Article Writer For Hire
  • Article Writer For Hire
  • Intent-sive Nature
    • Our Books
  • Writing, Web, Business, & Tech
    • Writing Tips Journal
    • Brand Shamans Brand Healing Journal
    • Write W.A.V.E. Media Thought Leadership & Tech Blog
    • The Bibliophile's Library Journal - Books, Reviews, News, & Info
    • Penning Your World - A Creative Writing Journal
    • The One-and-Only Internet Money Making Guide!
    • Monsters Within Us - An Otherworldly Journal of Monstrous Incantations
    • Be a Writer!
    • FREE Guest Post Submissions!
  • Services
    • Author & Book Marketing Services
    • Social Media & Branding
    • Content Writing & Editing
    • Premium Bulk SEO Articles & Blog Posts
    • Advertising & Guest Posts
    • Ready-Made Content
    • FREE Virtual Assistant (VA) Consultation
    • Custom Jewelry-Making
    • Healing Readings & Talismans
  • Society & Causes
    • Causes We Support
    • Speak Up!; A Homelessness & Social Justice Journal
    • Animal Advocacy >
      • Animal Advocacy & Healthy Pet Parenting Journal
      • Positive Pet Parenting Journal
      • Raising Pet Positive Kids
      • Super Mom...Kind Of
      • Pawsitively Adventurous Pets
      • Purrely Pawsitive and Barkably Amazng Pet Training Tips
      • Dog Praising
      • Spirit of the Wild - Lands and Animals
      • Sounds of Nature
    • Motivational Friends Inspirational Journal
    • Straight Up LGBTQ Journal
    • Colorful Expressions
    • Inner Healing & Spirituality Journal
  • About Us & Contact
    • About Us & Contact Us
    • Lyn Lomasi
    • Become an Affiliate!
  • Family & Home
    • Kymani's Travels - Family Travel Journal
    • The Nova Skye Story - Family Journal
    • Upstream Parenting Journal
    • Life & Home Journal
    • Momtrepreneur Moments - A Business Mom's Journal
    • Successful Relationships; A Heart-Focused Journal
    • Better Plumbing Blog
  • News & Travel
    • RV'ing Successfully - A Family Roadschooling & Travel Journal
    • Hometown Love - A Local Journal
    • News Articles
    • Sports Break Journal
  • Education
    • Free Learning Education Journal
    • Heart 'N Mind Homeschool Journal
    • Free Homeschool Worksheets
  • Health & Beauty
    • Whole Body Health, Healing, & Medicine Journal
    • Good Eats for the Soul - Vegan Diet, Recipes, & Food Journal
    • Fash Diva - A Clothing, Shoes, & Fashion Journal
    • Naturally Simple - A Self-Care & Beauty Journal
    • Senior Living
    • Disabilities Blog
    • Green Living Articles
  • Fun & Games
    • Gaming Successfully
    • Luna Starlight Comics
    • Crafting Successfully Arts & Crafts Journal
    • Culture Carnival; A Festival, Tradition, & Holiday Journal
    • Mouthy Momtrepreneur - A Feisty Business Mom's Journal
    • Clowning Around - A Family Clown & Carnival Journal
    • Music Articles
    • Entertainment Articles
    • Humor Treasure Trove; A Funny Comedy Journal
  • Partners
    • Content Revival
    • Better Plumbing - Commercial Residential Plumbers - Denver, CO
    • Authors, Large and Small (ALAS)
    • Stephanie Nolan - Helping People Work-from-Home Daily!
    • Odds and Ends of a Wondering Mind
    • Paranormal Messages


If you like our work, please consider a tip to support our family’s journey. No amount is too small. We appreciate you and we do this for you! You may utilize either of the following methods:
Cash App: $BrandShamans
Venmo: @BrandShamans
PayPal: PayPal.me/BrandShamans.


A Writer’s Interview on the Self-Publishing Experience: Just Write the Damn Thing!

4/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture"Snowbound" author Sarah Winter, used with permission by the author
by Amy Kampstra, Contributing Writer

An independent and voracious reader tends to be a better author. That may be partly why bonafide word addict, Sarah Winter, effortlessly weaved together a spicy, character-driven plot in her romance novel, Snowbound. 

