Steps to a Rocking Self-Publishing Career

Lessons from Interviews with 10 Self-Published Authors By Simon Whistler Rockin SelfPublishin !com "o#yri ht $ %01& All Ri hts Reserved! Smashwords Edition 'his ebook is licensed for your #erson(l en)oyment only! 'his ebook m(y not be re-sold or iven (w(y to other #eo#le! If you would like to sh(re this book with (nother #erson* #le(se #urch(se (n (ddition(l co#y for e(ch re(der! If you+re re(din this book (nd did not #urch(se it* or it w(s not #urch(sed for your use only* then #le(se return to Sm(shwords!com (nd #urch(se your own co#y! 'h(nk you for res#ectin the h(rd work of this (uthor!

Contents
Preface About the Podc(st 'h(nks Who Are the Authors? Writing Words #er ,(y R(#id Writin Scene-b(sed Writin Recyclin -(teri(l "onsume Writer+s Block 'echnic(l Issues Agents and Publishers Still w(nt to o 'r(dition(l. Pricing and Finances -(kin ( Livin Pricin /i her Prices 0irst Book 0ree arketing 1m(il Lists Reviews '(r etin -(rketin -(rketin 12#enses Soci(l -edi( Re(l-world -(rketin L(unch -(rketin 3eyword -(rketin on Am(4on

Author Websites "re(tin (n 56cto#us7 6wnin 8our 6wn Site !ook Co"ers Prem(de "overs "ustom "overs 'he "over ,esi n Process ,elivery Editing# Proofreading and !eta Readers 0ull* "o#y or Line 1ditin /ow do you choose (n 1ditor. 9o 1ditor. Proofre(din Bet( Re(ders Communit$ 8our "urrent 0riends (nd 0(mily :oodre(ds After the !ook is %ut 3ee# Writin Schedule 8our Writin 'he Lon /(ul ,e(lin with "ritics Printin What&s 'e(t?

Preface
I+m Simon Whistler! I #ut this short uide to ether (fter conductin sever(l interviews (s #(rt of the #odc(st I host;'he Rockin Self-Publishin Podc(st! 'h(nks (s well to (ll of the uests who h(ve (##e(red on the show so f(r< you m(ke the #odc(st #ossible! So wh(t is this short uide. Well* while the feedb(ck I+ve been ettin from the show w(s #ositive* ( lot of it w(s s(yin * 5Who(* Simon* this is ( lot of inform(tion= I+m tryin to write down (ll the thin s your uests t(lk (bout* but I c(n b(rely kee# u#=7 I+ve been tryin to de(l with this throu h the show notes th(t I #rovide on the website >Rockin SelfPublishin !com? e(ch week* but they (re ( bit dis)ointed (s they (re or (ni4ed by who w(s interviewed r(ther th(n by sub)ect! 'his uide brin s to ether (ll of the inform(tion sh(red in the show by sub)ect* so it should be both more di estible (nd more (ction(ble! If you listen to the show* you+ll know th(t there is no 5one ri ht w(y7 of writin or m(rketin ( book (s (n indie (uthor! 0or th(t re(son* you+ll find th(t some of the (ction ste#s (nd (dvice here c(n conflict! I do not (dvoc(te one str(te y over (nother* but (ll the str(te ies here h(ve (ll worked for different (uthors* so I+d recommend oin throu h this uide (nd #ickin out the str(te ies you feel would work for you (nd im#lementin them! I ho#e you find this useful (nd ood luck rockin your indie c(reer!

About the Podcast

'he Rockin Self-Publishin #odc(st oes out e(ch 'hursd(y! While this book distils some of the inform(tion he(rd on the show* it doesn+t cover everythin ! I (lso like to think the show is @uite entert(inin * so if you (re not ( re ul(r listener* I+d ive it ( o; Rockin SelfPublishin !com!

Thanks
'he cover for this uide w(s desi ned by the t(lented Adri)us :usci( over (t Rockin Book "overs!

A #roofre(d w(s com#leted by S(r(h B(rbour (t Aero#l(ne -edi(! 'he form(ttin w(s done by R- Priole(u* (uthor (nd the si2th uest on the #odc(st! 'h(nk you (ll* (nd th(nk you to (ll the (uthors mentioned in this uide!

Who Are the Authors?

)ibbie *awker +), , -ronside.;/istoric(l fiction writer (nd (uthor of The She-King series! /anielle !ourdon;Author of The Royals series! )isa 0race;Author of The Angel series! Alan Petersen1Recent first time (uthor of the s#y thriller* The Asset! 2oe 'obod$;Accident(l bestsellin (uthor with ( uni@ue m(rketin (nd #ricin str(te y! R, , Prioleau;Author of The Necromancers Apprentice (nd m()or (dvoc(te of writin communities! /arren Wearmouth;Another recent first time (uthor* he co-wrote First Activation with his brother -(rcus! Adri3us 0uscia;'he first non-(uthor I h(d on the show* he sh(res his knowled e (bout book cover desi n! )indsa$ !uroker;0(nt(sy writer with ( b(ck round in websites (nd blo 4ictoria 2effer$;Author who tried to #ublishin two ye(rs ( o! in ! o tr(dition(l in the 1AA0s (nd c(me to self-

Writing
'he (ctu(l writin #rocess seems like (n (##ro#ri(te #l(ce to st(rt! Let+s h(ve ( look (t how my first ten uests o (bout writin their books!

