Jill Hamilton

According to "The Big Indie Author Data Drop" from the Alliance for Independent Authors, the most successful indie authors do these 4 things: ✔Hire professional editors ✔Hire professional cover designers ✔Market and promote at every stage ✔Write more than one book The first two aren't surprising, but many self-publishing authors don't think about what it takes to promote and market their book after publication. To stand out from the crowd, sometimes it helps to think outside the box. Indie author Michael Cloherty has seen better-than-average sales for his book Abel Bodied: Murder at the Malden Bank by partnering with local taverns in his community to create Mystery Pub Crawls and other events that center around the true events that his historical fiction story is based on and took place in his town. Not only does this help promote his first book, it also keeps the momentum going as he checks off the 4th item on that list: working on the sequel to this truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story about the first bank-robbery murder in US history. If you'll be in Malden, Massachesetts, this summer, be sure to check out one of the pub crawls! Or read the book so that you'll be up to speed when the sequel comes out! Indie authors or professional editors & cover designers, what are some other creative marketing ideas you've seen or tried? Pub Crawl: https://lnkd.in/g2VA3VQP Abel Bodied Book: https://lnkd.in/gZgeWFVE The Big Indie Author Data Drop 2023: https://lnkd.in/gUz64wB8 #indiepublishing #selfpublishing #authormarketing #bookmarketing #murdermysterypubcrawl #historicalfiction

4

This is an excerpt from E. Prybylski's insightful post. If you are considering an editor but wondering about the cost, I recommend reading it. Editing is an investment that can help your book transcend into something truly special that speaks to readers. "I want to remind people that, above all, when you’re working with an editor, you are working with a human being. Most of us are deeply passionate about writing and editing and about our professions. Most of us are not wealthy at all (many are barely middle class, if that). Many editors come from backgrounds like disability or neurodivergence. We have studied our profession out of that deep passion I mentioned before, and we truly love what we do... Editors are your cheerleaders, your companions, your friends, and your mentors. And we need to eat, too." - E. Prybylski If cost is a factor you are balancing, consider focusing on one round of editing (developmental, line, copyediting) or an editor who offers a combination service to help you be cost-effective. Note that editing is a time-intensive process, and editors will acknowledge that combination service won't be as effective as both a developmental edit and copyediting pass, but sometimes it is what your budget, your book, and your readers need. Not sure what is right for your book? Ask an editor! Posts like these exist because we genuinely care and want to help you succeed, even if that means we are not the right fit editor for you. We can advise you on what type of editing your book needs to succeed and what might be optional. Feel free to reach out for a sample edit and an opinion! I (and we) are here to help.

2

1 Comment

🌱 What questions do you have about how to edit your book or major creative project? I’m making a guide specifically for people with “big picture” developmental questions. So far, based on asking folks in workshops, a question that keeps popping up is “what is the best way to edit my own work? Is there a structure to editing that is best?” It's a good question. I’ll answer in the guide. Any other burning questions? #editing #developmentaleditor #editor #book #askaneditor

8

3 Comments

How to Fix Big Story Problems via Writers Helping Writers #amwriting #writetip #nanowrimo #pubtip https://lnkd.in/egygij7u

1

When the bean counters are in charge, even the best and most talented employees are not safe. I am, of course, flashing back to my own layoff in 2018 after 27 years of excellent and loyal service. It was such a brutal and humiliating experience. How much $$ is PRH really saving by discharging these two publishers? The problem is that the market is saturated with too many books and too many of the same kinds of books. The old publishing model of seeing what sticks doesn't work anymore. A quick browse of the Strand Bookstore's discount carts will reveal a treasure of recent titles, already remaindered a month or two after their publication. #publishing #layoffs #penguinrandomhouse