Throughout the pages, Liam and River are two 30-somethings stuck together in a Wyoming cabin during the blizzard of the century. He is a flourishing movie star from Europe, and she’s a tomboy living in the middle of nowhere after cancer rips her life apart. Is this change meeting merely life-saving or will it allow them to live their lives to the fullest?

Then, Winter didn’t stop with writing the thing! She took the reins, embracing the newness of self-publishing with an open mind, navigating through the steps like a bright reader charting the dark waters of a Stephen King novel. 

Yes, self-publishing involves a plethora of tasks that can make any top-notch writer stuff their manuscript in their nightstand and dream about their dream of words in print -- instead of actually going for it. 

Whether you love or hate her first novel, Winter vows to accept all positive comments and criticisms with open arms. Yet, she makes no apologies for her first effort. She believes authors need to give themselves permission: to read, write and explore self-publishing. 

Heed her words! Winter’s Snowbound (2014) was a quarter-finalist in the most recent Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Amy Kampstra: Can you share a bit about the scope and process of self-publishing for fellow authors that may be considering or even starting their own self-publishing venture?

Sarah Winter: It takes longer to design a cover for the book than to actually have it ready for sale. Createspace is an Amazon company, so getting the book on paperback and Kindle at the same time is part of the process, and choosing your sales channels is another. Through just one simple step-by-step online process, I was able to make Snowbound available through every channel that a traditional publisher can. Self-publishing, once you have a finished manuscript, is easier than I expected.


AK: As a self-published author, how do you market or advertise your book? And, is it more work to write the book or actually market it yourself?

SW: I use social media and have the book listed on every website I can find that doesn't charge to list books that are available for sale. Tweets, Pins, and Facebook posts drive traffic to the sales pages and
to my blog as well. Also, by entering the Amazon contest, my book got exposure to the other entrants through the message boards associated with the contest.

I think the ratio of work on a self-published book is about 15 percent writing, 30 percent editing, and 55 percent marketing, especially if you don't have money set aside for marketing. If you're looking through free marketing options, a lot of time and effort get spent on that. Everything that a publisher handles for you when they sign you to a book deal, you have to do yourself. It's quite an undertaking.


AK: What is the best thing about having your words in print?

SW: Seeing a book on a shelf with my name on it. It's satisfying to have done something even I wasn't sure I would ever do. I can't lie though; royalties aren't bad either even if they don't amount to much.


AK: Now that you've penned your first novel, is there anything you'd do differently if you could do it all over again? For example, the recent buzz is that author J.K. Rowling now seems to have regrets about her choice to have Harry Potter characters, Ron and Hermione, end up together. And, she's written a short story about Harry and friends in their 30s. A) Would you have done something different with your plot or certain characters? B) Is it a possibility that you will resurrect your characters in future projects?

SW: I don't think I've had time to really think about what I'd do differently. I'm happy with the way Snowbound turned out, and don't think there's really anything I would change about it right now. It's always possible I could resurrect them in a new work, but I don't see that happening just yet, either. I've left the cabin for now.


AK: Do you have any goals left for "Snowbound"? That is, are you looking at shopping it around to publishing houses, selling a certain amount of books in a set amount of time, or entering more contests?

SW: I would love to get it published by a traditional house, and I will probably shop it to agents starting next summer, once I have another work released. (I'm shooting for a January release of my second novel).

I intend on entering one of the two in the Amazon contest next year, and hope it works out as well as it did this year.



AK: In retrospect, would you have done something different with the marketing or publishing of your book?

SW: The only different choices I could really have made are ones that are still available to me, even after publishing. I still have the option of getting my work accepted by agents and publishers, so I don't think
I went wrong or made a decision that I regret. I would have set aside some funds for marketing campaigns, but with two young kids there's always somewhere that money needs to be other than paying for promotion.


AK: Why do you write under a pseudonym? Would you advise other authors to do so?

SW: There are several reasons people choose pseudonyms. My motives are really simple. I like the surname Winter, but also it's for a separation of the two versions of me: the mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend; and the writer. It’s a matter of personal choice and, if you have a pseudonym you want to write under, go for it.

