This new series comes from Jenn Windrow, powerhouse indie author and instructor of “Indie Author – A Hands on Guide to Self-Publishing” at Lawson Writers Academy. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot more of her here! Take it away, Jenn…
The world of self-publishing is a little bit like Alice falling through the rabbit hole. The world can feel strange and odd and confusing. There are so many aspects to self-publishing that a lot of writers just don’t know where to start. So, in this series, like Alice, we are going to follow the white rabbit down the path to self-publishing. The goal of this series is to give you knowledge to help you make the best choice for yourself.
Just like the world Alice came from, and the world she falls into, the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing is vast, but the end goals are the same.
The difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing
The biggest difference is the amount of work you put into the end product.
Picking your publishing route is a very personal experience. Some authors have dreams of signing with the big New York publishers, others just want their books to be in the hands of readers. But whatever your goal, you need to make sure you are happy in the end with your choice.
Let’s look more closely at the two publishing choices.
Note: There is a third, hybrid publishing, but we’re not going to dig deep into that world in this series. However, if you have any questions about Hybrid, feel free to reach out in the comments and ask.
Traditional Publishing
Whether you publish through one of the big publishing houses or a small press, the experience is similar. You sign a contract, which will include the terms of your publishing deal.
The details will likely include the release date, how long your rights will be owned by the publisher, what you will receive for signing (aka your advance). Examples of what the traditional publisher might offer: Cover design, edits, distribution, and (hopefully) some marketing.
You will work with your publisher and editor to create the best book that you can, and they will take care of the final publishing part.
Self-Publishing
When you self-publish or indie publish, you are the boss, the owner of your own company, and also the creator.
You are in charge of contracting your own cover designer, editing services, and doing all your own marketing. You are literally the publisher of your book. It’s a lot of work, but you also retain all control over the final product.
Armed with that knowledge, you’re ready for the most important question in your publishing journey…
How do you choose the right path for YOU?
If doing ALL the work doesn’t sound very appealing, then seeking out a publishing deal might be the best option for you. BUT if the idea of digging in and learning all the moving parts of the publishing world is something that gets your motor humming, then self-publishing might be a good option.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the skill areas indie authors manage in order to get their books into readers’ hands.
The 5 Areas Indie Authors Juggle
There are 5 areas you must manage to be a successful indie author: writing, editing, book cover(s), marketing, and publishing.
You can hire these out, depending on your financial resources, but at the end of the day you will have to be fairly knowledgeable about all five areas. Most indie authors do the majority of these things themselves.
An overview of what all five areas entail:
Writing
As an indie author, you are in charge of all the writing, from character development to your back cover blurb.
You will research, plot, drive yourself to The End of your book, and write things that will help you market the book like loglines, marketing copy, and the aforementioned blurb.
Editing
Editing for publication has many more steps than new writers might think.
There is the usual self-editing and revision, critique partner feedback, and subsequent revisions. As an indie author, you will also likely send the book to a developmental editor and a copy editor (then subsequently incorporate their edits). You will do your own galley edits too.
During this final editing process, it’s a great time to pull quotes from the book for marketing.
Finally, your manuscript is ready to be formatted, either by you or someone you hire. After another series of line edits, you’ll order a proof copy of the paperback and look for errors there.
Cover(s)
While you might hire out a cover designer, it will still be up to you to research genre specific cover design and find a great cover designer. You might also need to buy stock photos in this process, or work that out with the designer you choose.
Once you’ve ordered the cover, and requested any cover changes from the designer, it’s time to prepare the cover release on social media, your website, and newsletter.
Marketing
This is one of the top areas that many authors hire out because there’s a lot of time and technology involved.
Not only do indie authors create social media pages on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, they also must set up a website and a newsletter sign up. Author photos, business cards, ad copy, images, time and content for all those social platforms, marketing plans are also items to make time for.
Marketing also encompasses planning your release day, gathering a street team and/or beta readers, and placing your book on Goodreads.
Publishing
This final phase is one that you get better at as time goes on, because your infrastructure is built with your initial book(s).
You will create publishing accounts with Amazon (KDP), Barnes and Noble, KOBO, iBook’s, and Ingram Spark.
You’ll upload files to pre-order across all these platforms, and then your final files when you get closer to your pub date.
This is when you make choices about audiobooks (which will be a whole other post, and buy your ISBNs.
One of the most important steps you won’t want to forget as an indie author is to update the back matter in any related books as new books are published.
If I haven’t scared you off… then you will have a long, happy career as an indie author ahead of you. It seems like a lot of time, work, and effort, but for the author who is driven and hardworking, it can be fun and rewarding.
