Five Simple Truths for Indie Authors
Those of us who are writing today know that we’re writing in
an amazing place and time. Publishing has changed (a lot!) and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of those changes
slowing down.
But with all of the fluctuations—all of the tweaking and
adjustments and tossing out of the old way of doing business—there are a few
things I think are timeless. When my head begins to hurt because I’m not sure
what to do next, I think of these things that are like simple truths for indie
authors:
Simple Truth #1: When you invest in your book, you invest in yourself.
Hire a professional editor. There is no way a book is going
to be the best it can be without one. Readers have become more savvy and
discerning than ever before. They’ve learned to download a sample and if that
sample is weak, they aren’t going to care about your cover or your title or
your trailer or the fact that it’s free.
Speaking of covers (*wink*)… I believe that I sold at least
a couple of copies of Red Tide because
the cover was intriguing. Unless you are an amazing graphic designer, with all
the tools at your disposal, hire someone who will work with you and tweak your
cover until it can’t be tweaked anymore.
Simple Truth #2: What one person loves about your book, another person
won’t.
I love this. Life would be pretty dull if we all loved the
same stuff. Some people aren’t going to be drawn to your book. Period. Get over
it. Embrace the diversity.
Simple Truth #3: Manipulation can lead to strangulation.
There’s a fine line between gentle persuasion and cramming
your book down someone’s throat. Remember that ‘social networking’ is exactly
what it says. It is not your own private billboard. If I follow you on Twitter
or friend you on Facebook, that does not give you permission to blast your book
in my face. If you push me hard enough, I’ll push back.
Simple Truth #4: Readers are gold.
Readers owe you nothing. When they reach out to you, take
the time to respond as graciously as possible. You build your audience one
reader at a time.
You owe readers everything. They validate you every time
they pick up your book and read it. They affirm that the thing you love doing
you do well.
Simple Truth #5: Never stop improving.
Keep learning. Read books on craft, don’t just buy them and
stick them on your bookshelf. Go to conferences, take workshops. Talk with
other writers. Work to make your next book better than your last one.
And finally, one more (call it a bonus):
Simple Truth #6: Trust the process.
If you write a good book, invest in it, lose your ego and appreciate
the people who find your book in that great ocean of books, things will shake
out wonderfully in the end.
What about you? Is there another simple truth you’d like to
share?
Peg Brantley is the
author of Red Tide. In six months, Red Tide has found its way into the hands of
more than 30,000 readers. Her second novel, The Missings will be available in
October, 2012 wherever books are sold.