It’s easy to get lost in the nitty gritty. Designing newsletters, creating eye catching ads, networking with other authors, planning your next book launch . . . The list goes on and on. 
When we get caught up in the minutiae, it's hard to remember the reason we started on the journey in the first place. The love of writing.
 
Whether you are publishing independently or took the traditional track, there’s no getting around it—you need to peddle your wares and learn the business inside out and upside down. From Marketing 101 to the elevator pitch. 

Like most authors, I walked naively into the world of publishing, fully unaware that becoming a commercial writer also means becoming a business person. It may not be what we signed up for, but know this—neglect one of those roles and the other will suffer. Attend to both and you will have a good shot at success.

How can I balance it all and quickly get back to the page?

Custom schedule your time. I’ve found that my best writing time happens late in the day, sometimes into the wee hours. As such, I do my marketing in the morning and early afternoon. Later, I transition to writing creatively.

One of the best ways I’ve found to switch gears is by joining a silent Zoom of authors. 

Five days a week, I log into a virtual meeting where no one speaks! I know it sounds crazy but being in a ‘space’ with several other writers who are also keeping their butts in their chairs, focused solely on the written word, is a huge incentive for me to do the same. It’s called accountability and it works. My word count has increased exponentially during those hours.

So, reach out to writer friends or to other authors on social media and start your own silent meeting. You'll be surprised at how productive you'll be.

How can I keep my love of writing strong and healthy?

​Here are a few tips. . .
 
-Start each week by reminding yourself why you’re writing. Is it for expression, legacy, a calling? Dig deep. Knowing why will help recalibrate yourself.

-Stick a Post-It note to your computer. Mine says, “I write, therefore, I am.” What’s your note going to say?

-Write a short story just for yourself. Something that makes you happy. Not necessarily market-worthy or your best writing. Just write. Trust me, it will spike the joy like it did before you ever knew what a keyword was.

-Talk books. Chat with other book lovers about your favorites and theirs. Join a book club online or in person. The love of writing is intimately intertwined with the love of reading. Discussing plot lines and character arcs will spark your imagination and love of story, just like it did when you first decided to write.
 
At the end of the day, it's all about the love of storytelling.

The idea that there’s a “best” way to compose a book, is a fallacy. The truth is each author you ask will have a different way of achieving their goal. The creative process takes a multitude of varying and often unexpected forms. As individual as the writers themselves.

Some authors use outlines, others are discovery writers also known as “pantsers,” developing plot as they write. Some adhere to a word count they must meet by the end of the day, while others go days without writing a single word, then produce ten pages in one sitting. Some find inspiration from watching television, reading books, or traveling. Others don’t want to muddy the creative waters with outside influences. 

But the variations extend far beyond the number of authors out there. For many, each project takes a different path to completion. 

To demonstrate this, here’s what my writing process has looked like over the course of six years. Spree, the first in the Steadman series and my debut novel, took nearly three years from conception until publication, split evenly between writing and editing. Granted, I took long spells between writing stints and was working full time as a speech pathologist during much of the process. 

Book two, Resurrection, was started while I was writing Spree so when I began giving it its full attention I already had about a hundred pages written. Once the book was completed I added a section to the end with a ‘final confrontation.’ The whole process was done within nine months. Vengeance, the third in the series also had pages written while I was penning Spree. After I completed the book, rather than adding a new section to the end, I added an entire subplot that needed to be woven into what was until that point a finished product. That book was done in seven months. Clearly I was moving faster. The fourth and current book project is evolving in a completely different way from the previous three. I’m writing various scenes out of order as they come to me which will hopefully (!) tie up well at the end. I'm gearing up for a six-month turnaround.

I’ve been satisfied with the results of each of these methods. Though I’m aware they may not be the most efficient way of completing a book, it works for me. The point is, each author has a variety of processes, depending on the work they are doing at the time. 

The take-away? Respect and trust your particular processes rather than attempt to emulate another’s. And if your old methods aren’t working, it’s okay to try something else, something more intuitive to the work in progress. Forcing your process to accommodate what you assume is the right or best method, will only cause aggravation and result in a subpar product. Trust your instincts and the next book will come to life in its own special way. Happy writing!

