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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: melissa foster, indie pub, indieview, Marketing, community, Add a tag
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: interview, tracy marchini, indie pub, Add a tag
Today, Tracy Marchini stops by to talk to us about her indie journey....
Tracy, tell us about yourself
I feel the same way about my dogs and kids :) Tell us about your writing and your latest book.
Sounds adorable. Can you tell us more about the publishing journey behind this?
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Getting Sideways: Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series
Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody's making every effort to get his life back on track-writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers' license-but there's no escaping the nightmares that haunt him.
A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he'll have to live up to Race's legendary status. But that's the least of his worries, considering he doesn't have his dad's permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing's safe.
Yeah, sure. That'll be easy.
Running Wide Open: Book 1 in the Full Throttle Series
Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it's landed him at his uncle's trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?
What Cody doesn't expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he's been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he's come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the onl
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: self pub, indie pub, Add a tag
Guys - you have to read this post "The Seduction of Self Pubbing" if you are even considering self pubbing. It is so true and so accurate that I wanted to address it today.
As you guys know, I chose to self pub after some serious hardships with my book not making it in the traditional world after some really close calls. And I would not change that decision now for the life of me. I love where I am.
I do want to say that this road I've chosen is not all glitter and glamour.
I have had people emailing me offline saying that I've "inspired them to self pub". Not first of all - that is always wonderful to hear - I mean I never thought I could inspire anyone. But, before you decide on this path - I think you should stop, take a deep breath, and think through your options. Don't make a rash decision. Every situation is so different. I'm not saying you ( in general sense) won't or can't be successful. There are many successful self pub authors as there are traditional authors. I dont know how you define your level of success or what you are shooting for. Shoot, I'm flying by the seat of my pants too.
I'm just saying research self pubbing as you would agents and publishing houses. Take the time to check out the details because you don't hear all the nitty gritty things that we self pubbers face. I've tried to share as much as I can but there are daily bumps that I couldnt possibly remember to get into.
Here are a few things I didn't know when I got started:
- The total investment. To do it right, you will spend AT LEAST $1,000 on your first book - cover, editing, fees to get it up, blah blah blah. To. Do. It. Right. Im not saying you cant do it somewhere for 50bucks. But in my mind that is not the best way. Just my opinion.
- The time it takes. I started this process in September and it's ALL I'VE DONE - morning, noon and night - just to get my book out there and get it up. Man and I thought I didn't write enough before? Now I'm desperately trying to carve out an hour a day to write. The self pub marketing takes tons of time. It takes over. It's hard to sit back and pass up any opportunity to keep your name and book out in the crowd. Because when you leave, the book drops off too.
- You are one man show. As a self pubber, you are standing on a corner with a harmonica, a pair of cymbals between your legs, bells on your toes, and a guitar in your hands playing your heart out. Meanwhile you are now competing against a 50 piece bands that has dancers and baton throwers and FIRE! They get more attention with one song in 10 min than you get playing songs for a week. You have no marketing team behind you to open doors, do the legwork. You get no advice. No have no credibility or pull in the marketplace. I have a solid marketing background and this process has been so challenging and exhausting for me! And even somewhat disheartening.
- You don't make much money - you may if you are in it for the looooooonnnnnnggg haul. But don't think you will put out one book and BAM "Welcome to Cash-ola city". Some self pubbed ebooks rise over time - if you put out one after another. Look on amazon - most in the top 100 have several books out a year. Self pubbers count on build momentum. If you don't have a second book coming or in the works soon - you are the news of the day and can easily lose your voice to all the other much LOUDER voices out there. It's different for traditional authors b/c they have names and marketing teams behind them.
- If you just want to write - this is not for you. You have to wear all hats and writing becomes 10% of your life. If you hat to interview. hate to social network. hate to make cold calls. Hate to put yourself out there. Don't feel comfortable in a marketing mindset. This is going to be extra tough.
