Christine Donovan's View on Indie Publishing

Have you been asking yourself lately, “Should I jump into Indie Publishing?” I asked myself that for many months before I did indeed take the plunge in October 2012. In case you’re wondering, there’s no right or wrong answer. Each author’s decision will be their own. I thought I’d share my reasons why with you today.

I’ve been writing for ten years. I have nine books in various stages of completion. I love to write, submitting to editors and agents, not so much. When I first started writing, I’d submit all the time. As the years went on, I submitted once or twice a year after querying at a conference. I also used to do contests. I don’t anymore, although I would like to get back into entering contests. I think you get great feedback and it can open doors.

For several years I listened to my Indie Published friends talk about the pros and cons of self-publishing. I knew some on them were making big money, and others were not. All would admit the promoting of their books took up a large chunk of their time. So I asked myself, “was I up to the task?”

“Yes.” And part of the reason I did, is because three years ago I got laid off from my job and I’ve not been able to find another one.  I began writing full-time and slowly stopped looking for a job. I don’t want to say money was my motivator, because that is only part of it.  But I will admit getting checks each month from my royalties is a great feeling.  I’m not getting rich, but I am contributing to my household. Another reason I decided to Indie Pub is I felt the bandwagon was leaving without me. I watched the transformation of the whole E-Book industry evolve and I wanted to be part of it. I also believed I had good stories to tell and I wanted people to read them. Of course I‘d be lying if I did not say I still have dreams of being published in the traditional sense. I still want to see my books in Barnes and Nobles. But, who knows what the future holds for any of us. 

I won’t lie; being Indie Published is hard work.  There are a few keys things you must do.  Having BETA readers is essential; I only recently started realizing this.  Hire a GREAT editor, one who not only edits punctuation and grammar, but also story content. I will admit my first book went up with spelling and grammar mistakes. I pulled it, corrected the mistakes and put it back up. Unfortunately you can’t erase bad reviews. My next book, “The Lady and the Earl,” will be perfect before I put it up.  Hire a cover artist. The costs vary, but you can find good designers out there who charge between $40 and $100. Remember, a cover is the first thing a potential buyer sees. It must catch the eye in a good way. FYI, my book, “The Reluctant Duke,” did hit No. 77 on Amazon-Regency Romance, Kindle Books for a short time.

As far as promoting goes, you do not have to spend money to do this. Creating a website is free at most places, and they have templates. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, LinkedIn, all free. Time consuming, but free. Facebook is full of groups geared toward writers and promotion. I’m computer challenged, yet I created all of the above myself. (My website, etc, is simple, but affective) I also learned how to format my books for e-publication. A challenge to be sure, but a great writer friend at Rhode Island Romance Writers gave a workshop on formatting and it is my go-to resource.  I still have yet to format for print. That is next for me.

I hoped I helped anyone who is still on the fence when it comes to Indie Publishing. Please feel free to ask questions. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit.

Christine

 

 

As a life-long avid reader, Christine always dreamed about becoming a writer. She realized her dream ten years ago when she began penning her first romance novel. Now she has nine novels in various stages of completion. The genres include, Regency, Contemporary and Paranormal Romance.

Christine is married, has four sons, one granddaughter and four cats.

When she is not writing she can be found reading, painting or gardening. She loves DIY projects.

http://christinedonovanorg.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/christine.donovanauthor

 

Here are the links to Christine’s first book, “The Reluctant Duke.”

Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/d5gxgqn

Nook - http://tinyurl.com/d8suc8w

Smashwords - http://tinyurl.com/d3kgqg5

 

 

THE LADY AND THE EARL – COMING MAY 2013

 

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE

ENGLAND 1818

 

     “Please, do not be afraid.”

Was he serious? Not be afraid?

Lady Amelia Seabrook struggled with her skirts as she waded through the shin-deep water to retrieve her boots and stockings from a nearby rock. Her muslin skirts were soaked to above her knees and clinging most embarrassingly to her legs; her stockings and shoes were drenched as she had splashed them in her hurry to exit the water. The mile walk back to her home, one she normally enjoyed, would be uncomfortable because of the dampness of her clothing and her haste to remove herself from this intruder.

How dare this stranger ruin the time she spent daydreaming about Captain Rycroft, her beloved. How dare he interrupt? It was only during these lonely, quiet times that Amelia allowed herself to think of him. To dream he still lived. But today, when she needed this time to remember and to reflect, this stranger had destroyed it.

Amelia turned, her chin held high, because she would not cower before anyone. “Who are you, sir?”

“Lord Bridgeton. My land abuts this creek.”

By the narrowing of Lord Bridgeton’s eyes, Amelia knew she failed to hide her shock to meeting him here. She’d long known the earl lived as a recluse because of a scandal involving his older brother and his brother’s pregnant wife. She’d found out about all this from servants’ gossip.

Looking at him now, he did not look dangerous. Frightening perhaps, the way he sat on his fine stallion, towering over her, but not dangerous.