Writer Craft Podcast

After an Author Life Update, Valerie talks about the steps to take leading up to your book launch.

Show Notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 15, and it's 6/12//2019 as I record this.

Today I'm talking about steps leading up to Book Launch.

But first Author Life segment:

• Finished editing another chapter in my How to Write a Novel or Memoir book.
• Been looking at tile and cabinet catalogs online for the new house.

• Got our couch! It's beautiful.
• I'm struggling with getting all the things done. I'm trying to focus more on work times instead of deadlines for my personal work, but my day job (the client work) really vies for space in my schedule and it always feels like something is lacking. I'm good at Positivity and planning for the future and looking forward to where my hard work right now will take me, but sometimes I feel a little scattered. Perhaps I'm just struggling with process.
• Parenting Fail: I just heard that my son is giving his senior review presentation today at 4 (while I'm getting a pedicure)(headsmack) In my only defense, today's presentation was rescheduled from a previous time that I was available for.
• Author self-care: Do it. I'll have another episode solely on this topic next season, but for now, I just want to say that the older I get, the more I realize that self-care isn't just a luxury. It really is mandatory for my health, well-being, and productivity. It's no joke anymore.
• I'M READING: In fiction, White is for Witching. Don't know if I like it yet. Non-fiction: YNAB (You Need a Budget)
• Went to an editors luncheon and had a few lovely conversations with old colleagues, and new. Had a conversation about audiobooks. That is definitely on the horizon for me. I'm shooting for 2020.
• In doing the homework for Sweet Spot Strategy, I stumbled upon a cool cool idea for an author service that I'd love to shout to the rooftops, but I won't. It's too new and underdeveloped. Just like not sharing story ideas too soon.
• I have a couple of editing jobs I'm trying to finish up before I go on vacation on the 22nd.
• My husband had a birthday on Monday and we celebrated it over the weekend. "I love having birthday weekends," he says. (Aww!)
• No NEW PATRONS this week, but I hope you'll consider becoming a patron and helping me reach my FIRST Patreon goal. To earn $125 in monthly income from Patreon. When that happens...extra bonus Q&A episode for Patrons only.
• Think of it as an inexpensive mini coaching session with me!

• Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Resources: Check out two blog articles on the Mailchimp changes. Davidgaughran.com and writtenwordmedia.com.

Main topic: Book launching, (using slide deck)

In this episode of The Indie Author Mentor, I go over the uploading process with Ingram Spark and KDP Print, as well as touching on the online stores, like Kobo and KDP (Amazon). I address pricing in various countries (even India).

Show Notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 14, and it's 6/5//2019 as I record this.

Today I'm talking about uploading your files to printers and stores, plus pricing tips.

But first a personal update:

• Revised the chapter on characters this morning in my How to Write a Novel or Memoir book.
• Met with my architectural team via GoToMeeting this morning and had some technical difficulties. Got me thinking about working from another country and what kind of challenges I might face.

• Just found out our couch won't be delivered for another two weeks. So, in the meantime, the living room TV watching experience isn't as comfy as it used to be.
• I'M READING: Just finished Craig Martelle's non-fiction book on Successful Indie Publishing, a great section in the back on running conferences. He does 20Booksto50K. Here's the link for that book: https://craigmartelle.com/books/become-a-successful-indie-author-work-toward-your-writing-dream/ Next, I'll start Wired for Joy as my non-fiction book. In fiction, I finished Cold Comfort Farm and started The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.
• No NEW PATRONS this week, but I hope you'll consider becoming a patron and helping me reach my FIRST Patreon goal. To earn $125 in monthly income from Patreon. When that happens...extra bonus Q&A episode for Patrons only.

• Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Main topic: uploading your files to distributors and stores, plus pricing tips.

https://craigmartelle.com/books/become-a-successful-indie-author-work-toward-your-writing-dream/

Valerie walks you through how to assign an ISBN to a book.

Show notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 13, and it's 5/29/2019 as I record this.

Today I'm talking about managing your ISBNs and finalizing your print cover.

But first a personal update:

• Got some clarity about client work. Created a model calendar. Slowly doing the homework for the business coach I hired.
• Learning Spanish and bought some children's books from a local independent book store.

• Got first thoughts back from my Alpha Readers Book Club and put the changes into Scrivener for one of the manuscripts. I have some work to do! One of the things that came back across the board was What Level is the Audience at? And to add examples and definitions. This reminds me that the people I talk to hear on this podcast, on YouTube if you're watching, and in my community are perhaps at different levels. Perhaps there are questions that you need answering. If that is the case, you are welcome to connect with me via email, on Patreon, or through my FB Group The Indie Author Mentor. If you have questions that you'd love to hear me actually talk through, as opposed to emailing you about them. In that case, I hope you'll consider becoming a patron and helping me reach my FIRST Patreon goal. To earn $125 in monthly income from Patreon. When that happens...

• No NEW PATRONS this week:
• Stretch goals: the first one is $125/mo = secret monthly Q&A audio; The support of my patrons on Patreon helps make this show and other projects possible. Plus, being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world, allows you to interact with me directly, and rewards you with exclusive bonus content you can't get anywhere else. For less than the cost of a tasty hot beverage or a pack of gum, as low as a $1/month, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Main topic: managing ISBNs and print cover finalizing

Valerie talks about all the social media platforms and book stores where you can update before publication date.

Show notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 12, and it's 5/22/2019 as I record this.

Today I'm talking about Author Pages.

But first a personal update:

• I've written more sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing manuscript.
• Had a meeting with the woman who will be designing a tracking and accounting system for me.
• Time Edit results.
• New insights at my local monthly business mastermind group about pricing.
• The Writer's Well had some great tips about weekly schedules. Reminded me that there is no correct way to set up your days.

