Next week, the 4th book of my Grime Fighter Mystery Novella Series will release from Amazon and I’ve finally gotten my mind wrapped around this process of independent publishing.
I’m not talking about the “self-publishing” of a decade ago. Back then, someone paid a company to print their books. They might end up with a Continue reading
Finishing a story is only the beginning, especially as an indie author. I don’t have a professional editor looking over my shoulder or a team of content editors ready to make suggestions.
What I do have are two trusted writers, each with differing strengths, who tear into the minutia of my story. They suggest. They question. They critique. They correct. They challenge me to be my best and fuss at me when they know I can do better.
They frustrate the tar out of me sometimes. (And I know I do the same to them!) But my stories are always better from the work they put in on them. GRIME FAMILY, Book 4 of my Grime Fighter Mystery Novella series, is a perfect example. A couple of my characters were too harsh and rather two-dimensional. Harsh, I can live with, but two-dimensional? No way!
I went to work on the characters, drawing out their personalities through their interactions with my mains. Not only did they get more “flesh,” they aren’t nearly as unlikeable as they had been.
My writing “amigas” are priceless!
And the best thing is that I’ve completed yet another phase of my book’s journey. Revision complete. On to the proofreader. Thankfully, GRIME FAMILY is still on track for a mid-July publication.
Have you ever noticed how most offices look alike? I mean remove the paintings and extraneous furniture or maybe an add on here and there and you have the same empty space, Right?
That concept inspired my newest book! Continue reading
I’ve learned so much from this experience with my new independently-published GRIME BEAT. Today, I’m delighted to be visiting with Sandra Ardoin on her Seriously Write blog, sharing some of the things I’ve learned and others that I’ve gleaned from those with even more experience. I hope you’ll say hi if you stop by to visit!
I’ve been feeling pressure to independently publish for a while, now, but have struggled with self-doubt and fears. It’s hard enough to send my stories to my agent or to editors, but at least with traditional publishing, I can be comforted that other professionals will be laying their eyes on my manuscript before I send it out for the world to see.
With Indie publishing, all of the manuscript is Continue reading
Woohoo! It’s done. I’m not sure how I should feel about it, a little sick and nervous, but so very relieved.
Wow. Reading through this, I really do sound like a new mother. I remember my first labor. My sweet boy screamed at the nurses. My hubby held my hand. All at the same time I felt such joy, yet loss because “the kid” who had been my constant companion for nine months was no longer Continue reading
Please welcome GRIME BEAT! The first book in the Grime Fighter novella series which will be available on Amazon starting tomorrow morning (barring unforeseen complications.)
Sound a little like Continue reading
Have you ever started out in a direction only to find that you had to go in a totally different direction to get where you wanted to go?
That happened to me last week. I swear, Dallas is just one big ole hairy mass of road construction! And anyone living here or visiting for more than five minutes will agree with me.
So last week, I was picking up my daughters at a volleyball practice. This is my twins’ 5th year to play and for all of them, there has been Continue reading
Marji Laine 