What intrigues or intimidates you about the indie author platform? Do you have anything to add to the items above? Let me know in the comments!
About Jenn
Sass. Snark. Supernatural Sizzle.
Award winning author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Vampires, Greek gods, and a bit of Demon Destroyer fun for everyone.
Jenn Windrow loves characters who have a pinch of spunk, a dash of attitude, and a large dollop of sex appeal. Top it all off with a huge heaping helping of snark, and you’ve got the ingredients for the kind of fast-paced stories she loves to read and write. Home is a suburb of it’s-so-hot-my-shoes-have-melted-to-the-pavement Phoenix. Where she lives with her husband, two teenagers, and a slew of animals that seem to keep following her home, at least that’s what she claims.
As writers, it's important to take care of your mental health to maintain our productivity and to have a balanced, happy writing life. Sometimes this means taking a break from writing to attend to the important aspects of being a good human and to reset our minds for better creativity. Even when we have writing deadlines to deal with, let’s remember to take care of ourselves too.
At WITS, we encourage writers to focus on their well-being and to tap into good mental health habits. Take time to check in with your own writing tensions to find a more satisfying writing journey.
Here are some simple hacks to help you de-stress and improve your writing life:
1. Deep Breathing
Take slow, deep breaths to calm your mind and reduce stress. Deep breathing can increase focus and clarity, leading to better writing. This tip doesn’t take much time and can be done almost anywhere, while doing practically anything, like sitting at your writing desk, driving in your car, or while doing household chores.
Want more guidance? Check out the videos below.
Belly breathing helps to quiet anxious feeling and can refresh you wherever you are.
Box Breathing helps you to calm down, reduce stress, and re-set your mood.
Take time to refresh your body and it will reward you. Breathing exercises can improve your physical feelings as you destress in better your mental outlook.
2. Mindful Writing Breaks
Schedule short breaks to practice mindfulness. This can help you stay present and reduce anxiety, leading to more inspired writing sessions. When we can remove negative mental blocks, we free up our thinking to write with more clarity and purpose.
Character Sketch Break:
Take a break to sketch. When finished review your picture. Does the character look the way you perceived them in your mind? Tell a detailed description of one of your characters to a friend or writing partner. They can often provide insights that you may have missed.
Draw your protagonist's physical appearance in a profile picture. Consider how you depict their expression and how it shows their personality traits. Do they have a shy smile? A calculated fixed Insta-ready face? A slowly creeping sneer? Drawing the description of your character can help you deepen your understanding of the character’s traits and liven up your story.
Setting Exploration Break:
Use your break to explore and describe a setting from your story in your imagination. Sit back on your couch or try doing this while walking on the treadmill. Keep paper or your phone nearby to jot down or record new insights. Imagine yourself in the world you've created and describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a key location.
Ask yourself was sensations you feel on your skin. Moisture from the drizzling rain? Heat from the blazing sun? Soft chills from the gentle breeze near a lake?
How do your other senses interact with your setting? Are there strong aromas? Lots of noise or deafening silence? Can you taste the salty air of the sea? Imagining your setting can help you visualize your setting more vividly and add depth to your writing.
Dialogue Practice Break:
Practice writing dialogue between two characters by enacting a scene aloud. You could try role playing with a friend or hold the conversation by yourself. Perhaps don’t try this one in your regular coffee shop writing venue – it could be confusing to other customers. *wink*
Envision a conversation between your protagonist and a supporting character about a key plot point. Focus on making the dialogue natural and engaging. This can help you refine your characters' voices and improve your dialogue skills.
Or try interviewing your character using helpful questions from this WITS post by Eldred Bird.
These writing-inspired breaks can help you stay connected to your story and characters while giving your mind a rest from intense writing sessions.
3. Stretching
Stretching improves circulation and relieves muscle tension, promoting relaxation and better posture for long writing sessions. Adding stretching can keep your body moving and your mind happily writing. Add these stretches to your writing routine for better productivity.
Here are three video sessions to walk you through a routine in only a few minutes.
Have fun with this little guided video breaks or find your own new favorites. Your body thanks you.
4. Nature Walks
Spending time in nature can boost creativity and reduce stress. Take a short walk to clear your mind and stimulate new ideas. This is one of my favorite mind-cleansing activities that I use to find inspiration. Try these suggestions below to destress.
National Parks:
National parks offer vast, unspoiled landscapes with diverse flora and fauna, providing a rich source of inspiration for writers. If you are lucky to live near a national or state park, don’t take it for granted, but try getting some writing inspiration from it.
