April 2025
Indie Spring
Happy Spring and happy indie April everyone!
April is a special time of the year for independent authors like myself to celebrate and be celebrated by our fellow authors and the writing community. A popular theme of April is Indie April.
If you know any indie authors, help them out by leaving reviews on their work, telling people about your favorite writers, and participating in the many sales happening this month.
I have another jam packed newsletter for everyone this month. Topics include the following:
A reflection of my experience as a self published author. (Things that I think worked, things that didn’t work, and some information that may be helpful to other up and coming self publishing authors)
Author Interview with the wonderful Lisa (more known by her pen name of Morgan)
A list of independent Authors I think are worth checking out.
Sale information
Self Publishing: A Path of Gold or Sorrow?
So, as many of you know, I decided to self publish my debut novel Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make. I had tried for three years to get an agent, but seemed to be getting the same replies, “Great concept, I just can’t sell a zombie novel right now.”; “Love your writing, but zombies are a hard sell.”
Over and over I got positive comments (when it wasn’t a form rejection) that I had a unique concept, but the genre was a hard seller.
So after querying over a 100 agents, I received only 2 full requests and 1 partial. I felt defeated, and that I had made a mistake trying to be an author…
Thankfully I had very supportive friends and family that read my story, and encouraged me not to give up.
After failing at getting an agent, I explored other options for releasing my book into the world. The choices were: go with a smaller indie publisher, or just do it on my own.
Personally as I researched indie presses, I felt it would be a bit of a dis-service to me and my tale of a mixed monster universe akin to Supernatural, that imbued a slow burn romance in between the overall plot of preventing a zombie apocalypse.
Why a dis-service? From what I found, most of the smaller presses used the same methods of publishing that I could do on my own if I self published. They utilized the same publishing sources like Ingram Spark and Amazon to print the books…but took a portion of your royalties as payment.
I’m not saying that I am one of those people that just writes for the money…but it is difficult to work full time and dedicate time to writing. So having extra money available from my book sales gives me more opportunity to work less and produce more stories…
Another reason I shied away from indie presses, is that I would lose some creative control over my work…I know what some people are probably thinking…the same would have been if I had an agent. I get that too, but with an agent you still have someone that can help advocate for you with decisions made by the publisher. I consider an agent like your “book lawyer”. With an indie press you don’t have that middle person to help you navigate. You have to be careful with the contracts that you sign, and the rights you are signing to them to print your novel.
Now I’m not bashing Indie presses. There are some very good eggs out there that are very author friendly. I’ll get into the positives of indie presses in a few as well.
With self publishing I had full creative control over my work. I was able to design EVERYTHING. The cover, the interior layout and formatting, and the final form the story would take.
So after careful consideration and research, I decided to take the plunge into self publishing.
What Were the Costs and Benefits of Self Publishing?
As I mentioned earlier, full creative control of my work was one of the biggest deciding factors for me. I knew from the beginning I wanted to put my best foot forward, and that meant finding an editor. This was also one of my biggest expenses.
I started with seeking an editor that I felt would be a good fit for my strange monster book. Thankfully, due to friends in the writing community, I came across Ed Crocker. I have to say that I am very thankful for having him as an editor.
Not only did he love my story of quirky fowl mouthed monster hunters, he preserved my voice in my writing. Whenever I had minor panic attacks as snippets of my work started floating into the world, he was very supportive, and talked me down the aggressive re-writing hill I kept climbing up. I highly recommend seeking him out if you are in need of an editor. He’s a good egg. (He’s also a published Author and his debut, Lightfall, is out in the wilds receiving great praise which it deserves, so check it out…especially if you enjoy a unique take on vampires).
The second most important thing for me was the cover design and interior formatting of the book. I wanted it to be unique, yet also nostalgic of the zombie horror video game genre that heavily influenced early drafts of my novel. I was lucky enough to have a background in art and design so I could save on costs in that category.
I drew my cover using a mixture of drawing apps on my computer and tablet, paying homage to a book and game series that influenced my work early on, Resident Evil. I wanted all the Resident Evil vibes in my cover art. I have a previous newsletter where I go in depth on my cover design here.
The interior of the book was just as important as the exterior. To do this I had to research publishing programs that gave me more creative freedom. I already knew I was going to use Amazon as one of my publishing sources, but felt their publishing format software was too limiting.
I instead invested in using Atticus. It allowed me to make custom chapter breaks and headings. Which looked really cool in the print versions of the novel. Atticus did have a cost of about $147, but it was also an investment for future projects, so I was happy to invest in it.
Other financial costs to me included investing in my own set of ISBN numbers and copywriting my work. By purchasing my own ISBN numbers, it allowed me to distribute outside of Amazon, utilizing Ingram Spark. I do suggest if you are using Ingram, DO NOT ALLOW RETURNS. This is the biggest mistake I see indie authors make. By allowing returns, you are setting yourself up for hefty debt when bookstores return your unsold stock. You can still get your novel sold through major book retailers without returns, by sticking to their online ordering or Print on Demand.
Bookstores can still get your novels on their shelf if they want to as well, but you won’t get stuck with the bill if any novels don’t sell.
Copywriting my work officially was another important thing, because it protected the rights to my characters and stories from pirating. (If you’re in the US, it only costs $65 for an application).
All together I spent probably around $1500 to produce my book. (This total also includes marketing items I purchased, proof copies, and shipping products for custom pre-orders/giveaways).
My book was out in the world on August 23rd of 2024.
Not Quite a Roar…More of a Whisper:
So my book is out in the world…now what? I never expected a lot of adds to GoodReads “want to read” list, or a large collection of reviews, but…I was not prepared by how HARD it would be to scream into the void about my book.