 Bulverde, Texas
 
Jon mounted the ATV, straddling the seat. Luanne got on behind him. 
   “Sure you don’t want to drive?” Jon asked. 
  “Yeah, I’ve done this before. Go for it.” Luanne’s nose and mouth were covered with a black bandana, muffling her voice. Both donned helmets and goggles protecting them from the upcoming onslaught of flying dust. 
   Luanne couldn’t help but laugh. Jon was certainly multi-faceted. He seemed more in his element here than he did sitting at the FBI office bantering with his boss. He was smart, complex, quick on his feet. Also, sexy and a bit of a jerk. But she liked him. 
   Jon revved the engine, and she took the cue, wrapping her arms around his waist. He drove toward the off-road circuit. They had rented the ATVs for the next hour and could go wherever they wanted as long as they brought the vehicle back on time. Luanne could already tell Jon was going to take it to the max. Boys will be boys. Well, she could play just as hard. Always had. A tomboy throughout her early childhood, she grew up literally climbing the walls. In her house, on the playground. “Fearless Lu” is what they’d called her. Regretfully, she’d lost some of that wildness. 
   Jon took the first hill getting his bearings. At the top they had a view of the rugged expanse, the ground dry and rocky. Luanne could see several dirt bikes in the distance, their wide threaded tires jumping and swerving, like Evel Knievel of the ‘70s, the stuntman her dad had once told her about. The noise was near-deafening and she wondered why they weren’t given ear protection like at the shooting range.
   Within five minutes, Jon had the hang of it and was speeding along, the dry grass shivering in their wake, stirring up clouds of dust. She shouted, “Having fun?”
   He turned his head a bit and yelled back. “This is amazing!”
   She felt a jolt of joy that she was the one to introduce him to what could become a favorite pastime. Get a grip. Her last relationship had spanned a two-year period. Leading nowhere. Mostly because he had no drive. Her thoughts were broken by the powerful sounds of a dirt bike descending the hill ahead of them. The rider wore a black helmet, the visor making it impossible to see his face. It took a moment for her to realize he was heading straight for them. 
   “Jon!” she shouted, bracing herself for a head on collision. 
   “Hold on!” Jon shouted. 
  In an instant, Jon shoved the handlebars, careening to the left, swerving out of the biker’s path, missing the collision by a hair. They had come so close Luanne could have reached out and touched the fringes on the biker’s jacket. She turned to see the guy brake hard, his booted leg hitting the ground . . . and rev up again. 
   “He’s coming back!” 
  Dead ahead was a hill, its steep rise preventing her from seeing what lie on the other side. Instead of slowing, Jon sped up. She had a vise grip on his waist as they went airborne, landing on the back wheels, then coming down hard, their bodies bouncing forward. It felt like her spine had compressed like an accordion. Miraculously, they were both still in the saddle. The maneuver had allowed Jon to make a U-turn, face his adversary. He wasted no time. Luanne sensed his strategy. It was the only thing that made sense—try to take the guy down while he was airborne. 
   Jon slowed as if timing his attack. The moment the biker crested the hill, Jon went for him, cutting off his descent. The biker’s instinct to turn his handlebars was futile without ground beneath his wheels. At the last moment, Jon sped out of the way. Luanne watched in horror as in mid-air, the bike—its wheels still spinning fast—went one way—the man another, his body rolling to a stop at the bottom of the hill. He wasn’t moving.
   Jon braked abruptly. “Stay here!”
  Luanne watched him pull out a pistol from a holster under his jacket, held it outward as he approached the motionless biker. He shouted, “FBI! Don’t move!”
   Jon took a step at a time, finally hovering over the man, remaining out of reach of the man’s splayed arm, ready to shoot if need be. No movement. He kicked the guy’s leg, hard. Still nothing. “You can come here, Lu. Hold the gun on him.” 
   She did as he asked and watched as Jon kneeled down beside their pursuer and lifted the man’s visor. His eyes were closed. She felt the bile rise, pushed it down. “Is he dead?”
   Jon lifted the man’s sleeve, took his pulse. “He’s alive. Call 911. He look familiar to you?”
   “No, I’ve never seen him before.”
   Luanne got her phone out of her pocket and dialed. 
 
