I’ve been asked by a number of my (very sweet) readers how they can help me now that I’ve gone down the indie yellow brick road. Well, this post is to answer them. Here are the best ways to help me spread the word/keep writing.
- This is always going to be number one: buy their books. Most indie authors make them more affordable in e-format because for us, that’s generally the easiest and best way to get our books out there. I price mine substantially lower than what my trad publisher did, but I still make far more per book than I did when I was with a trad publisher (and FAR more than I ever got per print book). A trad paperback brought me about 55-60 cents per book, to give you an idea. Yep, that’s all. Indie is much more lucrative because I get far more of the price point. But I still need to make a living at this.
- Don’t wait to buy the books in a series till the series is completely finished, because if enough people do that, the series may never be finished. Even as an indie author, I have to gauge which books sell best and focus on those series. So when the first couple books in a series don’t sell, if it seems like people don’t want them, I can’t justify writing more in that series.
- Ask your library to order the books! They can buy my e-books via Overdrive.
- This is kind of a no-brainer, but please don’t buy the books, read them, then return them. (Unless, of course, there’s a glitch or something is defective, or you realize you already bought a copy). If you just download them, read them, and then decide you want your money back, you’re basically stealing from me just like a book pirate does. And yes, this does happen.
- Tell your friends about my work! (Especially my indie work—that’s where most of my income comes from, so I’m pushing my current work, not my backlist).
- Leave me a review. In trad, it didn’t matter so much. But in indie? To be able to promote my work on some sites, I have to have a certain number of good reviews (4-5 stars average). If you love the books, leaving me a review on Amazon or Goodreads is so very helpful. Obviously, I’m not encouraging you to leave bad reviews, but then again, if you hate my work I doubt you’re reading this blog. *grins* And if you are, um…okay then.
- Share my posts about new releases on my Facebook page and Twitter. (Not from my FB group—you can’t share posts from in there) and sign up for my newsletter so you get ALL the news, because FB algorithms are running at an all-time low and only about 5% of the people who like my FB page see my posts.
- Take a chance on my new work—don’t feel you’re cheating on the OW series by trying out my new work. Because OW is ending, and because trust me, you can never have too many book boyfriends!
- Recommend my books on blogs, forums, etc., that are asking for recommendations. Now I do NOT want people spamming anybody about my work, but if someone asks for your fave series and my books are among them, recommend them (especially, the indie work).
- If you enjoy the books, let me know. When my readers tell me that they’re loving the Wild Hunt Series as much/more than Otherworld, it makes my heart jump—I feel I’m writing some of my best work now, and that makes me feel good. When readers say they love Fury or Maddy, it makes me smile and feel like I’m actually reaching out with my work the way I want to. So thank you, to those who have taken my new characters and worlds to heart. It’s not that I don’t love Otherworld or appreciate my OW die-hard readers, I truly do, but I’m ready to wind that one up, and I am enjoying sailing into new seas and exploring new lands.
But First, Coffee: Ten Ways To Help Your Indie Author
I will read everything you write, because I have no doubt you could make a grocery list amazing!
I’ve been addicted to your writing for years, fiction and non-fiction alike. I don’t see that changing, ever !
I truly love all of your series, so count me as a lifelong reader.
The Wild Hunt series is captivating me at the moment…
I enjoy the OtherWorld series the best but I enjoy all of your work.
I always give a five star rating because the work always measures-up
to a stelar rating.
I have read all your books, including the non-fiction one. I enjoy your writing style and I am always bragging about your books to ever will listen. I will always be waiting for the next one to come out. Thank you for all your hard work and creating magical world for all of us to visit.
I’m still in the midst of reading the OW series and I’m returning to finishing the rest of the Indigo Court series. I also bought paperbacks of the Whisper Hollow series though my second book has not arrived yet. I bought them before but I accidently lost the first two during a move into a new home.
I just want to say thank you for being a great role model and influence in my life as an indie author. I honestly don’t know when I’ll start writing, but I do know that I want to be an indie author too.
I started out reading the OW books, then the Indigo Court series & ultimately I think I’ve read most of the books in all of your series. I’m really enjoying the books you’ve been writing as an indie author. There is just something different about these books. Perhaps it is your newfound joy in writing that is coming through in these new books. The OW wrap ups are so satisfying & your joy is coming through in those books as well. The new Wild Hunt series is spectacular. While I don’t leave written reviews I always give the star ratings. Your books are 5 Star to me.
Don’t know if my comment went out. Always forget to push robot button. Enjoy wild hunt series even more than other world. Your characters are really relatable and always make me want more