Beem Weeks's Blog - Posts Tagged "indie-publishing"
Indie Publishing
Is it such a terrible thing to self-publish that novel you've spent hundreds of hours perfecting? Some authors think so. There are those who believe self-publishing is selling out the dream for baubles and beads. Others claim it's a shortcut that's not been earned. I beg to differ.
I chose the self-publishing route because of a desire to get my work to readers in a quick and timely fashion. And it worked! Jazz Baby, my first novel, is available all over the world in print as well as in ebook formats. The downside of this form of publishing is the lack of a big-budget advertising campaign. That's where social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads come in handy.
But not all self-publishers are equal. The cheaper you go, the lower the quality you can expect. I'm reading an excellent self-published novel that suffers from poor punctuation. Without a solid editor to comb through your manuscript, you can expect errors to reach your readers. Some readers might not care--or even notice. Others will, and they'll fault the writer. This will cost that author in the long run.
Sure, even the big publishing houses let slip an error here and there. But online publishers who don't offer professional editing really do the industry a serious disservice. These are the ones who take your money and publish your work, warts and all.
Don't shy away from this wonderful medium. If you're tired of rejection letters, try the indie route. It's a growing industry with a bright future. Just take your time when shopping. Beware of hidden fees, make sure they offer professional editing, and be ready to work your tail off to sell your product to the world. Because writing it is no longer the difficult part of the deal. Letting the world know you wrote it is.
Jazz Baby http://www.tinyurl.com/bbj4my7
Slivers of Life http://www.amazon.com/Slivers-Life-Co...
I chose the self-publishing route because of a desire to get my work to readers in a quick and timely fashion. And it worked! Jazz Baby, my first novel, is available all over the world in print as well as in ebook formats. The downside of this form of publishing is the lack of a big-budget advertising campaign. That's where social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads come in handy.
But not all self-publishers are equal. The cheaper you go, the lower the quality you can expect. I'm reading an excellent self-published novel that suffers from poor punctuation. Without a solid editor to comb through your manuscript, you can expect errors to reach your readers. Some readers might not care--or even notice. Others will, and they'll fault the writer. This will cost that author in the long run.
Sure, even the big publishing houses let slip an error here and there. But online publishers who don't offer professional editing really do the industry a serious disservice. These are the ones who take your money and publish your work, warts and all.
Don't shy away from this wonderful medium. If you're tired of rejection letters, try the indie route. It's a growing industry with a bright future. Just take your time when shopping. Beware of hidden fees, make sure they offer professional editing, and be ready to work your tail off to sell your product to the world. Because writing it is no longer the difficult part of the deal. Letting the world know you wrote it is.
Jazz Baby http://www.tinyurl.com/bbj4my7
Slivers of Life http://www.amazon.com/Slivers-Life-Co...
Selling The Dream
I always imagined writing a novel would be the most difficult step to becoming an author--published or not. That isn't the case, though. Selling the finished product to a reading public is proving to be even harder than the arduous task of creating it.
Getting published is simple in this era of online publishers. But making a book-buying public aware of your work is such an odyssey--a thankless one at that. It's out there, among the millions of other novels clamoring for attention. Having a PR person chasing down reviews and interviews would be a wonderful blessing--which a starving artist can scarcely afford.
The dream of being a full-time writer has all but collapsed. I've seen those slick ads for this method of sales or that shiny new idea, each touting promised customers--in theory. But in reality, these are designed to separate the author from his/her hard-earned money--with little or no return on the investment.
Frustrating as it is at times, I'm still a published author. If it doesn't pan out, well, at least I can pull out my book and say, "I made it this far." I want more, though. I want an audience who reads my work and lets me know that they enjoy it or they despise it. It's here, this story called Jazz Baby. It's available worldwide at tinyurl.com/bbj4my7 among other sites.
But if my voice isn't getting heard, well, I'm just talking to myself. I'm extremely grateful for places like Goodreads, Koobug.com, and Twitter. These have helped me move a few more copies than I would have otherwise.
I know I'm ranting. But sometimes we all need to do that. Now, I'll reset myself and try again in this new year. Here's to writing! Cheers!