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: indie pub, tangled tide, karen hooper, Add a tag
Reminders:
- My special offer runs until tonight a midnight. If you already planned on purchasing Untraceable and do it today, send me the receipt and I will give you a free query critique. Just to say "thanks for your support."
- Also, pop over to my blog tour to catch up on marketing and self pubbing posts.Today I will be at: Nazarea (The Author Process) and PJ Hoover (Top 10 ebook Release Tips)
- Also - you still have one week to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of my paperback. The link is on the side of my blog.

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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: naysayers, self pub, indie pub, Add a tag
So here's another brutally honest post.
The hardest thing about indie publishing or self publishing is NOT doing the cover or writing the jacket copy or even the marketing.
At least not to me, anyway.
The hardest thing is coming up against the people who look down on self publishing. The people who don't give you a chance from the very start. The people who assume you are not good enough before they even read your first page.
The uphill battle we - as self pub or even indie authors - face is just getting our work to be considered equally as other authors.
We have our books judged by its cover - and I mean that literally. That's why it is so important to do everything you can to make sure your book doesn't appear self pubbed. Because then maybe - just maybe - you can sneak by the doubters and get a Kirkus Revew :).
Last week, I had one lady at a newspaper email me for an interview. She talked about how much she loved my cover and jacket, my press release, and the sample chapter. But the minute she realized I was indie/self pubbed - she simply cut the conversation short and said, "I'm sorry we don't review self published work."
Really? Why? She loved everything I gave her! My feelings were hurt and to be frank - it just sucked. In a moment when you are doubting everything you have done and are doing - those people just make it worse. Once again, the negative stigma of self pubbing gets in the way. Every time a friend turns her back b/c my book is self pubbed or a reviewer refuses to give my writing a look - it stinks. To be honest it breaks my heart. I can't help but immediately go back to that space of "I'm not good enough". Self pubbing still gets you rejection and its just as hard.
You don't have a team of marketers, or your agent, or your editor to pump you up and have your back.
You are alone.
And for me - at least not yet - those rejections never gets easier.
I just want to be judged on my work. My writing, my story. My plot, my character development, and my voice. I don't want any favors or undeserved reviews or breaks. I just want the same chance for my little book to shine as the author that pubs theirs with a large house. And to be frank - it sucks when it's not.
That is why I have spent the last two long months showing you everything I have done - the behind the scenes - gosh to honest truth - about how to tackle doing indie pubbing the RIGHT WAY. I am not saying my way is perfect - it is different for everyone and just as in traditional pubbing - there is no magic formula.
But you will automatically hit discrimination to a certain extent because you do your book on our own. So if there is anything you can do to avoid some - do it.
Even typos come down hard. Every book I've ever read has had some typos. But - if you are self pubbed - those typos (along with any plot holes or underdeveloped characters) are magnified. The typos suddenly mean you are not good enough and that is why you self pubbed.
You already get shunned by those who don't think you are good enough. And you would be surprised who those people are who turn their back on you. I guess it's a moment when your true friends and blogger buddies shine through. For some reason, self pubbing divides people and you can easily see (and quick) who falls on each side of the line. You can see those who judge you not based on your merit or writing but based on a perception...a judgement...that you arent' good enough or that you sold out in some way.
To be honest, I don't blame the naysayers to a certain extent - I've seem some serious crap put out and unfortunately - we ALL get lumped together in self pubbing or even indie pubbing. And even though some books that are traditionally pubbed suck - they don't all get mixed in together. They each get a small shot to stand on their own merit. Unaffected by their predecessors.
When a big house signs an author
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: guest post, jessie Harrell, indie pub, destined, Add a tag
Today Jessie Harrell gives us a break down of her road to indie publishing. She is the author of Destined that debuted this week.
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: isbn, indie pub, lisa nowa, Add a tag
Some Housekeeping stuff
1) Yikes - I almost forgot to announce the winner(s) of lurker day contest and books are the following lurkers drawn randomly...
