Indie Life- Chanda Hahn

Indie Life is a monthly blog post where we as Indie Authors share a little of our life.

So you want to be an INDIE AUTHOR?

When I typed the very last sentence of my book, I jumped from my computer chair and did a little dance. Yesssss! But now what? I studied the market, found my dream list of agents, wrote personalized query letters for each of them and sat and waited. I queried for a very long time on my first book The Iron Butterfly, but the agents weren't big into YA Epic Fantasy.  I never even dreamed of self publishing until UnEnchanted. 

After I wrote UnEnchanted (which was the third book I wrote total) I was querying to agents and getting manuscript requests. Yesss (Fist pump) but then nothing. Then I noticed there were tv shows that were coming out that were super similar to my idea. Fairy Tales were becoming big. So I self-published just to preserve my copyright. Not to actually become an indie author permanently, but just so I had the copyright. It was cheap and easy.  I still had dreams of getting a publishing deal somewhere. But there was one problem, my book was becoming a success! It was hard after I became Indie to go traditional. I've had agents call me, worked with one even, but by then I was making to much money as an Indie author and the traditional publishing route began to loose it's shine. So now what? Now I have to forge ahead on the route of what it means to be an Indie Author and how it would effect my life. 

So how do I become an Indie author and live this glorious Indie life? I'll try to tell you, I'm not going to tell you how a get rich, become a best selling Indie author overnight, because I can't. Even if you follow every one of the steps below, if you don't have a great book, then you won't sell.  If your book sucks? Well not much I can help you with but if your book has a story, has a voice and has an audience, then I can help you.  But for those that just typed "The End" onto the last page of their book. I may be able to direct you in what steps you need to take. 

I will also encourage any of my fellow Indelibles to open and edit this post and insert their own resources. I don't mind really!

1. Write a GREAT BOOK! Figure that is kinda the point and self explanatory. If your reading this far along in the blog than you probably already wrote one. 

2. Edit your own book. Read your book out load to yourself and try the best you can to catch your own mistakes. Thanks to author Lisa Nowak, I suggest using WORDTALK if you have a PC. And GHOSTREADER if you have a MAC. These program will read your book out loud to you. So you can take notes and make changes on pacing. I tend to skip over my own writing when reading and miss a lot of mistakes.

3. Beta readers- You are not ready for anything until you find beta readers (beta readers are test readers that will read your book and give you their opinion and even help with basic editing). Family and close friends don't count. You can find Beta readers from library groups, writing groups or even a few online. I found my very first Beta Reader Jane Hawkey from Australia. She helped me, a newbie, that had been out of college for 8 years reconnect with basic story telling and editing.  

***(Always research each site yourself before choosing. Some may charge money, some maybe free, some change hands and policies)

Places to find Beta Readers:

PERFECT IMAGINATION (This site keeps going under new management, but I use it)

PASSION & PERFECTION

READ 2 REVIEW

4. Repeat step 2 & 3.

5. Hire an editor. I've been burned by having volunteers/friends edit my book. I've even had fans email volunteering to edit and it doesn't work out. HIRE SOMEONE! (These are editors we've worked with, find the one that works best for you.) It usually runs me around 300-500 to edit my books.

BETHANY KACZMAREK

VICTORY EDITING

INDIE AUTHOR SERVICES

LOOKING GLASS EDITING

6. Hire a graphic designer to make your cover. A cover sells your book. Don't make it yourself. Believe me the readers can always tell. Here are some fab cover artists...in no particular order.

STEVEN NOVAK

ROBIN LUDWIG

MAE I DESIGN

7. Format your ebook, and upload to a publishing platform.   Find the one that is right for you. Each publishing site has different ebook formatting rules and you will have to format your document for each site. They are all listed on the site.

KINDLE DIRECT PUBLISHING  a.k.a. KDP  (Amazon)

PUBIT soon to be NOOK PRESS  (Barnes & Noble)

KOBO This is the BIG Ereader for Canada

ITUNES (Apple) Kind of a pain to upload to, you need a mac.

SMASHWORDS  If you upload to smashwords and get into the premium catalog, they will distribute to Itunes, BN and KOBO for you. 

8. Wait, I'm stuck on formatting my ebook? Hire an Ebook Formatter.

ALI CROSS (Yes our very own Indelible)

LUCINDA CAMBEL

9. Upload your ebook if you haven't already.

10. Format your book for paperback.

You can use an independent print publishing to make your books into paperbacks. Using Print On Demand. It's cheaper than other paperback distributers.

