self-publish

In this episode, wedding celebrant and writer Holly June Smith talks to me about her lifelong love of storytelling, and her journey to becoming a self-published author. 

We discuss Holly's early foray into the world of film-making, her side step into the charity sector, and the myth of having it all that made her turn her love of love stories into a full-time job when she became a wedding celebrant, which she continues to do now alongside being a self-published author of some seriously great and spicy romance novels.

Holly and I share a love of romance stories, romantic comedies and yes – romatic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which was a formative show for both of us – so we dive into that as part of a wider discussion about the romantic comedy genre and the tropes and story arcs they usually explore.

There's also great insight for anyone who wants to write and put their work out into the world. Holly discusses her initial snobbery around self-publishing, how wrong she was, and how well it works for her as she grows her back catalogue. 

Bryan Chaffin is back to decision his decision to self-publish his upcoming novel. He shares the tasks he's been working on, from creating a cover to formatting e-books for different platforms. We talk about distribution options, express concerns about author compensation in Spotify's audiobook library, and emphasize the importance of libraries in supporting authors. Bryan plans to record an audiobook himself to bring a unique voice to the story. He also discusses his active participation on threads as both himself and his main character. 

Today’s MacVoices is supported by MacVoices Featured Gear. Get more done with your tech, like the OWC Thunderbolt Hub. No matter which Mac you have, you can always use more connectivity, and the OWC Thunderbolt Hub delivers. Get the details and link at MacVoices.com/FeaturedGear.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:00:00 Brian Chaffin returns to discuss his novel publishing journey.
0:01:45 Preparing for Publication: Formatting and Platforms
0:02:34 The Importance of Participating in the Twitter Community
0:04:44 Concerns about Amazon's Impact on Publishing Industry
0:05:03 Dominating the Market with Three Platforms
0:05:22 Modernized Library Distribution System and Convenience
0:06:42 The decision to narrate the book yourself
0:08:47 The complexities of self-publishing and audio book production
0:13:06 Fiverr: Professional Services for Higher Quality Work
0:14:41 Custom Chapter Ornaments: A Throwback to Chapter Identification
0:15:28 Customizing book ornaments and seam separators
0:20:42 Spotify entering the audiobook business and author compensation concerns
0:25:57 Dell and Amazon's Race to the Bottom

Links:

MasonTrumanPI on Threads

Guests:

Bryan Chaffin began using Apple computers in 1983 in a high school BASIC programming class. He started using Macs in 1990 when the Kinko’s guy taught him how to use Aldus PageMaker, finally buying a Power Computing Power 100 in 1995. Bryan is the cofounder of The Mac Observer. He has contributed to MacAddict and MacFormat magazines, and coauthored Incredible iPad Apps for Dummies with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus. You can find out more about Bryan at his personal site, GeekTells, hear his thoughts on Apple and tech topics on The Context Machine and follow him on Threads as @GeekTells. 

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00:00:00 Brian Chaffin returns to discuss his novel publishing journey. 00:00:10 Introducing MacVoices Featured Gear 00:01:44 Preparing for Publication: Formatting and Platforms 00:02:33 The Importance of Participating in the Twitter Community 00:04:44 Concerns about Amazon's Impact on Publishing Industry 00:05:02 Dominating the Market with Three Platforms 00:05:21 Modernized Library Distribution System and Convenience 00:06:41 The decision to narrate the book yourself 00:08:46 The complexities of self-publishing and audio book production 00:13:06 Fiverr: Professional Services for Higher Quality Work 00:14:40 Custom Chapter Ornaments: A Throwback to Chapter Identification 00:15:28 Customizing book ornaments and seam separators 00:20:41 Spotify entering the audiobook business and author compensation concerns 00:25:57 Dell and Amazon's Race to the Bottom

Goals, Motivations, Personality, Skills, Genre . . .

Are you pursuing a traditional publishing contract or going the indie route and publishing on your own? Your dreams and background may affect your choice.

There's no single right way to write, publish, or promote your book. Every journey to publication is different, just like every author.

In today's duo episode, Greta and Megan walk you through their publishing journeys. They talk about their early choices and the self-assessments that led Greta to pursue a traditional publishing contract, while Megan immediately gravitated to the indie path.

Along the way, they explain the difference between the two paths, warn of the dangers of predatory vanity presses, and encourage new writers to learn about the industry while taking it all one step at a time.

Final Question: How are you planning to publish, and why? Let's chat on the Facebook page @AuthorWheel!

Featured Course: Self-Publish or Get an Agent? How to Find and Implement Your Best Path to Publishing Success available in The Author Wheel School on Teachable.com. Get 20% off with code NOROADBLOCKS.

Free Resource: Indie Author Skills Assessment, available for free when you join our newsletter.

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FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

You’ve decided you want to self-publish your book. But you’re worried, because what if you make the wrong choices and no one buys your book? 

 If this thought has crossed your mind, this is the episode for you. Discover the 7 steps you need to successfully self-publish your book.

