I?m currently in the rewrites for my fourth novel, Desecration, which is a departure from my ARKANE series and more of a crime thriller with dark themes.
I think I?m starting to find my voice as an author as well as becoming more honest with myself and less self-censoring in what I write.
But some things don?t change ? like the self-doubt that gnaws away at confidence and the fear of being judged.
What helps me is hearing from writers who are a few steps ahead on the journey, and recently, I read Behind The Story: Interviews From 20 Self-Published Authors Who Made It Big, edited by Denise Kim Wy.
There are a lot of ?How To? books out there on self-publishing and marketing but I liked this book as it is more of a companion book of interviews with some of the top selling indie authors on writing and marketing. Here are some quotes I found interesting and that resonated with me.
On writing and editing
?I wish I?d started writing earlier in life. I put it off because I was scared of it. I should have 30 books written by now, not a dozen. I measure my years and my progress by the works I complete and deliver to readers. I?m working on what should be my fourth novel of 2012. That feels like success to me.?
Hugh Howey, bestselling author of the Wool series which has sold 500,000+ copies. Sold print only rights in Jan 2013.
Doubt is something all writers deal with at one time or another. Actually, I?m pretty sure all writers deal with it on a continual basis. Will my readers like this new book? Will they want to read this new series? Will they think I?ve lost my mind? Is this going to kill my career? (Writers, as you can probably guess, are highly neurotic.)
Elisabeth Naughton, USA TODAY Bestselling Author of sexy romantic adventures and paranormal novels
Regarding my first novel,I wish I?d invested more in editing it before releasing it. I had no idea it would resonate with readers as it did, and I think there?s more I could have done to improve it.
Darcie Chan is the author of The Mill River Recluse, a self-published debut novel that has become a word-of-mouth e-book sensation. With over 650,000 copies sold, The Mill River Recluse appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists for more than 28 weeks
On book marketing and promotion
My best marketing strategy is giving my readers what they want: more good books. So writing the next book is my primary marketing strategy.
CJ Lyons, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of Thrillers With Heart
If it doesn?t have an awesome, eye-catching, starkly colored cover, you?re screwed because no one will see it and no one will know you exist.
Heather Killough-Walden, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series, The Kings series, and The October Trilogy.
When I started selling really well, I didn?t set up an emailing list, for readers to sign up to get announcements when I had new books coming out. That was something important I didn?t do, and lost potential readers learning about future books.
Victorine E. Lieske, NY Times bestselling author of ?Not What She Seems?
* If you haven?t set up a mailing list yet, read this article for how to do it.
You can find Behind the Story?Interviews From 20 Self-Published Authors Who Made it BIG on Amazon here
What do you think of the advice above and what specific advice has helped you the most on your journey as a writer ? on writing or book marketing? Please share in the comments below.
Top image: Flickr Creative Commons Vidalia_11
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Source: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/05/04/bestselling-indie-authors/
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