Chapter 8: Questions on Questions

Hello again, my dear readers!  I am so terribly sorry about my lack of posting these past few weeks.  My internship has exhausted me far past what I originally expected.  But, the hiatus is officially ended!   I sat here thinking how best to kick back off my writer’s blog, and then realized: I have a sister who just so happens to be a published authors.  As to not overwhelm her, I kept this interview short; but, I thought you’d enjoy hearing some responses from the beloved Kristen Brand.

Question #1: What were the biggest factors in your decision to become an indie author rather than traditionally publish?

I’d been thinking about self-publishing for a while, as Hero Status had gotten rejection after rejection from traditional publishers and agents. I thought Hero Status was great, but part of me still worried I was biased and the book wasn’t as good as I thought. But then it happened! A small but respectable publisher was starting a digital-first imprint and acquired my book. Success at last!

Three months later, I got an email from the press saying that they’d acquired too many books and unfortunately had to drop some authors—including me. Now, they were a class act about the whole thing and returned my rights (You hear horror stories from authors where less reputable presses did no such thing), but it was still disappointing. And yet. And yet, these publishing professionals had deemed my nerdy little book good enough to acquire. That was the outside validation I needed, and I decide to go ahead and publish Hero Status myself.

Question #2: How did you decide on your editor?  Cover artist?

There are loads of freelance editors and cover artists out there whom indie authors can hire, some good, and some not so much. The key is research. There are online resources out there with lists of recommended editors, but instead of taking the word of some random person on the internet, I think it’s better to look at some of your favorite indie authors and see who they hired. Authors will usually thank their editors at the end of the book, so this isn’t as hard as it sounds. I approached my editor because she worked on one of my favorite fantasy series, and I didn’t remember seeing so much as a single comma out of place when I read those books.

As for cover art, I went with an artist recommended by a friend and fellow author. That’s another great strategy: hang out on forums with other indie authors and see who they had good experiences working with. And of course, look at other covers the artist has done in your genre.

Question #3: What has been your biggest challenge as an indie author?

Definitely marketing. I think I’m like most authors in that I like to write, not sell things. Figuring out how to get more people to buy my books has been a challenge—but a fun one. The indie author community is great about sharing strategies and helping each other out, and I’ve learned so much since I got started. I read plenty of blog posts and listen to podcasts on the subject (The Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast is a favorite), and while I’m better at it than I used to be, I still have a long way to go.

Question #4: You’ve a two-book superhero series with one set to be published later this year.  What’s it been like to try to take over a genre that’s considered to be an “unmarketable” genre?

It’s funny that superhero fiction doesn’t have a bigger place on the shelves of bookstores. With superhero movies being so popular and profitable, you’d think there’d be a ton of superhero books out there, but I haven’t found that to be the case. Still, there are definitely readers who love the genre. It may not be as popular as something like paranormal romance, but plenty of indie authors have found success by serving a smaller niche.

Question #5: Do you have any advice for people considering self-publishing that you wish you knew?

I’d probably advise people that if you’re writing a series, wait until you have two or three books finished before you publish the first—at least if you’re a slow writer like I am. Putting books out three or so months apart can help give your series momentum and keep it selling well. Being able to publish so fast is one of the major advantages indies have over traditionally published authors, since it keeps your books fresh in your readers’ minds.

Compare that to me, who publishes one book every year or so, and…yeah. It’s an area where I have definite room for improvement.

Question #6: Where can these readers find you and stay updated on your writing whereabouts?

You can find me at my author website, KristenBrand.com. It has information about my books plus free superhero fiction you can read online. I’m also on Twitter at @BrandedKristen, where I talk about writing updates, comic books, and other randomness.

Change of Scenery

Today my family is off to visit the Smokey Mountains for a few days.  Even if I wasn’t a nature-lover, I would be happy.  For three weeks, I’ve been stuck in my house.  Don’t get me wrong; I’ve enjoyed using the time to both write and catch up on my reading.  Still, I’m going a little crazy here.  Hopefully the change of scenery will be inspiring and spark my imagination!

Chapter 1: Author vs. Finals

There’s a theory the human race invented called time, and it’s safe to say I don’t have enough of it.  I feel like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, always fretting about being late and never doing what I need to on time.   I’m always racing the clock trying to scramble things together.  The simple answer is to organize and schedule, but my brain is far too chaotic for that to be made a reality.

Take my current situation, for example.  Every college student’s greatest enemy sits at my doorstep: finals.  I just finished my first one (Cost Accounting… ew) and have one more on Thursday.  Luckily, I’m finishing out my minor in Education this semester, so my remaining classes only have projects/papers instead of exams.

So, what should a good student be doing at this time?  Studying.  What am I doing?  Writing this blog.

I imagine, even after college, part-time authors generally have a non-related full- time job.  For me, it’ll be financial consulting with an amazing company.  That’s not bad in itself, but it dictates the job that pays the bills to keep a roof over my head as more important than my literary passion.  And, there’s the little bump in the road that no one tells you: life gets in the way.

Whether it be family problems, finals week, an upcoming deadline, busy season, or anything  really – those things don’t halt just because you have a sudden burst of inspiration.  Reality bites with no guilt, and works on its own time.  Perhaps that’s why we like to write; we can escape its cruel ways, if even for a little while.

I was a freshman in college when I first learned the beauty of a daily planner.  They even had one for students specifically designed to start in August.  At the beginning of every semester, I sit down and write in my planner all of the homework assignments and tests that I have to get done by when.  For the first few weeks, I always put notes on each day reminding myself to get ahead on some big paper or whatnot.  It never lasts.

Instead I find myself in a position like the one I’m currently in.  I’m now up to my nose in responsibilities, and haven’t the slightest of clue when they even reached my ankles.  It seems like they just all flew at me out of nowhere – a surprise attack, if you will.

My parents raised me so that it’s ingrained into who I am that my grades will reflect my best efforts.  That’s never changed.  So, I’ll be that student slaving away in the library until the last possible moment.  For the most part, I’ve kept up very well in all my classes, and don’t have anything less than a B.  The fact that I’ve only written 55,000 words for the novel I’m working on since January can attest to that.

School always takes priority, and when I have a full-time job, that’ll claim the spotlight.  It’s the way life works for me, at the moment.  And, I’m okay with that.  I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to attend college, and was even luckier the moment my company extended the job offer (albeit it’s only an internship for now).  That provides me with a financially stable life, where I can still afford to take time out of my day to do what I love.   (Have I mentioned the people I’m going to work with are amazing?  The head of my office is an alum from my school, and is the most down-to-earth man I’ve met who’s been in such a high position.)

So, my lovely readers, don’t let life discourage you.  It’s okay if it slows you down – unavoidable even – but don’t let it be what stops you.  The cure might be as simple as setting a reminder on your phone for a Saturday afternoon reminding you to take time to write, or maybe you can wake up 30 minutes early dedicated solely to the art.  Do whatever you have to.  The world deserves to hear your story.