Have you ever considered self-publishing an ebook? A lot of writers are choosing this path. Some reasons that people decide to do this are….well, why not let indie writer Kylie Betzner tell you about her experience, in her own words…
Q: What made you decide to self-publish?
A: Most writers have a file cabinet full of rejection letters from agents and publishers, but I never actually pursued the traditional route. After much research, I opted to go non-traditional because that route just suited my personal idiom.
Q: What has pleased you most about self-publishing?
I’m a bossy person so having all of the say in the cover art, the publication date, and even the font in the paperback is a huge plus for me. Most of all, I like being able to tell the story I want to tell exactly how I want to tell it. You don’t always get that with traditional publishing because you have an agent and publisher to please. The only person I have to please is myself … and hopefully my readers.
Q:What kind of publicity have you done on your novels?
Most of my publicity is done online through blog tours, interviews, online events, etc., but I make a point to attend at least one public event each month, weather permitting. Honestly, I prefer in-person interactions more than online ones. Not that I haven’t met a lot of cool people through WordPress and Twitter, but nothing compares to real face-to-face interaction.
Q: What has gotten your books the most attention?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I’d like to think it’s all those social media sites I’ve wasted—er—spent so much time on, but it’s probably word of mouth. I have several supportive friends online and in-person who have been great spokes persons for my writing. I can’t thank them enough.
Q: What strategies have worked for you as an indie writer and what have not?
As an indie author, I’ve found that traditional marketing doesn’t always work the same as it does for famous authors. Unlike GRR Martin, I can’t just tweet about my writing once a month and expect 1,000 likes and comments. As a nobody author, I have to be active on social media and interactive as well. I have to build a brand all by myself and gain followers one at a time.
For me, being real and interactive has helped me gain respect and popularity in the indie author world. Keeping a blogging schedule has also helped.
I’m still pretty new at this whole publishing thing so I’m still not 100% sure what I’m doing wrong. Haha!
Q: Are there any indie writers who have inspired you either creatively or from a business perspective?
One of the first indie authors I took notice of was Charles Yallowitz. His series demonstrates the creative potential of non-traditionally published works. Nicholas Rossis and Adam Dreece are two indie authors I admire for their professionalism and success. I hope to be as successful as they are in my own endeavor.
Q: What are some of the most important things you’ve learned as an indie writer that you would tell someone who might be considering self-publishing an ebook?
If you’re considering self-publishing, be prepared for the work, the expenses, and the disappointments. It’s not always a wonderful life. Self-publishing is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. The rewards can be few and far between, but they make it all worthwhile. Congratulations in your decision and good luck. And may the force be with you.
Marc: Well, there you have it from Kylie herself. And while you’re at it, check out her books at Amazon.com. One more thing, about the last line in her interview, I’m sure she meant to say, “Live long and prosper.”
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In a field still dominated by super heroes, independent comic books and strips don’t often get the attention they deserve. Except for a few political or controversial titles many excellent indie comics and graphic novels frequently fly under the radar. Here are a few that I think are worth reading.
RACONTEUR is a beautifully drawn black and white regularly published comic book anthology that features autobiographical stories by a variety of cartoonists. These include such great artists as Mike Lynch, Isabella Bannerman, and Mark Parisi, who are better known for their single panel cartoons. These stories are little gems. Some are funny, others are sad or bittersweet. They’re all based on true incidents from the artists’ childhood or adult life.
EYEBEAM by Sam Hurt, ran as both a comic strip and a comic book and is now available as a series of collections in graphic novel form. Eyebeam is a wonderfully surreal comic that has a dream-like quality to it. Imagine living life in a series of Salvador Dali or M.C. Escher paintings and you have a general idea of what reading this is like.
SO BUTTONS, written by Jonathan Baylis is an excellent autobiographical comic book series in the tradition of Harvey Pekar. That is to say that Jonathan writes the stories and a number of different cartoonists draw them. Those include the wonderful illustrator, Dean Haspiel, and the very funny Fred Hembeck. Jonathan’s stories range from the sad to embarrassing to humorous, taken directly from his life.
BOX OFFICE POISON, by Alex Robinson. This comic has won awards and received great acclaim. On the off chance you haven’t seen it I wanted to bring it to your attention. Box Office Poison ran as a comic book some years ago and is now collected as a graphic novel. It’s about a group of friends, their lives, loves, disappointments and triumphs told with great humanity, character, and humor. Wonderful stuff!
GERTRUDE’S FOLLIES, by Tom Hatchman. These comic strips and now graphic novels are about the fictionalized and sometimes true adventures of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas in Paris in the 1920’s and beyond. They are written and drawn in Tom’s cool and surreal style. Imagine a sit-com about intellectuals and their eccentric friends who just happen to be Hemingway, Picasso, and the impressionists. Check out this smart and funny strip.
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