Words per Day

-ost e2#erienced (uthors I h(ve interviewed h(ve moved (w(y from the 5B number of words #er d(y7 o#tion to et writin done! 'hey+ll often s(y 5I+ll (im for 10007 r(ther th(n 5I h(ve to do 1000 without f(il!7 8ou c(n (lso choose (nother w(y to set ( o(l* such (s doin one ch(#ter #er d(y! Re(lly* wh(t it comes down to here is #erson(l #reference* but )ust m(ke sure wh(tever str(te y you choose works for you!

Rapid Writing
R!-! Priole(u (nd ,(nielle Bourdon h(ve used 5novel writin months7 to com#lete books! 'hese #ressure you into writin ( bookC it doesn+t h(ve to be #erfect< it )ust h(s to be written! It is ( 5words #er d(y7 system* but it is short term (nd is ( s#rint r(ther th(n ( m(r(thon! 9(tion(l 9ovel Writers -onth >9(9oWri-o!or ? is ( ood #l(ce to et st(rted! It h(##ens in 9ovember! 'here (re other writin months for different enres throu hout the ye(r! 0or 9(9oWri-o* you h(ve to write D0*000 words in ( month to com#lete the ch(llen e;some (uthors do more* but you h(ve to hit the D0k minimum! ,(nielle used this to com#lete her first book! 6nce she h(d done th(t* she found it e(sier to do (nother >(nd (nother* (nd (nother?! She (lso s(ys th(t it is im#ort(nt to let o of #erfectionism or you will never finish (nythin (nd writin r(#idly is ( re(t w(y to do th(t! 9(9oWri-o h(s ( word counter which c(n be #ublic(lly seen so there is #lenty of #eer #ressure encour( in you to write= 8ou don+t h(ve to edit (nythin durin this month< you )ust h(ve to et the word count done! In f(ct R!-! s(ys th(t 9(9oWri-o is such ( #roductive time for her th(t she usu(lly writes only durin this month (nd s#ends the other months of the ye(r editin (nd #erfectin wh(t she h(s written!

Scene-based Writing
Al(n Petersen o#ts for ( scene-b(sed method of writin ! /e will dr(w u# (n outline of the book (nd then )ust st(rt writin e(ch scene th(t forms ( #(rt of the novel! 'hey don+t h(ve to be fully formed (nd you don+t h(ve to write in order;)ust et somethin written down (nd then st(rt fleshin everythin out l(ter! A ood softw(re #ro r(m th(t Al(n recommends for this is Scrivener; re(t for structurin ( novel!

Setting Your Book

Libbie /(wker h(s ( hu e interest (nd (mount of knowled e in the (re( she writes in! 'his me(ns th(t she (lre(dy h(s ( lot of inform(tion (bout the settin of her books (nd doesn+t h(ve to do ( lot of rese(rch! 'he rese(rch #rocess is e(sier if you (re interested in the sub)ect (nd writin is e(sier if you (lre(dy know the settin well! If #ossible* set your book somewhere you (re f(mili(r with (nd (round ( to#ic you (re knowled e(ble in< th(t w(y* you then won+t be st(rtin from scr(tch! Eoe 9obody s(ys th(t everybody h(s some e2#erience in life they c(n use in ( book ;you don+t h(ve to h(ve been ( #olicem(n or ( firefi hter* but you do h(ve to work out wh(t of life e2#erience you c(n brin to your novel! Rel(ted to writin (bout wh(t you know* Lis( :r(ce s(ys th(t you shouldn+t ch(se ( hot enre! Inste(d* find somethin you (re #(ssion(te (bout (nd write (bout th(t! It will show throu h in your writin ! 6f course* you should be lo ic(l (bout this< if your interest is incredibly niche then you mi ht stru le to m(ke (n income off it! Fictori( Eeffrey hi hli hts the #roblem th(t she f(ced when she wrote children+s fiction* which is ( much h(rder (re( to bre(k into;she #oints th(t children don+t buy books (nd th(t the m(rket is still very domin(ted by tr(dition(l #ublishers!

Recyc ing !ateria

Fictori( wrote two full-len th novels b(ck in the 1AA0s when tr(dition(l #ublishin w(s her only o#tion! Gltim(tely* these were not #ublished* (nd when she looked b(ck (t them ne(rly two dec(des l(ter* she decided not to self-#ublish them either;she felt her writin h(d #ro ressed to such ( level th(t they no lon er cut it! 'his didn+t me(n the end of them* thou h* (s she re ul(rly di#s into them for ide(s (nd scenes! -(teri(l you h(ve written but don+t w(nt to #ublish c(n be ( re(t ins#ir(tion when you (re stuck for ide(s* so don+t delete your old m(nuscri#ts=

Consu"e
Libbie /(wker hi hli hted the im#ort(nce of kee#in u# with your enre! As ( writer* you should be re(din he(vily* es#eci(lly in the enre you write in! Audiobooks c(n be ( re(t w(y to fit in more re(din !

Writer#s B ock
Be lo ic(l (bout itC if you h(ve become stuck in the story (nd (re not m(kin #ro ress* then t(ke ( cou#le of d(ys (nd t(ke ( ste# b(ck* #ut on the 5editor+s h(t*7 (s Libbie c(lls it* (nd think 5Why is the story not #ro ressin . Wh(t+s wron with wh(t I+ve written so f(r.7 When Libbie ets stuck* she knows somethin incorrect h(s h(##ened in the #lot* so she oes b(ck (nd fi ures th(t out! She s(ys you must be ruthless (bout cuttin out writin th(t doesn+t work! Al(n Petersen s(ys th(t if you et in the h(bit of writin everyd(y* it is e(sier to et unstuck! 8ou+ll h(ve to write somethin e(ch d(y* which will force your story to #ro ress! R!-! Prioleu would recommend )oinin ( writin month* which com#els you to hit th(t word count e(ch d(y! Fictori( Eeffrey s(ys th(t h(vin ( det(iled outline of your book c(n be ( ood ide( if you find yourself ettin stuck with writin ! Some (uthors find th(t the words )ust come (nd the story unfolds* others don+t! If you f(ll into the l(tter c(te ory* dr(w u# ( #l(n before you write your book!