Visit a national park to explore its natural beauty and unique ecosystems. What elements can you use in your world building? What features stand out to you and how can they be woven into your writing? While at a contemplative spot in the park, try writing a descriptive piece about the landscape, focusing on sensory details like sights, sounds, and smells.
Beaches:
Beaches provide a tranquil setting with the soothing sound of waves and breathtaking views of the ocean, ideal for contemplation and creativity. Ocean are also wild and dangerous as waves and ocean animals can change your mindset at any moment. Spending time on a beach can provide a variety of inspirational experiences.
Spend time at a beach to relax and unwind. While there, write a short story or poem inspired by the sea, using the rhythmic sound of the waves as a backdrop for your writing. Not the warm and sunny kind of beach? Find a cozy cottage or coffee shop and watch the churning waters from a safe distance.
Mountains:
Mountainous regions offer majestic landscapes, fresh mountain air, and a sense of solitude that can inspire introspection and creativity. Their ruggedness can inspire us to write difficult stories or scenes that depend on determination and grit.
Explore mountainous terrain to experience its grandeur and beauty. While hiking, take breaks to jot down your thoughts or observations, using the landscape as a metaphor for your own creative journey.
How do you feel while traversing a rocky gorge? While cresting a peak or hitting the summit? Capture these feelings and sensations and add them to your novel.
Botanical Gardens:
Botanical gardens showcase a wide variety of plant species in beautifully landscaped settings, providing a peaceful environment for writing and reflection. Many cities have curated gardens and public displays of flora.
Visit a botanical garden to admire its beauty and diversity. While there, practice mindfulness by focusing on the details of a single flower or plant, and then write a poem or reflective piece inspired by your observations. Taking time to examine a specific plant you are not familiar with can open your appreciation to how details add depth to your story.
Rivers and Lakes:
Rivers and lakes offer tranquil settings with the soothing sound of flowing water and opportunities for water-based activities like kayaking or canoeing. Not into water sports? Sit by the edge and watch others as they fish and paddle along. What do you notice? There is always drama on the water.
Spend time by your local body of water to connect with nature's rhythm. While there, try a stream-of-consciousness writing exercise, allowing your thoughts to flow freely as you listen to the gentle sounds of the water. (Please excuse the little pun-fun.)
These natural settings offers you the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, find inspiration in their surroundings, and recharge your creative energies.
5. Journaling
Write about your thoughts and emotions to release stress and gain clarity. Journaling can also help you understand your writing process better. Try one of these suggestions below to help elevate stress in your life.
Gratitude Journaling:
Each day, take a few minutes to write down three things you're grateful for, no matter how big or small. These could be moments of joy, acts of kindness, or simply the beauty of nature around you.
This practice helps shift your focus from negative to positive aspects of your life, reducing stress, improving your mood, and fostering a sense of well-being.
Emotional Release Writing:
Set aside 10-15 minutes to write without judgment or censorship. Let your thoughts and emotions flow freely onto the page, exploring whatever comes to mind.
This exercise provides a safe outlet for processing and releasing pent-up emotions, leading to a greater sense of clarity, relief, and emotional balance.
Positive Affirmation Journaling:
Write down a positive affirmation or mantra that resonates with you, such as "I am worthy of love and respect," and reflect on its meaning for a few minutes each day.
Repeating positive affirmations can help boost self-confidence, reduce self-doubt, and cultivate a more positive mindset, leading to improved mental and emotional well-being.
Processing your thoughts and feelings through journaling can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. This can also lead to a better writing life.
6. Digital Detox
Take regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain and mental fatigue. Disconnecting can improve focus and creativity. If you could use a break from technology, try one of the suggestions below.
Set Specific Times for Digital Use:
Allocate specific times of the day for using digital devices and avoid them during other times. This can include setting boundaries for work-related digital activities as well as personal use.
Use digital devices only during work hours and switch them off in the evenings. This can reduce distractions and allow for more focused, creative thinking, leading to improved writing productivity and quality.
Unplug for a Day:
Choose a day each week to completely unplug from all digital devices, including smartphones, computers, and tablets. This means no checking emails, social media, or using digital entertainment.
Spend a day engaging in analog activities like reading a physical book, going for a walk, or spending time with loved ones. This can help clear your mind, reduce stress, and stimulate new ideas, enhancing your creativity and overall well-being.
Limit Social Media Use:
Set a daily or weekly limit for using social media platforms and consider using apps or features that track and limit your usage.
Limit social media use to 30 minutes per day. This can free up time for more creative pursuits like writing, reading, or brainstorming. It can prevent feelings of comparison or distraction, allowing you to focus more on your own ideas and voice.
Create Tech-Free Zones:
Designate certain areas in your home or workspace as tech-free zones where digital devices are not allowed.
