Being an indie doesn’t mean you’ll work alone
A Guest Post by Kim Poovey
The term "Indie author" often carries the connotation of being on your own. However, Indie authorship is not as lonely as it may seem.
I began my writing career as a traditionally published author. It was an amazing experience until everything went sideways, and my publisher closed its doors. Once the shock of it wore off, I realized I was now an Indie author. At the time, I believed Indie authorship meant doing everything by yourself accompanied by a high price tag. I soon discovered that being an Indie author requires support from others.
While the expense of editing, production, and marketing falls upon the author, it doesn’t have to bankrupt you. Here are several ways in which you can support your Indie authorship without breaking your budget.
1) The pandemic opened a whole new world to authors, specifically virtual classes. Free workshops are available online through various sources. Jane Cleland offers free monthly classes as well as paid workshops. Other sources for affordable classes (generally under $75) include the Pat Conroy Literary Center and Jane Friedman.
2) Additionally, many book festivals went viral over the past few years, offering free virtual presentations on everything from revising a manuscript to marketing your book. As an Indie author, it’s imperative to both increase your knowledge in order to write the best manuscript possible and learn how to promote and market your book.
3) Newsletters are another inexpensive source of information and connections for the Indie author. Newsletters are generally free and advertise workshops, contests, books on writing and marketing, and social media pages. Again, this connects you with other writers who have the expertise and experience to help you improve your skills and achieve your writing goals.
4) Another invaluable source for Indie authors (and all writers) are writers groups. These people are your tribe and offer unbiased and fresh perspectives on your work. They’ll also be the cheerleaders for your successes and the shoulder on which to cry when things don’t go as planned.
5) Editors are absolutely necessary! This is one aspect of your writing you cannot do alone and must be willing to invest the necessary funds. You need an editor for your book to be polished and ready for readers. You may be a grammar guru and have lots of friends who are avid readers, but it’s not the same as having a professional editor. As an Indie author you want to produce the best manuscript possible. Beta readers and friends are a great help but are not a substitute for a professional editor.
6) The old adage, "Don’t judge a book by its cover," doesn’t apply to the real world. As an Indie author, you’ve got to produce something that catches a reader’s eye. Many bookstores probably will not display your book with the cover showing. Therefore, the spine is just as important as the front cover since this will most likely be what people see. Make sure the designer you choose can help with uploads to whatever distribution company you choose (KDP, Ingramspark, Kindle, etc). Check out the designer’s other covers, testimonials, and reviews before entering into a contract.
7) Finally, you need a team to help market your book. This is where friends and writing colleagues come into play. Don’t be shy about asking for reviews. Reviews are a free way to drive your sales (it’s not the only sales method, but that’s another discussion).
Even with family and friends endorsing your book, you’ll still need to publicize on social media, local news outlets, bookstores, and other retailers. It’s an overwhelming endeavor that may require hiring a marketing agent or publicist. My marketing person has the skills I lack (technological and social media ads). While she handles those aspects, I create rack cards, schedule book signings and appearances, and create posts.
Being an Indie author may feel lonely at times but it doesn’t have to be that way. Maximize your skills in the areas where you excel and enlist the help of others for the rest. Most importantly, don’t skimp on editing or cover design! If your work is poorly edited or the cover design is bland, your book will stall before it ever hits the shelves.
Not everyone has the courage or the initiative to go the Indie author route so embrace your independence! You have a story to share with the world and you don’t have to do it alone.
Kim Poovey is an author, storyteller, and living historian. In addition to her own works, Kim has written for Beaufort Lifestyles, Bluffton Breeze, Citizen’s Companion, and the Civil War Times. Kim resides in a haunted 1890s Victorian cottage in the SC Lowcountry with her husband, Darryl, and their furry children. Visit her website at kimpoovey.com.