Technica $ssues

Lis( :r(ce s(ys kee# thin s sim#le when writin ! Gse ( b(sic word #rocessin #ro r(m (nd don+t do (ny form(ttin to m(ke it look nice! -ost of your nice form(ttin will et messed u# (nyw(y when you convertin it to (n ebook form(t!

Agents and Pub ishers

We+re ( self-#ublishin show* but tr(dition(l #ublishin often comes u# in the convers(tion! In this section* we+ll look (t wh(t my first ten uests h(d to s(y (bout the tr(dition(l #ublishin world! 6ur first interviewee* Libbie /(wker* s(id she w(sted two ye(rs tryin to find (n ( ent when she should h(ve been embr(cin self-#ublishin ! She s(ys th(t you should sto# tryin to find (n ( ent (nd focus on your writin ! Libbie s(ys th(t ( ents don+t (lw(ys know wh(t the m(rket w(nts (nd re(ders (nd writers (re the only cruci(l elements;( ents (nd #ublishers (re (n unnecess(ry (ddition! 'his sentiment h(s been echoed by m(ny uests on the show! Self-#ublishin is ( #owerful w(y for you to re(ch your re(der b(se directly!

Sti %ant to go Traditiona ?

'he tr(dition(l world mi ht still h(ve ( #l(ce for you! 'his c(n be es#eci(lly true if you h(ve (lre(dy h(d success with self-#ublishin ;(t which #oint you mi ht (ctu(lly be (##ro(ched by ( tr(dition(l #ublisher! At this #oint* you c(n see tr(dition(l #ublishin (s ( w(y to reduce risk! 0or e2(m#le* if you h(ve hit it bi with one series th(t h(s come to ( close* si nin on to ( #ublisher for (nother series >or )ust ( sin le book? c(n be ( w(y to reduce the risk of the new book not bein ( success! 8ou+ll h(ve ( #ublisher who h(s (lre(dy #(id you some (mount in (dv(nce* no m(tter how well the book does!

Pricing and &inances

1(ch (uthor who h(s been on the show so f(r h(s s(id th(t they either write full time or w(nt to! It+s never (n issue of #(ssion< it+s (lw(ys (n issue of money! If you w(nt to m(ke ( livin (s (n (uthor you (bsolutely need to be (w(re of the business (nd fin(nci(l side of thin s!

!aking a 'i(ing
Sever(l (uthors on the show h(ve s(id th(t the w(y to m(ke ( livin (s (n (uthor is to o self#ublished! Sure* #ublishers h(ve their benefits* but there is ood money in self-#ublishin even if you (re not ( bi -time indie (uthor!

Pricing
Pricin inform(tion c(n et out of d(te @uickly! 'herefore you should look (t how self#ublished books in your enre (re #riced! A few uests h(ve (lso s(id th(t unless you (re doin ( #romotion on Am(4on* then you should (bsolutely #rice your book so you et the H0I revenue sh(re >(s of Se#tember %01&* th(t+s ( J%!AA minimum?!

)igher Prices
As I s(id (t the st(rt there is some conflictin inform(tion in this uide! 6ne #erson who #rices r(ther differently from the rest is Eoe 9obody;(ll but one of his books (re (bove JA! /e chose hi her #rices bec(use this is the entert(inment v(lue he feels they #rovide! /e s(id th(t if ( #erson t(kes ten hours to re(d ( book* then JA is ( ood de(l >es#eci(lly when you consider the cost of the movies tod(y=? Eoe is not worried (bout his #rice bein hi her th(n other indie (uthors! /is e2#eriment(tion with #rices showed th(t there is very little (dv(nt( e to #ricin lower< even when he (ve the

novel (w(y for free* he found downlo(ds did not incre(se much! 5If we dro##ed the #rice to JK* we didn+t h(ve the m(rketin re(ch to double the s(les7;fin(nci(lly* it )ust didn+t m(ke sense! If you ive your customer ( ood story* ( well-edited book* (nd ( nice cover* #eo#le won+t re(lly mind the few e2tr( doll(rs* s(ys Eoe!

&irst Book &ree

'his one is mostly for series (uthors* (nd ,(nielle Bourdon uses it to re(t effect! If you h(ve written sever(l books* it c(n be ( re(t ide( to m(ke the first book free! A ood free book c(n be ( re(t w(y to et re(ders interested in your series* (nd if they re(lly like the first one* they+ll #rob(bly be h(##y to #(y for the se@uel! ,(nielle is by no me(ns the only (uthor to use this str(te y (nd Linds(y Buroker (nd Lis( :r(ce h(ve (lso used it to re(t effect! 'his is re(t if you h(ve ( series (lre(dy out* but wh(t if you+re ( new (uthor with )ust one book >th(t mi ht not even be ( #(rt of ( series?. Althou h Linds(y Buroker now h(s ( full* seven-book series (nd uses this #erm(-free model* she didn+t (lw(ys! When she finished her first book* she w(nted to entice re(ders in* so she wrote ( #re@uel novell(* which she (ve (w(y! 9ot only did this m(ke re(ders w(nt to know wh(t h(##en ne2t* but she (lso included ( short s(m#le from the m(in novel (t the end! If you h(ve the time* writin ( short #re@uel to ive (w(y c(n be ( re(t w(y to drive the s(les of your m(in novel! Linds(y does w(rn* thou h* th(t you shouldn+t #ut too l(r e ( s(m#le (t the end of the #re@uel or you mi ht u#set re(ders;no one likes thinkin they still h(ve &0I of the book left when (ll th(t they h(ve is (ctu(lly )ust ( s(m#le=

