A Word About Vlogging as SEO Content for Authors..

When?!!  When will I ever find time to write, again?  When will I ever learn that rendering takes more time than it is supposed to, and when will I ever stop over-scheduling new projects thinking they won't take up 'that much time', before I have finished the books I have started?

So far the answer is, not today.  So I caution Indie authors looking for blog content to encourage readers, be accessible to them somehow, or increase search engine viewership - vlogging is addictive.  Like all addictions it takes you away from friends and family (or the lack of interaction with both could send you there); it might make you either sleep on the couch or sleep in your clothes (waiting for the rendering's bell to sound); and it may have you responding to the render bell like Pavlov's dog or a hyper-active golden retriever to its ball.  The existence of an author becomes kind of sad.

For now, I have an entire year of vlogging penciled in.  I will update you, here, as to how its going, or (being the kind reader or blogger you must be) you can subscribe to my channel to receive updates on how things are going in vlogland.

Indie Publishing Isn't for Losers

Yes, its not just for losers, anyway.  Some of the best illustrators, authors, and even book marketers have shared their experiences in deciding to choose Indie or Self-publishing routes for their books, rather than traditional publishers; and, the consensus seems to be that the experience is worthy.  Its worthy of our effort, time, and attention; so, it must be living up to its promises on YouTube, Kindle Direct, Smashwords, and so on.

The main reason authors indie publish: royalties.

With Kindle Direct, an author/illustrator/indie publisher can bring an e-book to the public without print costs or bindery.  This translates directly to lower overhead expense, and the royalties are either 35% or 70% for all sales. Standard publishers often offer advances, however, and sometimes it's just hard to get all the work that creating a book really does involve done on little to no budget.  The perks gone, of an advance, the publisher's also have a marketing team.  They get the reviews done and in place by the time the book is viewable by the public.  A strategy this intelligent from a self or indie publisher costs money out of pocket, which could even include dinners for friends who won't want to read another book for a while.  Choosing a more professional route to get reviews in place, is time consuming and requires investments in free books and incentives.  So, there must be another reason.  Here are three that helped me choose indie publishing for my books.

Additional Reasons Great Authors Indie Publish Their Books

No agent required.  Although having an agent is probably great, there doesn't seem to be a open interview process and most do not accept solicitations.  In other words, unless you already know an agent, or someone who can get your foot in the door, its nearly more work getting an agent.  By then, your book is done, kids really like it, and its go time!  Its just so easy to click that PUBLISH button and if you are not a little impatient, you probably haven't written a book.

Make vs. Wait - a.k.a. Doing Both. Two sticks can play music while waiting your turn.  Since it can often take years to land an agent, and they often like working with authors and artists who can prove they know what they're doing, why not have a few titles to twelve titles selling and bringing in the revenue while the wait continues for the top five to go looking for authors, again.  A few greats have wowed with their top 10 status which put them in the spotlight, and/or the Best-Seller's Lists.  This makes easy work of getting an agent, whereas the wait line is costly, the create line earns royalties until seen.

Its just fun.  Maybe we are A.D.D. or slightly over-achievers; but authors like writing books, and artists like illustrating them.  We do the work, anyway; because it is fun.  Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, and many other book sites bring to light the work we've done that might also be stacked on a desk, or art table somewhere like the old printing press shops of the late 1600s.  Now we can bring this work - and fun - to readers so quickly that its forgotten how many months of long hours the dedication to write books takes.  

If this sounds like you, and you are waiting to get noticed, the general thought is an agent looks at a bound book with reviews as quickly as a manuscript these days.  Undoubtedly there are purists, but they might have to change, too, unless they are open to solicitation.

Why would an author charge 99 cents?!  Find out, here.

Generating READERS in a Reader's Generation

As a kid I read a lot.  I formed an annoying habit of re-reading books if I couldn't get new books fast enough.  With the young reader generations, these days however, its not just the number of books but the advanced content of the books they are reading that amazes me. Case in point, I wasn't ready for Fight Club when I read it at 23 yet my son and his friends read most of Chuck Palahniuk's books before the end of the twelfth grade.  I read on Twitter that picture books are now too often being sent back to the warehouse unopened, because parents are buying their children chapter books much earlier.  (From the get-go? I hope not!  I loved picture books, didn't you?)

With multiple generations of readers equipped with text laden e-readers, apps, and chapter books, it should be a simple path to follow for us authors - write great stuff - to be successful.  Readers, these days, like a challenging book too, no baby talk even for the babies, I guess.  I've written middle readers  - and younger -chapter books, though I've tried to appeal to all ages - and entertain.  I've tried to add mystery and an awakening moment or three where maybe you thought this sweet, kids' author wouldn't have plotted you through unruly legends or connected the loose threads you didn't expect to connect.  I know I market to a group who's growing up quickly, however.  In fact they are growing up intellectually before their Carter's wear out!  As a mom, I couldn't quite handle that, so I gently reminded, 'slow down, have some fun - don't grow up - all the way - just today'.  As for YA authors, they've known for a long time how grown up kids are, but I'm hoping there's enough childish play time for a little silly kid stuff before YA reading age.

Writing is a Career - So Why Are You Looking For a Job?

These days, unless you have an impressive list of awards and award show invites with your name on them, you may as well load the ink into your arm. When does 'writing' become the job that qualifies as a career - the honorable author not the cliche excuse? To your family, its when the sales and bank deposit slips equal the best job you could get  - in today's market and with the skills you already have. For the author, its often the moment you discover your first novel has sold, or when it is sitting on the library's shelf among all the favorites you read as a child.

Writing novels takes time. It requires a dedication not just to writing but also to marketing.  Having a book out often adds to your workload a complete list of duties which a publisher's marketing department has in-house but that you may be expected to do on your own.  Add children, pets, housework, fitness, and other hobbies - more novels - and there just isn't enough time to move your book up the best-seller list - to those sales slips your family demands.

Moving from Fledgling Writer to Bestselling Author in a Busy World

Here is a list of worthy suggestions when your email hasn't been hacked by aliens and your writing hasn't been stolen by Templeton, hustled off to Charlotte to rescue criminally insane pigs, anyway. If you're still with me, then read ahead:

1. Grants
2. Magazines like Sunset
3. Blogs
4. Paid-to-Blog Sites
5. Kickstarter and other crowd-funding websites
6. Since you're already becoming SEO, SMS, and verified review saavy all on your own - why not try     Fiverr for gigs to help others?
7. Monetize your blog! Become an Amazon Associate or vendor.
8. Your mom's Christmas newsletter, but that's all ink in your veins. Afterall, you can always build a tent with all that paper, right?! And live under it.

If that list sounded discouraging, here is a list to help you keep going and places to turn for advise: