The indie publishing industry is changing. Of course, it’s always changing, but there’s a seismic shift happening in the indie publishing community right now. Many authors are pulling back from public engagement (with other authors), retreating to smaller groups for more intimate connections. The industry is maturing. The scammers are multiplying like rabbits, and there’s a turn toward more and… Read More
ON GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
I’m finally putting some “smart” in the data collection for my author business (some visual basic scripts to make it faster). With 35 novels and a host of short fiction across 2 pennames (each of which is a business of its own), I’ve surpassed the catalogs of some small publishers. I’m Nora-Roberts-level prolific, which means the catalog is going to… Read More
My 6th Anniversary as an Author… and Kindle Turns 10
Kindle is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Nov 1st was my 6th anniversary as an indie author. *Does Math* Yep, I’m a “veteran” in this indie publishing game. When I look back, it’s fantastic luck that I decided to become a writer when the indie game was just spooling up. If I’d been forced to go the traditional route, even if… Read More
Tidbits from the Emotional Craft of Fiction Workshop
Emotional Craft of Fiction – book and workshop (you can attend the next one in Irvine, CA in Jan 2018!) My back going out on me kept me from one day of the three in this workshop, but the other two were attended propped up in a wheelchair among friends and relatively pain-free with the help of modern medicine. Not… Read More
Community, Isolation, and Time Alone With One’s Thoughts
In our hyper-connected society, the art of being alone seems almost scandalous. And yet, there are studies which show people are even more isolated than ever before. Paradoxes—our world is built on them. For writers, isolation can be a serious issue. At the same time that you’re struggling with the emotional demands of writing well, the solitary nature of the… Read More
CONNECTION
An essential human need. Babies wither without it. Adults blossom with it. Just now, I witnessed the most adorable thing at the Panera. An older woman—at least 70—and a 20-something man embraced after an effusive “Good morning!” They both have Panera aprons on. All smiles, they set to work, doing the things Panera employees do. How delightful. And these two… Read More
Daughters of FLOM – Where to Find Community in the Indie Publishing World
Community – DAUGHTERS OF FLOM (the now-retired For Love or Money FB Group) Community is important for indie authors. Support. Information. Networking for business knowledge and collaboration. I love that the closing of FLOM has inspired a dozen+ groups to pick up the mantle, carrying on the ethos of For Love or Money (respecting all authors, treating people with love)! Some… Read More
The Group is Closing but the Blog/Newsletter Live On!
I’m watching everyone process the closing of the FLOM FB group… and I couldn’t be more proud of how we’re making this transition. People are sad, but grateful. They’re processing it and finding that it’s opening new opportunities to recommit to the sanctity of their own writing time, spend less time on FB, and connect in new, smaller groups dedicated… Read More
On Pulling Back From Social Media
I’m booting up this blog again as I pull back from a very successful Facebook Group that I started (“For Love or Money”) – ending on a high note with 3,936 members. It was a wonderful place and I loved the positive, respectful vibe created there by everyone who joined! So why end something so successful? Most groups have a… Read More