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

Are you thinking about self-publishing but don't want to do it alone? Best-Selling Amazon author Dr. Emee Vida Estacio decided to turn her winning strategies into a book launching, heart-centered, online community. In this Florida Writer Podcast, Emee shares with host Alison Nissen how to build a launch team, best practices for creating a self-published audiobook, and much more. And check out Pagudpud, Emee's most beautiful place to visit!

Dr. Emee Vida Estacio helps successful entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, consultants, bloggers, and speakers expand their reach by writing and publishing their own books on Amazon.

Her flagship course, “Self-Publishing Made Simple,” is designed to help aspiring authors take one simple step at a time to avoid analysis paralysis, so they can get on to write self-publish their books in 90 days or less, even with a full-time job and/or a busy family life.

 

 

Are you thinking about self-publishing but don't want to do it alone? Best-Selling Amazon author Dr. Emee Vida Estacio decided to turn her winning strategies into a book launching, heart-centered, online community. In this Florida Writer Podcast, Emee shares with host Alison Nissen how to build a launch team, best practices for creating a self-published audiobook, and much more. And check out Pagudpud, Emee's most beautiful place to visit!

Dr. Emee Vida Estacio helps successful entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, consultants, bloggers, and speakers expand their reach by writing and publishing their own books on Amazon.

Her flagship course, “Self-Publishing Made Simple,” is designed to help aspiring authors take one simple step at a time to avoid analysis paralysis, so they can get on to write self-publish their books in 90 days or less, even with a full-time job and/or a busy family life.

 

 

So you've written your book, now what? This week on the Writers Advice Podcast we're joined by the Founder of Reedsy Ricardo Fayet who tells us everything we need to know when you're ready to launch.

In this episode learn about:

• Creating the right editor
• Marketing your book
• Building a personal brand
• Creating your covers
• Writing a book series
• The ins and outs of Amazon

We're running a competition to win a copy of each authors book that has been interviewed on the podcast so far! To enter, fill in your details at oliviahillier.com/podcast and a very large package could be coming to your door very soon.

Download the first pages of my brand new book 'Have We Met Before?' HERE

Join the Writers Advice Podcast membership: Olivia Hillier is creating Podcast & Books | Patreon

Find more about Ricardo and everything that Reedy has to offer at Reedsy.com

To contact me:

Instagram: @_oliviahillier

Website: oliviahillier.com

TikTok: @oliviahillierauthor

2022 is the year you write your book. That’s what you committed to in January. So why haven’t you got your first book draft ready to publish? Whether you’ve stopped writing altogether, or it’s stop-start, today I’m sharing 3 secrets to help you stay focused so that you get your thoughts onto paper and write and FINISH your book. Your clients, your readers, are waiting.

PSSST! Wish you had a first draft DONE? In The Writer Unlocked, you will create and implement your own time management and accountability plan to fit writing into your busy life, and you’ll start writing and complete your first draft. This course is for you if you're finally done wondering how to fit writing in want an action plan to get your first draft done while putting your inner critic on mute. If you're finally ready to pursue your dream to write, sign up at theunlockedcreative.com/the-writer-unlocked. I can’t wait to see you in there!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

Wondering HOW you can publish your book? Today we're demystifying the 3 ways you can get your book into the hands of your clients. 

Get your 101 on traditional publishing, hybrid publishing and self-publishing so that you can get clear on your options and publish your business book!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

As an entrepreneur, you might have heard that it’s great to be able to provide FREE VALUE to potential clients in the form of an opt-in. 

But what if I told you there was a better way to create the ongoing relationship you really want to build and nurture with your client? What if you could create something that really gave your client a transformation, AND earned you some income? Not to mention your own sense of accomplishment … 

What would you say to that? 

That’s what we’re talking about in Episode 106 of The Unlocked Creative.

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You’ve decided to write your book, but then there’s that feeling in your stomach. You know it, Yes, that one. The kind that makes the bathroom seem like a sanctuary. 

Today we're talking about the anxiety you might have before starting your book and what to do with that. You can put that anxiety to use. 

Speaking of anxiety, there's some big news in this episode. Eeee!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You've got great book ideas. But how the heck do you get that thing out of your head and onto the page?
I’m talking about all the ideas you have floating around in your head. 
We're doing a bit of extraction today. Let's get your story out of your brain and turn it into a book!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

One of the beautiful things about being a writer is the dream to get your book into the hands of your readers. If you want to make an impact and an income, self-publishing your book is easier than you think. It’s so much harder to write your book than it is to publish it. 

We’re covering the five ways having a self-published book can make you impact and income.

P.S. I  know how scattered and overwhelming it can be when you're trying to self-publish. That's why I created The Unlocked Author course where you'll self-publish your book from start to finish, following a simple, step by step process. Sign up using the code AUTHOR at https://theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author to get your early bird discount, but it expires Monday 24 January 2022, so get in quick!