Pseudonyms have been used since publicized writing began for people who are trying to break into a genre dominated by the opposite gender. The Bronte sisters each used male names when they were first
published. Benjamin Franklin wrote under three different women's names, one of them in direct protest to women being punished for having illegitimate children while the fathers went unpunished. Romance author Leigh Greenwood is the pseudonym for Harold Lowry, who served as the president of the Romance Writers of America for two years.


AK: Are more Sarah Winter novels (or other works) on the way?

SW: I mentioned it in an earlier question. I have another romance novel in the works that I hope to release in January just like Snowbound. We'll see how it goes, as I plan to go back to work part-time this fall.


AK: On your blog you've written a past post in regard to authors giving themselves permission to write. Can you tell readers and any fellow writers a bit more about this concept, and do you have any other honest and helpful tips for anyone stuck on penning their first novel?

SW: Giving yourself permission, to me, is just about letting go of your hang-ups. They're your hang-ups to have, but they're also your hang-ups to let go of. It ultimately comes down to a choice: you either give up
your hang-ups or you give up your dream. It's unpleasant to think about those two options, but they're really what it all boils down to.

I don't mince words so for other advice, I say this: stop dicking around and write the damn thing. It's not going to get written by the excuses you make for not getting it done. If you're stuck on page five and make excuses for why [you] don't write for ten years, you're still only going to have five pages of a novel and 10 fewer years to write it in.





If you like our work, please consider a tip to support our family’s journey. No amount is too small. We appreciate you and we do this for you! You may utilize either of the following methods:
Cash App: $BrandShamans
Venmo: @BrandShamans
PayPal: PayPal.me/BrandShamans.



Content Manifested by Brand Shamans.
The Brand Shamans can help take your website, brand, product, or business to another level. We've been providing content, web, & branding services since 2005!



Gift Cards

Shop

Business Success Services

Shop

Original Artwork

Shop

Healing Jewelry And Talismans

Shop

Custom Healing Products And Services

Shop

Essential Oils, Spiritual Oils, And Aromatherapy

Shop

Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care

Shop

Rituals, Herbs, And Altar Supplies

Shop

Protection

Shop

Orgone or Orgonite

Shop

Wands

Shop

Yoga and Meditation

Shop

Crystals and Gemstones

Shop

Books & Media

Shop

Education & Homeschool Resources

Shop

Clothing

Shop

Decor and Home Accents

Shop

RV, Camping, and Auto

Shop


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    WRITING TIPS JOURNAL

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    FREE REPORT!!!!

    Picture

    FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

    Stephanie Laursen-Nolan
    Crystal S. Kauffman
    Jeanne Frost

    OWNER

    Lyn Lomasi
    Picture
    Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!

    Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change.

    They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same.

    By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer,  and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family!

    HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN  |  CONTACT LYN

    Highly Recommended

    Picture
    Picture
    Sign up for a free account to publish your free website using this special link and we both earn $10!
    Need help creating your website? Create your site at Weebly.com!
    Hootsuite: Social Relationship Platform

    Archives

    July 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    July 2011
    April 2011
    March 2010
    January 2009