Create a reading nook or a writing corner without digital devices. This can provide a peaceful environment for writing, free from the distractions of screens and notifications, and encourage deeper thinking and creativity.
Digital-Free Activities:
Engage in activities that do not involve digital devices, such as outdoor activities, hobbies, or creative pursuits.
Take a nature walk, read a physical book, or practice a hobby like painting or knitting. This can stimulate creativity by providing a mental break from screens and allowing your mind to wander and explore new ideas, which can be beneficial for overcoming writer's block or generating fresh perspectives.
7. Healthy Snacks
Fuel your body with nutritious snacks to maintain energy levels and avoid mood swings, which can affect your writing mood. Here are five tips for eating healthy snacks that connect to writing, along with ways you can be inspired by the foods you eat.
Choose Nutrient-Dense Snacks:
When you reach for a snack, opt for snacks that are rich in nutrients to fuel your brain and body.
Writing Fuel Inspiration: Research the nutritional benefits of the foods you eat and incorporate them into your writing. For example, write a scene where a character enjoys a delicious and nutritious snack, highlighting its positive effects on their energy and mood.
Include Protein and Fiber:
Include protein and fiber in your snacks to help you feel full and satisfied.
Writing Fuel Inspiration: Write about the textures and flavors of the foods you eat, using vivid descriptions to create sensory experiences for your readers. For example, describe the crunchiness of an apple or the creaminess of Greek yogurt.
Limit Added Sugars:
Avoid snacks with added sugars, as they can lead to energy crashes and mood swings.
Writing Fuel Inspiration: Use your snack choices to inspire healthy eating habits in your characters. Write a scene where a character makes a conscious decision to choose a nutritious snack over a sugary treat, showcasing their commitment to health and well-being.
Stay Hydrated:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain focus.
Writing Fuel Inspiration: Incorporate the theme of hydration into your writing by exploring the importance of water in different cultures or using water as a metaphor for clarity and renewal in your stories.
Incorporate Colorful Fruits and Vegetables:
Include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your snacks to ensure you're getting a range of vitamins and minerals.
Writing Fuel Inspiration: Use the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables to inspire descriptions in your writing. For example, describe a character's outfit using the colors of a fruit bowl, or use the imagery of a colorful salad to describe a lush garden setting.
Now it’s Your Turn
Incorporating these simple mental health tricks into your routine can have a profound impact on your outlook and writing. By taking care of your mental health, you can reduce stress, boost creativity, and enhance your overall well-being.
These practices can help you stay focused and motivated, overcome writer's block, and approach your writing with a fresh perspective. By prioritizing your mental health, you can cultivate a positive mindset and create a more fulfilling and enjoyable writing experience.
Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for producing your best work! 💖📝 #WriterWellness #WritingCommunity #SelfCareForAuthors
What is your favorite idea for a quick break? Share it with our readers today!
You can find her YA fiction, writing resources, and keep up with her author events at KrisMaze.com. Find her darker, scarier fiction at her sister-site KrissyKnoxx.com.
A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, learning languages, and spending time outdoors where she ponders the wisdom of Bob Ross.
I am looking for a few readers for my speculative fiction short story collection. Filled with science fiction, horror, other scary stuff, try out my novel that launches in June for free. Space is limited, so reach out today for your copy.
Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories
Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories presents a chilling collection of tales that entertain, terrify, and challenge your perception of existence. Venture into the unknown with these twisted narratives that dare you to explore the darker corners of your imagination.
Uncover hidden truths in a paradise where reality is a mirage.
Confront the curse of a greed-driven ghost in a rural town.
Survive beyond the Dome, where secrets can be a matter of life or death.
Race against time in a Mustang where betrayal has deadly consequences.
Relive the glory days of a teacher's mishap in a cornfield adventure.
Risk it all in a futuristic metropolis as an asteroid hurtles towards Earth.
Many genres involve characters who at some point experience fear, and it is common for them to want to hide in their homes. Everything from creepy shadows, to hang up calls, to ominous social media posts or threats by mobsters can have our characters holing up.
Today, my military and intelligence veteran writing partner, Jay Holmes, and I are going to explore effective ways our characters can protect themselves in their homes when an antagonist is coming after them.
#1 - Perimeter Lights
Dark houses are much easier targets for all crimes than well-lit houses. Porch lights and motion-activated lights are great for a starting point, but perimeter lights that surround the property and illuminate dark spaces on the house and the grounds are better at deterring criminals. Lit grounds also give someone inside a dark house the advantage when a threat is outside.
I know what you’re thinking. . . . What about the neighbors? What about the HOA?
