Riley Adams's Blog, page 9

Crowdfunding For Authors 101

 

by Jason Brick

If you’ve been a writer or aspiring writer, you’ve at least heard of crowdfunding, usually in the context of a major platform like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Backerkit, or GoFundMe. It’s not a new model, but it’s the most recently added model to the widening array of success options for authors. Today, Elizabeth has invited me on to discuss it. We’ll take a look at:

How Crowdfunding WorksThe 5 Key Misconceptions About Crowdfunding6 Top Tips for Crowdfunding CampaignsYour First Step, If You Dare to Take It

I’ve personally used crowdfunding to get five different books published and in the world, and presently using the Patreon platform for my Flash in a Flash Fiction Newsletter (which is accepting submissions, hint, hint.)

By the end, you won’t be the world’s leading crowdfunding expert. You will know enough about crowdfunding to ask the right questions about how to make the model work for you. 

Sound good? Great. Let’s get to it. 

How Crowdfunding Works

On any crowdfunding platform, you pitch your book to existing fans and the general public, asking them to pre-order copies because they believe your book will be good, and you will deliver on your promise to write, publish, and distribute it. 

It’s essentially presales, made more viable by the scope of the Internet and the infrastructure provided by major crowdfunding platforms. It has made a lot of books happen, and a few authors surprisingly rich. A couple years back, Brandon Sanderson raised $40 Million with one campaign. You can’t expect success like that, but you can make enough to meet more reasonable goals.

5 Key Crowdfunding Misconceptions

Like all endeavors, there’s a lot of misinformation circulating about crowdfunding. I want to address the five most common and/or harmful.

1. Build It and They Will Come

Just putting up your campaign will not bring enough interested eyes for you to succeed. This was almost true at the beginning, but now the market is fairly saturated. You will have to bring eyes to your page, fueled by your existing platform, partnerships, and some promotion and advertising. It can bring you more as our campaign builds momentum, but it must start with you.

2. You Have to Make All Your Money From It

A crowdfunding campaign that breaks even, or even loses you a little money, can be successful for some goals. At the end, you will have a fully built book and some copies in stock. You will have gathered more followers and fans. Depending on your goals, that’s all it has to do.

3. It’s a Sprint

A typical crowdfunding campaign is live for two to four weeks, but you must do your advance work and follow up with fulfillment. This process is a marathon, requiring work every day for months. Don’t let that scare you — if you can write a book you ran crowdfund — but go in knowing what’s required. 

4. Independents Can’t Succeed

Over the past decade, professional publishers have entered the crowdfunding space. They’ve brought with them professional promotion and design teams, and a business-sized advertising budget. It’s harder to succeed as an independent now, but not impossible. You just have to come in with a well-built plan, and execute it as close to perfectly as you can manage. 

5. Your Book Has to Be Finished First

You can successfully crowdfund a book with just a cover image, an outline, and an idea you’re excited about. If the campaign doesn’t succeed, you can move on to your next idea. If it does, you’ll just have to make sure you build time to write into your promised delivery schedule. 

6 Top Tips for Crowdfunding Success

With those idea in mind, here are six things to think about and plan for as you begin to devise your own crowdfunding campaign.

1. Start Early

I mean early. Start planning and getting your ducks in a row a year before launch day. The more resources and planning you have on deck at “go time”, the better your efforts will succeed. That said, don’t use extra planning to procrastinate. Set your start date far in advance, and get moving right away.

2. Budget Before You Start

Know how much the campaign and fulfillment will cost. It’s the only way to gauge your earning goal and not go into the red by the end. You will need to budget for:

Per-unit printing costs for your booksPer-unit shipping costs for your booksFees for editing, layout, and artYour marketing budget (see below)How much profit you want to earn from the campaignAn extra 10 percent for processing fees

Finish by adding an extra 5-10% for overruns, and you know how much you want to earn from your campaign. 

3. Have a One-to-Six Month Plan

I know I said to start a year early, but the real action happens at least one month before launch day. If you can start gathering interest and followers six months out, that’s even better. Build a preview page early, and just keep bringing eyes to it from whatever sources you can manage. 

4. Include a Marketing Budget

Word of mouth, and some algorithm support from your platform, will get some copies sold, but most backers for successful campaigns are strangers. Expect to spend money on marketing. There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but I’ve had success with spending 10% of what I want to earn. Where to spend it is a whole other blog post. If you want it, and can talk Elizabeth into it, I’ll come back and write it.

5. Build a Power Squad

Your power squad consists of six to twenty “ride or die” fans who will help you spread the word about your campaign. Gather them early, give them clear instructions and options, and reward them handsomely for their efforts. 

Fair warning: almost none of your friends and family will come through for you on this. You’ll be leaning on your fan base and fellow burgeoning writers here. It’s just part of the reality of being an author — just like how none of our friends will bother to leave a review. 

6. Get Some Graphics

You will need at minimum a good cover and a short video telling people about your project. They don’t have to be works of art, but they have to be present and at least presentable. The data says a video and cover increase your chances of success by 80%, and the income from most campaigns by at least 25%.

Your First Step (If You Dare to Take It)

If you think crowdfunding might be for you, your first step is to sit with exactly what you hope to accomplish with it. Do you want to cover the printing, editing, and art costs for your next work? Grow your platform? Make a profit from the get go? Simply “kick the tires” and see how it works? 

Sit for a while and really nail down what you hope to accomplish with your first crowdfunding journey.That information will inform every further step.