!arketing
0or indie (uthors* m(rketin is (bsolutely essenti(l to their books+ success! Eoe 9obody even writes his m(rketin #l(n before he writes the book= 'his ties in closely to the business mindset brou ht u# in the #revious section;if you (re oin to m(ke ( c(reer out of writin * m(rketin skills (re essenti(l! In this section we+re oin to look (t some different m(rketin str(te ies you mi ht like to im#lement! Al(n s(ys there is ( misconce#tion th(t if you h(ve ( tr(dition(l #ublisher* it is oin to do some m(rketin for you! If you (re (n unknown* it is oin to re@uire you to do ( lot of the he(vy liftin ! ,on+t think th(t by oin with ( #ublisher you (re oin to et much m(rketin included!

*"ai 'ists
Lis( :r(ce works h(rd to communic(te with her f(n b(se! 1m(il is (n e(sy w(y to t(lk to them (nd inform them (bout her new books! Linds(y Buroker s(ys th(t her em(il list is very useful when she rele(ses ( book (s she will encour( e re(ders to buy the book e(rly which will lift it into the bestseller lists!

Re(ie%s
'hese (re essenti(l* es#eci(lly e(rly on! 8ou should re(ch out to your #erson(l network (nd encour( e #eo#le to review your work! ,(rren We(rmouth (sked his friends to ive honest reviews if they w(nted to (nd he w(s #le(s(ntly sur#rised by how m(ny #eo#le bothered= Al(n Petersen s(ys you should cont(ct the book blo ers in your enre! :oo le c(n find ers (nd reviewers in these! 0irst find the n(me of ( book th(t is sellin well in your enre (nd then se(rch :oo le for the n(me of the book followed by 5review!7 8ou+ll e(sily find ( few blo your enre this w(y! 9ow you )ust need to send them ( #erson(l em(il >no tem#l(tes=? (lon the lines of 5I see you review books in B enre* I+d love you to review mine* c(n I send you ( free co#y.7 6ffer (n ebook or ( #rint co#y! Al(n #ut to ether ( s#re(dsheet of (ll the #eo#le he w(s

oin to cont(ct before the book even l(unched;(nother (uthor dr(win u# ( m(rketin #l(n before the book l(unch= Eoe 9obody builds lon er-term rel(tionshi#s with blo ers! When he rele(ses ( new book* he+ll re(ch out to this sm(ll rou# (nd )ust (sk them for ( mention! 'hese tend to h(ve sm(ller (udiences* but he h(s ( ood rel(tionshi# with them (nd they h(ve loy(l re(ders who (re more likely to convert into s(les!

Targeting !arketing
"ert(inly one of the most uni@ue m(rketin str(te ies w(s sh(red by Eoe 9obody! Eoe will inte r(te currently #o#ul(r to#ics into his novels (s #(rt of his m(rketin str(te y! 0or his l(test book* he found th(t #le(sure bo(tin w(s oin throu h ( resur ence in the GS* so he decided to inte r(te th(t into his novel;in this c(se* he (ve the m(in ch(r(cter ( bo(t! Eoe (lso uses this str(te y to ive his ch(r(cter de#th< for e2(m#le* he mi ht w(nt to m(ke his m(in ch(r(cter ( bit nerdy* so he+ll ive him (n interest in model tr(ins! G#on rele(se* he e2ecutes ( m(rketin #l(n th(t involves cont(ctin v(rious websites th(t h(ve ( re(dershi# which is interested in the to#ic he chose to t(r et* for e2(m#le* bo(tin or model tr(ins! 'hese #eo#le (re not ( community #rim(rily interested in re(din but inste(d interested in the s#ecific sub)ect m(tter! /e cont(cts them (skin C "(n I do ( uest #ost on your site (bout my book. Is this somethin your re(ders mi ht be interested in. Would you like to review the book.

8ou c(n find these sites sim#ly by se(rchin :oo le! 0or e2(m#le if you (re usin model tr(ins* se(rch :oo le for 5model tr(in blo 7 or 5model tr(in community!7 9ot only does this str(te y cre(te ( better book by ivin the ch(r(cters de#th* it o#ens u# re(t m(rketin ch(nnels th(t most (uthors (re not utili4in !

!arketing *+penses

5'he d(ys of somebody writin ( book* not s#endin (ny money on #romotin it* roundin it out* or im#rovin it* (nd bein wildly successful (re such ( sm(ll #ercent( e of writers these d(ys7;Eoe 9obody! Eoe s(ys th(t J1D00 is the (mount you should h(ve set (side for your book to #(y for everythin * includin some m(rketin ! -(ny (uthors h(ve s(id th(t you should h(ve money to s#end on your books! See it (s ( business venture th(t is oin to re@uire ( bit of investment! As well (s s#endin money on editin * you+ll need to s#end on m(rketin ! 'his c(n be (s sim#le (s ( ood cover or ( more (dv(nced str(te y* such (s #(yin for (dvertisin or book #romotions!

Socia !edia
When R!-! Priole(u l(unched her first book* she used her soci(l medi( #resence to #romote the book! 1ven if you h(ve never #ublished before* you c(n still #ut the book in front of your friends on 0(cebook or 'witter! She (lso #l(ced her book in the 5Book B(4((r7 on 3Bo(rds >( #o#ul(r online forum for indie writers?! ,(rren We(rmouth found th(t ettin in touch with #eo#le who h(d re(ched out to him on soci(l medi( (bout his book (nd ently (skin them for ( review w(s ( ood w(y of encour( in #eo#le to le(ve reviews who otherwise mi ht not h(ve!