 

Jon and Luanne spent the rest of the day dealing with the local authorities, updating Matthews and IDing the guy—a thug for hire with a rap sheet a mile long. They had yet to determine who he worked for.
  Back at the hotel, Luanne collapsed on the bed. Her back was killing her. A medic at the scene had checked her, and despite his coaxing, she declined going to the hospital. He said she would be sore for a few days, but it was likely nothing was broken. Still, there would be no roughhousing tonight. 
  “Someone’s dead set on stopping our investigation,” she said to Jon lying beside her. He looked the same as she felt. Sore, drained.
​   “Sorry you had to go through that, Lu.”
   She had a hard time keeping her eyes open. “So much for a fun time, huh?” she mumbled.
  He turned his body toward her. “Until that nut came after us, it was an amazing time. That hasn’t changed. I appreciate the effort. I totally understand if you want to go home. Just say the word.”
   “No chance. I’ve got a huge story. I’m staying with this.”
   He kissed her on the nose. “All right. Get some rest, cowgirl.”
   If Jon had said anything more, she didn’t hear it. She was already fast asleep.
 

Today is a sunshiney day…even if you’re in Minnesota, stuck in a winter blizzard. 

Why? you ask.

Because you’ve finished the second draft of your manuscript! What an amazing feeling. Now, all you want to do is get it out there for everyone to read and love. You’ll format to the best of your ability and self-publish. Great!
 
Uh, hold on…Not so fast.
 
It’s very tempting to quickly self-publish once you feel your manuscript is done, but believe me when I tell you—IT’S NOT.

If you don’t believe me, try this test: give the first twenty pages to three of your friends and ask for their feedback—grammar, typos, and plot holes. I guarantee each friend will find different errors that somehow magically eluded you. 

How’s that possible?

I have yet to dissect this strange phenomenon, but there is no question it exists. Perhaps it’s as simple as we are human and will not find every error, no matter how many times we look at the pages. Wouldn’t you prefer to correct your book BEFORE you publish it? 

If your test goes as I expect it will, it’s time to give your friends the whole document with enough time for them to review it and get it back to you.

Okay, I’m ready now.

Nope. 

Find an editor. Unless it is totally out of your budget, get a pro’s eyes on your work. You only get one chance to make a first impression on new readers. If you blow it with mistakes, it’s unlikely they’ll give your future work a shot. If you can’t afford a pro, send the manuscript to more friends, family, and anyone willing to help you.

Advanced readers, check. Editor, check.

Well done! Now it’s time to format. It can be time-consuming, especially for longer books, but it’s a necessity for a professional-looking result. For Amazon publishers, Kindle Create is a useful and free tool. If you can’t do it by yourself, get someone on Fiverr or a similar inexpensive app to do it for you. 

Next, remember to set your pre-order date. This means readers will be able to order your book before it’s actually available for purchase. It’s a terrific way to build buzz. Be sure to have the book in its final form by the date you select, or you may be banned from using the pre-order option in the future. Set your date with enough time to market the new book on social media, newsletters and ads. 

Sounds like this process will take forever!

These stages take time…typically, months. The wait is hard, but publishing a polished book will pay off in spades for your career and reputation as a professional writer. In life and in publishing, patience is always a virtue. 


Nellie Neeman is the author of Spree, A Jon Steadman Thriller available on Amazon. Her second book, Resurrection will be available for pre-order in January, 2021. For more on self-publishing and giveaways, go to www.nellieneeman.com. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 
 
Several months ago, I set up my new manuscript for preorder. I chose a one-month window to allow for a pre-launch marketing blitz. So much has transpired since then. The learning curve looks curiously identical to a child’s growth chart, accelerating with no end in sight. What I’ve learned so far may vary in some ways from other self-published authors, but I’m convinced most of these lessons are universal, regardless of your book’s genre, length or even language.  I hope by sharing, I will help other authors navigate the ever-evolving world of indie publishing. 
 
-Whip your manuscript into its best form before clicking Publish.
Despite having reviewed the manuscript countless times and having others do the same, more errors seeped through than I could have ever imagined. As avid readers ourselves, we’ve all found typos or consistency errors in traditionally published books, marveling that, despite a team of editors, mistakes still remained. The upside of print-on-demand is you can fix the mistakes without much damage done. Before hitting the publish button, give it out to your ARC (advanced reader copy) readers one last time, and fix those pesky hanger-onners.
 
