Tag: self publishing

insecure writers support group, Uncategorized

#IWSG Publishing Changes and KITTIES!

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Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for convening the monthly IWSG, where we share our neuroses to help us feel less alone.

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The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!

July 1 question: There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?

I rarely follow publishing trends but I did find some predictions in this article. Self-publishing is already flooded, and all the writers pumping out words during quarantine will drown the market. I can’t wait to read the brilliant creations!

The demand for screenplays will likely increase given all of the streaming services. I hope to learn more about writing screenplays.

For those of you with a work in progress during COVID-19, are you altering your story to include the pandemic? I’m not. I believe many readers want an escape from this dreary reality.

Speaking of WIPs, mine is plodding along, up to 62K words out of about 80K. How’s your WIP?

My biggest excitement this month is KITTIES! I adopt two kittens tomorrow, a brother and sister. It’s been five years since my cat, Izzie, crossed over the rainbow bridge, and I’m finally ready.

I fell in love with tuxedo cats when author Jayne Rylon posted photos of her foster kittens on Facebook. Did you know tuxedo cats are smarter than other color patterns? So, I’m adopting a male tuxedo cat and his sister.

 

I’m thinking of the names Tux and Tessa. Got any fun bro/sis cat names to suggest? Whatever their names, I’m sure they’ll be excellent writing companions.

 

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#IWSG Publishing Paths #writer #support #group

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Happy September, writers! Join our support group to vent and celebrate this wild writing journey at our founder’s blog, Alex Cavanaugh. 

Thank you to this month’s courageous co-hosts: Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!

IWSG Day Question: What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?


I never anticipated becoming a writer, much less an author, but now eight published novels sit on my shelf.

After writing a few stories, I wanted to publish my debut novel, With Good Behavior, in 2009. I bought a print book about publishing (remember print books?) and took a stab at writing synopses and queries for agents and publishers.

Rejections rolled in–disappointing then but not surprising now after I have learned more about the finicky publishing business. 

Luckily, I discovered a new small publisher that specialized in romance novels like mine, and I was THRILLED when they accepted my novel!

Omnific Publishing taught me so much about editing and marketing, and we published four novels together.

In 2014, I sought more creative control for my New Adult romance trilogy, so I ventured into self-publishing. But the awesome author friends (including critique partner Nicki Elson), editor, and book designer I’ve met through my publisher have been instrumental in creating four novels.


I love self-publishing! Though it’s a challenge to spread the word about my books, I enjoy the speed and entrepreneurial spirit. And there are so many cool writers and readers like YOU I’ve met along the way.

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#IWSG Indie Publishing Adventure: I Need Your Advice!

jenlanebooks
Time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, where we share our hopes and dreams.

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group: join HERE if you’re interested.


I’m taking a week off work to finish my WIP, a college volleyball romance titled Blocked. Only two chapters left! *bounces*

Boo to writer’s block

While I’ve loved working with Omnific Publishing for my first four novels, I don’t plan to query publishers this time. My main reason for venturing into indie publishing? Impatience. It takes me so long to finish a novel due to my day job that I don’t want to wait the greater part of a year for the book to launch, if I’m lucky enough for my manuscript to be accepted by a publisher.

I also want to try something new and see where it leads me!

I realize professional editing is essential (wow, has it improved my writing over the years), and I plan to hire the amazing editor I’ve worked with for every novel: Jessica Royer Ocken.

Beyond that, I NEED YOUR HELP! Indie authors, what advice would you give a virgin self-pubber? Anything from formatting to Amazon programs to lessons learned the hard way to marketing…I would be so grateful to hear your wisdom.

Happy writing to each of you!