Rea -%or d !arketing

R!-! s(ys th(t book si nin s (re not )ust for the est(blished (uthor;she #rinted sever(l books usin "re(teS#(ce (nd re(ched out to loc(l coffee sho#s (bout whether she could set u# ( t(ble (nd si n books for #eo#le! Book si nin s h(ve been ( #rofit(ble venture for her in themselves! ,oin these in coffee sho#s is (lmost (lw(ys free< you )ust h(ve to (sk!

'aunch !arketing
,(rren We(rmouth sh(red with us his l(unch str(te y which hel# him become r(nked number one for horror (nd sci-fi in the G3* (s well (s (chievin im#ressive results in the GS! 6f

course* he (nd his brother co-wrote ( ood book* but he (lso e2ecuted (n effective initi(l m(rketin drive! ,(rren+s str(te y involved utili4in #(id (dvertisin ! It w(s (fford(ble but effective (nd done over the first week of his book l(unch;(lthou h he h(d #ut (ll of the (dvertisin ( reements into #l(ce #rior to l(unch >once ( (in* (n e2(m#le of (n (uthor #ro#erly #l(nnin m(rketin before the book l(unch?! If you w(nt your book to t(ke off from the st(rt without ( f(n b(se you need to or (ni4e somethin like ,(rren+s str(te y! Wh(t is effective cert(inly ch(n es over time* but if you don+t do ( bi m(rketin drive (t the st(rt* your book #rob(bly won+t t(ke off! ,(rren+s str(te y is outlined below! /(ve ( look into some of the (dvertisin #(rtners he uses here (nd see whether you mi ht w(nt to use them for your book l(unch! 'hey (re (ll (fford(ble for the new indie (uthor! Pre-launch;:ot ( decent cover (nd cre(ted (n interestin book descri#tion! 'his m(kes the book ( nice #(ck( e! Initi(lly* he decided on ( #ricin str(te y of AA #ence (nd AA cents to et e2#osure (nd et #eo#le to en)oy the book! /a$ 5;'(r etin (dvertisers th(t would work with them! ,(rren found these by re(din the e2#eriences of other indie (uthors >3Bo(rds is ( re(t #l(ce to st(rt?! /e h(d ( t(r etin #l(n (nd s#oke to (ll the (dvertisers he w(nted to use in (dv(nce! /e m(de #erson(l cont(ct with the #eo#le who do #romotions on these sites (nd (sked their (dvice;they were very hel#ful! /a$ 610(mily (nd friends went (nd bou ht the book! ,(rren s(w ( re(lly re(t res#onse from #erson(l networks! /e (lso bou ht ( week-lon (dvertisin b(nner with eRe(der 9ews 'od(y! ,ecided th(t 0(cebookLAdwordsL:oodRe(ds w(s #rob(bly not (s useful! While he didn+t m(ke money b(ck from eRe(der 9ews 'od(y* he did et ( lot of clicks (nd e2#osure! /a$ 71Advertisin on Pi2el Scroll! /a$ 81Pl(ced (n (dvert with 3indle 9(tion ,(ily* which w(s ( very (##ro(ch(ble site! 12cellent (ccess to different (ds (v(il(ble (nd inform(tion on how effective they (ll (re! ,(rren went for ( JAA (d* which h(d been effective for other (uthors! 'his is wh(t #ro#elled his book+s Am(4on r(nkin close to the to# 1000! >While it+s h(rd to tell wh(t is the direct c(use of (ny sin le s(le* 3indle 9(tion ,(ily seems the most likely c(ndid(te here!?

/a$ 9 MSt(rted (n 1book Booster #romotion* which #romotes your book to %D sites (t once* m(kin (dvertisin in m(ny (fford(ble #l(ces ( re(t de(l e(sier! It costs JK0 (nd it is (ll done for you! /is 3indle 9(tion ,(ily (d continued to be effective! /a$ :;/(d ( c(m#(i n with Book Bl(st* which #romotes ebooks on s(le to (n em(il list! E(son* who runs the service* w(s very hel#ful (nd e(sy to work with! /a$ ;1Gsed the 3indle 0ire ,e#(rtment! Advertises your book every two months (nd h(s ( l(r e (udience! It+s well known in the indie world th(t ( str(te y th(t works well tod(y mi ht not work tomorrow! -entioned numerous times on the show is 3Bo(rds* where the l(test info on wh(t m(rketin is currently effective is often sh(red! It #(ys to kee# u# to d(te when #l(nnin your m(rketin !

,ey%ord !arketing on A"a-on

Al(n Petersen s(ys th(t (s lon (s you (re (n unknown (uthor* #eo#le won+t be se(rchin for your book s#ecific(lly! Inste(d they+ll be se(rchin in the enre* so this is where you need to focus your m(rketin efforts! Al(n writes in the s#y thriller enre* so he w(nts #eo#le who (re se(rchin Am(4on for 5s#y thriller7 to see his book! Al(n s(ys the first thin you should find out is wh(t your #ros#ective re(ders (re se(rchin Am(4on for! As Al(n s(ys* his t(r et re(ders (re se(rchin for thin s like 5"IA thriller7 (nd 5s#y thriller*7 so he will w(nt to t(r et those keywords! 8ou c(n et ( ood ide( of wh(t keywords to use by uessin the first #(rt such (s 5s#y7 or 5ci(7 (nd ty#in th(t into the Am(4on se(rch bo2! At this #oint* it will (ttem#t to (uto com#lete the se(rch term* (nd from this list you+ll be (ble to et ( ood ide( of wh(t keywords #eo#le (re se(rchin for! In the c(se of 5ci(*7 we et 5ci( thrillers7 (nd 5ci( fiction*7 (mon others! '(r etin these keywords me(ns th(t when someone ty#es 5"IA thrillers7 into the Am(4on se(rch bo2* Al(n+s book comes u# ne(r the to#! 'o do this* you c(n include this term in your book (nd (uthor descri#tion on Am(4on! ,on+t use it too much< one or two times in e(ch works well!