CREATESPACE

LIGHTNING SOURCE

10. Promote Your work doesn't stop. You need to blog, tweet, facebook and promote your own book. Because you are your own agent. You can do BLOG TOURS. BLOG HOPS and do give aways on your own blog using RAFFLECOPTER But I think going into promoting your book is for a different day and post. We could fill up pages and pages on what to do after you publish. But this is what it takes to become an Indie.

So this is what it takes and all the hard work we do for each and every single book we write. This is the true life of an Indie Author.

CHANDA HAHN
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Chanda Hahn is the author of the popular Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series which includes UnEnchanted and Fairest which have topped the ebook charts in 5 countries. She also has a passion for writing YA epic fantasy. She's been a children's librarian, children's pastor and costume mascot. She lives in the beautiful but rainy northwest that is Portland Oregon with her husband and twin childre

Selling Beyond the Reader

So now you figured out you are a publisher? Well figure out ways to sell your stuff beyond just to the end reader.

YES, making money selling your books to readers is great. But the big returns also come when you sell your Subsidiary Rights! That means all the other ways to sell your book. Large publishers have been doing it for years. It's one of the main reasons having a Literary Agent and a Traditional Publisher seems appealing even to an Indie Publisher because entry into the untapped markets of Subsidiary Rights sales isn't easy at all.

Here's some tips from John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Book


SUBSIDIARY RIGHTS

The sale of subsidiary rights is a major source of money for traditional book publishers.


John Kremer states the reasons why publishers should pursue these:

Rights Income will help pay for printing and promos
Make money on your books even before they are released
The sales of these rights increase buzz about your books
The sales of these rights give credibility to your book
More sales create additional sales for other titles
The more sales in this area makes it easier to get booksellers to pick up the book
Movie and TV rights will increase sale of your released book and subsequent books from the author


John Kremer gives tips on selling these rights:

Create a contact list to include buyers for, serial, audio/video, reprints, book club rights and more by category.
Cold call, email, postcard mail these sources to let them know of your upcoming book
Send out review copies with marketing plans, media kits to these prospects
Approach more than one lead at a time
Follow-up with call or face to face visit
Take your time and prepare for the unexpected
Feature rights for sell on your publishing focused website
Get a rights agent that works with publishers


When an author signs a contract with a publishing house, they generally grant the publisher ‘volume rights’ within certain territories. This gives the publisher the right to publish the book in certain formats. The royalties relating to hardback, paperback and sometimes trade paperback (a larger paperback format) editions will be spelled out.

There will be clauses in the contract covering all the other rights. These are the ‘subsidiary’ rights granted to publishers and can also be referred to as sub-leases.

DO YOUR RESEARCH - THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX - and pursue other ways to sell your books.

By: LM Preston, YA and MG author, www.phenomenalonepress.com

Starting out Indie

(photo source)

I get emails from a few friends who were like me, querying for years with a lot of bites from agents, but no contract. They see my books hit the best seller lists and stellar reviews on Amazon and want to know "How does self-publishing work?"

I can't say that I recommend self-publishing for everyone, but the longer I've gone Indie, the more I don't know if I could ever go back. But after a year of doing this gig, there are some definite things I wish I knew when I started.

1.) Your book needs an editor. You may have awesome grammar skills and have had eight critique partners read your masterpiece, but another set of eyes that is attached to it never hurts. An editor doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, you can pay anything from $100-$1000 depending on the editor and if you need a lot of editing or just some proofreading.

2.) A kick butt cover can sell your books. When looking for covers for my next New Adult book, I thought of doing it on my own, but I don't have the eye that the professionals do.  I hired the awesomesauce Steven Novak for my alien series and I'm using Mae I Design for my New Adult (since she has the market cornered on "panty dropping" covers). A cover can cost you anything from $50-$1500, depending if you also want to do print and if you are using custom photography, etc.

3.) Paying for a blog tour is worth every penny. I did do my own blog tour for How to Date an Alien and My Paper Heart, the problem? I didn't know that many bloggers who would take the book on, some didn't post on the day they were supposed to, etc. I finally decided to use blog tour organizer for my last alien book and she brought me thirty people that hadn't read my books who were interested in participating. It opened my book up to a new audience and now I can have those contacts for future book reviewing. There are many blog tours out there and you can go for as little as $30 for a few stops or even up to $300 for massive like multiple month tours with multiple stops.

4.)  Learn to format properly or find someone to format it. I learned to format my first ebooks and the paperback process took me almost a whole day to figure out. There are services that will do it reasonably, but you have to figure out what software is available and if you just can't get the right formatting to upload your word doc or epub file, then maybe it's time to hire someone. These can costs anywhere from a bout $20-$50.