Getting published is simple in this era of online publishers. But making a book-buying public aware of your work is such an odyssey--a thankless one at that. It's out there, among the millions of other novels clamoring for attention. Having a PR person chasing down reviews and interviews would be a wonderful blessing--which a starving artist can scarcely afford.
The dream of being a full-time writer has all but collapsed. I've seen those slick ads for this method of sales or that shiny new idea, each touting promised customers--in theory. But in reality, these are designed to separate the author from his/her hard-earned money--with little or no return on the investment.
Frustrating as it is at times, I'm still a published author. If it doesn't pan out, well, at least I can pull out my book and say, "I made it this far." I want more, though. I want an audience who reads my work and lets me know that they enjoy it or they despise it. It's here, this story called Jazz Baby. It's available worldwide at tinyurl.com/bbj4my7 among other sites.
But if my voice isn't getting heard, well, I'm just talking to myself. I'm extremely grateful for places like Goodreads, Koobug.com, and Twitter. These have helped me move a few more copies than I would have otherwise.
I know I'm ranting. But sometimes we all need to do that. Now, I'll reset myself and try again in this new year. Here's to writing! Cheers!
Great Sites
Just a little heads-up on a few other websites for indie authors looking to spread the word about your latest creation. I search high and low for places to post a little something about my work, look to discover other authors' writing, and generally meet those who share that same passion for the written word.
http://www.koobug.com is a wonderful place that supports and promotes indie authors all over the world. The site allows writers to post where their books are available. They provide a blog space for authors to post short stories, ideas, or just rant and rave if you like. The Koobug motto is: Koobug is about authors. They live up to this motto.
http://www.writing.com is another site dedicated to indie writers looking to share their work. This site offers a free level, which allows for the posting of short stories. But they also have several pay packages that grant greater privileges depending on the level purchased. This is a writers community, meaning your short stories are posted for potential reviews and feedback from other writers. This is an amazing site for those who are struggling with such things as sentence construction, proper usage of word, or punctuation issues. But it's also for established writers who may want to share their work and expertise with others. There are thousands of writers on this site, most willing to offer a hand where needed.
http://www.readwave.com offers writers a place to post short stories for others to read and critique. This is a site that prides itself on promoting top-level stories and writers, so have a second and third set of eyes have a look at your work before posting. Remember, proofreading is not a sin.
http://www.youngwritersonline.net offers writerly advice, community feedback, and a place to post and read book reviews. This is a growing site that really deserves any attention it receives.
There are other sites, but this is enough for now. I'll post links to others in the future. The key for indie authors is to get word out that, Hey! I've written a book! Use these sites as a network that reaches as many potential readers as possible. And above all, have fun with this journey.
http://www.koobug.com is a wonderful place that supports and promotes indie authors all over the world. The site allows writers to post where their books are available. They provide a blog space for authors to post short stories, ideas, or just rant and rave if you like. The Koobug motto is: Koobug is about authors. They live up to this motto.
http://www.writing.com is another site dedicated to indie writers looking to share their work. This site offers a free level, which allows for the posting of short stories. But they also have several pay packages that grant greater privileges depending on the level purchased. This is a writers community, meaning your short stories are posted for potential reviews and feedback from other writers. This is an amazing site for those who are struggling with such things as sentence construction, proper usage of word, or punctuation issues. But it's also for established writers who may want to share their work and expertise with others. There are thousands of writers on this site, most willing to offer a hand where needed.
http://www.readwave.com offers writers a place to post short stories for others to read and critique. This is a site that prides itself on promoting top-level stories and writers, so have a second and third set of eyes have a look at your work before posting. Remember, proofreading is not a sin.
http://www.youngwritersonline.net offers writerly advice, community feedback, and a place to post and read book reviews. This is a growing site that really deserves any attention it receives.
There are other sites, but this is enough for now. I'll post links to others in the future. The key for indie authors is to get word out that, Hey! I've written a book! Use these sites as a network that reaches as many potential readers as possible. And above all, have fun with this journey.
Twitter As A Marketing Tool
Marketing in this modern world of indie publishing has afforded authors a wide array of options. Among these choices are blogs, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. I personally prefer Twitter. Twitter allows for quick messages and immediate feedback. With generous retweets, the audience potential is virtually unlimited.