No NEW PATRONS this week:

• Stretch goals: first one is $125/mo = secret monthly Q&A audio; other stretch goals include book description and chapter critiques that I'll do (with the writer's permission) on the podcast.
• Thank you to all my patrons! Reminder to folks that all of my patrons, at any level, get a Connection Video the first Monday of every month, so if you want to connect with me in this way, join me on Patreon.

The support of my patrons on Patreon helps make this show and other projects possible. Plus, being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world, allows you to interact with me directly, and rewards you with exclusive bonus content you can't get anywhere else. For less than the cost of a tasty hot beverage or a pack of gum, as low as a $1/month, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at: Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Valerie Ihsan explains what Pre-orders are, how they work, and whether you should do them, or not.

Show Notes:

Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 11, and it's 5/15/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about Pre-Orders. But first a personal update: • I've written another three sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing. • I'm doing a time audit to find all the places my time hides, or places where I waste it. • Been doing quite a bit of WW work this week to get reintroduced to the organization and help the current co-chair take a little off her plate. • Did a lot of yard work over the weekend. Weeding and reclaiming spaces that had been covered over by ivy vines and shiny geranium. Hoping to create a pretty seating area. • Doing some backlog work and ordered print copies of my books for events this summer.

No NEW PATRONS this week: Thank you to all my patrons! Remind folks that all of my patrons, at any level, get a Connection Video the first Monday of every month, so if you want to connect with me in this way, join me on Patreon. The support of my patrons on Patreon helps make this show and other projects possible. Plus, being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world, allows you to interact with me directly, and rewards you with exclusive bonus content you can't get anywhere else. For less than the cost of a tasty hot beverage or a pack of gum, as low as a $1/month, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Resources/reviews: Mark Dawson's Self-Publishing 101 course

For education on business, I'm loving the Uncomplicate Your Business podcast with Racheal Cook, MBA. If you do any author related services like coaching, or your day job centers on heart-centered services that you provide, this might be a great resource for you. I'm (still) reading: I'm finishing up Become a Successful Indie Author: Work Toward Your Writing Dream by Craig Martelle. Almost done with Newsletter Ninja and will be starting up Wired for Joy next. Recommended by Becca Syme to me in our 1 on 1 coaching session. I'm listening to a new podcast called The Dream recommended by Rachael Herron of The Writers Well podcast and How Do You Write? Podcast. Main topic: Preorders

As a marketing strategy, which is better for your author business--KDP Select or Going Wide. Valerie breaks down the pros and cons of both.

Resources:

Booksandtravel.page (new podcast I'm listening to)

Speculative.Work: an author's diary (new podcast I found)

My show notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 10, and it's 5/8/2019 as I record this.

Today I'm talking about Marketing Strategies regarding your book launch and distribution methods. Specifically: To KDP Select, or Not

But first a personal update:

• I signed up for the Career Author Summit in May of 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Meet for a coffee?
• Talk went well, despite losing my work.
• I've written another two sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing.
• Had another Skype meeting with the architectural team and saw an updated floor plan for our Costa Rican home. Homework, measuring our rooms and comparing it to the measurements in the floor plan--seeing if the rooms need to be bigger or smaller for our tastes.

• No NEW PATRONS this week: (but I am getting some lovely comments and it's so fun to interact with other authors there.) "I'm really excited about all the great projects you're working on. Glad to be a supporter!" James says.

Thank you to all my patrons! Remind folks that all of my patrons, at any level, get a Connection Video the first Monday of every month, so if you want to connect with me in this way, join me on Patreon.

The support of my patrons on Patreon helps make this show and other projects possible. Plus, being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world, allows you to interact with me directly, and rewards you with exclusive bonus content you can't get anywhere else. For less than the cost of a tasty hot beverage or a pack of gum, as low as a $1/month, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at: Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Resources/reviews:

I FB Lived my talk at Lane Connect, so if you'd like a few tips on how to self-edit without freaking out, join my private FB group, The Indie Author Mentor. (I'll try and put it up on Patreon...)

I'll be speaking next Tuesday in a small discussion group at WAAC on To Pre-Order or Not To Pre-Order. 14th at 7pm in the lobby.

I'm (still) reading:

Become a Successful Indie Author: Work Toward Your Writing Dream by Craig Martelle. I'm really liking it.

I'm also reading Hook by Randall Horton and I'm not liking it so much. Art is so subjective and there isn't enough of the things I like in a memoir in there to hold my interest. I like the letters written by LXXX, but she's not the author of the book. And sometimes I'm riveted by Randall's use of language, and I was hoping to see into a world that was different than mine--drug deals and prison time--but it's just not capturing my attention enough. Should I stop reading?

I'm listening to a new podcast called Books and Travel (.page) with Jo Francis Penn and the episode I listened to today was on scuba diving. (Tears)

Speculative.Work: an author's diary--most recent episode was on abundance for authors, and saying Yes and No to opportunities.

Main topic: KDP Select (or Not)

Valerie talks about how cool Book Funnel is, what Advanced Readers are for, and the free way to design your book's interior.

Go to Patreon.com/valerieihsan for monthly Connection Videos.

Valerie talks about who to hire as a proofreader, more thoughts on cover design, and what software to use to create epub and mobi files.

Valerie talks about front and back matter of your books, deleted scenes, and the tools of the trade.

In her personal update, she mentions @rlsyme (Becca Syme) of The QuitCast on YouTube and of BetterFasterAcademy.com.

How do you determine what keywords to use in your metadata? And how do you write those dang book descriptions so that they'll appeal to readers and get them to buy?!