Jason Brick is a freelance writer and journalist, and the skipper of the Flash in a Flash literary newsletter. They’re always looking for submissions in any genre under 1,000 words. You can get all the details here. 

 

Image by Kevin Schneider from Pixabay

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

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by Shane MillarWriting Craft / DialogueThree rules for writing dialogue that contains exposition: @Roz_MorrisWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Characters’ Hobbies and Interests Affect the Narrative: by Ellen BuikemaThe 18 Types of Sentence Connectors + Examples: @writers_writeTwenty-One Cognitive Tools For Making Smarter Decisions: @GarryRodgers1Writing 101: What The Heck Is a Turning Point? @JennyHansenCASix Powerful Secrets to Polishing Your Manuscript: by Zoje Stage @careerauthorsCliffhangers: Fantastic Hooks or Just Annoying? from MythcreantsHow to Write Sizzling Sex Scenes Despite the Fear of Sizzling: by Rebecca Anne NguyenChoose Your Own Adventure: On the Limits of Personal Agency in Migrant Fiction: by Ruben Reyes Jr. @literaryhub @lithubThe Secret to Writing Strong Themes: @KMWeilandCharacter vs Self Conflict in Writing: by Shane MillarCreating Suspense in any Genre: @MBarker_190 @WriterThesaurusWriting Craft / Plot HolesHow Serious are Plot Holes? by Ann Gordon @rmfwWriting Craft / POVChoosing Story Perspective: Direct Versus Indirect POV: @foxprinted @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / NamingTrouble Naming your Character, Town, or Tavern? Try a Name Generator: @Dwallacepeach @storyempireWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchTertiary Sources: Not Just Tangential Anymore: by Liz Gauffreau @storyempireWriting Craft / Revision10 Self-Editing Tips for Fiction Writers: @livewritethriveHow to Tackle an Edit Letter: @authorSATWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesThe Timing of Feedback Matters: Writing Craft / ScenesTo Fix a Scene, Sniff Out the Tick: @SueColetta1Writing Craft / Settings and Description9+ Voices Talk Description in Writing: @Carrielt37Writing Craft / TensionIs it all about tension? @PhilAthansWriting Craft / Word CraftingWords that pack a punch: @JanSikes3 @storyempireUse Your Verbs: by Joel Orr

 

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The Timing of Feedback Matters

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Feedback can be an important component of the writing process. Sometimes writers can get so wrapped-up in their stories that they can lose focus on the big picture. The big picture, of course, is whether the story works or not.

When I was starting out, I felt like I needed to gather insight on my writing while I was drafting. I’m not even sure I thought much about why that was important to me. I think I believed that it was the right thing to do. That book-in-progress critique groups would help me out along the way. Maybe I thought it would help give me weekly deadlines, too, to stay on track with writing the manuscript.

The only problem with this is that I felt a little like I was writing by committee. And the committee often had different ideas about what direction my book needed to go in.

This isn’t to say that the in-person critique group wasn’t helpful. I think they did help me with fitting in writing. They were older, more experienced writers, too, and I appreciated their thoughts. It just didn’t work well for me.

Now I work totally solo on first and second drafts. After I finish a draft and edit it, I pass it along to several beta readers. I want them to tell me everything they think is wrong with the story because it helps me improve it. By that point in the process, it’s much easier for me to tweak the book than when I’m in the middle of writing it.

After the betas get it, it then goes to my editor. I also ask her to tell me how to make the story better.

Finally, it goes to my ARC (advanced reader copy) readers. The story won’t go through major revisions at that point, but I ask for help with any typos or continuity errors.

I will add that there was once that I asked for feedback when I was stuck with a story. I’d hit a plot hole and couldn’t figure a way out of it. Discussing the story was a great way to find a way out of the mess.

For more on the subject, check out this post from writer and former literary agent Nathan Bransford. He details the two times writers should seek feedback.

As a reminder, remember that not every approach works for every writer! I’ve heard from many writers how helpful they’ve found critiques while they’ve been drafting. As always, never mess with success. If it works for you, definitely keep it up.

When do you look for feedback for your writing? Has the timing changed?