On Twitter, I’m known as @voiceofindie (though I've recently added @BeemWeeks). Those who follow me know this account isn’t just a self-promoting entity. I promote the work of others more so than my own. Writers, bloggers, musicians, artists, and photographers often benefit from shout-outs and retweets. But I don’t do this expecting retweets of my own stuff. I do this for one simple reason: A stronger indie movement is good for everyone treading this platform.
When we indie writers, musicians, and artists work together, we strengthen an up-and-coming industry. This tells the mainstream: Hey, we can do this without you. It lets the world know we exist, that our work is of the highest quality, and we’re only gaining in power.
I’ve discovered many new and talented writers through this process. I’ve also been turned on to great music from some seriously amazing musicians. Bands like Argentinian rockers Amoenus and Nashville-based The Bloody Nerve are reaching the world with music that, in most cases, sounds far superior to the auto-tuned nonsense seeping from the major labels these days.
@voiceofindie is growing each day. The only drawback is that I may not be able to get to every retweet every day. There are just so many wonderful participants involved in my little experiment. And that’s exactly what it is: an experiment. I set out to see if creative sorts from across the world would come together in the twitterverse to share what they’re reading or writing or listening to or recording. And it’s working. So why not join in and support indie! Tweet for tweet is the cheapest way to spread the word.
On Twitter, I’m known as @voiceofindie (though I've recently added @BeemWeeks). Those who follow me know this account isn’t just a self-promoting entity. I promote the work of others more so than my own. Writers, bloggers, musicians, artists, and photographers often benefit from shout-outs and retweets. But I don’t do this expecting retweets of my own stuff. I do this for one simple reason: A stronger indie movement is good for everyone treading this platform.
When we indie writers, musicians, and artists work together, we strengthen an up-and-coming industry. This tells the mainstream: Hey, we can do this without you. It lets the world know we exist, that our work is of the highest quality, and we’re only gaining in power.
I’ve discovered many new and talented writers through this process. I’ve also been turned on to great music from some seriously amazing musicians. Bands like Argentinian rockers Amoenus and Nashville-based The Bloody Nerve are reaching the world with music that, in most cases, sounds far superior to the auto-tuned nonsense seeping from the major labels these days.
@voiceofindie is growing each day. The only drawback is that I may not be able to get to every retweet every day. There are just so many wonderful participants involved in my little experiment. And that’s exactly what it is: an experiment. I set out to see if creative sorts from across the world would come together in the twitterverse to share what they’re reading or writing or listening to or recording. And it’s working. So why not join in and support indie! Tweet for tweet is the cheapest way to spread the word.
Feeling Dissed By Mainstream Reviewers?
Should indie authors seek reviews from traditional mainstream sources? If we, as writers, opt for the self-published path, should we still consider sending copies of our work to The New York Times or Publishers Weekly?
Roger Sutton, the editor-in-chief of Horn Book magazine, a mainstream book review publication, recently published an open letter to “the indie author feeling dissed.”
In his open letter, Mr. Sutton does make some valid points. He says there are just too many self-published books flooding the market. Some estimates put the number at around 300,000 indie releases per year. To attempt to review even a portion of these works would prove daunting. Imagine being tasked with the responsibility of combing through that many books in search of just a handful of gems or potential gems?
Many self-published works are just plain awful, Mr. Sutton claims. This statement, unfortunately, holds some manner of truth. While he specifically points to children’s books, Mr. Sutton certainly isn’t out of line in stating this as fact. Though I’ve not read many children’s books in recent years, I have come across my fair share of poorly written books in need of serious editorial repair. Some, I would even say, should never have been written. I won’t post a review—good or bad—of those rare, truly-awful stories.
Sutton also points to the fact that many self-published authors have no sense of audience. Again, I’ve experienced this first hand. I get offers to review books fairly often. “I’ll send you a free copy in exchange for a review.” I find these requests in my DM box on Twitter, my message box on Goodreads, and in my email accounts pretty much every day. I’ve accepted some, usually those that grab my attention with the blurb. Most, though, are genres I don’t read: Sci Fi, romance, vampire/werewolf/witch stories. A quick perusal of the books/genres a reviewer has read will let an author know if this person might be interested in reading your book. I wrote a historical fiction novel that I would never think to send to a reviewer that specifically targets the science fiction market. This is just a simple common sense move.