-People do judge a book by its cover. If you aren’t getting the results you want, take a hard look at the basics. This means your cover, blurb, book description and of course, manuscript content. If your efforts aren’t paying off enough to cover your expenses, you need to go back and reassess what you can update and try, try again.
 
-Have the error-free books in hand well before scheduling your launch.  I knew this having read other authors’ horror stories. But, nevertheless, I trusted the promised delivery times and left a wide margin of error. Well, Murphy’s Law kicked in, and my updated, (hopefully error-free) paperbacks were so delayed they would arrive only after the launch. I strongly considered cancelling the event but in the end went ahead. Amazon reimbursed me, and I sold the copies I had, errors and all, at a significant discount, explaining to those who attended what had occurred. It wasn’t optimal, but those who came still purchased the book, happy to have a few dollars shaved off the retail price.
 
-Watch as many online videos as you can stand. There are classes and tutorials for just about everything these days. Find the ones that will help you most. I took classes on Amazon ads and watched videos about launch parties, pricing and options for paperback printers. If you want to learn, it’s all readily available at your fingertips. The more you are prepared, the better likelihood you will have of success.
 
-Keep your initial goals realistic. This is a natural for me. I set my sights at selling 100 books over the summer. For me—a new author trying to gain momentum and exposure during a pandemic—this was a realistic goal. Once I surpassed that, I took a moment (and a scoop of black raspberry ice cream) to bask in the accomplishment and then set a new one. 


-Use what you’ve got to your advantage. Friends, social media, book clubs, and off-line networks develop brand exposure and are vital in this field. I’ve left books in New York curbside libraries, a Colorado book consignment shop and cozy cafés. 
 
-Readers love an inscription.  Believe it or not, what you’ve accomplished by writing, completing and publishing a book is statistically a significant event. People want to meet you, ask questions and have a personal note inscribed in the book they purchase from you. Those people are at the top of your list for future sales of your upcoming releases.
 
-Trial and error may cost you but will also educate you.  I advertised my launch in various places and will now know which ones yielded results for the next one. 
 
-Keep a record of expenses. It will help to determine your actual revenue. This may sound obvious, but many authors are not businesspeople. We want to write, not calculate the bottom line. But like it or not, writing, if you do so for consumers, is a business and needs to be handled accordingly. If you aren’t equipped to do it yourself, ask a family member to help.
 
-Sometimes, to make money you have to spend money. I’m not talking big bucks, but enough to make sure your cover, editing and marketing are in the best shape they can be. Advertising costs can add up but give them a week to perform at a cost you can easily absorb and review the results. If they drive sales, keep them going and perhaps scale up. If they don’t, consider using new ad copy or images. Amazon advertising is the best place to start in my opinion, as they don’t run roughshod over your chosen budget. Also, in contrast to Facebook ads, consumers using the Amazon site are there to buy things, which already gives you a leg up.
 
To sum up, there are days and sometimes weeks you won’t see sales. This can become quickly discouraging, but keep in mind that nothing worth its salt comes easily. So, most important of all, power through and don’t give up!

It’s a topic that triggers a skip in the heartbeats of authors everywhere. Few writers go unscathed. Newbies and seasoned bestselling writers experience it at some point. What is this dreaded unmentionable?
 
The bad review.
 
If you have ever spent a sleepless night ruminating over a 2-star review, read on.
 
The reality is poor reviews can be devastating. You don’t want to listen to those clichéd adages, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” and “It’s better to have a poor review than none at all.” After all, consistent bad reviews can prove the death knell of any book. But what of those periodic bashers who publicly eviscerate what you think of as your masterpiece?
 
Let’s say you launch your new fantasy book--you know, the one you spent two years of your life penning. Days later, someone pans it on Amazon or a reader’s blog. You want to crawl into a hole. You feel vulnerable, fearful, insecure and embarrassed. You begin to question yourself and your work. Were my beta readers, editor, friends, and family all afraid to tell me what they really thought? Is the work I thought was enjoyable, well-written, and perhaps even on par with successful books in my genre, actually awful? You quickly forget the terrific feedback you’ve already received.
 