5.) Stop reading reviews. It's tempting and there will be some that will gush for your books, but the ones that hate it will bring you to tears for no reason. I remember reading one for My Paper Heart that attacked me as an author and said they literally wanted to slap me. I wanted to cry, wanted to respond to the reviewer, but I held back, because nothing good ever comes from responding to a reviewer that writes something negative (as we've seen the stories).

6.) You wont be an overnight success. Yes, there are some Indie authors that do make those tremendous overnight successes, but then there are those that have a slow build up and rock it (M. Leighon had 14 books out before she made the NY Times best seller list). If your books don't sell, don't give up, just keep writing and keep on trucking.
*******************************************************************************

Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman. You can find her online at www.maganvernon.com Or check out her awesome book covers and purchase her books at all online retailers including Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Indiechat 5/29 with Author Raine Thomas!

Raine_Thomas Howdy, all! Happy to be a part of the #indiechat tonight. Hope everyone is doing well! -9:04 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB Hi! How's everyone doing this evening? #indiechat -9:04 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas Hey hey! #indiechat -9:04 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio Hey where is everyone tonight? #indiechat -9:05 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KatGirl_Studio That sounds fun! What convention was it? @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:05 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @KatGirl_Studio I'm trying to find that out right now! lol #indiechat -9:05 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Jumping in on #indiechat What's the topic? -9:06 PM May 29th, 2012

Paperbook_Blog So whats the topic tonight #indiechat -9:06 PM May 29th, 2012

LynAlmodovar RT @Raine_Thomas: Howdy, all! Happy to be a part of the #indiechat tonight. Hope everyone is doing well! -9:06 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas Fanime, Northern CA's largest anime & Japanese pop culture convention. #indiechat -9:07 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston I'm going to the UtopYA one in TN. Can't wait. RT @Raine_Thomas: @KatGirl_Studio That sounds fun! What convention was it? #indiechat -9:07 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB Looks like @MaganVernon and I are freestyling it. Let's talk about Covers and ISBN's. Go! #indiechat -9:07 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KatGirl_Studio Oh, wow! That sounds awesome. Did you enjoy it? #indiechat -9:07 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Looks like #indiechat is about celebrating Indie books! And we have @Raine_Thomas visiting! -9:08 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @LM_Preston Me, too! I'll be on a panel at UTopYA. Can't wait! @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:08 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @MaganVernon Nice, you actually checked the schedule. You Go. #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Last indie book I read was The Veil by @CoryPutmanOakes I loved it so much #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston Oh, did anyone know about the Benjamin Franklin Award for Independent books? The ceremony is June 4th sponsored by @Ibpa at #BEA #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas *Waves* Sure thing! Very happy to be here. Who doesn't love chatting about indie books, eh? :) @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas always =^.^= I've exhibited at it since 2008. It's the only event I know of that's open 24hrs a day. #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

AuthorTiffany #indiechat Yay for @UtopYAcon Can't wait to go ;) @Raine_Thomas -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Hi everyone! #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Stacey_WB yay covers! #indiechat -9:09 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @AuthorTiffany @LynAlmodovar Okay we are so gonna have to meet up there :-D I'm supposed to be speaking. #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Don't we have guests with us tonight? #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper Sorry I'm late! #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston What's the topic? #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KatGirl_Studio Holy cow! That sounds exhausting. Hope you also got to enjoy some of the conference. #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

Vampyre_2000 RT @Raine_Thomas: *Waves* Sure thing! Very happy to be here. Who doesn't love chatting about indie books, eh? :) @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

