Publishing

,

Don't Give Up: Writing for the Long Tail

,
Don't Give Up: Writing for the Long Tail

I made a decision back in 2010 that changed my life. I made a commitment to write a novel and publish it. I had written my first fantasy novel back when I was 16 years old and for the longest time I floundered. I struggled to get the book published, wrote a second book (a sequel to the first) that still sits on my virtual shelf as well as a good number of short stories. All the time I kept listening to the critics around me: You can't earn a living being a fiction writer. (Dean Wesley Smith takes a nice sledgehammer to that urban myth and debunks it with flare. Be sure to check his article out.)

,

Acceptance and Hope: Writing a Novel One Day at a Time

,

You might ask yourself: How am I going to make time? Where do I begin? Why would I do this to myself? These are the questions I asked myself when I decided to start writing Lost: Cinderella's Secret Diaries back in 2009. I had two young kids, worked full time and actively ran several times a week.

,

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-publishing for Fiction Authors

,

Today please welcome guest blogger Susan Lohrer. Susan is a contemporary romance author and in today's blog post she tackles the interesting (and sometimes controversial) subject of traditional versus self-publishing paths for fiction authors. Her latest novel is a romantic comedy entitled Over the Edge. Be sure to check it out and leave comments for Susan after the article below. Thanks!

With that all said, here is her article:

 

,

What I Learned about Selling Books as an Indie Writer

,

I know that there are many fellow indie writers out there who are in a similar situation that I once was back in 2010 so I wanted to share my publishing journey along with sales figures (August 2011 - May 2013). Yes, you have heard of Amanda Hocking's story and of John Locke's, but what about the other thousands of indie writers out there who decided to write books and put them up on Amazon? After several years of work, I have data to share with you.

Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here

I will be up front and as transparent as I possibly can. The self-publishing industry is volatile, difficult to predict and more time consuming than I ever anticipated. But, fear not, it's not without hope. What is truly important is to have realistic expectations. If you're looking to make it rich fast, then, yes, abandon hope. If you understand that you'll be putting in years of work and that you'll need to build your platform and brand over several years writing at least three books, then you're in the realm of reality.

 

,

Why I Didn't Renew My Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Membership

,

My renewal notice for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America membership came to me in my email and with mixed emotions I decided not to renew. I wanted to explain why I didn't continue being a member and warn other writers so they don't waste their time and money as well.

,

Blog Tour Promotions: Do They Help You Sell Books?

,

Back in November 2011, I participated in the Indie Book Collective's   Blog Tour de Troops promotion that consisted of several dozen writers who gave Smashwords coupons for a free ebook version of your book to  readers who left comments on our blogs in support of U.S. troops. I had stumbled across a tweet advertising that the IBC promotion would be  starting in a few weeks and I decided to sign up. The $25 entry fee  would be put toward a Kindle that would be given away in a drawing to  one random reader who had signed up for the IBC newsletter during the  promotion or left a comment on one of the participating author blogs.