12

4 Comments

"it’s important to remember that there are no rules, and we can choose who we are and what we do every single day. Something I’ve noticed since starting my new job as a writer is just how diverse the label “writer” is. When most folks think of writers, they think of journalists who cover different industries and break the news on stories. But even within the narrow scope of “journalists,” there is so much variety. Some journalists cover finance, and within that, markets, and within that, venture capital and public equities and commodities. Other journalists cover sports, business, politics, and pop culture. Some writers, like me, apply a layer of commentary to the news. More often than not, I’m not telling readers what happened as much as I am why it matters. Some writers are pure essayists. Some are fiction novelists, others write biographies and histories. Some writers are equity researchers and hedge fund analysts, while others are copywriters, crisis comms strategists, and marketing executives. The scope of “writing,” as a profession, is infinite, because writing isn’t a profession. It’s a skill. And fine-tuned skills are valuable in a variety of “jobs.” Replace “writer” with teacher. Investor. Coach. If you only think about your career in terms of the job you do and other jobs that immediately progress from your current role then, yes, there are “rules” on what you may be able to pursue. But if you think about your career from the perspective of which skills you have developed and where else they might be applicable, you’ll realize that opportunities are near-infinite. Journalists can become investors. Corporate executives can become authors. Even in the case of the most rigid disciplines such as law and medicine, nothing is stopping you from going back to school right now, if you want to change course. You can reinvent yourself tomorrow if you’d like. The only “rules,” if any, are those that exist in your head. They’re self-imposed." No Rules: https://lnkd.in/d74EmhwW

67

4 Comments

A lot of writers are tempted to jump straight into a line edit or copyedit after finishing the first draft of their novel. Here’s why that’s a BAD idea. - There are going to be big-picture, broad issues that haven’t been dealt with i.e. your character development is nonexistent, your beginning is sitting in the middle, you have a tendency to tell and not show. - Your plot might be underdeveloped and your climax? Well, it isn’t climaxing. - You have far too many characters and most of them serve no purpose other than another face in the crowd. You need to cull. When you embark on the editing journey with a professional editor, you need to receive overarching, big-picture feedback so that you can go away and get started on The Big Rewrite, or a second draft. Only then can an editor properly interrogate your writing at sentence level and assess how it is serving the story. If you think you can jump straight to phase two, think again. Finished your draft and ready to start your editing journey from the very beginning? Get in touch and let’s get started.

9

How To Identify And Fix All The Places Where Telling - Or Exposition - Rears Up In Your Writing #authorlife #writerslife #amwriting #Indieauthor #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #AuthorUproar #BookBoost #BooksWorthReading #shamelessselfpromo https://lnkd.in/gzZPxi8x

1

How To Identify And Fix All The Places Where Telling - Or Exposition - Rears Up In Your Writing #authorlife #writerslife #amwriting #Indieauthor #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #AuthorUproar #BookBoost #BooksWorthReading #shamelessselfpromo https://lnkd.in/gzZPxi8x

1

How to make a true life account into a compelling story. Or: How to make Masters of Sex from Masters of Sex https://lnkd.in/eTyVmDRS #WritingCommunity #storytelling #Authorscommunity #novelist #creativewriting

2

Did you miss the Writers Conference? No worries - the lectures were recorded, and are now available at a reduced rate Whether you are writing fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, op-eds, for industry, for media, you’ll find something that meets your needs. I know, this seems like it’s just another pitch, but I learned so much. The speakers did a great job and focused on providing tangible guidance, whatever your writing needs may be https://lnkd.in/ebKvmFuK

2

1 Comment

Look who got her first book review on Publishers Weekly!! I love these last few lines of the review: "Temblador’s reckoning with her own blind spots sets an example for probing one’s biases without defensiveness or ego. This thoughtful guide brings clarity to a fraught topic." Thank you Publishers Weekly! #bookreview #writers #creativewriting https://lnkd.in/gRCRAupZ

8

2 Comments

Read why the words "Confirmed Coverage" are the dirtiest words in the freelance writing industry on today's Substack!

1

Look at all these great upcoming events for #editors from Northwest Editors Guild! On May 9 I'm going to be discussing communicating with clients. I'll share a few of my favorite tips and then take your questions. I hope you'll join me! #AmEditing #BizTips #FreelanceEditors

9