LynAlmodovar Promo starting Friday I'm hosting #YA #Indie Month with interviews and showcasing #YA #Indie Books feel free to stop by #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I believe that @AbbiGlines is also here? #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas Congrats on the panel! That's exciting. I'm hoping to lead a workshop next year in Amelia Island. #indiechat -9:10 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling Our guest is @Raine_Thomas #indiechat -9:11 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Lovely! #indiechat -9:11 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @AuthorTiffany Yes! *double fist bumps* So many awesome folks going to UTopYA! @UtopYAcon #indiechat -9:11 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Hi Raine! Would you like to start with what you write and introduce yourself? #indiechat -9:11 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KCircelli That would be awesome! Amelia Island, eh? Sounds inviting. Which event is it? #indiechat -9:12 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas well the vendors rooms are only open from 10:30am-7pm. After that there are shows, dances and videos. #indiechat -9:12 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas Hey there! Love your cover! How far in advance did you start your promo for your book? #indiechat -9:12 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas Amelia Island Book Festival.Workshops,then festival for local authors and big names alike.Last year was incredible. #indiechat -9:13 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Here's a link to Raine's Amazon Author page and all her books! #indiechat http://t.co/FDNL7pFV -9:13 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon RT @laurapauling: Here's a link to Raine's Amazon Author page and all her books! #indiechat http://t.co/FDNL7pFV -9:14 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Sure! @laurapauling I write YA fantasy/romance (so far). I published the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy last year & DEFY on 4/30. #indiechat -9:14 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas What a journey! Love all your covers. #indiechat -9:14 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas does have awesome covers. I kept staring at them from across the room at the literacy fair. #indiechat -9:14 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Are you self published or with a small press? #indiechat -9:15 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Just finished the first draft of SHIFT, the second book of the Firstborn trilogy (to follow DEFY). Editing to come! @laurapauling #indiechat -9:15 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I think that the girl on Becoming looks like Quinn from Glee @Raine_Thomas #indiechat -9:15 PM May 29th, 2012

LauraHoward78 Must join #indiechat if we're talking to my gal @Raine_Thomas -9:16 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KatGirl_Studio Well, that's not too bad! I might have turned into a pumpkin after working all day, but that sounds fun. :) #indiechat -9:16 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas Do you release your books in ebook first or paperback or both at the same time? #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Thx! For my first trilogy, I ignorantly did little promotion. With DEFY, I started a couple of months before release. @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas not me =^.^= I think I went to sleep at 4am each day. Too much fun to miss. #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Did you find that made a big difference? #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas who does your covers? #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

CKingVan New to this chatting. New to writing. New to twitter, and they say you have to have a Blog! All I know is this story. #indiechat -9:17 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KCircelli I'll have to look into that! Anything taking place on an island sounds fabulous. :) #indiechat -9:18 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB Sorry! I'm back. My son dropped a plate on the tile kitchen floor and I had to deal. :) #indiechat -9:18 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston Yikes! Good thing he's okayRT @Stacey_WB: Sorry! I'm back. My son dropped a plate on the tile kitchen floor and I had to deal. :) #indiechat -9:18 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Stacey_WB Wait, is your son the one with the beautiful eyes or is that @Lisa_Nowak #indiechat -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Thanks! My covers were done by the fabulous Devan Edwards of Nimbi Design. @laurapauling #indiechat She's amazing! @devanescence -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

UtopYAcon @LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas thanks for the shout outs on #indiechat hope to see the fans and authors in July -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @LynAlmodovar Always like to get out the word for Indies #indiechat -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @CKingVan Eh, to the blog. Have a place where people can find links to your work and find out a little about you. #indiechat -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston Woot! RT @UtopYAcon: @LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas thanks for the shout outs on #indiechat hope to see the fans and authors in July -9:19 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas LOL! @KCircelli Thanks, gal! You've got awesome book covers, too. LOVE the artwork! #indiechat -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas What are some of the biggest lessons learned in your publishing path? #indiechat -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas Workshops alone are worth it, got to meet David Morrel and Tatjana Soli and get their books signed! #indiechat -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 Almost missed #indiechat. What's the topic tonight? -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas How long does it take you to write your novels? Also I see you have a cute short story available for free #indiechat -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas I'm self-published, but I created a small press myself called Iambe Books. We're now working with a couple authors. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:20 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @patricialynne07 We have YA author @raine_Thomas with us! #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas has that been difficult taking on other authors too? #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

CKingVan @CKingVan sigh. That's not showing up on the chat page. Maybe I'll just start chapter 14 instead. #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @patricialynne07 Guest Raine Thomas is here tonight #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas Thanks! I can't take any credit, I have an awesome artist friend. #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @CKingVan Welcome to #indiechat ! -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas What a cool observation! lol @MaganVernon RT "I think that the girl on Becoming looks like Quinn from #Glee" #indiechat -9:21 PM May 29th, 2012

