Building Your Craft
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The authoritative source for information on the components of a story, and the structure that all great stories—whether it’s To Kill a Mockingbird or Silence of the Lambs—share, as well as clear guidance on how to achieve that structure in your own story. I especially recommend the early episodes of the very entertaining podcast Shawn does with Tim Grahl.
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Guiding Your Publishing Journey
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The Alliance of Independent Authors is a professional business membership organisation for self-publishing authors. A non-profit, we provide trusted advice, supportive guidance, and a range of resources, within a welcoming community of authors and advisors.A non-profit membership organization in support of all things indy. They provide a range of resources, including podcasts oriented to varyings levels of indy publishing experience, blogs, contract reviews, writing and publishing service discounts and much more. I love ALLi so much, I'm an affiliate!
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Joanna is the person who started me off on the indy voyage, and I’ve modeled much of my own career on Joanna’s lead. Her website is packed with useful information and I highly recommend her weekly podcast, The Creative Penn. If you support Joanna via Patreon (www.patreon.com), you will get access to her monthly Q&A episode.
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Dale L. Robert's YouTube video about how to publish books that sell are as entertaining as they are informative. You can also check out my conversation with Dale in Episode 034 of The Indy Author Podcast, Connecting through Video.
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The Hot Sheet is a subscription newsletter that is worth every penny to anyone interested in staying up to date on the indy publishing industry.
Jane also has great resources on her website, including The Key Book Publishing Paths, which gives an expert's perspective on all options, from traditional to indy. |
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Every issue of Writer’s Digest is devoted to helping writers develop their craft and offering expert advice on how to get published. This magazine is full of pertinent tips on writing queries, writers' rights, new markets, submission guidelines, and competitions.
I especially enjoy Elizabeth Sims' articles; click here for an interview I did with Elizabeth on The Indy Author Podcast on "Frugal Tips for Writers." |
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Popular indy romance author Marie Force founded this Facebook group: “For indie, traditional and hybrid authors to share information and ideas in a supportive, nurturing environment. It's tough out there, let's make it easier on each other!” Marie is a great force to have on your side!
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From the website: There’s more to publishing than getting fiction and nonfiction work to the public. At its core, publishing can help propel new ideas, information, and perspectives via the written word — concepts that can fuel imagination and spark essential conversations. While publishing’s heart beats steadily, its face has evolved alongside the internet and the proliferation of digital publication. Online publishing has made it more important than ever for those in publishing roles to have strong computer skills in addition to good communication skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.
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Launching & Navigating
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Sales to libraries is an opportunity that indy authors are better positioned than traditional authors to pursue, and Eric Simmons of ESE Library Marketing Services has made a study of how to approach libraries, and who the best contacts are. I've had great success expanding my library sales by using Eric's library contact database.
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Brian's book Mastering Amazon Ads will walk you though how to run ads, manage ads, analyze ads, optimize your description for improved conversions, and build a long-term plan.
As an added bonus, purchasing the book gives you access to Brian's private Mastering Amazon Ads Facebook group. |
Cover Design
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If you write in the thriller, suspense, paranormal, sci-fi, or horror genres, I can’t recommend Juan’s book cover design services highly enough. He designed the covers of Rock Paper Scissors, Snakes and Ladders, and The Iron Ring, which I love, and he is extremely easy to work with. Click here to learn more.
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Writers' Groups
The following are writers organizations I belong to. Some are genre-specific and some are geographically specific, but they give you a flavor of the many organizations that offer community and support to writers in many genres and in many locations.
SISTERS IN CRIME (NATIONAL AND LOCAL CHAPTERS)
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I belong to the Delaware Valley and New England chapters of Sisters in Crime as well as the national organization. S in C DV, whose meetings I attend, manages to line up a stellar selection of speakers at their monthly meetings. If crime is your thing, this is a great group to join.
www.sistersincrime.org |
MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA
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This won't apply to everyone, but membership in an organization of authors of similar genres and similar interests provides a support network and a source for ideas on the creative and business sides of indy publishing. Mystery Writers of America has been very supportive in helping me get the word out about my books to its membership. Look for similar organizations in your genre!
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BRANDYWINE VALLEY WRITERS GROUP
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If you don’t live in the Brandywine (or at least the Delaware) Valley, this specific writers group might not be a viable option for you, but I’m using this as one example of the many fine writers groups that are available—just go to meetup.com and search to find ones in your area. And if you are in the Brandywine or Delaware Valleys, stop on by! You’ll find a friendly, welcoming group of writers from all genres and all levels of experience.
www.bvwg.org |
Conferences
INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS THRILLERFEST CONFERENCE
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Writer's Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.
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International Thriller Writers organization is not going to meet the needs of every writer, but conferences like the annual ThrillerFest in New York City are an invaluable way to network with others in the industry. ThrillerFest especially enables attendees to meet and talk with some of the biggest names in the thriller genre, and encompasses Master Craft Fest, Craft Fest, Thriller Fest, and Pitch Fest.
www.thrillerwriters.org |
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