Most of my time since release has just been advertising my novel to get more copies in the world while seeking anything I can find to be able to talk about my novel. How can people read it if they have never heard of it?
One of the biggest struggles I have had was finding reviews and blurbs…Maybe I didn’t give enough time between release and ARCs? Maybe I asked the wrong people? I don’t think I adequately spread the news about my release. I struggled to find reviewers willing to take a chance on an unknown like me. My ARC request list was low. I still struggle today to find other reviewers.
There are websites out there like book siren and Netgalley, but I feel they are unattainable for a restricted individual budget. I have to admit, this is one area where having an indie publisher to back you is a benefit. They can pay the high costs of Netgalley to get your book in front of as many reviewers as possible prior to release. Thus ensuring the opportunity for more sales and a wider audience.
Another advantage of indie presses is that they can also assist you with getting author events, readings, and interviews to continue to help promote your book. (Though many authors with indies are still doing a lot of this leg work on their own without press support).
Despite these issues, I am still happy and hopeful for my novel. I plan to publish additional stories myself in the future applying what lessons I have learned from this experience. With time I hope more people will discover my writing, and fall in love with my characters as much as I am.
Interview: LKMorgan_X
As someone who struggled to find a voice in the writing community, I wanted to make an area to highlight people that are not already published, but still working and getting their work out in the world. That’s why with this newsletter I plan to spread the word on published and notable unpublished writers through fun interviews and story snippet shares.
This week I have Morgan, better known as LKMorgan on Twitter and Bluesky.
I know I've already introduced you, but introduce yourself! Always a fun ice breaker, say something interesting about yourself. Oh! Or tell us two truths and a lie…see what people can figure out…hehe
Hi, I’m Lisa, but most people on the writing social world call me by my pen name Morgan. Hmmm, something interesting about myself, I’m easily distracted by squirrels, does that count?
I love a guess the lie game…
I lived in Canada for five years.
I once got a death threat.
I’m scared of heights.
Oh I do hope the lie is the death threat…That’s scary if it’s true!
What got you into writing?
I was never a big reader as a kid, most likely down to being an undiagnosed dyslexic. However, I was always creating worlds in my head and the ring leader in imagination games with my friends. So I think the foundations have always been there. I actually started writing in 2018 after reading Karen Lynch’s Relentless series. I picked the book up on a whim and couldn’t put it down. I loved all the tropes and world building. It spurred me on to finally put the story that had been playing on repeat in my head down.
Oh, and I am glad it did. You are an amazing writer that creates such interesting characters!
Okay, dogs or cats?
Cats. I love dogs, and my friends have amazing cute pups i love to snuggle up with but I ain’t walking in the freezing rain and scrapping poop of the pavement. Cats are independent and sassy, but fiercely loving as well. I have two cats Cas who is a bengal cat, and Milo a tuxedo cat. They are my little writing buddies and often snuggle up with me while I dump my imagination onto the page.
I have been a dog and cat owner, and I have never really thought about it like that before, haha. Definitely prefer the lower maintenance of cats over dogs. (Love the kitty names btw. I see what you did there lol)
Advice for querying authors…(Or if you self published, any words of wisdom you learned from the process?)
Don’t take feedback personally. It’s hard when you receive feedback and it doesn’t always come in a supportive or constructive way. I’ve learned to have a thicker skin to it, walk away and come back with fresh eyes. There is a reason they gave that feedback, work out why and if implementing it is the direction you want to go in.
Oh the feedback, if you are lucky enough to get it, when querying can be very soul draining. I think having a good community of friends definitely helps a bit with sifting through the negative side of querying.
Okay, you can only choose one…whose your favorite character you've written?
100% Jodie - Her book is a long term project I’ve been writing on and off for four years now, and a slightly tamer version her playing a role in a secret group project also. Her story is very dark and I have to be in the right frame of mind to write about her. She’s a vigilant with a crooked moral compass who finds her way back to the right side of the law.
I absolutely love Jodie. I’m happy that I was given a chance to get to know her, and really look forward to her book when you finish it.
Favorite Genre to read vs write?
I am a complete sucker for Romantasy and the fated mate tropes, and those are my main go to comfort reads. Romance usually features in some form or another within my stories but I haven’t written a full romance yet, my stories tend to focus on darker, troubled characters with snarky attitudes, but I have an idea for how a romance can slow burn further with potential sequels of my current wip.
As someone who also writes troubled characters with snarky attitudes, I see no reason why they can’t also have romance. I say do it! I feel imperfect characters are more real on the page, and I feel myself cheering for them more when they get that little chance at happiness!
Thank you so much Morgan for answering my interview questions. For those interested in following her on her publishing journey, you can follow her at her socials. Twitter/X: LKMorgan_X; Bluesky: LKMorganX.bsky.social.
Authors worth a follow and a Read:
Over the last few years I have gotten to know quite a few independent authors that I definitely recommend checking out their work. Here’s a brief list:
Althea Lyons > Seer of York Series
L.N. Bayen > The Wingspan of Treason Series
Lily Lawson > Various collections of poetry and kids lit
Joao Silva > Seeds of War Series
Rudy Alleyne > Traversing the Void (Short story anthology)
Sale? Sale! SALE!!!
Finally to close out this months newsletter I wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be offering my debut novel, Z.E.R.O: Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives on sale for 99 cents starting April 12th. It will be available at this price until April 16th.
So if I haven’t dissuaded you yet from reading my zombie horroromance novel, please check it out here: https://books2read.com/u/mV1V1J
I hope some people found this month’s newsletter helpful if you are still sitting on the fence about self publishing. My experience is by no means a typical experience. There are others that have been way more successful and done other things for their books.
Next month’s issue might be late as I will be dealing with a new little human, hehe. I hope it’s full of exciting new news for everyone. Until next time!