LynAlmodovar RT @KCircelli: @Raine_Thomas Thanks! I can't take any credit, I have an awesome artist friend. #indiechat -9:22 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas *hugs* Hi, Laura! Welcome to the fun! :) @LauraHoward78 #indiechat -9:22 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @laurapauling Awesome, glad I didn't skip out tonight. #indiechat @raine_Thomas -9:22 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Well then, you're doing it right! (And you're not old, like me). lol @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:23 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas And you're also working a day job? Phew! #indiechat -9:23 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas I can definitely say that promoting DEFY's release was helpful. It generated interest among new and existing fans. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:24 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Raine_Thomas How do you keep up a day job and a best selling series? #indiechat I'm a working author myself. -9:24 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas I'm thinking then that helped with sales with your previous trilogy? #indiechat -9:25 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas What questions do you loathe getting at events? Any that you just hate answering? #indiechat -9:25 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas My covers are done by Devan Edwards of Nimbi Design @devanescence @KatGirl_Studio She's the best!! #indiechat -9:25 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas What all did you do to promote for those two months before release? #indiechat -9:25 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @SPNHeather *raises hand* I'll be hitting you up! #indiechat -9:26 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas Do you hire editors/copyeditors or do you do that part yourself? #indiechat -9:26 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Biggest lessons on my publishing path: 1) Build your social media platform, 2) Always edit, 3) Hire a cover artist! @laurapauling #indiechat -9:26 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas sound advice. #indiechat -9:27 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I feel like I'm missing out on stuff #indiechat LOUD NOISES -9:27 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas @KCircelli You've definitely piqued my interest! I'll have to follow up with you for more info. :) #indiechat -9:27 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Raine_Thomas @laurapauling Excellent! #indiechat -9:27 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas the Indelibles would agree! Words to live by. #indiechat -9:27 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Hiring a copy editor was a smart move. She is currently going back through my first book to clean it up. #indiechat -9:28 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Editing and well done covers seems to be key. #indiechat -9:28 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes! THE PROPHECY is a #free Estilorian short story, a prequel to my first trilogy. Each book takes about 3 months. @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:29 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas RT @UtopYAcon: @LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas thanks for the shout outs on #indiechat hope to see the fans and authors in July -9:29 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli I agree,always have more than one pair of eyes to edit your work. Sometimes it's too hard to see the mistakes on your own writing #indiechat -9:29 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Have you found the free short story helps with sales? #indiechat -9:30 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas In a way, it has. I work full time as a wedding planner, so now I'm writing, planning and helping other authors. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:30 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Wow! Three months to write, edit and publish? #indiechat That's incredible. -9:30 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @UtopYAcon Why did I not know about this sooner? Awesomeness. #indiechat -9:30 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas *waves* @patricialynne07 Nice to meet you! Welcome. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:31 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Raine_Thomas A wedding planner sounds way more exciting than a claim rep #indiechat How do you separate the two fields? -9:31 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes! Between wedding planning, writing and being a wife and mom, sleep is a fond memory. LOL @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:31 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @MaganVernon I agree, copy editors are worth it #indiechat -9:32 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas When do you write? Early morning, late at night, whenever you get a chance? lol #indiechat -9:32 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas It's tough! I probably put in about 70 hours a week between the two careers. But I can't part with either. :) @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:32 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper Wait. What is it? RT @MaganVernon @UtopYAcon Why did I not know about this sooner? Awesomeness. #indiechat -9:33 PM May 29th, 2012

beingbold One of my favorite authors @Raine_Thomas is participating in #indiechat ....check it out!! :) -9:33 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 How do you pick cover models for your books? #mydream #indiechat -9:33 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Karen_Hooper @utopyacon Convention for Sci fi and fantasy YA women authors #indiechat -9:33 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling And I have family in Nashville. Hmm. #indiechat -9:33 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Promoting DEFY's release did help with sales of my first trilogy, especially because it's a follow-up trilogy. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:34 PM May 29th, 2012

LynAlmodovar RT @beingbold: One of my favorite authors @Raine_Thomas is participating in #indiechat ....check it out!! :) -9:34 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas That's wonderful and one thing I love about indie publishing. It's never too late. #indiechat -9:34 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas I can only imagine, I know just planning my own wedding is taking up a lot of time. #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Did you have any one marketing strategy that seemed to work the best? #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli RT @laurapauling: @Raine_Thomas That's wonderful and one thing I love about indie publishing. It's never too late. #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas I'm writing a follow-up trilogy right now - good to know the first helped boost the second. #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Great question! No questions that I hate to answer, but I get asked A LOT what inspires me, so I sound rehearsed. lol @KCircelli #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I didn't use a cover model, but I know a lot of people use stock art or some models work with cover designers. @Froze8 #indiechat -9:35 PM May 29th, 2012

