ROW80 Button
Quickie #ROW80 catch-up / update today, and I’m going to do it like this from now on. I wanted to split my progress into the changing faces of an indie author. We wear many hats, but these are the ones I’m wearing most these days.
Shah the Writer
Apart from blog post and guest posts, nothing! I’ve not even had time to open the Finding Luna file yet. I will make next week the beginning of extreme, focussed writing on that WIP, however. Oh, yes-ser-e-Bob!
Shah the Marketing Wizz
I’ve done all sorts wearing this cap this past few weeks. I’ve handed out free copies of my book to selected reviewers, some have big genre specific blogs too, so looking forward to (slightly dreading) their reviews and their readers responses. I’m hoping to bring in more of my genre as blog visitors too, so have signed up to lots of forums which discuss urban fantasy/paranormal fiction and new adult fiction. I’ve laos signed up to a few places to send my book out to their readers for reviews. Amazon has to my knowledge removed three reviews, leaving only one! Of course it won’t tell me why and the people who told me their review didn’t show up won’t repeat their kind efforts to review my book on Amazon indefinitely. I’ve secured a book tour next month and emailed my subscribers to tell them I’m participating in two blog hop giveaways in Feb too. So LOTS of FREE copies of Finding Esta to get your hands on.
Shah the Publisher
I published Finding Esta to Smashwords yesterday. I have to defer payment though because I need to get myself a tax code enabling me to not pay US taxes on my earning. But I can’t do anything until there is 10 dollars in my Smashwords account, because they need that (why?) before they can send me a letter I have to send. *Groan* I’ve wasted too many hours looking into all that. This looks to be the best way of getting it sorted. I’ve also got in touch with my cover designer about Finding Luna cover and getting the print cover for Finding Esta. I have to write a new BLURB for the back cover too, as the other one was a bit long. I have to get this information to him in the next few days.
Shah the Blogger
I’ve helped someone build a blog. She’s a new writer and completely new to blogging. She now has to learn what the wonderful world of blogging is all about! I’ve secured some guest post from authors – one who I’m reading now actually (see the widget). More on that later. Like I said, I’m also looking forward to the blog-hops next month. I’m hoping to introduce myself to my genre crowd this way, as well introduce my book to new readers. I’ve built a page for BUY details and linked it to a spiffing button on my sidebar. I made a similar button for my subscription sign up link, too! Loving those.
I’m currently reading this and the author will be joining me here at some point soon!
Right, that’s it for now. Got to rush out and do some shopping. I’ll check in on everyone on my return. Stay ROWing!
About Shah Wharton
Oh, you of many many hats…. Should I be jealous?
It all sounds wonderful, but I do have to ask sometimes… Is this what you want to do? You always seem to be running around blogging and posting and marketing, but never having time for writing. Not a crime if you find those other things lots of fun too. The writing world actually NEEDS people who know the trenches inside and out, and you’ve got first hand experience from all sides. You could make a killing as a publicist for writers….
Well, maybe not a killing , but still..
Really though, teasing aside, you are amazing. Much love to you.
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No it absolutely isn’t what I want to do. I’d much prefer to write and let someone else do it all for me, but indies (and most trads) can’t do that any more. If only. I do need to prioritise more, to write more than I do everything else. The best promo/marketing is actually more books, so I must keep that in mind. Esp as Finding Esta is book one of a series. You shouldn’t be jealous (at all!) and I’d make a lousy publicist – professionally – although I do love helping out indie biddies and have publicist work for them on occasion.
X
Ah.. there goes my Secret Plan ™….
I get it though. It’s easy to get caught up in the more “public” stuff, the social media and the blogging and like than the actual writing because there is so much more immediate feedback. Writing, being more solitary, doesn’t have that external nudge that a tweet or a blog commenter provides to tell you to deal with it.
That said… should you be writing now?
No it absolutely isn’t what I want to do. I’d much prefer to write and let someone else do it all for me, but indies (and most trads) can’t do that any more. If only. I do need to prioritise more, to write more than I do everything else. The best promo/marketing is actually more books, so I must keep that in mind. Esp as Finding Esta is book one of a series. You shouldn’t be jealous (at all!) and I’d make a lousy publicist – professionally – although I do love helping out indie buddies and have done publicist work for them on occasion.
X
busy busy person – don’t wear yourself out – organizing one’s own prom is very time consuming but you do need to write your books also – how the problem is solved esp. on a budget I still haven’t worked out:( if you do would love to know:) take care and all the best – tours, blogsites all sound interesting
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If only I could pay a publicist to do it all for me
I’m presently sorting out a nightmare with Finding Esta, and all during all this promo, so my efforts will probably all back-fire horrendously *sigh* Cheers for stopping by Alberta. X
Shah Wharton recently posted..#ROW80 Updates – Split-Personality!
Good morning, Shah. Thank you for posting in such detail what you’re working on now, splitting that time between real writing and all that marketing stuff. But, what I appreciate much in your generosity to share this behind-the-scenes of being an indie writer is that incredible tension between the writing AND the marketing/publishing. So many of us are on this path, and we are all learning as we go. Janet Parfitt wrote about doing a little bit here and there. So far, that’s what my marketing efforts feel like. Your comments help me see the next step. . I’ll check out Smashwords shortly and can’t wait to see your latest there. I had a breakthrough this week on writing that may help you (see my writing blog on Mathinna), inspired by an Internet Writing Workshop writer whose goal is 500 words a day. So good to read about your energy and commitment AND progress. Persevere! Best, Beth
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