The timing of feedback matters:
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Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousHuman vs AI: How editors and proofreaders can remain relevant: @LouiseHarnbyAre you a seventh-level editor? @jbernoffConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCanada’s US$75,000 Cundill History Prize Names a 2024 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS 2024 Distinguished Contribution Medalist: Barbara Kingsolver: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Award Longlists: Young People’s Literature: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoThe Challenge Is to Write 50,000 Words in a Month. Should ChatGPT Be Able to Help? @4evrmalone @nytimesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsAdvice For New Writers: by Leenna NaidooCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFrom Devotion to Deception: 5 Essential Reads About Cults: by Kate Robards @crimereads7 Novels About Toxic Student-Teacher Relationships: @electriclit @electricliterature8 Novels About Rural People With Supernatural Powers: by Alli Dyer @electricliterature @electriclitFive SFF Stories Featuring Uneasy Homecomings: @jamesdnicoll @literaryreactor @reactormagCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingTime Management & Setting Goals: @dlfinnauthor @storyempire3 Tips for Writing Every Day: by E.S. FosterCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeTake Your Time Writing: @PhilAthansHow to Develop Supportive Writing Habits Super Fast: @ninaamirWhy No Writing Advice Seems To Work: @byoldervineWriting to Heal: How a Long-Term Writing Process Helped Me Forgive: by Ginelle Testa @colleen_m_storyEntering the Empty Nester Phase: by Renee Roberson40 Books Later: 10 Essential Writing Insights: by L.A. MitchellToo Wrapped Up in Writing? @annehawkinson @floridawriters1What Risk Do You Need to Take with Your Writing Today? @BethVogt @ediemelsonHow to Overcome FOMO as an Independent Author: by Kate M. ColbyWhy Eye and Vision Care Are Crucial For Your Writing Practice: @NathanielTowerCan You Judge an Author’s Views From Their Fiction? by
Oren AshkenaziNot Being a Writer: An Experiment: by Liza Nash Taylor @writerunboxed5 Questions That Keep Me Sane as a Writer: by James Wade @careerauthors(Temporarily) Computer-Free Writing: by N. R. M. Roshak @sfwaGenres / FantasyFantasy Vs. Science Fiction: What’s The Difference? @bang2writeThe Fantasy Elf Stereotypes: @cyallowitzGenres / HorrorAll These Houses Are Haunted: How (and Why) Horror is the Perfect Hybrid Genre: by Matthew Lyons @crimereadsGenres / MysteryWrongful Imprisonment as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinberg13 Essential Elements of a Suspense Thriller: @diannmills @livewritethriveBeach Reads for a Changing World: 5 Page-Turning Eco-Mysteries: by Midge Raymond @crimereadsPromo / Book ReviewsThe Power of One? @ThereseFowler @writerunboxedPublishing / MiscellaneousArtificial Intelligence (AI) In Publishing With Thad McIlroy: @thecreativepennPublishing / News / International PublishingFrankfurt Rights Meeting: Sonia Draga on the Polish Book Market: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: FEP’s Enrico Turrin Looks at English Exports: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: The Road to Frankfurt 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA Speaker Melissa Fleming: A ‘Summit of the Future’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAcademic Publishing: France’s Publishers on Open Access: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCELA, a European Project, Again Promotes Translators, Writers: @JaroslawAdamows @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / TranslationLost (and Found) in Translation? @burke_writerWriting Craft / BeginningsHow to Start a Story: Designing a First Scene That Resonates: by Chris WinkleWhy “Fashionably Late” Is a Great Way to Begin Writing: by Kelley J. P. LindbergWriting Craft / Chapter EndingsHow to end a chapter: @RobertaEaton17 @storyempireWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhen It Comes to Characters We Love, Vulnerability, Not Likeability, Is Key: @manzanitafire @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Characters / Protagonists7 Tips to Writing Dual Protagonists: @cyallowitzDual Protagonists: Friends Until The Story Says No: @cyallowitzIs Your Protagonist Too Lucky? @janice_hardyWriting Craft / Common MistakesWriting A Book? Avoid These Two Pitfalls: by Allison MaruskaWriting Craft / DialogueAuthentic to Who? The Trap of “Real” Dialogue: by Elias McClellanWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Writers Can Tap into the Emotional Heartbeat and Connect with Readers: @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelson4 Questions to Strengthen Lean Manuscripts: by Lisa Fellinger @JaneFriedmanExposition: Definition, Meaning, and Examples: by Shane MillerSituation versus Story: by David Corbett @writerunboxedPurple Prose: Definition, Examples, and Tips: by Shane MillerWriting Questions Answered: @septcfawkesCheck Your Chapter Length: @WriteNowCoachWriting Craft / POVDeveloping Deep Point of View: @diannmillsauthor @diannmillsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Art of the Outline: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingSubplot Do’s And Don’ts: @KMAllan_writer5 Unexpected Plot Devices to Consider for Your Next Story: by Savannah Cordova @reedsyhq @theiwsgPlotting Words of Wisdom: by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchResearching a Crime Novel: @MandSMagazineWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story BeatsChinatown Beat Sheet Analysis: by Don Roff @savethecatWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarHow to Handle Numbers When Writing: @BookDoctor4uWriting Craft / TropesTrope Meaning, Definition, and Examples: by Shane Miller

 

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Developing Deep Point of View

by DiAnn Mills, @diannmills

Writers hear so much about deep point of view, yet we question where it fits and how to use it?

Much of the curiosity is centered on today’s readers. Fifty, a hundred or more years ago, a reader picked up a novel and said, “I want to find out what Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are doing.” Today’s reader says, “I want to be Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, or sweet Becky.” As writers, we must pay attention to how we present our stories.

To determine the perfect POV, a writer asks the following with the knowledge only one character must surface:

What character has the most to lose?What character has the most to gain?Are the risks/dangers/high stakes worth the character’s effort?

The character filters every word of the scene through his/her sensory perception and emotions. This allows the writer to pave the way for the reader to live the scene vicariously through the eyes of the character.

Deep POV allows the reader to step easily into the viewpoint character’s shoes, experiencing every action and reaction through the character’s senses. The reader wants to be that character. He/she has stepped into the story player’s closet (head), dressed in those traits, and emerged as the POV character.

The action is happening now and it’s intimate. The writer has left the premise. The key word is SHOW what the character experiences. Telling is taboo.

A writer cannot write effective deep POV unless they know the character inside and out. Everything emerges from who the character is, what the character has experienced in the past, and who they are before chapter one, line one. It’s impossible to begin the story without a thorough knowledge of who is at the driver’s wheel.

To master this technique, search for areas in the manuscript where the character sees, hears, tastes, smells, or touches—and rewrite the passage so the character experiences the action. Keywords often signal where the writer has strayed from Deep POV: realized, wondered, scanned, know, recognized, and the sensory tell words: see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. Telling prepositional phrases can also toss the reader out of the character’s head.

