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Why Indie?
Indie Writer and Publisher of Happy Beginnings and Beatrice Munson
It is true that the word "independent" can conjure up a few things in one's head. Independent can mean take-charge kind of free spirits that choose to travel their own path. Independent can mean someone or something that stands alone. Independent can also mean one that balks the usual and takes charge of how things are done.
All these aspects relate to an indie author or publisher. But I think the most important aspect of why someone chooses to follow the indie route is their work.
Writers create works that they labor over, worry about, and hope will find the right audience. Questions run the gamut of "Will anyone like my writing" to "How do I get this book out into the world if I have to wait for an agent to like me" and everything in between. These questions are what push individuals to decide to jump off the usual course to publish a book and do it independently.
Creating a finely honed book is like giving birth to a baby. It is grows within one's mind and then is brought forth into the world. Authors are careful of who critiques our "babies" and we want to teach our "babies" the right way to travel in the publishing world. But since the publishing industry has become more about making money (i.e. Paris Hilton getting a book contract) and less about showcasing new talent, writers believe they could do it better. And so they decided to do it.
When the Kindle and other eReaders hit the market it created a golden opportunity for writers to now bring their work to the world in a cost effective way. Add to that the advantages that social media has created and you have a recipe for creating a strong platform from which to launch your indie career.
However, you must keep in mind a few very important items when deciding to become an indie writer or publisher. Most important, is that your work must be of the highest standard. That means that you hire professional editors to go over your work, you create a shelf-ready cover, and your book has been correctly set up. These aspects make or break not only your book, but the indie world of publishing.
Another aspect to remember is that the marketing of the book will be your part-time job. Getting the word out there about the book, its characters, and what it is about will take a thoughtful plan. Decide where you want to focus first and then set up time and guidelines that will help you push your book in the right avenues.
If you work hard, become your book's best salesperson, and make use of the many internet options available to you, then you can begin to carve out a place in the exciting world of independent writing and publishing.
Never forget that the biggest thing you have going for you is not only a passion for your project, but the courage it takes to put yourself and your work out there and see what happens.
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Lorena is generously offering 20% off of the Beatrice Munson eBook through July 27th to Chick Lit Bee readers. To receive the discount, please visit www.smashwords.com/books/view/
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About Lorena Bathey
Growing up in the Bay Area of Northern California, Lorena Bathey attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga, graduating with a degree in English. Then she traveled, learned about life, and developed great fodder for a book. Losing her mother to cancer and her own marriage’s demise brought her to find herself. She wrote Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother and found speaking and empowering others was her passion. After writing her first book, Lorena found that characters were visiting her mind and wouldn't leave. She was introduced to Marissa, Andrea, Lily, Deidre and Beatrice and her first novel, Beatrice Munson, came to life. After finishing that book, she was inspired to write more novels and she knew that pursuing her passion was the best way to live her life. After meeting the love of her life, they embarked on the thrilling life to follow their dreams, bringing their families along for the ride. Today, Lorena has nine novels in her writing queue all with screenplays in the works. But writing isn't the only muse that inspires Lorena. She has become a passionate photographer and likes to push the envelope taking shots while learning how to navigate Photoshop. Travel, walking, enjoying new restaurants, and Italy are other loves and things she makes sure she has time for.
Growing up in the Bay Area of Northern California, Lorena Bathey attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga, graduating with a degree in English. Then she traveled, learned about life, and developed great fodder for a book. Losing her mother to cancer and her own marriage’s demise brought her to find herself. She wrote Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother and found speaking and empowering others was her passion. After writing her first book, Lorena found that characters were visiting her mind and wouldn't leave. She was introduced to Marissa, Andrea, Lily, Deidre and Beatrice and her first novel, Beatrice Munson, came to life. After finishing that book, she was inspired to write more novels and she knew that pursuing her passion was the best way to live her life. After meeting the love of her life, they embarked on the thrilling life to follow their dreams, bringing their families along for the ride. Today, Lorena has nine novels in her writing queue all with screenplays in the works. But writing isn't the only muse that inspires Lorena. She has become a passionate photographer and likes to push the envelope taking shots while learning how to navigate Photoshop. Travel, walking, enjoying new restaurants, and Italy are other loves and things she makes sure she has time for.
For more information and to connect with Lorena, please visit www.LorenaBBooks.com, www.facebook.com/lmbathey, and www.twitter.com/lmmtoo.
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