Author Websites
Lis( :r(ce w(s the first interviewee to hi hli ht the im#ort(nce of h(vin ( website! She s(ys th(t you must h(ve ( website before you even l(unch your book= 8our m(in site should be b(sed on your n(me >not your novel?* (s this will (llow you lots of fle2ibility when it comes to writin more books* es#eci(lly if you w(nt to switch enres! Purch(se the title of the bookLseries dom(in if you w(nt* but this should be ( second(ry consider(tion! Lis( believes th(t you should h(ve consistency in your online #resence! '(ke the dom(in of your n(me* for e2(m#leC 5www!)ohndoe!com7* or* if th(t is t(ken o for 5www!)ohndoebooks!com7! 8ou should then (lso use this for your other online #rofiles* so if you were si nin u# for 'witter* you would use 5N)ohndoebooks7!

Creating an ./ctopus0
Lis( s(ys you need to h(ve (n 5octo#us-like7 str(te y! 8ou should h(ve 5(rms7 in m(ny (re(s informin #eo#le (bout your books but they should (ll le(d b(ck to the 5body*7 which is the m(in website! 0or e2(m#le* you should h(ve ( 0(cebook #( e* 'witter (ccount* et ceter(* but on e(ch one you must h(ve ( link b(ck to your own website! 1very #resence you develo# online should (lw(ys h(ve ( link b(ck to your own site! All the (uthors we+ve h(d on the show h(ve ( website with inform(tion (bout their books! It is ( ood #l(ce to send #eo#le who (re interested in your work! 6nce you (re more est(blished (nd h(ve built ( followin * h(vin ( b(se for f(ns to come to is inv(lu(ble!

/%ning Your /%n Site

Linds(y Buroker notes th(t by h(vin your own website* you h(ve com#lete control! When someone else+s website is your m(in #resence online >such (s ( #( e on 0(cebook?* you c(n run into trouble if they ch(n e their #olicies! /(vin your own site will (lso m(ke you look more #rofession(l!

Fictori( Eeffrey s(w her s(les dro# when 0(cebook went throu h (n u#d(te th(t m(de one of her m(rketin str(te ies f(r less effective! She now runs her own site* which isn+t sub)ect to the whims of 0(cebook me(nin she is f(r less likely to see ( m(rketin ch(nnel dis(##e(r! Al(n Petersen >(nd m(ny others? hosts his site on the WordPress #l(tform* which is very e(sy to use once you h(ve the h(n of it! It (lso (llows you to inst(ll :oo le An(lytics* which will show you where your visitors (re comin from (nd therefore wh(t #(rt of your m(rketin is bein most effective! Settin u# ( WordPress website is ine2#ensive! 8ou c(n find hostin for JD0-O0 ( ye(r* #lus ( dom(in n(me for J10-1%! Linds(y recommends th(t if you (re not the most technic(l #erson* you seek out hel# ettin set u#! 1l(nce* o,esk (nd even 0iverr (re ood #l(ces to look for (ssist(nce >or you c(n )ust (sk ( knowled e(ble friend?! 8ou+ll #rob(bly w(nt to o with ( WordPress site (s it is e(sy to run (nd doesn+t re@uire (ny serious com#uter skills!

Book Co(ers
Book covers (re the first thin ( re(der sees when browsin Am(4on >#ossibly even before the title?* so m(kin ( ood one is essenti(l! Lis( :r(ce s(ys th(t for book cover ins#ir(tion* you should h(ve ( look (t the to# covers in your enre! 8ou c(n then send your chosen desi ner the covers th(t you re(lly like* (nd he or she will be (ble to st(rt desi nin b(sed on your #references! Adri)us :usci( w(s the first non-(uthor I h(d on the show* (nd he told us (bout the #rocess for ettin ( book cover desi ned! /e summed the situ(tion u# wellC 5Gnless you (re ( r(#hic desi ner* you should #(y for cover desi n!7 'h(t bein s(id* I did mention (t the st(rt th(t this uide will h(ve conflictin (dviceC ,(nielle Bourdon* who h(s ( wide r(n e of re(t-lookin covers* m(kes (ll of them herself! Perh(#s it )ust comes down to whether you h(ve the skills to do the work yourself! 'here (re two m(in ty#es of cover th(t indie (uthors ty#ic(lly o forC

Pre"ade Co(ers
0or the first time (uthor who is lookin for somethin eye c(tchin (nd does not w(nt to s#end ( fortune* ettin ( #rem(de cover from ( desi ner is ( re(t ide(! 'he downside is you won+t et it t(ilored to your book;but if you c(n find one th(t m(tches* you+re oin to s(ve ( chunk of money! Prem(de covers c(n o for under JD0 (nd (re usu(lly (round D0-P0I lower th(n the #rice th(t desi ner would ch(r e for ( tot(lly custom cover! If you h(ve found ( desi ner you like* o (nd h(ve ( look (t their #rem(des before you shell out for ( fully custom cover (s you mi ht find somethin s#ot on for f(r less!