Deep point of view helps the writer to show rather than tell, but the technique is more about creating a close relationship between the character and the reader. The internal dialogue, emotions, and body language must come from the character’s heart and mind, providing the reader with more intimacy.

Emotions play a huge factor in mastering deep POV, accomplishing two important factors:

The reader is more committed to the story because he or she has become the character.The writer takes the mindset “I am the character,” instead of “I’m writing about the character.”

“In deep point of view the character owns the page and the author becomes nonexistent.” Rhay Christou

Examples

Not Deep POV: I felt the force of the bullet pierce my leg, and I wondered if all the blood was really mine.

Deep POV: A jolt of fiery hot pain seared my leg.

 

Not Deep POV: She realized he’d been lying to her all along, and the thought brought anger to the surface.

Deep POV: He’d cheated on her repeatedly. She slammed her fist onto the table.

 

How Many Viewpoints?

Writers often ask how many viewpoints are needed to accomplish the theme and purpose of the novel. Every time a writer forces a reader to change a POV, a shift occurs, and a reader must adjust. Choose the minimum number of adjustments necessary to master the story effectively. I encourage you to give your character more than one role.

How does the setting affect POV? When the choice of POV centers on which character has the most to lose, the setting may be a deciding point, especially if the setting is antagonistic to the protagonist.

Deep POV takes the reader on an intimate adventure in which they play the starring role with the POV character. Not every scene needs to be in deep POV. Choose the type of level that works for your scene. Think emotion and reader experience.

While Varying Degrees of POV is not exactly deep POV, I believe looking at these options will successfully draw the reader into your story.

Varying POV degrees sets the psychic distance between the reader and the character. According to the goal of the scene and the character’s traits and role in the story, a writer can choose first or third person to write distant, close, or intense POV. Powerful scenes emerge from deepening POV to an intense level, but I’ve also read terrifying scenes from a distant viewpoint. Intense emotional distance calls for deep POV. How far does the writer want to draw the reader into the scene? The distance the writer chooses for the character to internalize what previously occurred varies per:

The action prompting the character’s reaction.The traits assigned to the character guiding how the character views life in a range of introversion to extraversion.The character’s fears and past wounds.The character’s goal or problem to solve.The character’s knowledge of the incident.The ability of the character to process information honestly.

Some scenes require a close emotional distance, such as a character’s revelation or facing a hard truth. Other scenes may have more impact with greater distances, such as a character who doesn’t have all the information. An unstable character, especially one who is insensitive, evil, or selfish can set the stage for a gripping scene.

Example:

Distant: While having coffee at Starbucks with my neighbor, I glanced out the window. “Look at all the traffic heading into town.”

Close: In between sips of coffee at Starbucks with my neighbor, I glanced out the window. “There’s one red truck after another heading into town.”

Intense: I pointed to the traffic, coughed, and spit hot coffee onto my sweatshirt. “Dad’s driving his truck into town. The doctor hasn’t released him yet.”

Effective Deep POV allows the reader to squeeze into every word. The writer chooses the character and the depth of the experience according to character and plot.

Is Deep POV a technique for your story?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com