Finally, Sutton claims self-published authors don’t know the market. This is true. But does anybody really know the current, ever-changing market that is the publishing world? Many of the articles I’m reading tell of a shrinking market, of book stores closing, and mainstream publishers struggling to maintain the vast kingdoms they spent the past century building. Every one of us that has published a book understands the biggest obstacle we face is in marketing our work to the world. We don’t have a ready-made audience we can tap into with best-seller results. Most of us lack the big budget needed to get our work before the eyes of hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of readers. I can’t afford to advertise my novel in Writers Digest or Publishers Weekly. I can’t even afford to advertise in my local newspaper on a regular basis.
The point is mainstream reviewers don’t care to review indie books. The Washington Post receives about 150 books a day, says Ron Charles, editor of the Post’s Book World. These books have agents and mainstream publishers backing them. They’ve also been professionally edited and marketed. The Washington Post and other mainstreamers won’t even look at an indie book. I learned this the hard way when I wasted money and time in sending over fifty copies of my novel to some of the biggest newspapers and publications in the United States. That was over two years ago. To this date, I have not heard a single word from any of those publications.
My advice in searching for reviews for your work: Be genre specific. Seek out those reviewers that prefer to read the genre in which you write. Forget mainstream reviewers; most are still snobbish when it comes to judging indie books. If you’ve chosen to go the indie route for publishing, follow that same path when marketing your work. There are many amazing indie review sites that have built solid reputations for offering fair and honest opinions of self-published books. As the indie publishing industry grows stronger, so too will indie marketing and reviews. All of us want that mainstream recognition; just don’t lose your sense of worth if it doesn’t come. Write on and have fun!
Roger Sutton, the editor-in-chief of Horn Book magazine, a mainstream book review publication, recently published an open letter to “the indie author feeling dissed.”
In his open letter, Mr. Sutton does make some valid points. He says there are just too many self-published books flooding the market. Some estimates put the number at around 300,000 indie releases per year. To attempt to review even a portion of these works would prove daunting. Imagine being tasked with the responsibility of combing through that many books in search of just a handful of gems or potential gems?
Many self-published works are just plain awful, Mr. Sutton claims. This statement, unfortunately, holds some manner of truth. While he specifically points to children’s books, Mr. Sutton certainly isn’t out of line in stating this as fact. Though I’ve not read many children’s books in recent years, I have come across my fair share of poorly written books in need of serious editorial repair. Some, I would even say, should never have been written. I won’t post a review—good or bad—of those rare, truly-awful stories.
Sutton also points to the fact that many self-published authors have no sense of audience. Again, I’ve experienced this first hand. I get offers to review books fairly often. “I’ll send you a free copy in exchange for a review.” I find these requests in my DM box on Twitter, my message box on Goodreads, and in my email accounts pretty much every day. I’ve accepted some, usually those that grab my attention with the blurb. Most, though, are genres I don’t read: Sci Fi, romance, vampire/werewolf/witch stories. A quick perusal of the books/genres a reviewer has read will let an author know if this person might be interested in reading your book. I wrote a historical fiction novel that I would never think to send to a reviewer that specifically targets the science fiction market. This is just a simple common sense move.
Finally, Sutton claims self-published authors don’t know the market. This is true. But does anybody really know the current, ever-changing market that is the publishing world? Many of the articles I’m reading tell of a shrinking market, of book stores closing, and mainstream publishers struggling to maintain the vast kingdoms they spent the past century building. Every one of us that has published a book understands the biggest obstacle we face is in marketing our work to the world. We don’t have a ready-made audience we can tap into with best-seller results. Most of us lack the big budget needed to get our work before the eyes of hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of readers. I can’t afford to advertise my novel in Writers Digest or Publishers Weekly. I can’t even afford to advertise in my local newspaper on a regular basis.
The point is mainstream reviewers don’t care to review indie books. The Washington Post receives about 150 books a day, says Ron Charles, editor of the Post’s Book World. These books have agents and mainstream publishers backing them. They’ve also been professionally edited and marketed. The Washington Post and other mainstreamers won’t even look at an indie book. I learned this the hard way when I wasted money and time in sending over fifty copies of my novel to some of the biggest newspapers and publications in the United States. That was over two years ago. To this date, I have not heard a single word from any of those publications.
