As an independent author who self publishes, administrative hours start to take over the writing hours as you progressively write more books and have more “inventory” to keep track of.

Besides managing all the before the book publishes things, like sending to critique partners and beta readers, I have to send it to an editor, then revise according to their (CP, beta, and editor) suggestions, format for ebook and print, upload it to the aggregator for ebook and Ingramspark for print.

Before I can do the uploading, I have to hire a cover designer to make the covers. One design in multiple formats. Ebook, print, large print (on some series), and audio. I also have to write what is called the back cover blurb. This is the blurb on the back of the print book that tells you a bit about the story. It is also the wording used online where you can purchase the book to decide if it sounds like a story you would like to read. I will have to say, writing the book is easy. Condensing it to a couple of paragraphs that will hook a reader-that’s the hardest part of being an indie author.

After I get the blurb written, I put it on my author co-op Facebook page and have them make suggestions. When I think I have it then I send it to one more author who has a knack for picking the right words for the mystery genre.

Whew! The book is ready to upload. But the aggregator isn’t collecting the right headings for the chapters. I have to take another look at the formatted ebook, make changes and try again. It works. I collect my Books2Read universal buy link and move on to uploading the ebook to Kindle Books. Oops! I forgot to add the Table of Contents to this version. I do that. Then it is uploaded. When it shows on the Amazon website, I grab the URL and add it to the Books2Read links.

I upload the PDF of the print book interior and cover to Ingramspark and hope it doesn’t find anything wrong. If all the stars are aligned, I won’t have to redo the PDF or ask the cover designer to make changes on the cover.

Okay, the book is uploaded and now it’s time to start sharing the buy links and info about the book. Now I have social media memes to make, catchy wording to put on the memes or with them. I need to send out a newsletter to my fans, and I need to get on as many blogs or other authors newsletters as I can. Not to mention doing ads to boost the sale of the new release.

And while I’m doing this, I’m starting the next book and trying to promote books in my backlist.

Being an Indie Author is a lot of work, but I enjoy knowing I had a part in every phase of my books.

Speaking of promoting- I have all my ebooks marked 50% off at Smashwords for the month of July. Check out the link and see if there aren’t some other authors with a special as well.

https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos/

Please share this promo with friends and family. You can even forward this blog post to the avid readers in your life!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!