Developing Deep Point of View by @diannmills
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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousHow do readers discover books? What every author needs to know: @sandrabeckwithA Look at Literary Executors: @worddreams @storyempireFree Small Business Book Publishing 102 – Webinar: @DancingLemurPreWriting: Should Writers Chase Trends? @lindasclareConferences and Events / MiscellaneousPublisher Paul Coates Wins the US 2024 Literarian Award: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesUK: The £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize’s 2024 Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIceland: Salman Rushdie Wins Halldór Laxness Literary Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsHow Do You Write a Book? @LynnHBlackburn @ediemelsonCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationHow to Use Tarot to Build Your Brand as a Creative: by Chelsey Pippin Mizzi @janefriedmanCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Jake Lamar’s Viper’s Dream: @margotkinberg5 Thrillers with Life-or-Death Challenges: by Catherine Steadman @crimereadsWhen It’s Time To Change Your Reading Habits: by Molly Templeton @reactormag @literaryreactorSix Mysteries About Female Friendships Gone Wrong: by
Maggie Auffarth @crimereadsWhere to start with reading James Baldwin: by Tom Jenks @guardianbooks7 Funny Books That Will Make You Laugh and Then Cry: by Kat Tang @electricliterature @electriclit8 Classic Retellings for Crime Fiction Fans: by Erica Wright @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to juggle tasks related to book writing: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDo Deadlines Help Your Writing? by Debbie Burke @killzoneauthorsHow to Beat Your Writing Fears and Grow in Courage as an Author: @AliVentures @EdieMelson6 Ways to Limit Distractions: by Ellen BuikemaWriters on Not Writing: Gibson Fay-LeBlanc and Taryn Bowe: @MastersReviewIs AI Going to Change the Way We Speak? @getfreewriteInformation about the IWSG group for writers: @theiwsgWhen a Writer is Exhausted by Social Media Try These 7 Things: @EdieMelsonSelf-Censoring–Writers, Be Aware: @StephenGeez @storyempireReflections on writing with Nate Birt: @pubcoachAccountability Can Be a Writer’s Best Tool: by Dr. Diana StoutGenres / FantasyDark Magic: Giving Your Fantasy World Chilling Spells: by Chris WinkleGenres / HorrorTips On Writing Horror & Feedback: @bang2writeGenres / MiscellaneousThe rise of eco-fiction: a literary response to environmental crisis: by Arja Salafranca @nownovelGenres / MysteryAllegories in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Science FictionDefining Our Terms: What Do We Mean by “Hard SF”? @jamesdnicoll @reactormag @literaryreactorPromo / Book ReviewsHow to Take Criticism and Turn It into Growth in 5 Steps: by Daniella LevyPromo / Websites8 Tips to Turn Your Blog into an Email List Builder: @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin in France: What’s in a Name? @rcharkin @pubperspectivesNYU Advanced Publishing Institute Previews Its 2025 Program: @HannahSJohnson @pubperspectivesInternet Archive Takes Another Blow in Court on Copyright: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingEmirati Women’s Day: PublisHer and Visa Present ‘She’s Next’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurt Rights Meeting Opens: Newly Added Speakers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Brazil: IPA Signs Agreement for Ibero-American Reading and Books: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Know When a Book Cover Is Killing Your Sales: by Vasylysa @bookbubWriting Craft / BeginningsLittle Things Add Up to Something Big: First Page Critique: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsHow to Turn Your Muppet-Like Villain Into Something Believable: @ForsbergJillian @writerunboxedLetting Readers Get to Know Your Villain: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentTransforming Your Characters: @beemweeks @storyempire9 Tips for Writing Deep and Interesting Characters: by Ana ObradovićDeepening Character with Gesture: @shutta @floridawriters1The Creator Archetype: Definition and Examples: by Robinette WatersonThe Sage Archetype: Definition and Writing Tips: by Shane MillerUsing Your Setting to Characterize: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionReader Empathy Begins with Compelling Character Emotion: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsUsing Two Protagonists: Is It Viable? by Charles YallowitzWriting Craft / ConflictConflict is just a type of obstacle: @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / DialogueWriting Effective Dialogue: by June TropWriting Craft / DiversityWriting Better Neurodivergent Characters in Fiction: by Scott Lyerly @crimereadsWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryHow to Incorporate Backstory: @A_B_LeeWriting Craft / HooksHow to Hook Your Reader: @WriteNowCoachWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmDeadpool Beat Sheet Analysis: by Cory Milles @savethecatWriting Craft / Literary Devices10 Types of Figurative Language: by Shane MillerWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Write a Story Retelling: by Hannah Kate Kelley @janefriedmanThe Goal is to Have Motivated Characters: by S.E. White7 Tips to Make Your Antihero Stand Out: @beccapuglisiAvoiding writing and editing disasters: by Josh BernoffTips for Making Stories Stand Out: from MythcreantsExposition in a Story: How to Use and Examples: by Polly Watt @TheStoryEditorWhat Is A Foil Character? Definitions and Examples: by Robinette Waterson @TheStoryEditor4 Ways to Avoid a Saggy Middle in Your Novel: by Sandy VaileDesigning for Reader Experience: by Cathy YardleyWriting Craft / POVPoint of View for Writers: First Person Epistolary: @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonWriting Craft / RevisionWriting: Try Retro Revision: @lindasclareTrusting the Writing Process When You Must Kill Your Darlings: @authorsatWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionMake your Fictional Setting Memorable: @LinWilson

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

 I’ll be off tomorrow for Labor Day. See you back on Sunday. :) 