The way to deal with those potential obstacles is “landscape lighting.”
Good decorative solar lights can brighten driveways, highlight shrubs, define fence lines, etc. As for the house, strings of small white LED lights can line porches and roofs, providing enough illumination to be a deterrence. Landscape elements such as trees or water features are also great opportunities to place strategic spotlights for the sake of aesthetics.
My own HOA objected to the white lights surrounding the outside of my house. In response, I tucked them up to the roof of the porch where only the actual light is seen from the street, and I increased the number of solar landscaping lights. Now it’s compliments from my neighbors instead of complaints, and you could land a plane in my yard.
Keep in mind that perimeter lights can also be “holiday lights.” One obnoxious neighbor of mine has a 12’ skeleton in her yard year-round. She fights back against the HOA by putting different colored lights on it every month or two and calling it a “holiday decoration.”
The HOA has yet to find a way to force her to take it down. If you don’t mind changing out your perimeter lights every few weeks, this is another route to take. Not the massive skeleton . . . please . . . but the perpetual holiday lighting.
#2 - Doorbell Camera
A doorbell camera is not only useful for checking to see who is on the porch, but it also keeps a character from having to look through a peep hole in the door.
As soon as a peep hole is covered, a nefarious individual, such as an assassin, will assume it is covered by a face, at which point it’s easy to kill someone through a door. Our characters will have to do better than that.
A word of caution
While doorbell cameras are great for seeing who is outside when you are at home, a character that is worried for their safety should NOT put the app for their doorbell camera on their phone. Instead, link it to a computer inside the house.
This is because when people go out into the world with their phones in their pockets, their phones and apps can easily be hacked. The doorbell camera that lets the character know who is at the door will also allow the hacker to spy on the character.
#3 - Security Cameras
Security cameras inside the house can be helpful for our characters, as well. Our characters can use these cameras to make sure no one entered their property while they were away, and they can use the cameras to keep an eye on other rooms and spaces while they are at home.
The same caution we applied for doorbell cameras goes for indoor security cameras.
If our characters can use cameras to spy on others, others can use the cameras to spy on them. That’s why our characters need to take some precautions if they are going to use inside cameras at their homes.
Three ways to do this like a pro:
A. Like the doorbell cameras, it’s best to link the indoor cameras and recorders to a computer rather than to the phone in our character’s pocket. Otherwise, predators can hack into the cameras rather easily to spy on our characters.
B. When our characters enter their own property, they need to turn the cameras away from the living spaces. They should do this not only to keep hackers and other bad actors from spying on them, but to keep governments and electronics corporations from spying on them, as well.
Data is the new oil, and electronics corporations are infamous for using all of those “smart” devices to glean data for themselves and for foreign countries. (See Spycraft: Essentials by Bayard & Holmes.) And yes. Contrary to popular belief, regular people are that interesting.
C. Conceal cameras and any recording devices. If an antagonist enters the home and sees the cameras or recording devices, they can destroy or steal the electronics, thus obliterating the evidence.
#4 – Dogs
Dogs are a great deterrent to crime, particularly to random crimes where a specific person is not targeted. Even if the dogs are a bit friendlier than Cujo, solid barking will most likely keep our characters from being surprised in their own homes.
Notice I use the word “dogs” in the plural. That is because studies show that two or more dogs are far more of a deterrent to criminals than only one dog. Apparently, per Holmes, while one dog can be a threat to a bad actor, two or more dogs are far more psychologically intimidating.
Barking doorbells can be great for the allergy sufferers who, unlike me, do not let dogs into their space. *sniff* *cough* *pets the dogs*
These devices can sound exceptionally realistic, and the barks can be randomized so that it’s not the same pattern of “woof, woof” playing every time the bell rings.
#5 - Brains
In other words, our characters should think before opening their doors. They should stay away from the peepholes. They need to spy on the people at their doors before unlocking. Our characters need to embrace the sad fact that no matter how tasty those Thin Mints are, it’s probably not a Girl Scout ringing the bell at 1 a.m. Situational awareness is always the best defense.
Our next article will give more tips on how frightened characters can protect themselves in their homes. Until then, what questions do you have about home defense? And definitely please share any home defense techniques you already use down in the comments!
About Bayard & Holmes
Piper Bayard and Jay Holmes of Bayard & Holmes are the authors of espionage tomes and international spy thrillers. Please visit Piper and Jay at their site, BayardandHolmes.com. For notices of their upcoming releases, subscribe to the Bayard & Holmes Covert Briefing. You can also contact Bayard & Holmes at their Contact page, on X (formerly Twitter) at @piperbayard, on Facebook at Piper Bayard, or at their email, BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.
