The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

By Elodie NowodazkijArtsBooks
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The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary episodes

  • Episode 75 - Podcast reset, a quick recap and three newsletters for writers

    Today, I explain why I won't be posting new episodes regularly, share great new about my latest biopsy (no signs of recurrence, YAY!), an update about the month of December (so many things: Vella, writing immersive videos and more) as well as three newsletters for writers. Oh and I have a new book up for pre-order # Most Eligible Scrooge (how awesome is that title?)

    Mentioned in the episode:

    • Three newsletters for writers I recommend:
      • - Leslye Penelope - Footnotes: Inspiration & actionable ideas to help you master your craft, overcome your stumbling blocks, and grow as a writer: https://read.lpenelope.com/footnotes
      - Roni Loren's Academy - 30 days romance prompt challenge: https://www.fearlessromancewriting.com/news/30-days-of-romance-writing-prompts
      - Better-Faster Newsletter:  Join the Better-Faster Newsletter to get the “Dear Becca” coaching column! Every day, Becca gets new emails or comments asking “what happens if I…” And while she might answer a question in one place, not everyone sees it. So “Dear Becca” was created to answer some of the coaching questions Becca gets publically, in order to help everyone. It’s live coaching! Only available through the Better-Faster Newsletter. https://betterfasteracademy.com/newsletter/
    • Abbie Emmons Immersive Writing Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV6pMftb_QTlF4zMNj42GE3A84o4PZOnP

      • As always:

      • Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message) 
      • Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary 
      • Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com 
      • I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary
        • 15 min
      • Let's talk Kindle Vella: metrics, bonus, and why I enjoy writing serialized fiction, too.

        Today is another episode about Kindle Vella. Now that I've been on the platform for more than nine months, I thought I'd do a recap.

        Mentioned in the episode:

        • HB90 with Sarra Cannon: 90 day planning for authors - https://heartbreathings.teachable.com/p/hb90-bootcamp
        • Becca Syme: https://betterfasteracademy.com/
        • My books: https://elodienowodazkij.com/my-books/
        • My direct store for personalized signed paperback copies: https://payhip.com/Elodiesbooks/collection/signed-paperback-copies

          • As always:

          • Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message)
          • Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary
          • Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary
          • Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary
            • Become a monthly a podcast supporter (starting at $0.99 per month): anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/support
            26 min
          • BONUS - Three Black Friday Deals For Writers (2022)

            There are a lot of sites listing Black Friday deals for writers such as Kindlepreneur Black Friday Deals For Writers 2022.

            The list below is made up of three Black Friday Deals I’m either going to use or am thinking about using.

            • One Stop For Writers (40% for 6 month plan with BF2022): I’ve been using One Stop Writers for more than a year, I think, and it has helped me so much. I don’t use all the features (yet) but I always turn to it when I’m revising. The emotion thesaurus, emotions amplifier, colors and patterns and so much more have been so so helpful to me. I have also used The Character Builder to help me craft Alessandro. So, if you’ve enjoyed #SweetsForLove and the grumpy yet charming bodyguard, part of his characteristics came from using One Stop For Writers.
            • Inkers Con 2021 on Demand (currently 50% off): I really learned a lot during the 2022 Mini-Con (it had four classes, including one with Becca Syme and another on budgeting which has helped me making profits this year – so yay!). There are 27 presentations in Inkers Con and so many I’d like to listen to from the 2021 Inkers Con. 2021 Inkers Con classes on sale for HALF OFF this weekend only (ends Monday at midnight ET). The normal price is $245 but use coupon code HALF21 and pay only $122.50 (or break it into two payments). Access is for 6 years with 100% money-back guarantee.
            • ProWritingAid: : ProWritingAid is a grammar checker, style editor, proofreader, and writing coach all in one. I’ve been using ProWritingAid since August 2022. And I personally like it more than Grammarly. The one thing holding me back from the lifetime deal is that my current yearly subscription is ending in August 2023 and I don’t get a pro-rated discount for the other months… so I might wait until then to see if they have another discount. Or I’ll wait until next November. Buuuuut if you’re currently looking to use ProWritingAid, they’re currently running a 50% off for selected plans.
            • Okay, I know I said three … but here’s another one… 100 photo/vector downloads from Depositphotos (lifetime) for $39 – it’s great for promo or covers… I won’t be using – but only because I use Canva Pro and still have pictures available on Depositphotos from a past deal.


              • 8 min
            • Defining "success" as a self-published author ...
              Today is all about business plans and building blocks and defining success as an author.
              Mentioned in the episode:
              Zoe York's Romance Your Brand series: https://romanceyourbrand.com/books/ 
              MRW November meeting: Building Blocks for Success w/ Zoe York
              Wish I'd Known Then ... For Writers podcast with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright: Tammi Labrecque on What to Email to Newsletter Subscribers
              Self-Published Authors Defining Success: https://www.tiktok.com/@aselfpubbedauthorsdiary/video/7165127597616074027 
              As always:
              Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message)  
              Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary  
              Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com  I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary  
              Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary  
              Become a monthly a podcast supporter (starting at $0.99 per month): anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/support
              30 min
            • Kickstarter for Authors: What To Do When Your Kickstarter Does Not Get Funded ... (and what I would do differently)

              Today is all about my Kickstarter not getting funded for #TheLeftoverBride audiobook: what I would do differently, what I learned and what I did after it didn't get funded ...

