Here are Essential Resources and Strategies to help you thrive in the Indie Author world.

Have you always wanted to write a book? If so, you’re in the right place! I wanted to write a book since middle school when my teacher thought my assignment had promise. That moment was the first time someone believed in me, and she set a fire inside that started my love for literature on a new trajectory. I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’m here to share some knowledge with you, so you can achieve your dreams.

The road to becoming a successful author is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. If you’re willing to put in the hard work, I know you can achieve your goals. 

Here are some of the opportunities and challenges of being an indie author:

Opportunities

• More control over your work: As an indie author, you have complete control over your work, from the writing process to the marketing and distribution. This means you can make all the decisions that affect your book, and you don’t have to answer to anyone else.
• More freedom to experiment: Indie publishing gives you the freedom to experiment with different genres, styles, and marketing strategies. You can try new things without worrying about being rejected by a traditional publisher.
• More potential for financial success: While there is no guarantee of success, indie authors have the potential to earn more money than traditional authors. This is because you keep all of the royalties from your book sales, and you don’t have to share them with a publisher.
• More connection with your readers: As an indie author, you have the opportunity to connect with your readers on a personal level. You can interact with them through social media, email, and book signings. This can help you build a loyal following of readers who will support your work.

Challenges

• More marketing and promotion: As an indie author, you are responsible for marketing and promoting your own book. This can be a lot of work, and it can be difficult to get your book noticed in the crowded marketplace.
• Less exposure: Indie books are often less visible than books published by traditional publishers. This means it can be harder for indie authors to find readers.
• Less credibility: Some people still believe that books published by traditional publishers are more credible than indie books. This can make it difficult for indie authors to be taken seriously by the literary community.
• Less support: Indie authors often have less support than traditional authors. This can include things like editing, proofreading, and marketing assistance.

Despite the challenges, indie publishing can be a great way to get your work out into the world. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can achieve great success as an indie author.

I agree with you. The world is constantly changing, but it is important to be able to adapt and learn new things in order to succeed. In the world of publishing, this means keeping up with the latest trends and finding new ways to reach your audience. It also means being open to feedback and criticism and being willing to change your approach if necessary.

I am always learning new things, and I am always looking for ways to improve my skills. I believe that lifelong learning is essential for success in any field.

I have provided you with some resources that I believe will be helpful. However, it is important to remember that not everything works for everyone. Do your research, take everything with a grain of salt, and do what works best for you, your budget, and your career. Ultimately, you are the only one who is responsible for your career choices. So own it and make the most of it!

Written Word Media:

Written Word Media offers promotional services for authors, such as promo stacking and ad management on Amazon and Facebook. They have a variety of affordable plans, and their blog posts are also a great resource for authors, as they provide valuable information on industry trends. Written Word Media understands that providing educational content is essential to staying ahead of the competition and providing valuable services to its customers. This makes them an invaluable resource for authors.

Reedsy:

Reedsy is a platform that connects authors with professional editors, proofreaders, designers, and marketers. Authors can post their projects on Reedsy and browse through a pool of qualified professionals to find the right person for the job. Reedsy also offers educational articles on a variety of topics related to writing and publishing. These articles can help authors improve their craft, learn about the publishing process, and market their books.

Here are some of the benefits of using Reedsy:

• Access to a pool of qualified professionals
• Competitive rates
• Convenient online platform
• Educational articles and resources

If you’re an author looking for help with your writing or publishing, Reedsy is a great resource.

Did you know that Reedsy has an online formatting tool?  Check it out.

Author Learning Center:

The Author Learning Center also offers a variety of resources, such as articles, blog posts, and videos, to help writers improve their craft and succeed in the publishing industry.

If you’re an aspiring or experienced author, the Author Learning Center can provide you with the tools and resources you need to reach your writing goals.

I am always trying to improve my craft and learn new things. I know that I am not perfect, and I am always open to feedback. I want to write for the reader, and I want to make sure that my writing is clear, concise, and engaging. I appreciate your advice, and I will continue to work hard to improve my writing.

Bryan Cohen: Best Page Forward

Best Page Forward is a company that offers a variety of services, including Amazon ad school and writing blurbs for you. Their Amazon ad school is a 5-day free course that teaches you everything you need to know about running successful Amazon ads. You can sign up multiple times to refresh your knowledge, or you can pay for lifetime access to the course.