SPNHeather @Addison_Moore sweeeeet #indiechat -9:36 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling I run into covers that use the same stock art but it doesn't bother me. I think we notice more than readers do. #indiechat -9:36 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @MaganVernon What about for your book SPLICE? :D... #dreams #indiechat -9:36 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling And it's neat to see how they use the stock art differently. #indiechat Of course, live photoshoots would be great too... -9:36 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas My promotion for DEFY included a blog tour through YA Bound (love!) , a couple of newsletters & a social media blitz. @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:37 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I agree. We're trained to notice that. The readers aren't. #indiechat -9:37 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas I worked as a freelance editor once upon a time, so I do most of my own editing. But I use multiple betas. @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:37 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio Especially we look through stock photos a lot. #indiechat -9:38 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio Working with photo shop now I just notice effects - like oo there's a nice radial gradient blur. #indiechat -9:38 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Raine_Thomas Wow! Hats off to you! That's impressive! @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:38 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas Good to know. I haven't done a blog tour w/ YA Bound. Glad you had a good experience! #indiechat -9:38 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas What did you do for the social media blitz? #indiechat -9:38 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Froze8 For SPLICED I have someone doing an original drawing. It would take way too much special effects to use real models #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Thanks! One other bit of advice is to seek vendors who are building their businesses if you're on a budget. @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell so sorry I'm late. just woke up. :/ #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I don't use PS for my artwork but I do tend to notice things like that too. #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @JessieHarrell I didn't even know if I'd make it due to the thunderstorm! #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @JessieHarrell Hey lady! #indiechat -9:39 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Thanks, Addison! We could all take a few tips from you, eh? ;) @Addison_Moore @laurapauling #indiechat -9:40 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I saw the same couple I have on DoS Omnibus on anothe book the day after I published it. Doh! #indiechat -9:40 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling I'm all for live shoots as I enjoy modeling. Can you imagine being on a cover?? #indiechat -9:40 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Froze8 No I couldn't! Kinda cool though. #indiechat -9:40 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling I agree #indiechat -9:40 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @MaganVernon my interest is peaked. What is on the cover? #indiechat -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas How many releases do you do a year? #indiechat is 1 enough or 3 too much? Or is more a constant boost in promo 4 you -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Awesome! Thanks for making me feel brilliant. lol @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Froze8 ...of a horror novel. lol #indiechat -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I had a budget and then it went out the window for #TeamAlien gear #indiechat -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling Yeah I think it'd be amazing :) #indiechat -9:41 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Funny enough, THE PROPHECY only JUST went free on Amazon this week. I couldn't get it free for the longest time! @laurapauling #indiechat -9:42 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas ah that's the opposite of me. I'm a cover designer so I don't need to hire someone else for that part. #indiechat -9:42 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas It does seem to take at least a month for books to go free on Amazon. #indiechat -9:42 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @KatGirl_Studio The cover is a boy and a girl running away from a spliced girl with bull horns. Falling lockers, etc. #indiechat -9:42 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper I put a good friend on the cover of Grasping at Eternity. It makes me love the book that much more. #indiechat -9:42 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes! :) Of course, SHIFT is taking a bit longer due to all of the DEFY promotion. Took about 4 months to write. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:43 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @laurapauling really? I was hoping it wouldn't take that long for Amazon to make a book free via price matching. #indiechat -9:43 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @JessieHarrell I guess it depends. It could be sooner. Maybe how often people report a lower price? #indiechat -9:43 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @MaganVernon hmm. I can see where illustrating that would be the better bet. #indiechat -9:43 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas There was a definite free blitz this week. Lots of shorts, especially. I think it's great. Gotta love free! #indiechat -9:44 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper @MaganVernon Can't wait to see your SPLICED cover. :) #indiechat @KatGirl_Studio -9:44 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @MaganVernon I put my budget on a CC for writing then ground myself until it's paid off.May not be the best solution but it works #indiechat -9:44 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Wedding planning has its moments. lol I think writing is a nice break from the stress of making dreams come true. @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:44 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Raine_Thomas I find this doubtful. ;) @laurapauling #indiechat -9:44 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @Karen_Hooper That cover turned out beautiful too! #indiechat -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Will you ever write about a wedding planner with a fantasy twist? #indiechat -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli My husband and I are on the cover of an indie writer's book. It's out of print now while she makes some changes though #indiechat -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @Stacey_WB free to going. and I get all my kids stories for free after Pixel of Ink tells me about them. love it! #indiechat -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Karen_Hooper @katgirl_studio I can't wait either. The book excites me mucho #indiechat -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Karen_Hooper That's so sweet! #indiechat Plus I have major cover luv. -9:45 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes to all of the above! :) I often write from 8:00a to 9:00a, from 5:00p to 6:00p, and from 8:00p until I'm comatose. @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:46 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @Raine_Thomas I use my day job as a chance to get ideas and I write at least 1K on my lunch hour #indiechat -9:46 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston We build book marketing plan with budgeted / free promo - saves lots of $$ RT @patricialynne07: @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:46 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yay!! Hiya, Ana! @beingbold #indiechat -9:46 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @stacey_wb -- that was supposed to say "free is good" -- apparently my tying fingers iz broke #indiechat -9:46 PM May 29th, 2012