              Mentioned in the episode:

              • The Creative Penn Podcast: Kickstarter for Authors With Monica Leonelle: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2022/03/28/kickstarter-for-authors/
              • Why I used Kickstarter to fund my audiobook production: https://blog.findawayvoices.com/why-i-used-kickstarter-to-fund-my-audiobook-promotion/
              • #TheLeftoverBride audiobook Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theleftoverbride/the-leftover-bride-audiobook-production
              • Get your #TheLeftoverBride audiobook copy today on the eretailer of your choice...https://books2read.com/u/m2RQ26

              As always:

              • Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message) 
              • Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com 
              • Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/elodieswritingnook
              26 min
            • Ten days after my latest book release (sold copies, reviews and what comes next) and a peek inside this author's day on release day.

              Today, I'm sharing what happened since #SweetsForLove release day: the number of sold copies, how I already earned some money before release day, number of reviews and what comes next (marketing, ads and more). Plus, you get a peek inside my day on the actual release day. 

              Oh and you can get your own copy here: books2read.com/u/3Gwzpa


              As always:

              • Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message)
              • Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary
              • Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com
              • I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary
              • Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary
              • Become a monthly a podcast supporter (starting at $0.99 per month): anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/support
                • 28 min
              • Trying out a new book review strategy and SO MANY emotions about the release of #SweetsForLove
                Today, I share with you my new (to me) strategy to get advance book reviews, using TikTok, Instagram (and relying on my newsletter which I've always done) and contacting readers from Netgalley who have reviewed a previous book in the series and who mentioned they'd be interested in contacting with me.
                The first #SweetsForLove reviews are raving! :-) Oh and you can get your own copy here: https://books2read.com/u/3Gwzpa
                In addition, I have created a #SweetsForLove Bingo :-) (bit.ly/SweetsForLoveBingo) and I have a #SweetsForLove Team (Facebook group and discord channel).
                And I'm also explaining why this release week is *very* emotional (in a lot of ways). I'm pretty calm about the release itself but knowing my book touches readers and makes them smile is ... an amazing feeling. And I may be slightly reflective right now.
                As always:
                Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message) 
                Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary  
                Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com 
                 I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary
                Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary
                Become a monthly a podcast supporter (starting at $0.99 per month): https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/support
                24 min
              • Announcements: Summer Break and Self-Publishing/Writing Ask Me Anything

                As I said last week I also have so many plans for this podcast. I want to work on the website which would include resources, the ups and downs of self-publishing, the A to Z shorter episodes, and do a few more interviews and tell you more about what works for me and my writing and self-publishing career.

                And to do this, a lot of things need to happen. And so this year, A Self-Published Author's Diary will take a summer break. The diary and I will be back on your favorite podcasting/streaming platform in September.

                Ask me a question:

                • And during that time, please don't hesitate to ask me anything related to self-publishing or writing either per email aselfpublishedauthorsdiary AT gmail.com or authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message 
                • Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary   
                • Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com   I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary 

                  • Ways to help Ukraine: 

                  • A few ways to help Ukrainians:  https://snyder.substack.com/p/a-few-ways-to-help-ukrainians?utm_source=url&fbclid=IwAR1tRHYwpS0z9XOtaMafpVuequlTEuRKcs74bEEpeCUAXHtPOardfnQe15k   
                  • List of charities to support Ukraine by subject: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/s6g5un/want_to_support_ukraine_heres_a_list_of_charities/  
                  •  If you're in Germany: https://zez.am/act.now.by.klitschko
                  •  If you're in France: https://parrainage.refugies.info/   Ukraine Media Crisis Center How To Help: https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
                    • 5 min
                  • Self-publishing reflection: planning and goals (Vella, novellas, marketing and more...)
                    I almost titled this episode: "How to achieve your self-publishing goals without feeling overwhelmed." But dear Diary that would have been false advertisement as while I'm trying to adapt my systems and plans to fit my goals, I'm still in the process and it does feel overwhelming from times to times. Do I have coping mechanisms when it does so thatI can nmake sure that it also doesn't take away from my plan?. Yes, I do but still... I'm not yet at the "achieve your goals without feeling overwhelmed" stage. I am trying to get there. First steps: planning and goals...
                    Mentioned in this episode:
                    Facebook Ads Library: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=political_and_issue_ads&country=US&media_type=all
                    Facebook Vella Author Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1769498126557594
                    Becca Syme website: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/
                    When Inspiration Meets Smart Marketing With Ines Johnson on the Author Like a Boss Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0F0t3nIf7jzoglMneFGzsB
                    Bryan Cohen's free webinarThe 5 Myths of Email Marketing: How to Use Email Effectively to Get Better Launches and Sell More Books: https://bryancohen.lpages.co/5-myths-of-email-marketing/
                    As always:
                    Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message)
                    Follow A Self-Published Author's Diary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary  
                    Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com 
                     I'm on TikTok: @elodienowodazkij and the podcast too: @aselfpubbedauthorsdiary
                    Ways to help Ukraine:
                    A few ways to help Ukrainians:  https://snyder.substack.com/p/a-few-ways-to-help-ukrainians?utm_source=url&fbclid=IwAR1tRHYwpS0z9XOtaMafpVuequlTEuRKcs74bEEpeCUAXHtPOardfnQe15k  
                    List of charities to support Ukraine by subject: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/s6g5un/want_to_support_ukraine_heres_a_list_of_charities/  
                    If you're in Germany: https://zez.am/act.now.by.klitschko
                    If you're in France: https://parrainage.refugies.info/  
                    Ukraine Media Crisis Center How To Help: https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine
                    33 min

                  About The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

                  From the publisher's feed

                  A candid self-publishing podcast for indie authors, with author Elodie Nowodazkij (aka the Raccoon Author). Follow the real numbers, experiments, mistakes and decisions behind an indie author…