Julianna -
Rachele Alpine
Yat Yee
Amber Cuadra
Tricia OBrien
Congrads and email me your address and whether you want middle grade or young adult and I'll give you a couple to choose from. Thank for coming out to say hi and I hope to see you all again :)
2) In case you haven't heard, my Untraceable Official Blog tour has started and I've had a few stops:
- Nov 13 - Readinista (Exciting YA books of Nov 2011)
- Nov 14th - Lori Lee on (What makes a good book signing) and Kriston Johnson (Getting to know the author/ Review)
- Nov 15th - Kelly Polark (The Beats of Writing - using music)
- Nov 16th - Karly Kirkpatrick
10 Comments on All About ISBNs by Lisa Nowak (Running Wide Open), last added: 11/17/2011Display Comments Add a Comment
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: sneak peek, cover love, untraceable, indie pub, behind the scene, Add a tag
In the Home Stretch
Okay so I am almost there - only 3 weeks until the launch! Can you believe it?
I got over the hump this weekend. My copy edits are done and my cover is done (yay!) Now, my hubby and I are just working on formatting which is a pain in the arse. Ugh! I'm moving through all the interviews as they are scheduled. Reviews are starting to come in and they are very positive. I'm so thankful for all the support I'm getting.
Nerves are starting to build and doubts are starting to set in - especially when I'm tired. What if they don't like it? What if I'm not good enough? What if I fail? Will people get the book? Will people support me? Will my book stand out in the thousands of books out there?
I push those down and keep pushing forward but it's hard. Because when you are traditionally published - you have agents, and marketing teams, and editors that love your work. At the end of the day, right now, it's just me.
Now I need to start planning my online launch party - which will have tons of prizes, gifts, and surprises. I'm going to do a chat too. Maybe on my process, book and marketing. I'm scheduling a few different times so everyone can come and I'll let you know more then.
Tomorrow, I will publish the "OFFICIAL Untraceable Blog Tour" which kicks off next week! My tour guides rock!
Behind The Scenes Sneak Peeks
Big cover reveal on Friday! Yikes! I love it Vania did an awesome job and found the PERFECT model. She. Is. Grace.
Starting this afternoon, stay tuned to Novel Novice's blog and Vania's blog this week - they are doing a big expose, showing different cover shots for Untraceable with the REAL ONE popping up on Friday. You can also follow them on Twitter: Vania and Novel Novice.
I'm about to pee in my pants with excitement. I. Can't. Wait. for you all to see it. EEEEPS!
I'll be sharing a few EXCLUSIVE 'behind the scene' photos from the shoot all week long.....
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This is exactly who Grace is to me. |
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Vania at work |
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: guest post, danyelle leafty, indie pub, catspell, Add a tag
Danyelle has dropped in to give us some insight into her publishing experience.
Her book Catspell is available on Amazon.
Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she’d leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.
Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn’t meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she’ll have to accept that sometimes a fairy godmother really does come in handy, after all.
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: bookanistas, ali cross, indie pub, become, Add a tag
Today I wanted to tell you about Become by Ali Cross.
Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—from something she’s never
had before—a friend.
I know what you are thinking: not another paranormal book but this book is different. Trust me!
10 Things I loved about this book:
- I know I always say this - but hey I don't read books much if the cover doesn't grab me. It's what I look at first. This cover is awesome. That is a big compliment coming from me b/c my friends will tell you I am picky. I love that it is a badass angel figure. I love the purple and grey. And I love sacrificial undertones. I am actually jealous this is not my cover.
- Desi is a badass. She is so true to a teen and jumps off the page. She is flawed and I love that she's not perfect and doesn't pretend to be. She's actually okay with not being perfect. Who doesn
7 Comments on Bookanista Buzz: become by Ali Cross, last added: 11/4/2011Display Comments Add a Comment
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Hey guys -
I am overwhelmed with book stuff. But wanted to give you a quick update on where I am for my book launch.