My advice in searching for reviews for your work: Be genre specific. Seek out those reviewers that prefer to read the genre in which you write. Forget mainstream reviewers; most are still snobbish when it comes to judging indie books. If you’ve chosen to go the indie route for publishing, follow that same path when marketing your work. There are many amazing indie review sites that have built solid reputations for offering fair and honest opinions of self-published books. As the indie publishing industry grows stronger, so too will indie marketing and reviews. All of us want that mainstream recognition; just don’t lose your sense of worth if it doesn’t come. Write on and have fun!
My Review of Eclectic: Beyond The Skin
Eclectic: Beyond the Skin by Queen Of SpadesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Eclectic: Beyond The Skin is another collection of works by the wonderfully talented poet/author Queen of Spades. Queen offers her unique observations on all those things that make people human. She explores relationships and the issues that either corrupt or strengthen them.
Topics range from tribute to a loved one to the pains of infidelity to a new understanding of Paradise. Self-doubt on one page gives way to inner strength on the next. Queenie's style is rhythmic and to the point.
The poems themselves are arranged into sections titled Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis, and Deep Tissue, which is a short story called Misfortune.
Each section, every poem, contains a quiet power designed to open eyes, leading readers to see a piece of themselves within this work. I am able to connect with certain aspects of these personal creations, and anybody who has ever lived and loved and learned will too.
This is a book I will surely return to whenever the mood strikes. I highly recommend this collection to anybody who enjoys tight prose and fantastic imagery. Queen Of Spades is truly a gem to be discovered.
View all my reviews
Rave Soup for the Writer's Soul
Have you heard the news? Rave Reviews Book Club has released their first-ever anthology of short stories by amazing indie authors from across the globe. The book is entitled Rave Soup for the Writer’s Soul, and is currently available through Amazon.
This collection contains dozens of short stories and poems from some of the brightest talents in the indie world. Names like Beth Hale, Bruce A. Borders, Gwendoline Plano, Harmony Kent, Jan Hawke, Nonnie Jules, and others grace these pages. A wide array of genres is represented between the covers, offering something of interest for every reader.
Rave Soup for the Writer’s Soul presents authors from The United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, Greece, and other points on the globe. If you are a fan of incredible short fiction and poetry, this is one book you’ll want to add to your library.
Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/RAVE-SOUP-WRITE...
This collection contains dozens of short stories and poems from some of the brightest talents in the indie world. Names like Beth Hale, Bruce A. Borders, Gwendoline Plano, Harmony Kent, Jan Hawke, Nonnie Jules, and others grace these pages. A wide array of genres is represented between the covers, offering something of interest for every reader.
Rave Soup for the Writer’s Soul presents authors from The United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, Greece, and other points on the globe. If you are a fan of incredible short fiction and poetry, this is one book you’ll want to add to your library.
Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/RAVE-SOUP-WRITE...
My Review of Rave Soup for the Writer's Soul
RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER'S SOUL Anthology by Nonnie JulesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The indie publishing world is filled with some of the most amazing writers on the planet. Many are raw and filled with potential, just waiting to be discovered by the masses, while others are refined and polished, ready to shine beside any named author the traditional publishing houses serve up. Rave Soup for the Writer's Soul offers a buffet of short stories written by many from both camps.
This collection of short fiction and poetry comes from Rave Reviews Book Club and showcases the talents of club members, many of whom are quickly gaining popularity among fans of indie-published works. Genres vary, offering something for every taste and preference. The talent levels shine.
Readers are treated to samples from some of the better indie authors in the market today. This mini library serves as an introduction to those writers who have also penned novels and poetry collections. If you're a fan of indie and you're looking for a new favorite, this is one of those books that should be on your shelf.
View all my reviews
Introducing The Jazz Baby Book Trailer!
Greetings, all. I would like to share the brand new Jazz Baby book trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgyru...
This incredible trailer is produced by 4 Wills Publishing. If you are interested in scoring a quality trailer for your book, visit: https://4willspublishing.wordpress.co...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgyru...
This incredible trailer is produced by 4 Wills Publishing. If you are interested in scoring a quality trailer for your book, visit: https://4willspublishing.wordpress.co...