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You’ve got this first draft done, and you know the next big step is publishing. You want to feel your book in your hands. You want to smell the pages. But how do turn your draft manuscript into an actual book? How do you go from first draft to first book?

You’ve already done the hard yards of writing and editing your book. Now it’s time to see  your first draft become your published book.

In The Unlocked Author course, you’ll follow a simple, step-by-step process to take your story from draft manuscript to published book! Sign up now to get your early bird discount at theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author and enter the code AUTHOR for your founding member access and to get all the bonuses.
 
I’m so excited for you to turn your book dream into reality!

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Your first book draft is done. In the moments between life’s obligations, you feel the call to publish your book. To be an author.
But how? When? How much does it really cost? How long will it take?

If you’re done with the endless research and struggling to make your published book dreams happen, sign up for The Unlocked Author course. In The Unlocked Author, you'll learn how to self-publish your first book from start to finish.

 You will follow a simple, step-by-step plan including setting your budget, editing, getting your draft print-ready, getting your book cover, setting your pricing, publishing, uploading, and promoting your book!

Join now at theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author and enter the code AUTHOR for your early bird discount. Between now and 24 January 2022 you'll get The Unlocked Author course for a special price + these BONUSES:

• Free Promotion Checklist
• Paid Promotion Checklist 
• Your Promotion Plan Template
• AND Lifetime access to our student community, free! 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, want to leave a legacy, or are using your book to teach and inspire… this course is available now. I can’t wait for you to make your dream to publish your book HAPPEN! 

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You’re ready to self-publish your book. You’re wondering how the whole book cover design thing works. 

The hard truth: everyone judges a book by its cover. If you want your book cover design to shine, so your book entices and connects with your readers, this is the episode for you!

In The Unlocked Author course you will learn how to self-publish your first book from start to finish. You'll follow a simple, step-by-step process including setting your budget, editing, book cover, pricing, publishing, uploading, and promoting!

 Self-publishing your book doesn’t have to be expensive, hard, or overwhelming. 

If you're ready to bring your book into the world, join the waitlist now to save big. Go to theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author and hit the ‘join the waitlist’ button. You'll get your earlybird discount code to use when the course launches on 17 January. So hurry and get signed up!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

If you’re ready to publish your first book, have you thought about typesetting? If this is the first time you’ve heard about typesetting, don’t worry!

In today’s episode we're going through what typesetting is and how to typeset your book. 

This is just one part of the self publishing process, but in The Unlocked Author course you’ll get the templates and strategies you need to go from editing your book manuscript right through to publishing your first book. Sign up for the waitlist now to save big! Go to theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author and click 'Join the waitlist'. Doors open 17 January!

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You’ve been through a lot to get your words down on paper. But now you’ve got it, the rough diamond that is your first book draft. 

Your job is to cut and polish it. It’s time to edit your book. This is one of the most emotional parts of creating a book, so buckle up!

If you want me to show you how to edit, sign up for the waitlist to The Unlocked Author course now. Go to theunlockedcreative.com/courses and choose ‘The Unlocked Author’, then click 'Join the waitlist'!

Inside The Unlocked Author course you’ll get comprehensive, no-fluff, easy to follow modules from editing your draft all the way through to self-publishing.
 So sign up now because when the course opens on 17 January you’re going to use the early bird discount code to save big! You can be a published author, if you make it happen.

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

Happy New Year! It’s 2022 and since it’s the start of the new year, what better time to map out your schedule to become a published author! And I’m talking before 2023. 

We’re talking big picture here because some of you will be further along the self-publishing path than others. But if you’ve got your draft manuscript ready and you’ve at least done some kind of editing to it, this one’s for you. 

If you have your manuscript ready to go and you’re waiting for the right time to publish your book, sign up for the waitlist to The Unlocked Author! Join the waitlist to get your early bird discount at theunlockedcreative.com/the-unlocked-author. Doors open on 17 January! 

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You’ve got your first book draft ready to go. You feel that calling to publish your book. But as a busy working Mumma, you’re juggling so much that you’re not sure you can do it. 

Well, I’m living proof that you absolutely can publish your book as a busy working Mum.  
Imagine if you could free yourself from overwhelm, follow a simple plan, and finally self-publish your book.

In The Unlocked Author course you’ll learn how to self-publish your first book from start to finish. You’ll follow a simple, step-by-step process including setting your budget, editing, getting your draft print-ready, book cover, pricing, publishing, uploading, and promoting!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, want to leave a legacy, or are using your book to teach and inspire… inside The Unlocked Author you’ll get comprehensive, no-fluff, easy to follow modules from initial draft all the way through to self-publishing.

Join the waitlist now to save BIG! Sign up at theunlockedcreative.com/courses and choose 'The Unlocked Author'. Click 'Join the waitlist' and you'll get a discount code to use on course launch day: 17 January 2022! Have a question? Ask it in our free private community theunlockedcreative.com/contact and we'll respond asap.

 

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!