The Co(er Design Process

'his is the #rocess th(t Adri)us outlined* but your desi ner of choice mi ht do thin s ( bit differently! 'his should ive you ( ood ener(l ide( of how it will work* thou hC

1! 0ind your desi ner of choice (nd hire him or her! %! 'he desi ner will send you ( series of @uestions (bout the book (nd #rob(bly (sk for ( syno#sis! &! 8ou+ll receive ( few b(sic ide(s for your cover< e(ch should be not(bly different! K! 8our feedb(ck oes to the desi ner! D! Revisions (re m(de (nd sent to you! O! Re#e(t review (nd revisions until s(tisfied! H! S#ine (nd b(ck (re cre(ted b(sed on m(in cover desi n! Reviewed (nd revised until the (uthor is h(##y!

De i(ery
8our book cover will be delivered however you w(nt! If you (re unsure wh(t you need to do* )ust (sk your desi ner* who h(s done it m(ny times before! 0or e2(m#le* if you w(nt ( cover for (n Am(4on ebook* s(y so< the desi ner will know wh(t the ri ht form(t (nd si4e is!

*diting1 Proofreading and Beta Readers

1ditin is worth doin < everyone ( rees on th(t! 1ven if you (re ( very t(lented writer* you should hire (n editor! Eoe 9obody s(ys th(t he m(de the mist(ke th(t (ll indie (uthors m(ke (nd th(t w(s not hirin (n editor for his first book! Eoe+s sentiment is echoed by most e2#erience (uthors! It c(n be e2#ensive* but it is worth settin (side some money for it! 8ou+ll find ( wide r(n e of editin o#tions* (t ( wide r(n e of costs! /ere we (re oin to look (t those #ursued by my first ten uests!

&u 1 Copy or 'ine *diting

0ull editin is ( re(lly dee# edit! 8our editor will ive you (dvice on the story (nd your ch(r(cters* this is often c(lled ( develo#ment(l edit! Line or co#y editin )ust m(kes sure everythin flows;it+s where the editor will re(d (nd (ctively correct the te2t! 'here is ( lot of confusion over editin terms in the indie world* when you (re thinkin (bout hirin (n editor m(ke sure you know wh(t you (re ettin M (sk for s#ecifics!

)o% do you choose an *ditor?

"heck their references (nd be c(reful (bout it! 3Bo(rds is ( re(t #l(ce to st(rt (nd you+ll find ( ood b(se of recommended editors there who h(ve been used by writers on the bo(rds! 'he freel(nce websites >o,esk* 1l(nce* 0reel(ncer* et ceter(? (lso h(ve ( lot of editors* but be c(reful to choose someone with e2cellent references! Interviewin editors is (lso im#ort(nt! Al(n Petersen s(ys th(t you should never ive them the first ch(#ter (s it+s usu(lly the #(rt of the book th(t needs the le(st editin = "hoose somethin from the middle (s by th(t time you+re usu(lly bein ( bit l(4y! A ood editor will do ( s(m#le for you for free! 6n the Rockin Self-Publishin website* you+ll find ( #( e of resources I u#d(te re ul(rly! /ere you+ll find ( select few editors whom my uests s#e(k very hi hly of!

2o *ditor?
Fictori( Eeffrey s(id th(t (n editor w(s )ust somethin she couldn+t (fford (t the st(rt of her indie c(reer! It w(s interestin to et this #ers#ective on the show (s there will be m(ny #eo#le who w(nt to write but c(nnot (fford to hire ( @u(lity editor (nd don+t w(nt to risk w(stin money on someone who isn+t c(#(ble! ,on+t let not bein (ble to (fford (n editor sto# you from writin * but e@u(lly* don+t underestim(te the v(lue of (n editor! As you+ll see below* Fictori( uses bet( re(ders to hel# brid e the (# of not h(vin (n editor! She knows this solution is not #erfect* however* (nd intends to hire (n editor shortly!

Proofreading
Also very useful* but this doesn+t h(ve the 5bi #icture7 view of other ty#es of editin ! R!-! Priole(u decided to use friends (nd f(mily (t first to #roofre(d the book! 'hey did it for free but weren+t (s c(#(ble (s someone who #roofre(ds for ( livin ! She (lso s(ys th(t if you h(ve ( criti@ue rou#* members c(n be re(t #roofre(ders (s they+ll tend to be more honest th(n friends or f(mily! Eust (s with (n editor* (lw(ys be c(reful to check references! 3Bo(rds is ( ood #l(ce to st(rt (s (re the freel(ncin websites mentioned (bove!

Beta Readers
Bet( re(ders (re ( re(t ide(* but m(ke sure these #eo#le will ive it to you str(i ht! 0or this re(son* usin f(mily or close friends is not ( re(t ide(! Fictori( Eeffrey* who w(s o#en with us (bout the f(ct th(t she doesn+t h(ve (n editor* s(ys th(t bet( re(ders were inv(lu(ble! While they didn+t know the industry terms* they were @uick to #oint out (ny #roblems with her books >like the continuity issues th(t (n editor would usu(lly #ick u#?!

Co""unity
Lis( :r(ce hi hli hted the lonely #rocess th(t writin c(n be! She describes it (s* 5Eust you (nd wh(t you (re usin to write on!7 'herefore she recommends soci(l inter(ction online >with both writers (nd re(ders? to de(l with th(t! 3Bo(rds is ( re(t #l(ce to st(rt inter(ctin with both re(ders (nd writers! Writin communities were ( #(rticul(r focus in my interview with R!-! Priole(u! She s(ys th(t meetin in #erson c(n be re(lly v(lu(ble (nd ( rou# c(n #rovide feedb(ck on your work before you #ublish! She (ttends ( weekly meetin of (uthors* (ll of whom h(ve different skills! 6nline rou#s (re (lso ( ood o#tion if you c(n+t find ( loc(l meetin !

