Being an indie author is challenging. Very challenging. Completing your novel isn’t the end of the story. It’s only just the beginning. Next, you must decide on how you want to publish your story. Do you want to publish through a vanity press such as Dorrance Publish, Xlibri, etc.? Or DIY options such as Kindle Direct Publishing, BookBaby or Smashwords? This names will become imbedded in your brain as you agonize over this important decision. A step that may stop many authors in their tracks who are technically challenged.
Once that decision is made–and you’re computer savvy enough to conquer the process–that’s when the real work begins of marketing and never-ending promotion. The kind that may permanently alienate you from friends, family and social media followers by shamelessly shoving your book in their face in an effort to reach the masses. If you’re an introvert, this can be a terrifying, uncomfortable and downright traumatic experience. But hey, that’s what therapy is for. You might want to include that expense in your marketing budget.
Then there’s the struggle of obtaining reviews–the ultimate goal of every writer. Readers may buy your book and either love it or hate it. But how will you ever know without them posting a review. It is the eternal dilemma for a writer with no clear solution. All you can do is hope and pray–or resort to bribery– to get those numbers up on Goodreads, Amazon and beyond.
My thoughts? You have to be a brave, gutsy soul, and natural born sales person to be successful as an indie author. It’s a tough market and getting tougher. Even if your book is the next Outlander of Harry Potter, it’s a struggle to find success in the flood of competition. Unless of course, you start your own publishing company. If you do, please remember me.
So, to you courageous indie writers out there, I applaud your audacity and wish you much success. For this indie author, the effort has been more than I bargained for. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up so easily. On the contrary, it has only made me more determined to succeed.
Of course, after a much needed break.
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