This week, the What I Learnt From... series continues with Julie Stock sharing her experiences as an indie-author. Julie and I were Twitter-friends for a couple of years before meeting in real life at the RNA Conference in Lancaster in July last year. One of the things I always enjoy about Julie's blogs and interviews is her openness and honesty, which provide so much support as well as information to fellow-writers. |
What I’ve Learnt from Indie Publishing Two Novels...
When I started writing my first novel, From Here to Nashville, I was 48 years old. I knew from very early on that I would choose to publish independently because I wanted to make sure it was published before my 50th birthday and traditional publishers just don’t work that quickly.
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So I spent a lot of time learning about the indie publishing process and by the time I came to publish my book, I actually found the whole process quite straightforward. It had been a steep learning curve, learning about editing and proofreading, as well as cover design, and the publication process itself but I found that I really enjoyed it. I particularly enjoyed having the control over every aspect of the publishing process. |
However, by the time my second book was ready to publish, I made the decision to try for a traditional contract. This was for two reasons: firstly, with the benefit of some experience, I could see that I would learn a lot from having my own editor within a publishing company, and secondly, if I was with the right publisher, I might also gain a lot of support with marketing, which might in turn, lead to more sales. h But as I went through a year-long process of submitting to agents and publishers, I slowly came to realise that the traditional model is just not for me. I realised that I had come to relish the freedom I had with indie publishing and that I didn’t want to lose that control. I found that many agents and publishers were asking me to write books for the market and I finally had to admit that I simply didn’t want to do that. And I was getting conflicting reviews from different people: some of them loved my writing, while others hated it. So how would I ever know who was right? In the end, I had to make a very hard decision. The benefits could still be there for me if I wanted to persevere with submissions to agents and publishers but I would also lose all control over what I wanted to do, and on top of that, I had no idea how much longer I would have to persevere for.
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In the end, I made the decision to publish independently once again and I’m happy to say that my second book, The Vineyard in Alsace, has done even better than the first. I may not ever sell in the tens of thousands but I am making a decent living from my writing, and that’s all I’m looking for. So I don’t regret the decision to indie publish again for one second; nor do I regret the year I spent trying for a traditional contract. It has all made me realise that publishing independently suits me and my goals, and that it is the best choice for me. That’s not to put traditional contracts down – it’s just being honest about what works for me. I am happy doing what I’m doing and while it works for me, I’m going to carry on doing it. |
I think that every writer has to decide on what success looks like to them and then pursue it in that form. And for me, at this stage in my life, indie publishing suits me best.
Blurb Is there really such a thing as a second chance at love?
Fran Schell has only just become engaged when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. She knows this is the push she needs to break free of him and to leave London. She applies for her dream job on a vineyard in Alsace, in France, not far from her family home, determined to concentrate on her work.
Didier Le Roy can hardly believe it when he sees that the only person to apply for the job on his vineyard is the same woman he once loved but let go because of his stupid pride. Now estranged from his wife, he longs for a second chance with Fran if only she will forgive him for not following her to London. h Working so closely together, Fran soon starts to fall in love with Didier all over again. Didier knows that it is now time for him to move on with his divorce if he and Fran are ever to have a future together. Can Fran and Didier make their second chance at love work despite all the obstacles in their way?
The Vineyard in Alsace is a contemporary romance set against the enticing backdrop of the vineyard harvest in Alsace in France.
h Bio: Julie Stock is an author of contemporary romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She indie published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in February 2015 and published her second novel, The Vineyard in Alsace earlier this year. A follow-up novella to From Here to Nashville is also in progress, as well as the next novel.
She blogs regularly on her website, 'My Indie Writing Life.' You can also connect with her on Twitter and via her Facebook Author Page.
She is a proud member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, The Society of Authors and The Alliance of Independent Authors.
When she is not writing, she works part-time for a charity as a communications officer, and freelance as a proofreader, web designer and supply teacher. She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.
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This weekend, Julie's debut novel, From Here to Nashville, is free on Kindle Unlimited or 99p to buy.
Here's the link. Happy reading!
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Thank you for reading my post and for leaving a comment. I'm glad you found it useful :) You can pick my brain any time!