I started my indie fantasy author journey in 2013. I layout books myself, design the maps and covers and upload them to sites like Amazon, KDP, Smashwords, IngramSpark and Lulu. But, I also work with a small press publisher for things like ISBNs, editing, promotion and getting into bookstores. I’ve Read more…
I started blogging in 2011 because all the experts said that’s what authors should do. The journey has not been what I’ve expected, it never is, but I’ve come to enjoy it. Here are a few things I’ve learned. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others This is easier said than done. Read more…
I have a love/hate relationship with book formatting. I like that, with InDesign, I can get creative with the book’s layout. But, I’ve published 15 books and still haven’t streamlined the process. I mention in 9 Things I’ve Learned About Print Book Cover Design that I’m creating a hardback version Read more…
Your bio picture holds a lot of power. It will become one of your most-prized assets in a book cover, website, or marketing materials. In this article, we’re sharing tips for taking flattering bio pics you’ll actually like, and that can best represent your writing style and genre. Bio pics Read more…
I generally don’t have a preference for book format. Ebook, print, audio, I don’t particularly care. I just like books. But, there is a special kind of feeling when I’ve finished the print cover for my book. Maybe it’s because seeing the full front and back cover makes it seem Read more…
I read an article that said authors make a median of $6,000 a year. Not the first time I’ve heard something like this. Over the years, I’ve read plenty of posts saying authors make less than minimum wage. Can you make a living as an author? When you ask most Read more…
If you’re following me on social media, you’ve probably seen my recent map. It’s for The Sciell’s Legacy, the 4th and final book in The Merging Worlds series. This is how the map looked when I first created it. I created it entirely in Photoshop. In the beginning, I researched Read more…
I was reading a book where the first chapter was literally several pages of the character getting dressed to leave. Later, we got a detailed scene of the character getting into the car and buckling up. We even got Google Map directions as they drove to their destination, as in Read more…
It takes a lot of work to be an author. Being an indie author is even tougher because you have to do everything or hire someone who can. You are the CEO of your own business. Indie fantasy and paranormal books are beautifully diverse. More so than traditionally published books. They are Read more…
I was going to do a behind the scenes blog post but this bit of annoyance needed its own post. You’ll still get that behind the scenes look on Monday. I like CreateSpace. The printing is of great quality. I’ve never been dissatisfied when I ordered books. Publishing on the platform Read more…
