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Tuesday, July 3, 2018

#IWSG - Independence Day!

It's July, already. Can you believe that? Where has the year gone? Anyway, Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. 

Thanks to this month's awesome hosts:  Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!


Happy Independence Day, America! Happy Canada Day!

What does independence mean as a writer? How free are we to write and get published? As an independent author (aka self-published), I have a LOT of freedom. Traditional publishers have to watch trends (or set them), and they have to be aware of the bottom line. When the economy takes a plunge, everyone tightens their belts. Publishers have to go with a known quantity. If it’s a choice between BIG NAME author and UNKNOWN, it’s good business sense to throw money at BIG NAME. The (as yet) unknown author is rejected.

As an independent author, I can choose to publish the genre I want (whether it's in fashion or not). I choose when my book will be published. No waiting for two years from the time the manuscript is accepted until publication. Email or print versions? My decision. Granted, there are some downsides to independent publishing. Traditional publishers pay for editing and cover design. Independent authors have to pay for that upfront. If you’re good at design, that’s something you can do yourself. I have a degree in English, and I’m a good grammarian. Errors in grammar, spelling, word usage jump off the page at me. With one exception—my own work. As often as I read the manuscript, these eagle eyes glaze over mistakes. Enter my freelance editor. Yes, she costs money. But, that’s money well spent as she catches my errors. Thank goodness. Formatting can be another expense for an independent writer. I have the patience (and can read and follow directions LOL), so I save a little money and do it myself.

The ease with which I can put my books out there is phenomenal. Because it’s so easy, everybody and their brother are doing it. And that’s the rub. How do I get my book noticed among thousands? I’ve tried many free things. And I’ve tried paid promotion. What works best? It’s hard to tell. Does organizing (or paying for) a blog hop sell books? I don’t know, but since I like doing them, I’m setting one up for my new release. I’d appreciate your help. Below is the link to sign up for hosting the celebration of my romantic suspense, Numbers Never Lie, to be released on July 9. 

Here’s the blurb for Numbers Never Lie.

A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie. 

As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack's an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.

Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that—an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.

A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack leave behind? And what did he do that puts Maggie in danger?

Sign Up To Host

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtq0uq2nARRiSy1Gb85U0MgUhoACL-7HA5oaM23wY9zkqEjQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thanks so much for all your support! A special thank you to all who signed up already. I'll be in touch this week.

A reminder: I'm always happy to help you celebrate a new release. Just drop me a note at dmburton72 (at) gmail (dot) com


This month’s optional question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

My ultimate goal is hitting a best-seller list (for example: NYT or USA Today). That has never changed. What has is the method. There are independent authors who’ve hit the best seller lists. So it’s not beyond my reach. Getting my book noticed is the hard part. If anyone has a tried-and-true method, please share.

Until next month, enjoy the summer 











or winter, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere.



Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.












24 comments:

  1. Yes, there is freedom when you totally control what you publish. I can't sign up to host you for your book release, but would be glad to shout out about it in Follower News if you send me a one-two sentence blurb, a few links, and your cover.

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    1. Thanks, Natalie. I'll send you a shoutout message.

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  2. I signed up for your blog tour but goofed when I entered the date thinking it was in August. I'll send you an email to organize something.

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  3. I love the freedom, and more especially, the lack of fear that your small publisher will go out of business and that you'll have to start over with the same book. Ugh!

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    1. I hear you, Crystal. I have more friends who've been orphaned. You just never know.

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  4. So many writers and so many stories to choose from. I'm thinking a great product and word of mouth is the best way to become known. Things ripple outward from there. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. Anna, you are so right. Word of mouth is the best advertising.

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  5. I think I already signed up and am looking forward to being part of your hop! Fingers crossed you meet that goal sooner rather than later. :)
    Happy 4th to you and your family!

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    1. Thanks, Julie. I'll be sending you something today (I hope--babysitting the twins; have to catch work time when they nap.)

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  6. I love your enthusiasm for taking control of your publishing. I have a friend who has published both ways - she says she's made more money on her own, and she loves making all the decisions. Best to you on your latest release.

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    1. Lee, that's my experience, too. If I'm going to do all the work, I want to get most of the pay. But it's everyone's individual decision. A writer has to be what's best for her/him.

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  7. I love your goal! Like you, I have a degree for teaching English, but I have to have others read my work because I miss my own mistakes.
    I would be happy to help. I'm not sure if I signed up or not, so I will now.

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    1. Thanks so much, Tyrean. I think the worst is when you've proofread and someone else has and you still find a mistake on the 1st page. Yikes! Thanks for signing up. I'll get to you as quick as I can. Twins & Toddler Girl are down for naps.

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  8. Ahhhhhhhhhh! You have another book coming out! I'm all over that sign up!

    Congrats, on your release and your independence.

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  9. Happy 4th & Canada Day! Great tie-in with the independence of self-publishing. Not saying I'll never go with a publisher again, but it would be realllly difficult to give up the freedom of self-pubbing.

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    1. I know what you mean, Nicki. If a pub could promise I'd make more, I'd jump on it.

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    2. Forgot to say, thanks for co-hosting, Nicki.

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  10. I wish I knew the secret to successful marketing. I guess people just keep trying different things.

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    1. It's like throwing spaghetti against the wall and hoping it sticks. Thanks for stopping by, Tamara. And thanks for co-hosting.

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  11. Congratulations on the new release. I signed up for a Spotlight would love to add a bit about your author journey to it. The other button ask to explain but no place for me to write explanation.

    As you see I am still making the IWSG rounds. Happy Belated IWSG! Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  12. Congrats on the new release! I breathed a sigh of relief when you mentioned your editor. The way it was reading, I thought you were about to say you edit your own work, which is never a good idea.

    As for marketing, I've heard Amazon ads can be effective, but I've yet to take the plunge.

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  13. I found your this post while searching for information about blog-related research ... It's a good post .. keep posting and updating information. best-burton-backpacks

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