Your Current &riends and &a"i y

'hey+re #rob(bly not writers* but they (re re(ders! 'hey mi ht be bi(sed tow(rds you (nd find it difficult to ive you honest feedb(ck* but don+t discount your f(mily (nd close friends! ,(nielle Bourdon s(ys th(t she (lw(ys runs (n ide( #(st her husb(nd first (nd then her #(rents! She doesn+t (sk them for ide(s< she )ust m(kes sure the ide(s she comes u# with (re of interest to them!

3oodreads
:o (nd si n u# for this (nd st(rt re(din (nd reviewin others books! Libbie /(wker s(ys th(t it is very im#ort(nt to use it (s ( reader (nd not )ust (s ( writer! Write reviews (nd et involved! ,on+t o in (nd st(rt shoutin th(t you h(ve ( book;even if the book is ood* #eo#le will sl(m you bec(use you (re m(rketin too ( ressively! Libbie (lso s(ys h(vin friends who (re writers c(n be re(t for feedb(ck!

After the Book is /ut

-(rketin ! 6bviously! We+ve mentioned this #reviously;writin is )ust one #(rt of bein ( self-#ublished (uthor! 8ou now h(ve to m(ke sure #eo#le will buy your book! But wh(t else should you be doin once you h(ve clicked the 5#ublish7 button.

,eep Writing
,(nielle Bourdon s(ys th(t it is incredibly im#ort(nt to kee# writin ! If you (re serious (bout m(kin ( livin (s (n indie (uthor* you (re oin to h(ve to write more books* so you m(y (s well et writin str(i ht (w(y! She s(ys th(t there will be #e(ks (nd trou hs in your s(les* but it is im#ort(nt to kee# writin throu h (ll the fluctu(tions (nd to not et demotiv(ted! Lis( :r(ce echoes th(t* remindin (uthors th(t if you (re #l(nnin to m(ke writin your fulltime income* then you need to (cce#t th(t it is ( full-time )ob! 'his is es#eci(lly true for indie (uthors (s you (re oin to h(ve to m(rket (nd build ( f(n b(se for your books (s well!

Schedu e Your Writing

Fictori( Eeffrey s(ys th(t if you w(nt to be seen (s more th(n )ust ( one-hit-wonder* you need to #roduce re ul(r content! 'his is es#eci(lly true if you (re writin ( series! 8ou must let #eo#le know in (ny w(y you c(n th(t the first book is not the only book= Peo#le will come b(ck for more if they like the first book* so m(ke sure those who (re lookin for ( se@uel c(n either find it or know when it is (rrivin ! 1ssenti(lly once your book is out* you need to st(rt on the ne2t one >but still le(ve enou h time for m(rketin ?!

The 'ong )au

'here (re ( few e2(m#les of self-#ublished (uthors who h(ve become very successful in ( short (mount of time* but it is im#ort(nt to remember th(t these (re few (nd f(r between! While this m(y seem dishe(rtenin * m(kin it 5overni ht7 is f(r from usu(l! Fictori( Eeffrey s(ys th(t even if you (ren+t 5m(kin it*7 you must stick with it;(t le(st for ( cert(in (mount of time! Fictori( h(s iven herself five ye(rs to turn writin into ( full-time )ob! If she m(kes it sooner* re(t* but she knows th(t most of the time* it t(kes ( lon time to turn writin into ( full-time c(reer!

Dea ing %ith Critics

-ost of my interviewees s(y you should re(d (ll the reviews* ood or b(d! Self-#ublished (uthors don+t usu(lly h(ve (ccess to the kind of editori(l su##ort you mi ht et if you were tr(dition(lly #ublished! Reviews (re ( re(t w(y to et feedb(ck on your book for free;re(d them (nd im#lement the useful feedb(ck! It+s rel(tively e(sy to u#d(te ( book tod(y* so if re(ders (re #ointin out errors* try to correct them @uickly! Be(r in mind no one will write ( book th(t everyone loves! 1ven some of the most not(ble books in the world et sc(thin reviews;you sim#ly c(n+t #le(se everyone= If the book is not for them* it+s not for them! 9e (tive reviews don+t me(n you (re ( b(d writer* they )ust me(ns you+re not everyone+s writer! 'his h(s been ( recurrin comment in the interviews!

Printing
Eoe 9obody s(ys th(t you should (bsolutely do ( #rint co#y of your book! It looks re(t on Am(4on* it costs nothin to do* (nd it c(n be re(t for m(rketin ! Blo ebooks to review< sendin recommends usin "re(teS#(ce! R!-! (lso recommends "re(teS#(ce* s(yin th(t it is e(sy to m(n( e with ( bit of work! 'here is (lso ( #(id service on the site if you don+t w(nt the he(d(che of doin it (ll yourself! R!-! (lso s(ys th(t h(vin the #rinted book in your h(nds is ( re(t e2#erience< it c(n motiv(te you to et b(ck to the writin desk= ers receive ( lot of ( #(#erb(ck co#y c(n m(ke you st(nd out from the rest! Eoe

What&s 'e(t? :o sit (t your com#uter (nd st(rt ty#in = 6n ( more serious note* I do ho#e th(t this short uide h(s brou ht to ether the ide(s sh(red in my first ten interviews in ( ne(t w(y! /o#efully it h(s iven you some (ction(ble (dvice th(t you+ll be (ble to im#lement wh(tever st( e you (re (t in your indie c(reer! 6ur #odc(st comes out every 'hursd(y (t Rockin SelfPublishin !com;kee# on listenin = 'h(nks* Simon