Good news - I am starting to get some reviews back. Check out this one from Heather :)
Expense Total for Book: $1900
- $10 for stock photo
- $50 donation to Teen Book Scene
- $500 for editing with professional editor
- $300 book design
- $650 for advertising
- $40 CreateSpace Pro Plan
- $250 ISBN block of 10
- $100 giveaways for launch
Expected expenses coming:
- Lightning Source - $150
- Facebook AD - $250
- 50 blog tour for NOv 15 - Dec 24.
- Feature on yalit chat for December
- Set up teen blog tour for Jan 15-30th
- 3 day ad
2 Comments on Quick Update on Book News, last added: 11/2/2011Display Comments Add a Comment
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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First, I all of a sudden looked up and realized it was Wednesday and I had not posted this week.
Yikes.
The biggest problem with ebooks (besides the slew that are low quality and printed at Kinkos) is distribution. If people can't get access to your books then why sell them at all?
Today, I wanted to quickly go through how to decide what format to choose for your indie published book. But how do you know what format to do them in?
1) Think about whether you just want digital or also want a physical copy.
Some people only want to go digital in indie publishing and they make great money and have little hassle. Indie writers don't make much off paperbacks. With Amazon's 70% royalty (if your list price is 2.99 or above - you can make about $2 on every 2.99 book sold. That's great compared to most publishers. I think we will see a time in the future where authors will try and keep their digital rights b/c the royalty rate is low and put out the ebooks themselves once the physical book is available.
2) Going Digital? Decide what ebook formats.
If you just want your book available on Amazon - it will only go to those people with Kindles. B&N has Pub it, which only goes to Nooks. So - do you want all the other ereaders to have access? I say why not? Smashwords will sell your book in most formats for Sony, or iBooks etc. So why not. I think it will cost you extra time and probably under $50. So what do you have to lose. I will say about 80% of sales come from B&N and Amazon (mostly Amazon) so it might not be worth it to you.
3) Want physical copies? Understand your royalties first!
Okay so this is where indie published authors vary. Some only do digital, others do paperback while some do hardback (only Lightning source offers that). The problem is the royalty - I mean if you are not smart - you will end up paying for people to buy your book, which sucks. So it comes down to money.(doesn't everything?)
Theer are tons of POD companies - LuLu, iUniverse etc - but I have heard CreateSpace and LS are the best from reliable sources so I don't have time to research all of them.
7 Comments on What to consider when creating other formats?', last added: 10/21/2011
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Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Tips, Advice, ebook, eXperiment, self pub, indie pub, Add a tag
I shot out an email to a few blogger buddies of mine that are/have self pubbed or are being published with a small, independent publisher.
Thanks to everyone who took time to send some tips. Some of these ladies will also be coming back on Fridays to provide more insight.
- Oct 12th - Tips and tricks featuring Lisa Nowak - (Running Wide Open)
- Oct 14th - PJ Hoover (Solstice)
- Oct 21st - Elle Strauss - Clockwise (just released 9/26)
- Oct 28th - Michelle Davidson Argyle (Monarch)
- Nov 4th - Danielle Leafty - Catspell (coming 11/7)
- Nov 11th - Ali Cross - Become (coming11/11)
- Nov 18th - Jessee Harrell - Destined (coming 11/17)
- Dec 2nd - 5 Comments on Tips and Tricks from Indie Authors, last added: 10/15/2011
Hey Amy! Really cool to see you on here! I just met Amy on Goodreads and am reading her book Until Next Time. You should, too!
Shelli, thanks for hosting Amy today. Her delightful sense of humor is sure to make you smile :)
Wow, I love that cover! Thanks for the great story and info. I'll be marking Until Next Time on Goodreads and Amazon. :-)
Hey Shelli - Thank you so much for featuring Matt & Emily on your site. I hope everybody falls in love with them as much as I did while writing them :) And, Shannon, I agree, the cover artist is definitely on my top ten list of amazing people! :)
Hi Lisa!!!
Great to hear you had a teacher encourage you to be a writer! Love it! :)
Hey Jemi!
She was most definitely the greatest teacher to me. I miss her. :)