Paperbook_Blog I think all indie authors should come to toronto for a convention :) then i can meet everyone! #indiechat lol -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @KatGirl_Studio Do you use stock photo? #indiechat -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas True! I tell writers all the time to just write a little something every day. Before you know it, you have a story! @laurapauling #indiechat -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @LM_Preston Awesome. I'm helpless when it comes to marketing. ^^;; #indiechat -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper @Addison_Moore @patricialynne07 Thanks so much for the cover luv! :) #indiechat -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston We can have a skype convention :-D RT @Paperbook_Blog: Come to toronto for a convention :) then i can meet everyone! #indiechat lol -9:47 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas Oh, we're on the same schedule then. :) #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Oh, that's exciting! When are you getting married? And what do you write? @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Froze8 Normally, no. Creating enhanced-photo covers is new for me, I've only created 2 so far. #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston 2 books helped me. Frugal Book Marketing and 1001 Ways to market your book. RT @patricialynne07: Awesome. marketing. ^^;; #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

Karen_Hooper @Paperbook_Blog That would be awesome! #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @Raine_Thomas that is great advice! I need to get back to using my lunch hour to write. #indiechat -9:48 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @JessieHarrell I got you! :) #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston My best write time too! RT @JessieHarrell: @Raine_Thomas Great advice! I need to get back to using my lunch hour to write. #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes! When Pixel of Ink was still accepting ad submissions, BECOMING made it to #15 on Amazon's bestseller list. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell RT @LM_Preston: 2 books helped me. Frugal Book Marketing and 1001 Ways to market your book. #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Froze8 One for DAEMONS IN THE MIST and one for @LM_Preston 's THE PACK- RETRIBUTION cover. #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Raine_Thomas Awesome! #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston I got in too late RT @Raine_Thomas: When Pixel of Ink helped BECOMING made it to #15 on Amazon's bestseller list. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:49 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @KatGirl_Studio Your portfolio is amazing #indiechat -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Good for you, Stacey! Follow-up trilogies have their upsides and downsides. Readers get so attached to characters. :) @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @Raine_Thomas that's awesome - congrats! #indiechat -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston She can do anything. My personal artist :-D RT @KCircelli: @KatGirl_Studio Your portfolio is amazing #indiechat -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

BethanyLopez2 RT @beingbold: One of my favorite authors @Raine_Thomas is participating in #indiechat ....check it out!! :) -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @patricialynne07 I have a separate account for writing. No credit card. #indiechat -9:50 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @KatGirl_Studio those are both AMAZING covers too, btw! #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas Oct 28th and I write YA. Usually urban fantasy/ action romance. #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @KCircelli Oh thank you =^.^= #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston My book marketing plan helps me w/ budget RT @MaganVernon: @patricialynne07 Separate account for writing. No credit card. #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

BethanyLopez2 RT @laurapauling: Here's a link to Raine's Amazon Author page and all her books! #indiechat http://t.co/FDNL7pFV -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

KCircelli @Raine_Thomas Any series books you've read where the author didn't do the characers justice? Jean Auel comes to mind for me #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas LOL! Thanks for the shot in the arm. Half the time, I question my own sanity! @Addison_Moore @MaganVernon #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas Do you do newsletters? #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @MaganVernon I'm pretty good about using my credit card. I can easily ground myself and resist using it until it's paid off. #indiechat -9:51 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas I've set it 18 years in the future - the kids are now the adults. We'll see how many readers that annoys. Ha! #indiechat -9:52 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas It went very well. :) Research blog tour sites before you commit. Some are better than others! @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:52 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB Readers will get attached to the new characters! #indiechat -9:52 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Raine_Thomas Yes, I've done a couple that didn't work out so well. #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

IndelibleWriter RT @JessieHarrell: RT @LM_Preston: 2 books helped me. Frugal Book Marketing and 1001 Ways to market your book. #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

BethanyLopez2 RT @Raine_Thomas: @AuthorTiffany Yes! *double fist bumps* So many awesome folks going to UTopYA! @UtopYAcon #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas For my social media blitz, I posted DEFY teasers, blurbs, the trailer, etc. on FB, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest... @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Ohhh are we talking about our books now? I am the author of How to date an Alien and How to break up with an alien. #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