This is where you need to pause and take note of the fork in the road that has materialized before you. Suddenly, you have a choice to make. The well-traveled path to the left is marked by the ubiquitous black-and-white U-turn sign. Take it to retreat, putting your writing on hold. The rocky path to the right is lined with orange traffic cones. You will scuff your shoes as you sidestep potholes in the road. Yet, if you persevere, you will arrive at the next town, amazingly named Success. 
 
The message? The danger in rejection does not stem from a bad review, the seemingly obvious culprit. Its true threat lies in your reaction.
 
But, how to push ahead when you’re stuck in that self-questioning mindset?
 
Here’s how:

• -Keep perspective if a bad review is floating in a sea of positive ones.
• -Remember that some reviews come with a hidden agenda, such as an editor or blogger hoping you’ll enlist his or her services.
• -Put the review aside in a dark corner and let your raw feelings heal before taking it out and looking it over. Then, when you’re ready, assess it as objectively as you can. Consider correcting errors you may have missed, and discard the ones that conflict with your personal style. Trust your artistic instincts.
• -If warranted, republish your updated manuscript for the next set of readers.

 
Forge ahead, continue learning, and above all, keep on writing. The world deserves to enjoy your next creative endeavor.

There’s no question about it. Successfully marketing your indie book can prove extremely frustrating. Often it seems an insurmountable task. Perhaps you’re asking yourself questions like Where on Earth do I begin? I’m a writer, not a salesperson! and How will my book stand out from the rest? There are so many authors vying for the same audience.

Full disclaimer: I am in the heart of the promoting process myself, currently between e-book and paperback launches. I am still figuring out a lot of it. I am not a marketing specialist, book agent, or publishing executive. I am a writer, just like you, attempting to learn the ropes of an ever-evolving industry and happy to offer both encouragement and tips I’ve found helpful. My compulsion to share my experiences with those a few steps behind me stems from both my nature as well as a reaction to the current landscape.

Let’s start with the obvious dilemmas. While online writer communities such as Goodreads and Facebook promo groups are helpful to a degree, they are inundated with scores of authors seeking attention for their work, resulting in the vast majority being overlooked.

Additionally, successful writers are frequently not inclined to ‘pay it forward’ by assisting aspiring authors with whom they have no personal connection. Whether it’s a manuscript review, newsletter mention, potential blurb, or a further lead, the prevailing sentiment seems to be “I don’t do that." Of course, there are exceptions, and I’ve been fortunate to come across a few such mentors. But, without a supportive leg up, many, if not most, new authors are left to navigate the intimidating marketing seas solo.

Now that a large bucket of cold water has been dumped on your head, let me throw you a warm, dry towel with what I’ve learned so far.

• If you never ask, there’s no chance of getting an assist. I’m that person who hates asking for favors. My husband tries to convince me other people want to help or would at least view receiving my book for free as a worthy trade. While I’m not convinced of this (see above), the fact remains if you don’t ask, you’re sure not to get. Request to meet for coffee, exchange emails, or speak on the phone. You risk the dreaded rejection, but at least you’ll be leaving the door open for a yes somewhere down the road.
• Set your new book up for pre-order even if you’re a debut author. There are mixed opinions on this topic, but I didn’t see any downside. It was an opportunity to build some buzz around my book before actually going live. While 30-90 days are suggested, I opted for two weeks. I offered a discount until launch day and plastered social media with my pre-order promo. I also used the time to build a mailing list by running a contest and joining group promos, which I’ll soon address. Did it work? Yes to an extent, with a week-long surge in sales and a significantly stronger mailing list.
• People love videos. There’s no denying the results. Facebook business pages allow you to see the stats, including how many views on any post. The videos I posted reached a significantly larger audience than written ones. But beware of overdoing it. No one wants their feed overloaded with your latest newsbite.
• Make a list of everyone you know who has any potential connections. This was my son’s idea. I jotted down the names of first- and second-degree contacts, as well as more far-fetched connections. I contacted them for leads on reviews and blurbs and walked away with two I am very happy with.
• Group promos help build mailing lists. I learned about group promotions from one of the many YouTube videos I’ve watched on book marketing. I knew nothing of this strategy prior, so there was a serious learning curve. I went with StoryOrigin, an app still in its beta phase. The founder is extremely responsive, which is great since I asked loads of questions. The platform is designed for authors of all genres to help each other build their mailing lists and garner clicks on their books' landing pages. I’ve found this to be an excellent way to build my mailing list, which is made up of my target audience—precisely what every author wants.
• There’s a treasure trove of free online education. I regularly watch YouTube and KDP University webinars and sign up for other free courses. In return, the organizers receive my email address. Seems like a good swap to me. I treat these free classes as real-life courses, taking notes and following up. The trick is to pay attention as if you will be tested on the material.
• Step out of your comfort zone. I’ve touched on this in a previous Nellie’s Notes article because it resonates with so many introverted writers. Pitches, launch parties, or asking for reviews and blurbs can feel very uncomfortable. Do them anyway! You will thank me later because you will be so proud of yourself. Call your local library, bookstores, and book clubs. Remind them you are a local author and offer freebies. Express confidence in what you have to offer.
• Have a core group of people you trust. This is true in all aspects of life, but here I refer to beta readers who will provide honest feedback throughout the various writing stages. I just finished reading Stephen King’s On Writing. He has a core group consisting of his wife and a few friends who give him the constructive criticism every writer needs. Seems to work well for him.
• Organic growth before paid ads. The people who love you will want your book and happily pass the word around. These are unpaid ambassadors who represent you. Go with it.