Business / Miscellaneous9 Tips to Help You Prepare to Work with a Ghostwriter: @livewritethriveWhich Kind(s) of Editing Does Your Novel Need? by Kate M. ColbyConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCLMP’s 10th Annual ‘Firecracker Awards’ Allocated in Five Categories for 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesYuval Noah Harari and Kohei Saito to Speak at Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationHow to Be Consistently Creative: from FreewriteCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Thrilling Novels Set on Greek Islands: by C. Michelle Lindley @electricliteratureCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: J. Ivanel Johnson’s Just a Stale Mate: @margotkinbergLove “The Bear”? Try These Delicious Culinary Books: by Megan Beauregard @booktribReading as an Author: @karencvWhat do you call a writer who doesn’t read books? @LisaPoissoCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessRedefining Success for Writers: Creativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeFinding and Joining the Perfect Writing Community for You: @TheLeighShulmanHow Much Does Your Environment Influence Your Writing? @SueColetta1How to Know When to Give Up on a Manuscript: @ellensteil @womenwritersUnravelling the Mystery of Agatha Christie’s Country Retreat: by Dean Jobb @crimereadsWHY Do We Do This Writing Thing? @JennyHansenCACan we really separate art and the artist? @nathanbransford18 Benefits of a Writing Retreat: @lisatenerMurder in Paperback: by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsChaos Is My Co-Pilot: In Praise of Tumultuous, Unruly Storytelling: by Jen Fawkes @lithub @literaryhubGenres / FantasyHow to Create a Believable Magic System in Your Fantasy Story: by Hannah Kate Kelley @janefriedmanGenres / HistoricalPivoting Genres And Writing Historical Fiction With Anna Sayburn Lane: @thecreativepennGenres / Humor7 Tips to Putting Physical Comedy in Your Story: by Charles YallowitzGenres / MiscellaneousWhat Exactly Makes a Romantasy — And What Are Your Favorite Examples? by R. Nassor @literaryreactor @reactormagGenres / MysteryInnocents Tainted by a Murder Investigation as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPromo / MetadataAmazon Book Keyword Rules Explained (2024 Update): @davechessonPromo / MiscellaneousKeeping the Perspective: Marketing Versus Writing: by Cynthia HilstonPromo / Social Media TipsSocial Media Sells: by Jennifer WindrowPromo / SpeakingMaximizing Your Earnings: Speaking as an Income Stream for Authors: @indieauthoralliPublishing / MiscellaneousWriting: Do Endorsements Help? @lindasclareSimon & Schuster Australia Acquires Affirm Press: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBarnes & Noble’s Len Riggio, Dead at Age 83: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesClaiming Censorship, US Publishers and Authors Sue Florida: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHow Publishing Works – A Primer: @DIYMFAPublishing / News / International PublishingIndia’s PRH: CEO Gaurav Shrinagesh Forms a Strategic Growth Committee: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s Access Copyright Foundation: 2024 Professional Development Grants: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s CBC Opens a New Literary Radio Program: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany’s Bavaria Awards €80,000 to Independent Publishers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Scotland: PRH UK Installs a Book-Vending Machine: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBertelsmann: Strong Showings in the First Half of 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA’s Congress Countdown: The 1,000 Actions Campaign for the SDGs: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhat’s Your Character Hiding? @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWriting Emotion: @roz_morris @thecreativepennWriting Craft / ConflictCan Misunderstandings Be the Reason for Conflict? by Oren AshkenaziWriting Conflict: Eating Crackers in Bed — Why Relationships Fail: by Laurie Schnebly CampbellWriting Craft / DialogueFive Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / HooksThe Hook (Secrets of Story Structure): @kmweilandDoes your book have enough hooks? @writenowcoachWriting Craft / Literary DevicesTypes Of Foreshadowing: @KMAllan_writerWriting Craft / MiscellaneousAuthorsplaining: What it is, How to Stop Doing it: @LauraDrakeBooksAce Atkins On Writing A Crime Novel Steeped in the Blues: @crimereadsThe Benefits of Writing the Static Scene: by Ian J. MillerQuick Writing Tip: Make a Note to Your Future Self in Your WIP: by Bucket SilerActive vs. Passive Writing: Energize Your Prose: by Suzanne LieuranceThe Promise and Peril of Using Curiosity in Fiction Writing: by Chris WinkleShow No Mercy to Clutter Phrases + Deepen Point of View: @SueColetta1 @storyempireHow to Write a Six-Word Story: In Six Steps: @themaltesetiger4 Strategies to Avoid Wordiness: from Literary VeinQuick Story Pacing Tip: Pause at the Threshold: by Bucket SilerWhen Your (Story) World Falls Apart: by John J Kelley @writerunboxedThe Unintentional Unreliable Narrator: by Sara Driscoll @crimereadsDo You Really Know How To “Show, Don’t Tell”? @SueColetta13 Simple Things Compelling Characters Need In Your Story: @bang2writeAll about creating mysteries in a novel: @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / POVMastering Multiple Points of View In Writing: @celinekeatingWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningOutlining: There’s More Than 1 Way to Do it: @cleemckenzie @theiwsgHow To Outline By the Seat of Your Pants: @Stepha_OBrienWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchMore Home Defense Techniques for Any Characters: @piperbayardProven Tips to Heighten Your Novel Research: @DiAnnMills @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Punctuation and Grammar14 Tips for Writing Plurals and Possessives: @TheGrammarDivaWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesSeeking Feedback for Your Writing Project: by Joy York @storyempireWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionCommon Mistakes Writers Make with Character Descriptions (and How to Avoid Them): by Nathaniel TowerWriting Tools / AppsHow to Organize Scrivener’s Binder for Novel Writing: @authorSATWriting Tools / MiscellaneousWhat To Do If You Lose Track Changes and Other Tips: by Kelly Sgroi

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Redefining Success

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Over Christmas last year, I had a bit of a zoo in my house. My husband and I added a young cat to our household, bringing our total to three: two cats and a dog. My daughter came over to spend the holiday with us, which was wonderful. She brought her two cats with her. One of her cats was not pleased with our newest addition, so the two had to be separated.

Because I get up the earliest (4 or 5), I was the one who fed the animals their breakfast. Ordinarily, I have a routine with the animals before I settle right down to my writing. I let the dog out, feed everyone, refill water bowls, empty litter, put away anything that’s not in its place, and sit down to work. That’s what I considered a successful start to my day.

During Christmas, however, I had to completely refine success. If everyone ate his or her own food and there were no cat fights in the process, I felt as if I’d done well.

I think it’s a good idea to go easy on ourselves when at all possible. So often, we’re much kinder to others than we are to ourselves.

One example of being kinder to ourselves is to not set ourselves up for failure. That’s why I had to scale back my all-important routine over the holidays. I also gave myself a break with my word count then because I realized it was going to be tougher to churn out words when there were animals running over my lap and keyboard all the time.

It’s late-August. How are your goals for the year going? It’s good to take an honest look at what you planned to accomplish in 2024. Were you asking too much of yourself? Do you need to scale things back and make them more reasonable? When I had small children in the house, I always made sure my goal was 15 minutes a day. It felt good to meet my goal and gain confidence while establishing a routine.

This doesn’t only apply to writing, of course. Can you redefine success in other ways so you can feel good about your accomplishments? Instead of unreasonable goals for exercise or diet, for example, can you make some minor changes like doing stretches or core exercises when you watch TV? Or adding an additional fruit to your day?

I’m not saying we should give ourselves carte blanche to ignore all our goals. But it can be good to revisit them, modify them, and redefine success in a way that gives us the sensation that we’re progressing.

How do you set smarter goals for yourself? Have you ever had to redefine success?