IndelibleWriter RT @Raine_Thomas: I tell writers all the time to just write a little something every day. Before you know it, you have a story! #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @Raine_Thomas Very true. I used 1, wasn't bad, but had someone who signed up for each tour & either posted late or not at all. #indiechat -9:53 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @JessieHarrell @LM_Preston @KCircelli Thanks you guys =^.^= #indiechat -9:54 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas ...and Google+, and got my friends and fans to help spread the word. It was very helpful! @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:54 PM May 29th, 2012

IndelibleWriter RT @Raine_Thomas: Biggest lessons on my publishing path: 1 Build your social media platform, 2 Always edit, 3 Hire a cover artist #indiechat -9:54 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling That's what I'm hoping. I'll satisfy their curiosity about what happened to the others and then swoop in with new! #indiechat -9:54 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon @LM_Preston @patricialynne07 Someday I'll commit to the credit card. Debit works fine for now. #indiechat -9:54 PM May 29th, 2012

AuthorTiffany @Raine_Thomas @laurapauling I love love love Sharon Rosen at @pixelofink Her site is amazing <3 #indiechat -9:55 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas Thanks, I'm in the middle of prepping for my own blog tour on the 9th #indiechat -9:55 PM May 29th, 2012

BethanyLopez2 @Raine_Thomas #indiechat Hey busy lady! How much longer do we have to wait for the release of #Shift??? -9:55 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon I think I'll know I made it when some else uses my cover as their twitpic #indiechat -9:55 PM May 29th, 2012

patricialynne07 @MaganVernon I use debit when I can, but some things take too big chunk out of the checking account. @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:55 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas I have a feeling most working authors are on this schedule. LOL @Stacey_WB #indiechat -9:56 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Raine_Thomas ya G+ seems to be a good place for me too. I'm having my blog tour wrap party on it. #indiechat -9:56 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell too true! ;) RT @MaganVernon: I think Ill know I made it when some else uses my cover as their twitpic #indiechat -9:56 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Oh, yes! The lunch hour is when I typically fit in reading, but it's great writing time, too. :) @JessieHarrell #indiechat -9:56 PM May 29th, 2012

Safireblade RT @MaganVernon: I think I'll know I made it when some else uses my cover as their twitpic #indiechat -9:57 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Any last questions for @Raine_Thomas ? #indiechat -9:57 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes...I tried to do another ad, but they closed it up for submissions. #HugeBummer @LM_Preston @laurapauling #indiechat -9:57 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Thanks, Jessie! It was quite a moment. :) @JessieHarrell #indiechat -9:58 PM May 29th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Froze8 My dream is to be a voice of an animated character =^.^= #indiechat -9:58 PM May 29th, 2012

srjohannes hey guys - sorry I wasnt able to join - my daughters been deadly sick with flu and we both fell asleep - i just work up! #indiechat -9:58 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @KatGirl_Studio Cool :) #indiechat -9:58 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas That's a lovely time of year for a wedding! I'll have to check out your work...sounds right up my alley. @KatGirl_Studio #indiechat -9:58 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell thanks so much to @raine_thomas for being on #indiechat tonight! SO SORRY I was horribly late. #indiechat -9:59 PM May 29th, 2012

Froze8 @srjohannes It's okay Shelli :) #indiechat -9:59 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Hmm...that's a good question! None spring immediately to mind for me, though. @KCircelli #indiechat -9:59 PM May 29th, 2012

JessieHarrell @srjohannes oh, sorry to hear it Shelli. hope she feels better soon! #indiechat -9:59 PM May 29th, 2012

laurapauling Okay, I'm off to work on the transcripts. They turn out differently each week! I'll get them right eventually. #indiechat -9:59 PM May 29th, 2012

LM_Preston @Raine_Thomas It's nice to meet you and I can't wait to read your books. #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

MaganVernon Thanks everyone for coming to #indiechat I'm going to bed :) -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

LornaSuzuki Pssst! What is tonight's topic of discussion? #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas Yes, I do! I use MailChimp. People sign up on my website for book notifications, and they get a monthly newsletter. @LM_Preston #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

Stacey_WB Great chat tonight! See y'all next week. ;) #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

Addison_Moore @srjohannes Yikes! I hope she feels better! #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012

Raine_Thomas That's exactly what I did! LOL @Stacey_WB #indiechat -10:00 PM May 29th, 2012