The next step for me will be to test the waters with paid advertisements. I’m learning all I can about optimizing online ads to find my target audience without overpaying. There appears to be a measure of trial and error in this area, so those on a tight budget should decide in advance where and how much of their earmarked marketing funds to allocate. I will report back on my progress in future articles.

• Find a happy balance. Okay, this is not my strong suit, but I recognize its importance nonetheless. Marketing can easily monopolize all your waking hours if you allow it. Unless you are about to launch, balance your promo time with living your life. You will gather more creative material to write about in your next book--a surefire future bestseller!​

Nellie Neeman is the author of Spree, A Jon Steadman Thriller available on Amazon. For more on self-publishing and giveaways, go to www.nellieneeman.com. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

​

Have you always dreamt of being offered an attractive book deal by a prominent New York publishing house? Known as traditional publishing, it’s often viewed as the golden ticket. The lure is obvious—an agent negotiates on your behalf, you receive a contract and monetary advance, and the publisher works with you on editing and marketing. Sounds incredible, right?
 
Not so fast.
 
Several years ago, I attended one of the largest thriller writer conferences in the world. There, I met writers from across the globe, many of whom had already been published traditionally. With the exception of several famous authors who had come to speak on panels, I did not meet anyone who was satisfied. Sure, the bragging rights are worth a great deal. Having it known that your work was published by a reputable company results in faster recognition, increased traction for newspaper and trade reviews, and more leverage overall.
 
But in reality, unless you are one of the lucky few, much of the marketing is left to you even with a contract. Book signings, tours, ads, radio spots, and such may fall on your shoulders. Additionally, the editorial staff often takes great liberties with your manuscript. While this solves editing issues, it can wreak havoc with the author’s creative vision.
 
The traditional publishing landscape has changed so significantly in recent years that several once mega-companies have merged and downsized. Focus is placed on the sure things--authors who have already proven they can sell books. For debut authors, agents and publishers have become much more selective than years past, seeking that needle in the haystack—a jackpot writer who will be a lucrative investment for their company. This leaves the majority of new authors in a difficult position.
 
If you have worked hard on your manuscript--including professional-grade editing; queried numerous agents; sent out partial and full manuscripts, and are still not getting a contract, it may be time to reframe your thinking and consider independent or self-publishing.
 
The mental switch can be challenging. You feel you are leaving behind a long-held dream, assuming the rejections reflect the quality of your work. But take heed: countless successful authors have been repeatedly rejected, only to be offered contracts years later. More importantly, indie publishing allows you to get your book out into the world, where once it wasn’t possible without a traditional contract.
 
Yes, you will have a great deal of work to get the word out on your own. But it you stick with it, the effort will pay off. While you may not see significant revenue at the outset, you will establish your brand, develop name recognition, building traction and a significant following for the next book.
 
Remember: Think of the long game and you’ll succeed!