Who's A Writer?

[CloneFly]

I write short stories, cringe at them, and delete them.

relatable

 

[Sally PB]

I myself am an indie self published author and one day hope to turn it into my full-time job. As of now I have several romance novellas (bit shorter than novel at around 30k words give or take). But I'm constantly writing and putting out books for four years now!

Can you tell us more about going the self publishing route?

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Can you tell us more about going the self publishing route?

I'm sure it's different for everyone, and I learned from someone who had way too many steps added, haha, but there are programs/sites like draft2digital that you upload to, can do basic formatting, and then save your file OR use d2d to publish wide(wide means to everything available, not limited to KU-kindle unlimited on Amazon). Then take that file, upload to KDP(Amazon self publishing). Then market on SM(social media) lol.

I know that's basics, and there are even more like Atticus that gives more freedom for writing/formatting. Bookfunne for ARC readers/newsletters. And then the joys of finding editors that mesh with you.

Anything specific you looking for?

 

[Sally PB]

Anything specific you looking for?

My husband has written a fantasy novel that he says he "might eventually self publish."

FIL self-published a book through Xlibris, and I keep hearing from his wife how much money they spent/lost, etc. I told hubby we are not doing that.

I don't know if I'll ever self publish my novel. It now has a major plot issue due to advancements in technology.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

My husband has written a fantasy novel that he says he "might eventually self publish."

FIL self-published a book through Xlibris, and I keep hearing from his wife how much money they spent/lost, etc. I told hubby we are not doing that.

I don't know if I'll ever self publish my novel. It now has a major plot issue due to advancements in technology.

It can be a money pit. While I do create my own covers, I have done subscriptions in past for stock photos, then use an editor(Shutterstock and Canva) both have free/paid services.

You can find indie editors through say FB groups that are quite reasonable. Fantasy is a bit different than romance, but basics the same. Same with blurb writers. And same with premade.covers, anywhere from 50(on sale) -200$ depending on digital artist. Most of the ones I know do not use AI.

Draft2digital is free. I use google.docs to write/save. Then I upload to d2d. Then it had an option on where to publish it. (Kobo, BN, library services and amazon-provided you don't have a KDP account.) D2d does have a generic formatting process, Atticus is a one time purchase(similar to.vellum on mac) and has more options, and you can still upload to d2d for distribution. Or you could find a formatter similar to editors-there are some that do it all as indie small buisnesses.

KDP is free as well, it's Amazon's author Central to self publishing. And it walks you through the process and there are some videos/forum. KDP also has a cover creator as well if you wanted an easy cover to begin with--i did this at first and once i learned more I updated covers. KDP also has paper packs and hardbacks-- for a price lol, but honestly, holding your first book in paperback is an amazing feeling.

Publishing rocket has a keyword YouTube tutorial of sorts on how to use keywords to maximize.

Bookbub, Goodreads are mainly for readers although it's a place for authors to link their books- same with smashwords. As well as making a FB page for author--not needed though.

Bookfunnel is a good resource for ARC readers/email newsletter. Arcs can get you quicker reviews after releasing.

ACX is for turning Amazon book into audible/audio. (I recently learned about this)

And FB groups are good for finding more information for particular genres.

Then there's always ads that can be ran on Amazon or FB.

I'm not rolling in the dough, make enough to cover subs for stocks(which I'm not using at the moment), and I'm sure others make more. But I work, have kids we homeschool still, and just life. I'm sure there are easier ways to do this, or better ways to get more profit, but I've been able to self publish for relatively cheap. And what expenses I do have, I'm able to cover with royalties. At times a wash but I get to do what I enjoy.

Hope this helps some more and hopefully gives you a boost to maybe publishing one day!

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

My husband has written a fantasy novel that he says he "might eventually self publish."

FIL self-published a book through Xlibris, and I keep hearing from his wife how much money they spent/lost, etc. I told hubby we are not doing that.

I don't know if I'll ever self publish my novel. It now has a major plot issue due to advancements in technology.

Oh. And in the plot issue- as I've been told(recently) it's your book, and authors have their own "liberties" to make a book however they see fit- especially if fiction. Lol.

My first two were written over five years before I self.published and did not line up technology wise but I left them lol


And also, on KDP, you do not have to enroll in KU(kenp//Kindle unlimited - it's an Amazon service but doesn't pay that great, but it's also a start. You can release on KU for 3 months(be sure to cancel before 3 months is up) and then you could go wide. I have mine on KU but with mine being shorter and not widely known it was easier. But not for everyone .

Good luck!

 

[Sally PB]

Bookbub

That's where I buy 95% of what I read nowadays.

And FB groups

I'm not on FB, and really don't want to be, for several reasons. Hubby is. ETA: That's not one of the reasons.

Oh. And in the plot issue- as I've been told(recently) it's your book, and authors have their own "liberties" to make a book however they see fit- especially if fiction.

It's a murder mystery, and one of the main "how's it figured out" points is based on tape backup of computer files. It's what they used when I worked in that industry 25 years ago. I don't know if readers would suspend their disbelief for it now.

Thank you for all this information. I really appreciate it.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

That's where I buy 95% of what I read nowadays.

I'm not on FB, and really don't want to be, for several reasons. Hubby is. ETA: That's not one of the reasons.

It's a murder mystery, and one of the main "how's it figured out" points is based on tape backup of computer files. It's what they used when I worked in that industry 25 years ago. I don't know if readers would suspend their disbelief for it now.

Thank you for all this information. I really appreciate it.

It could be a history mystery! (Have you heard that 30 years ago is 1995 not 1970? Lol (I'm not 40 yet but I grew up hearing thirty years ago...and they meant 60-70s lol)

With your hubby's FB personal, you could create an author page- it is ran slightly different than a personal. But you don't need one- a lot of Indies have one with their pen names to be able to market more. Then again, you could find a PA who does the posting for you.

You're more than welcome to reach out if you have more questions. : )

 

[SourRoses]

It's a murder mystery, and one of the main "how's it figured out" points is based on tape backup of computer files. It's what they used when I worked in that industry 25 years ago. I don't know if readers would suspend their disbelief for it now.

It could be a history mystery!

^ This!

You could make time an element of the story.
For instance, the book could open in the modern age as the perpetrator comes back around to haunt the (more mature) main characters.
Or performs a similar killing.
Then take us back to the past when the young main characters first encountered the handiwork of the perpetrator.
Then wrap it up back in the future. A time sandwich.
And it could be a little funny when the older characters are trying to review/compare the old evidence on tape with modern tech... like trying to find a new VCR these days

 

[TesoroSena]

Hey guys! not letting this thread die down!
I'd like some advice on dialogue if anyone has it... its my worst area. I love writing it but they always seem fake or like all my characters are playing nice in an unrealistic way. I also have a hard time accentuating each character's personality. Any tips on how i could make it better?