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / Miscellaneous5 Steps to Building a Strong Foundation for Your Writing Career: @colleen_m_storyIntuitive Discovery Writing And Serial Fiction With KimBoo York: @thecreativepennConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCatherine Taylor Wins London’s 2024 TLS Ackerley Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGerman Book Prize Issues Its 2024 Longlist of 20 Titles: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAbu Dhabi International Book Fair Extended to 10 Days: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationUnlock Your Writing Brain with Pen and Paper: by Paula MunierCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books in Which Swimming Says Something About Life: by Katherine Brabon @electricliteratureIn The Spotlight: Michael Lister’s The Night Of: @margotkinbergWe’re All Stuck in the Attic: “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: article by Sam Reader @litreactormagPsychological Thrillers In Which Houses Have Secrets Of Their Own: by Carrin Jade @crimereadsFive Works of Korean SFF in Translation: by Anton Hur @reactormag @literaryreactor8 Thrillers and Horror Novels Set at Terrible Summer Camps: @crime reads by Molly OdintzCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow to Fast Draft Chapters: @authorSATCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeUse Your Travel Experience to Transform Your Writing and Inspire Your Creativity: @KHutch0767 @ediemelsonVulnerability in Your Writing and Why it Matters: by Marina DelVecchioHow to talk about your creative work with others: @LisaPoissoDiscovery Writing Through Gaming: by Austin Conrad @sfwaHow To Recycle Writing Ideas: from The Well-Rounded WriterBoosting Creativity: How Clean, fresh Air Can enhance Your Writing Space: by Amanda WinsteadThe Pleasures of Pruning as a Writer: by Anne JanzerMeet the writers who garden against time: by Brittany Allen @literaryhub @lithubFor authors, envy is a dangerous motivator: @jbernoffOrganize Your Time with KDRI: @jamesscottbellTips for managing stress and anxiety as a writer: by Helena FairfaxDo We Need to Teach Children How to Read Online? by Nicholas Rossis @storyempireTop 8 Self-Care Ideas For Writers: @bang2writeGenres / FantasyPros and Cons of Having a Secret Telepath in the Cast: by Charles YallowitzGenres / MiscellaneousWhat is creative nonfiction? by Alessandra TorreGenres / MysteryFoster care as an element in crime fiction: @MargotKinbergHangovers as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / RomanceRomances With Multiple POVs: from MythcreantsPromo / BloggingLearn Your Blogging ABCs and Connect with Your Audience: @EdieMelsonPromo / MiscellaneousThe Platform Authors Need Now (That Isn’t Social Media): @guerillamemoir @janefriedmanEmbracing Humor in Your Writing: The Funny Side of Business: by Michael Stelzner @smexaminerFour Lessons I Learned From Giving My Novel Away: by J.U. ScribePromo / NewslettersNewsletter Marketing as a Creative Endeavor: @roz_morrisPromo / PlatformsBuild Your Brand: Tips: by Margot ConorPublishing / MiscellaneousAt Frankfurt: Programming Related to Artificial Intelligence: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLibrary of Congress: Not Just for Copyright Anymore: by Liz Gauffreau @storyempireUS Literary Publishers: CLMP Issues $350,000 in Hawthornden Grants: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesScholastic’s ‘Kids & Family Reading Report’: Parent Support: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAcademic Publishing: ‘Pledge To Open by Taylor & Francis: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataAAP StatShot’s 2023 Report: US Industry Revenues $29.9 Billion: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingNihar Malaviya Names Amanda D’Acierno To Lead PRH Audio Worldwide: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChina Bestsellers in July: Dreams of Red-Hot Book Sales: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / LegalitiesCan I Quote Song Lyrics In My Novel? by Dana Isaacson @careerauthorsWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentPet Peeve List – 75 Examples for Character Development: by Bryn DonovanConsider This … When Coming Up with Character Traits for Characters in Your Novel: @AneMulligan @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionDealing With Emotions on the Page: @lindasclareWriting Craft / MiscellaneousIs This an Unreliable Narrator? by Oren AshkenaziWhen Characters Need to Hide Superhuman Abilities: by Charles E. YallowitzThemes: be a leader, not a lecturer. Here’s how: @Roz_MorrisHow to Depict Stress and Trauma by Narrating Dissociation: by Fay Onyx, William Rain-Shadid, and Cristien StormThe Charm Factor in Your Writing: by N.L. Holmes @floridawriters1The Adverb Problem and Why Authors Should Care: by Gary Smailes7 Tips to Being a Fictional Spy: by Charles YallowitzWhat Does Your Narrator Care About? @DonMaass @writerunboxedWriting Craft / MoodUsing Light and Shadow to Convey Mood: @writers_helping_writers_angelaWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Plotting5 Reasons Story Structure Is Important: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchBuilding/Architectural Terms for Writers: from Hey WritersWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesSix Questions to Ask Beta Readers: @burke_writerWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionDescribing Scene Locations: from Writing Questions AnsweredWriting Craft / Word CraftingWords that Pack a Punch: @JanSikes3 @storyempireUncategorizedNow More than Ever: Write for the Person Who Needs Your Story: @foxprinted life

 

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How to Publish Your Books in Two Languages as a Bilingual Author

by Felicity Green

When I first started self-publishing in 2014, I was familiar with the German book market. I had worked at small publishing companies in Zurich, as an editor and in marketing, so I knew how to write, distribute, and market a book.

It made sense to write my first books in German, but I always planned to translate them. I definitely wanted to publish books in English. I’d studied Creative Writing at the University of Sussex, UK, and my first published short fiction had been in English. On top of that, I had experience as a literary translator. I’d worked for AmazonCrossing and translated works by indie authors from English to German and vice versa.