    Categories

    All
    Advice For Writers
    Alice In Wonderland
    Applications
    Apps
    Art
    Articles
    Article Theft
    Article Writers
    Article Writing
    Associated Content
    Audience
    Authenticity
    Author Profile
    Authors
    Back Up Work
    Bad
    Be You
    Blogging
    Blogging For Business
    Blog Posts
    Blog Writing
    Book Reviews
    Branding
    Bubblews
    Business
    Careers
    #caturday
    ChatAbout
    Clean Web Copy
    Clients
    Coding
    Commenting
    Comments
    Communication
    Community
    Community Management
    Community Managers
    Computer Issues
    Concentration
    Confusion
    Connections
    Consistency
    Content
    Content Creation
    Content-theft
    Content Writing
    Contract Writing
    Copyright
    Copyright Laws
    Creative
    Creativity
    Demands
    Dialogue
    Dialogue Writing
    Digital Millenium Copyright Act
    Disorganized
    DIY Tech
    DMCA
    Dreams
    Earning
    Easy
    Editing
    Editors
    Effort
    Email
    Empower
    Empowering
    Errors
    Etiquette
    Evergreen Content
    Exercise
    Expectations
    Expertise
    Facebook
    Facebook Fan Page
    Failures
    Family
    Fans
    Feedback
    Fiction Writing
    Focus
    Followers
    Formatting
    Forums
    Freelance Writing
    Free Photos
    Friends
    Fun
    Gaming The System
    Get Paid
    Get Paid To Sites
    Goal Lists
    Goals
    Google
    Grammar
    Grammar Fuck-ups
    Guidelines
    Habits
    Headlines
    Helping Others
    Html
    Html Link
    Html Template
    Humanity
    Hyperlink
    Ickiness
    Icky
    Ideas
    Image Use
    Information
    Inspiration
    Intent
    Interaction
    Interesting
    Internet Errors
    Jobs
    +K
    Keep It 100
    Klout
    Klout.com
    Klout Tips
    Language
    Leaders
    Learning
    Lists
    Lyn Lomasi
    Make Money
    Marketing
    Mentors
    Mistakes
    Mobile Applications
    Money
    Motivation
    Multiple Computers
    Multitasking
    Music
    Negative Feedback
    Negativity
    Netiquette
    Networking
    Newsletters
    Notifications
    Objective
    Obligation
    Obtaining Clients
    Online Profile
    Online Resume
    Online Writing
    Organization
    Outlines
    Parenting
    Passion
    Passwords
    Pay Attention
    Paying It Forward
    Pay It Forward
    Pen Names
    Pinterest
    Plans
    Positive Feedback
    Positivity
    Potential
    Productivity
    Promotion
    Proofreaders
    Proofreading
    Pseudonyms
    Publishing
    Punctuation
    Purpose
    Quick Web Writing Tips
    Quotations
    Rabbit Hole
    R.A. Rowell
    Reader Response
    Readers
    Reciprocal +K
    Reciprocal Views
    Reciprocation
    Rejection
    Reprints
    Research
    Resume
    Reviews
    Richard Rowell
    Risk Taking
    Scamming
    Scams
    Schedules
    Scheduling
    Search Engine Rankings
    Seo
    Simple
    Simplicity
    Singing
    Social
    Social Distancing
    Social Media
    Social Media Tips
    Social Networking Tips
    Spam
    Speed
    Spelling
    Stacey Carroll
    Submissions
    Success
    Summer
    System Errors
    Target Audience
    Team Building
    Teamwork
    Technical Support
    Templates
    Time
    Timing
    Titles
    Titling
    Traffic
    Trust
    Truth
    Twitter
    Typos
    Unique
    Unorganized
    Value
    Variance
    Web Applications
    Web Profile
    Website
    Web Writing
    Web Writing Tips
    Windows 8
    Words
    Word Usage
    Workaholics
    Workaholism
    Work At Home
    Work Fast
    Work Online
    Worth
    Write Fast
    Write More
    Write Online
    Writer Profile
    Writer Promotion
    Writers
    Writer's Block
    Writer Website
    Write W.A.V.E. Media
    Writing
    Writing Advice
    Writing Buddy
    Writing Clients
    Writing Gigs
    Writing Ideas
    Writing Myths
    Writing Peers
    Writing Sites
    Writing Success
    Writing Tips
    Yahoo
    Yahoo Contributor Network
    Yahoo! Contributor Network
    YCN

COMPANY & SUPPORT

About Us & Contact
Brand Healing Journal
Become an Affiliate!
Disclosure, TOU, Disclaimer, & Privacy Policy
Become A Writer!

ALL SITES

Brand Shamans
Life Successfully
Intentsive Nature
Write W.A.V.E. Media
Pawsitive Parenting

Guest Post Writers

Daily Cashouts
GoSteady.me
Article Writer For Hire
Lyn Lomasi
Heart 'N Mind Homeschool    
Pre-K Yoga
Kids Chakra

Legit Cash Now
Souls Within
Better Plumbing (Partner Site)

© 2005 - 2020 Article Writer for Hire by Brand Shamans Content Community
Photos used under Creative Commons from daniel_iversen, quinn.anya, Tambako the Jaguar, tranchristopher5, hitsnooze, Mads Boedker, mortsan, simbiosc, One Way Stock, Cory M. Grenier