Best Page Forward also offers a service where they will write blurbs for you. This is a great option if you don’t have the time or the writing skills to write your own blurbs. Best Page Forward’s blurb writers are experts in creating high-converting blurbs that will help you sell more products on Amazon.

If you’re looking to improve your Amazon ad campaigns or write better blurbs for your products, Best Page Forward is a great option. Their services are affordable and effective, and they offer a variety of courses and services to meet your needs.

BookBrush:

Bookbrush is a tool that helps you create beautiful books and ebooks. It’s easy to use and has a lot of features that allow you to customize your book to your liking. You can add text, images, videos, and more. You can also choose from a variety of templates to get you started. Bookbrush is a great tool for anyone who wants to create a beautiful and professional-looking book.

Here are some of the features of Bookbrush:

• Easy to use drag-and-drop interface
• A variety of templates to choose from
• The ability to add text, images, videos, and more
• The ability to customize your book’s design
• The ability to export your book in a variety of formats

If you’re looking for a tool to help you create beautiful books and ebooks, Bookbrush is a great option.

BookBrush also just started their Hourly Concepts, where you can get “Design For You” graphics by a professional designer at a fraction of the cost. These designs can be used in Amazon A+ content, TikTok Videos, Reels, Book Covers, and so much more. BookBrush can become your one-stop shop for book graphics.

On top of all the graphics, BookBrush has a fantastic blog that teaches you how to use their services to make your own graphics and marketing because they are all about marketing, which is why they have created BookMARCon, which will be held virtually on August 11-13, 2023 and it’s the worlds largest virtual marketing conference bringing in 16 agents for authors to pitch to. 

Black Chateau:

Looking for a PR firm to represent you that will get you in front of the most dynamic of crowds and is the most trusted in the business?  Check out Black Chateau, which is the parent company of Books That Make You and The BookFest. You will get on podcasts worldwide, be booked on tours, along with understand what it’s like to have a white glove service. 

Books That Make You:

Books That Make You is a community for readers of all levels. They provide bookish events, articles, and news to help everyone thrive in the book community. The BookFest is a biannual event sponsored by Books That Make You. It is viewed all over the world and brings together talent that most people would never have the chance to meet, all for free. You can pitch The BookFest an idea for a panel or talk for a chance to speak at the event. This opportunity is fantastic, and the learning experience is unparalleled.

The Authors Porch:

The Authors Porch is a community for authors of all levels of experience. The Facebook Group is a place where authors can connect with each other, ask questions, and share advice. The free services offered by The Authors Porch include a blog, a magazine, and a podcast. The blog provides educational content on topics such as writing, publishing, and marketing. The magazine features interviews with authors, book reviews, and articles on the writing life. The podcast interviews authors about their writing process and journey to publication. The Authors Porch also offers a few paid services, such as character interviews and paid advertisements. However, the focus of the organization is on providing free resources and support to authors.

Monica and Russell – Kickstarter & Going Wide:

Monica Leonell and Russell Nohelty are accomplished authors and titans within the indie author world. They teamed up to create the Writer MBA, a program that teaches aspiring authors about the business of writing. The program covers a wide range of topics, including going wide, publishing, Kickstarter, and marketing. They have put in the hard work to hone their skills and build successful careers as authors, teachers, and industry professionals. They are also generous with their knowledge and experience, and they are always willing to help others succeed. I am grateful for their mentorship and guidance, and I am proud to be a part of the Writer MBA community.

Romance with Me Books – ARC/Beta/Tours

I came across Romance with Me Books through a giveaway opportunity to build my newsletter list. Her services were fantastic, so I checked out her website and saw that she offers many more. I chatted with her and found out that she is a lovely, professional, and highly capable person. If you’re a romance author, you need her in your corner for promotion. She can get the job done and promote the hell out of your book.

That’s All, Folks

I know there’s so much more to learn about being an indie author, but I can’t tell you everything. You’ll discover more along the way, and you’ll use some of what you learn and leave some behind. The important thing is to define your career your way. That’s the greatest thing about being an indie author – you get to choose!

So put in the work, be a good human (like Russell says), and always give back to the community. We’re a melting pot of good humans, and the bad ones sort themselves out quickly. Just don’t worry about them.

I hope this helps you in some way. Good luck!

Until next time my friends.

CJ