep it real.

Indie Tuesday—Create Your Own Shareable Memes

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

By now I’m sure you’ve heard the term “meme” tossed around when it comes to using many of the social media sites Charity and I will be covering in the coming weeks.  Marketing professionals have embraced the use of memes because they’ve realized the viral power these graphics can have. When I launched Saving Yesterday, I created shareable memes and people told me they bought my book solely based on seeing one of my memes. Today, I’m going to show you a free and easy way to create your own shareable memes.   

Indie Tuesday—Reaching YA or NA Readers Online

by Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin

What if your readers don't read traditional blogs? This is a question both Jessica and I have wrestled with as young adult/new adult authors. Most 30 and under readers don't follow traditional blogs, and a growing number of teens use Facebook less now that their parents and grandparents have accounts. So how does an author reach YA or NA readers online?

Indie Tuesday—The Power of Live-Tweeting

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

To date live-tweeting for fun has proved to be my most effective marketing tool. Even though I never meant for it to be and don’t discuss my book. The power of live-tweeting is that it helps build a following of people who feel connected to you because you enjoy the same things. It’s a logical leap that they’ll enjoy your books as well.

When I joined Twitter I started live-tweeting without knowing that it was a “thing” and watched my following mushroom. Then my book released and my Twitter followers bought Saving Yesterday. They sent me private messages saying they were reading, wrote reviews and tweeted about my book. When I released the link for my newsletter more than half of the people that signed up were Twitter followers.

Indie Tuesday—Are Writers' Conferences a Waste of Time for Indie Authors?

by Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin

For traditional or hybrid authors, attending a writers' conference is a career requirement. Having the opportunity to meet one-on-one with agents and editors can give these writers an edge for their next project. However, this is not an essential step in the process for authors who self-publish. So are writers' conferences a waste of time for indie authors?

Indie Tuesday—It’s Vitally Important to Have Writing Friends

by: Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

Probably one of the biggest lies you'll ever hear as an author is that writing is a solo endeavor. That's simply not true. I’m here today to let you know that in order to be successful as an author who is traveling any publishing path, it’s vitally important to have writing friends.

Have you ever wondered what The Lord of the Rings stories would have become without C.S. Lewis' influence on Tolkien and likewise for Tolkien's input for Narnia? I do. When Lewis formed his writing group (The Inklings) that met within the Rabbit Room of The Eagle and Child pup, did they know their words and discussions would change the world? Or where they—like us—just dreaming of stories together?

Indie Tuesday—Help! My Book and I Are Failures

by Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin

I considered titling this post “How to Manage Your Expectations.” But, let’s be honest, that sounds too clinical. When sales aren’t meeting your goals, you and I are anything but clinical. “Help! My Book and I Are Failures” captures the panic a little better, don’t you think?

Let’s say, hypothetically, that you had a stellar release week for your indie debut. Ever since, however, you’re averaging one to four sales a week, and doubt creeps in. What if those sales dry up too? What if you don’t recoup your initial investment before book two? In fact, should you even bother with book two at this rate? 

At this point, you will be tempted to take advantage of the immediacy indie publishing allows. You can lower your pricing and change your Amazon or Barnes & Noble categories in less than five minutes. You can set up a Goodreads giveaway or buy a BookBub ad. Flood your Twitter or Facebook feed with ads. Maybe all of the above in the same weekend. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Indie Tuesday—Are You Ready to Self-Publish?

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

Frantic heart palpitations. Occasional bouts of hyperventilation. Random sweating coupled with a coffee IV. Jolting awake in the middle of the night. Moments of confidence intermingled with countless instances of hiding under your desk. Are you ready to self-publish?

Sounds like fun, right? Well, that’s a normal day for an Indie author.

Don’t get me wrong, all publishing is difficult. I’m a hybrid author—meaning I have books and contracts with traditional publishers and then I also have books that I indie publish.

Indie Tuesday—A Place for Writers to Explore Their Options with Excellence

As you may remember, a few weeks ago I shared the exciting news that I’m now blogging regularly at Guideposts.com. Accompanying that announcement, I also let you know I’d be cutting back on my blogging schedule here. Truthfully there’s only so many blog posts I can write without sacrificing quality.

Now comes the good news!

I have two amazing colleagues who have agreed to host a regular column here on The Write Conversation, Indie Tuesday. Jessica Keller & Charity Tinnin are forerunners in a movement called Indie Publishing. I reached out to them specifically because of the excellence they exhibit in every aspect of their writing endeavors. I could go on and on about how excited I am to have them here, but I’ll let you judge for yourselves.
 

One Reason I Chose to Go Indie with My Book

by Charity Tinnin

“I just can’t imagine self-publishing.” Those were my words, or some approximation of them, in early 2010. I had friends who were doing well in the indie world and support on both sides of the divide. However, my problems were these: I respected (read: had a professional crush on) several agents and editors in the ECPA, longed to work with them, and wanted to see my book on a shelf at Barnes & Noble.

Then I came down with the flu and never got better. By the end of 2011, the doctors confirmed my suspicion: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). My case is milder than many, a fact for which I am grateful. However, working full-time became impossible. I didn’t have the energy to work forty hours a week, let alone enough to add writing or a social life to the mix. I had to leave my job. I moved back in with my parents. I saw numerous doctors. One step forward, two steps back.