Indie Chicks

In this episode, Lisa and I discuss publishing platforms for the independent author. Also, Melissa has a new Tip of the week about ISBNs. Listen in… EPISODE 9- PUBLISHING PLATFORMS.

First, Lisa and I discussed out weeks. I told her it seems like I've been thinking about publishing and writing 24/7. That will change soon with the start of the fall semester at my college. I'm really excited to be teaching a course in publishing pathways this semester! Lisa has been writing and working on Indie Chicks stuff too! I can't wait to read her new cyberpunk series, Motherboard!

Next, we dove into the main topic for this episode—Publishing platforms! Here's the skinny on what we covered: What are publishing platforms? What are the different types? Direct to retail options include KDP (Amazon), Apple, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo. Then you have aggregators, who will distribute your ebook to the big ebook retailers. Some options there include Smashwords Draft 2 Digital and Lulu. There are always more options coming available, but for a new author, we advise that you stick with the bigger ones.

We followed that with a discussion about why you need publishing platforms. A big part of your sales will come from e-books. It's how many people are choosing to read now. Also, you can utilize e-books as gifts, giveaways, etc. BUT keep in mind many reviewers want a physical copy. Then we chatted about the different file types for ebooks:.epub for most online retailers and mobi files for Amazon.

Then we got into the nitty-gritty about the BIG publishing platforms.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net/podcasts!

This episode is dedicated to the indie review of Devilish by Tricia Barr and an indie publishing Tip of the Week - Partnering w/Authors in Genre for Events

First, Lisa and I chatted about our week. We are really on a roll with writing! Lisa's working on her Motherboard series (cyberpunk), and I'm working on a young adult romance about an android who falls for a human. Our creative juices are flowing. Must be the heat? Well, maybe for me. I'm writing romance and, last I checked, Lisa was writing something gory. Yikes!

Next, I reviewed Devilish by Tricia Barr.

Here's the description of Devilish from the back cover:

Tired of Hell, the Devil has escaped his prison and come to Earth to revel in the pleasures of the light, eventually becoming somewhat of a feared celebrity.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net/podcasts!

In this episode, Lisa and I discuss cover design for the independent author. Also, Lisa has a new Tip of the week on interior layout. Listen in… EPISODE 7- Cover Design

First, Lisa and I chatted about our weeks. I have been working hard on improving our Indie Chicks website. Mark, my husband, also a website design professor, approved of my latest work. I guess I get an 'A'! As far as writing, we are both making good headway on our WIPs. Lisa's got some cool cyberpunk stuff she's working on and I'm full-steam into a fun YA android-human romance.

Next, we dove into the main topic for this episode—Cover design! We first talked about our experiences with cover design. This was my major mistake the first time around. The first two covers of the Fireflies Trilogy were illustrated. I wasn't happy with them. It wasn't necessarily because the covers were bad, but I just didn't think they captured the essence of my books. So, I decided on a complete redo with the release of my third book in the trilogy. Now, they feature gorgeous photographed models and some spiffy photoshopping. Since I have photographs, I chose a glossy finish for my physical books. I couldn't be happier. The moral: You'll make mistakes in self-publishing. It happens. Don't settle, though. Remember that you dove into self-publishing for more control over your book. You have it.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this podcast episode, Lisa reviews a sci-fi satire from indie author, Scott A. Combs.

This episode is dedicated to the indie review of The Kili Wanna Affair: A Galactic Guild Comedy: George & Sali Adventures, Book 1 by Scott A. Combs and an indie publishing Tip of the Week - If you are writing a series or have more than one book, offer the first chapter of the second book at the end of your first/ other books!

First, Lisa and I chatted about our week. Correction! I talked about my week and then spaced out and forgot to ask Lisa about her week! Gah! I feel terrible! My apologies to my Indie Chick partner, Lisa. We reminded the listeners about the format for the podcast--we alternate between an indie book review and general self-publishing talk.

Next, Lisa reviewed The Kili Wanna Affair: A Galactic Guild Comedy by Scott A. Combs. The genre is science fiction satire told in the third person.

Sali Terri & George Shooters—two rookie officers from the Galactic Guild—find themselves in way over their heads with political intrigue, working to ratify a treaty with the cantankerous locals of a small planet called Kili Wanna. Every time an agreement is about to be reached with the current emperor, someone kills him off, nullifying the planet's induction into the Galactic Guild. The madness ramps up when outside influences take the matter into their own hands and flood the Podunk planet with junk food in an attempt to corrupt their simple lifestyle and force them into an alliance.