It seemed as if I had all the prerequisites to write my books in two languages and conquer both the German- and the English-speaking markets.

It is now ten years later, and I only now published my most successful series, the Scottish Witches paranormal cozy mysteries, in English. I am happy to report it is going well, but it was not easy—and I am many years behind in my original plan.

What happened?

I never seemed to “find” the time. My German books did well, and my readers wanted more of them. I was only too happy to oblige. It seemed much more creatively fulfilling and exciting to write new books instead of translating old ones.

And I tried and failed with the wrong series in 2016. It was the wrong genre. The books were a new novella series that later also turned out to be my worst selling German book series. I had poor covers, did not know how to get reviews, and, worst of all, I had no clue how to connect with my English readers. It took me a while to dust myself off and try again.

The good news is that I had plenty of opportunities to learn from my failures.

Here are a few tips for my fellow bilingual authors:

Budget time and energy well

You only have a finite amount of time and energy to give to this career. Saving money by doing your own translations (and everything else like formatting, distribution, and marketing) seems like a no-brainer at first, but that means you need to budget your time and energy differently. A translation takes a couple of months—months in which you could have written a new book. If you do most of the work yourself, you can publish fewer original works, even though you have more products to sell. Selling and marketing to readers in different countries takes double the time as well.

You need to weigh up what is most important to you.

Your primary resources to consider are money, time, energy, and control.

For example, it is risky to spend a couple of thousand dollars on a translation, since you might never recoup that money. But if doing the translation yourself robs you of your creative energy, it might not be worth it, either. I get a productivity kick out of translating a chapter a day, so it gives me energy. I don’t have a lot of time left to devote to writing, however, so that’s also something to bear in mind.
I don’t mind letting someone else handle marketing, but only for specific tasks, because I still want to maintain control over where my budget goes. Also, I like to be in close contact with my readers.

Get help

Once you have weighed up what financial investments, time, energy, and control are worth to you, you can decide about outsourcing.

If you want to write at least two or three books a year, and also translate and publish them in different languages, you simply can’t do everything by yourself.

Getting help doesn’t always need to be expensive, by the way. You can build up your newsletter list with newsletter swaps, for example, and then ask fans on your list if they want to join your ARC team. A lot of advanced readers leave not only a review upon publication, they also happily let you know typos, so you don’t need to pay an expensive proofreader (if you are okay with letting a few mistakes slip through the cracks).

Hire a good editor

This is one area where it does not pay off to be stingy, in my opinion.

First of all, just because you speak the language, doesn’t mean you are a good translator. There is an art to an excellent translation. AI tools have improved vastly in the last few years, but there is no replacing a human being with expertise. By all means, use AI, like DeepL, to help with the translation. I use it myself for the first draft, as I prefer it to a blank page. It still takes me two months to rewrite the AI draft. And I gladly pay my editor and proofreader to whip that draft into final shape. Also consider who—and where—your target readers are. My ideal reader is from the US, someone who dreams of traveling to Scotland. I speak UK English, so I hired an editor from the US.

Connect with readers

One of my biggest mistakes when I failed in 2016 was not to connect with my English readers. You cannot just publish a book into the void. That doesn’t mean you have to write to market, but once your book is done, you absolutely have to consider who your readers are and how you can reach them.

In 2016, there was literally a big ocean between me and the readers I wanted to connect with. I did not know how to cross it. This time, I spent a bit of time building up my English newsletter before I published the first book in the series. I set a budget aside for ads as well as inexpensive services to do newsletter swaps and joined promotions of the free book I send to every new newsletter subscriber, NO REST FOR THE WICKED WITCH.

It was worth it. I get quite personal in my welcome email sequence and talk about the trip to Scotland that inspired the Scottish Witches Mystery series. I love getting emails from my readers in response, so I can get to know them better.

Other authors might be better suited to connecting with readers on social media, for instance, in FB groups.

There are also inexpensive services that match authors with reviewers, like Booksirens and Booksprout. I found them very useful. I connected with reviewers who are now fans of the series.

Remember, you are in charge

If all this sounds A LOT—it is. But always remember that you are in charge. This is your career, and you should enjoy it! Do you have to translate your books and publish them in different languages, just because you are bilingual? No. You can still hire a translator, sell the rights to foreign publishers, or stick with books in one language.

We indie authors have so many opportunities and are always susceptible to FOMO. In truth, we are bound to miss out on chances to grow our careers all the time. We can only listen to our hearts and guts to know what to focus on. So you do what suits you best.

And don’t forget to have fun with it. I had to get over a lot of pressure and anxiety to try again with my English books.

As writers, we have the privilege of making a living with what we love. And even if we do not make a living with it, we chose to spend our time doing it, because we are so passionate about it. So we might as well enjoy it and do what feels good!

 

Felicity Green is the best-selling fantasy and paranormal mystery author of the Scottish Witches Mysteries and over 30 other books, in English and German.

A German native, Felicity spent over a decade in England, studying English literature and drama and pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. She toured the British Isles with theater groups and fell in love with all those magical places in England, Scotland, and Ireland that continue to inspire her novels. Once Felicity started writing her own plays, she knew she had found her calling. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from University of Sussex.

When Felicity isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys traveling, yoga, hiking, and trying out new recipes. Felicity lives at the German-Swiss border with her husband, her daughters, and an idiosyncratic Maine Coon cat.

www.felicitygreenauthor.com

 

How to Publish Your Books in Two Languages as a Bilingual Author by @AntjeFelicity:
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