 Seth Godin once said, "The book that will most change your life is the book that you write." Boy, was he right about that! I didn't make the decision to be an independent author lightly. When I decided to release my own horse book series, I knew it would be a major commitment, but I've found that being responsible for how everything goes is the VERY best part of being an indie author. In this post, I share why being an indie author jingles my spurs. Happy reading! After some extensive research, I decided to self-publish my first novel and skip the conversation about my book being too specialized to market. Equestrian fiction authors have legendarily been told that their books (with an equine twist) are too niche. I don't agree. My goal was to write a story with an honest depiction of the human-horse bond while at the same time giving readers the experience of falling in love with the characters of my book. So, that's just what I did! Here's some reasons why you shouldn't let anyone tell you that a book by an indie author isn't as worthy as a traditionally published one ... Self-Publishing: I have a say ...As a self-published author, it jingles my spurs knowing that I say how things go ... I hire the editors and proofreaders who work on my novels. I work with the designers of my book covers. I conduct my own video shoots. I arrange events. I handle my own marketing via various author pages, my website and my social media channels. I determine the price and positioning of my books. I appreciate that self-publishing allows me freedom with my creativity ... I especially like that can write at my own pace. Don't let anyone tell you that a self-published book isn't worthy. That's simply not true. Here's why ...In this section, I share some of my own self-publishing successes AND the story of another successful self-published, equestrian fiction author as she explored traditional vs. self-publishing. Self-Pub: It makes best sellers lists & wins awardsFollow your dream! Anything is possible! In the Reins, my self-published novel inspired by the equestrian lifestyle, has been an Amazon best seller for more than 10 weeks, is an EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award Winner for Best Western Fiction AND has earned TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards in the Romance and Adult Book featuring Animals categories. This self-published success is proof in the pudding that you don't have to work with a traditional publisher to be recognized for your writing.  In the Reins at #4 on the Amazon Equestrian Fiction Best Sellers list Self-Pub: It interests the media & earns reviewsI've even had solid successes with the media as a self-published author. It was beyond my WILDEST DREAMS to earn the cover of Uptown Magazine! The publication told my story so beautifully in the feature article AND they loved that I was a self-published author because they could feature an excerpt from my book without having to go through a third party. Gallop over to my blog post called, "Recap: It's been a busy summer for 'In the Reins'" for more examples of spur jingling media coverage for In the Reins.  Self-Published Author Carly Kade Earns the Cover of Uptown Magazine Self-pub: From another author's point of view!Don't just take it from me! This post from fellow equine author Tudor Robins made my spurs jingle. Tudor has successfully published SIX books on her own. Her self-published Island Series (all of them horse books!) has been wildly successful. In the post, she writes about how she worked to get the rights back to her first book from a traditional publisher after realizing that she prefers to self-publish. Read about Tudor Robins' journey and her view on traditional publishing vs. self-publishing journey here: http://tudorrobins.ca/2017/02/objects-in-mirror/  The Island Series by Tudor Robins Self-Publishing Advice: Edit, Edit, Edit & Edit more!With great power comes great responsibility. Self-published authors often get a bum rap for not being diligent during the editing process. Now, that we have the opportunity and freedom (Hallelujah!) to self-publish our own work it is up to us to make sure it is up to snuff when we hit that publish button. My advice (especially for self-published authors) is to edit, edit then edit some more! Even after editing, look into having the book copyedited. Use beta-readers that you trust and who will give you honest feedback. It may prolong your release date but it is so worth it to know you put the very best version of your book into the hands of your readers. Make the investment to ensure your work is at its very best before you share it with the world. I'm proud to be a self-published author!It isn't always easy being a self-published author with a sequel in the works! There's a lot of heavy lifting involved in getting a dream underway. I am responsible for running my own business and that includes so many different facets from time management (that's right actually finding the time to write!) to deadlines to running promotions to generating publicity to website development to creating marketing materials to attending events to running social media channels to writing a blog and so much more. Still, I wouldn't do it any other way! I am proud to be a self-published author.  In the Reins is the cowboy romance novel that I wanted to see on the shelf! What a journey it has been. I appreciate everyone who has already bought a copy or helped spread the word on In the Reins. It is these tiny beautiful gestures that help a dream get the kick start it needs. Thank you for giving mine its chance. Please support a dreamer and purchase your copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, like my Carly Kade Creative FB page, or simply leave a little review behind when you are through. A writer’s job is writing books, while a self-publisher’s job is selling books. I do both. This is just the beginning! I am a busy cowgirl and very happy self-published author. Keep up with the latest In the Reins series happenings, news and events when you visit my media room here: http://www.carlykadecreative.com/media-room.html Feeling Social? Join the Herd!
I love sharing updates with In The Reins readers! Feeling Social? Join the herd and connect with Carly Kade Creative on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter. Come run wild with me!
Laura Kade
5/13/2017 07:06:36 am
Good read. Comments are closed.
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Books by Carly Kade
In the Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Official Literary Award Winner
In the Reins earns TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards
Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
In the Reins is the Self Publishers Association Book of the Week
Book TrailerAuthor InfoCarly Kade writes for anyone who loves horses, handsome cowboys and a great romance. Creative writing about horses makes her spurs jingle! Archives
September 2023
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