To read more (and for direct links to this book), visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this episode, Lisa and Melissa discuss goal-setting for the professional editing process. They also share a new Tip of the week- All reviews of your book are valuable!

Listen in… EPISODE 5- Indie Editing: Goal-setting

First, and I chatted about our weeks. It was the 4th of July weekend, so we both viewed some great fireworks. I'm also hard at work drafting my WIP which is YA sci-fi romance. Lisa, on the other hand, had an incredible encounter with one of her fans from the Tucson Festival of Books.

Next, we dove into the main topic for this episode—editing. We discussed the stigma that is sometimes associated with self-publishing in regards to editing. Lisa talked about the beginnings of self-publishing and why the stigma started. I mentioned that independent publishing does not equal amateur publishing.

We then talked about our experiences with working with a professional editor.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this podcast episode, Melissa reviews a paranormal romance from indie author, Elle Jefferson and Lisa discussed indie publishing Tip of the Week - Value your time.

First, Lisa and Melissa chatted about their week. They launched the Indie Chicks website this week, and we're really excited about it!

(Don't forget to check out our products page!)

We also discussed the show, Riverdale on the CW. We write YA, so we love watching YA shows too!

Next, Melissa reviewed At Death It Begins (ADIB) by Elle Jefferson. The genre is paranormal romance told from the dual perspective--first-person past tense for the heroine and third-person for the hero.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this podcast episode, Lisa and I talk about the choices every writer faces after writing a manuscript. Listen in... Episode 3 – You've Written Your Manuscript, Now What?

This episode is dedicated to decision-making, planning, and goal-setting for writers with a completed manuscript as well as an indie publishing Tip of the Week – Don't rush your launch date!

First, Lisa and I chatted about our week. Lisa was in Hawaii of all places! I (Melissa), unfortunately, wasn't. But, I was hard at work making sure the Indie Chicks website was ready for official launch. Lisa also gave me a crash course in search engine optimization (SEO). We will likely cover SEO in a future podcast, but if you want to read a great article about SEO right now, here you go - SEO for Authors by guest poster and author, David K Roberts.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this podcast episode, Lisa reviews a romantic comedy from an Indie author. Listen in...

This episode is dedicated to our first indie review of All the F*cks I Cannot Give by Michael Carlon and an indie publishing Tip of the Week - beta readers.

First, Lisa and I chatted about our week. We've both been working hard on the Indie Chicks website and our newest novels.

Next, Lisa dove into her review of All the F*cks I Cannot Give by Michael Carlon. As you may have guessed from the title and cover, this novel is classified as humor and romantic comedy. Lisa tiptoed around stating the complete title like a good Indie Chick! In addition to reviewing the story, Lisa also gave a positive assessment of the book from a self-publishing perspective. I had lots of questions for Lisa about the book and the author including point of view and tense. A brief discussion about POV and tense choice ensued.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In our first podcast episode, Lisa and I are on location at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA. Listen in...

This episode is dedicated to introducing ourselves, some background on why we started the Indie Chicks podcast, including how we met, the format for upcoming podcasts, and an indie publishing Tip of the Week.

First up, I introduced the Moravian Book Shop, which is the oldest continuously-running bookstore in the world. According to their website and cool sign as seen above, the bookstore was established in 1745. USA Today reported in 2000 that after the longest continuously-running bookstore in the world closed, the Moravian Book Shop now held that title. You can check out their website for more details. While there, we met some cool associates working at the bookstore. They were very accommodating in allowing us to podcast from their store. In fact, you can even here some footfalls during the podcast as someone browses books around us.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!

In this bonus episode, Melissa interviews Lisa about her book, The Farmed. Listen in...

Lisa and I are still getting our podcast legs, but we sure are excited about our show! In this episode, we introduce ourselves and summarize what we have in store for you. There will be two seasons of the Indie Chicks podcast each year during the summer and winter. During our shows, we will highlight important independent publishing issues and dilemmas that either our listeners or we have faced, reviews of independent authors including some interviews, and end each show with a Publishing Tip of the Week.

I had lots of interesting questions for Lisa during our interview, including her main character, Winnie, setting (particularly the area of San Francisco called The Loin), her writing process, and her journey to publication. Lisa talked about some of her trials and tribulations in self-publishing as well as what she enjoyed the most about writing The Farmed. I also talked about my thoughts about her dystopian YA novel.

To read more, visit www.indiechicks.net!