The Journey Beyond the Book Release, by Alex J. Cavanaugh #Indiestructible

Alex J. Cavanaugh

The publishing journey can be a lonely endeavor, full of challenges we never expected. For those of us with a small press or self-published, we face even more uncertainty. What’s going to happen? How will we cope? Can we do it on our own?

Most writers are focused on the ultimate goal—publication—and what it's going to take to get there. But you know what? The journey doesn’t stop there. Surprise! It only changes and grows—quickly. And you have to be prepared.

Wait! Don’t panic. That’s where Indiestructible can help.

My contribution to the book focused on the power of an online presence, but it also covers the journey after the release. So do many of the stories in Indiestructible. And those of you who haven’t reached that point can learn a lot. (And even if you’re past that milestone, you’ll learn a lot.)

Do we have all the answers? Of course not. But each one of us represents a unique experience and different choices. You might not relate to my story. Actually, you’ll probably think my time commitment is a little insane. (Disclaimer—I really don’t have a cloning machine.) But you’ll probably identify with other authors in the book. You’ll find someone you can relate to who is on a similar path and say to yourself, ‘I can do that.’

And you know what? That’s the real answer. When you can tell yourself ‘I can do that,’ then you know you’re not alone.

You’ll be all right!

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Just $0.99 on Amazon

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE 

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

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About Alex: Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and website. The author of the Amazon bestsellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Connect with Alex:
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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The Many Flavors of the Indie Experience, by Susan Kaye Quinn #Indiestructible

Susan Kaye Quinn

Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle is a great representation of what it means to be an indie author—there’s no single viewpoint, no absolutes, just a collection of stories that together show the many flavors of the indie experience.

You’ll find successes that inspire you, thoughts that challenge you, and comfort that you’re not alone. I’m proud to have an essay in this collection, 100% of the proceeds of which will be donated to BuildOn.org, “a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.”

A fitting match for a book that represents the best of the indie author culture of sharing and support.

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s a sample of the inspiring and truthful words you’ll find in Indiestructible:

“Indie publishing is not for the impatient … it’s for authors who want their fate to rest in their own hands.” —Jessica Bell, editor of Indiestructible

“The time factor is a logical fear. But once I finally made the decision to do this on my own, I realized that it wasn’t as daunting as it seemed.” —Jessica Bell, editor of Indiestructible  (quoted twice because she’s just that awesome)

“It’s when we let go of the safety net that we truly learn to fly.” —Susan Kaye Quinn

“Listen. A lot. Read. A lot. And stay flexible. Hold onto your little boat, and if you fall over, just keep swimming.” —Leigh Talbert Moore

“Nobody, it seems, is in the same boat as I am, but perhaps every author feels that way. We’re all kind of floating out in the middle of nowhere, doing our own thing.” —Michelle D. Argyle

(I just love the parallelism with the boat analogies!)

“Just because we love what we do doesn’t mean it’s always easy. In fact, there are times when writing is downright difficult, even painful.” —Kristie Cook

“Being an author means I write. It’s not that I get a big contract. It’s not that I find a legion of fans. It’s not the fame. It’s not the glory. It’s the writing.” —D. Robert Pease

“I’ve said once on my blog that the worst crime in history, in my opinion, is the destruction of the Library of Alexandria …when you deny the world your voice, it’s a similar but smaller crime in caparison, yet a calamity nonetheless.” —Michael Offutt

“Some days we’re hiking on a mountaintop in Switzerland with the bright sun on our face and a crisp wind rippling through our hair. Other days, we’re slogging through the mud pits, just hoping to miss the sinking sand.” —Laura Pauling

“The only thing that happens overnight in publishing is writer’s block.” —Rick Daley

That last quote is a great example of Rick’s ability to capture serious reality in humor, something I love about his writing as well. And it speaks to the patience that indie authors have to work hard at cultivating—success doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye, but in the daily work, the constant striving for improvement, the continual swimming forward. Indiestructible is a companion to take on the journey, and will help keep you moving in the right direction.

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Just $0.99 on Amazon

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE 

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

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About Susan Kaye Quinn:

Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling young adult SF Mindjack Trilogy. The just-released Debt Collector series is her more grown-up SF, meant for ages 17+.

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Want To Succeed In Self-Publishing? by Laurel Garver #Indiestructible

Laurel Garver

One of the biggest questions I faced when considering publishing paths is “Is self-publishing the right path for me?” Hearing from agents “this is good, but…” (too niche market, crosses genres, etc.) doesn’t automatically mean one’s only option is to go it alone. In my journey, I’ve met many who have found a great home for their stories with small presses.

My desire to strike out on my own had more to do with my desire for autonomy and my existing experience in magazine publishing—two things that gave me a certain edge in taking on being my own publisher.

When I was invited to contribute to Indiestructible, I knew that “is it right for ME?” was the question I felt most qualified to talk about. Indie publishing can be overwhelming and disheartening if you lack a key thing: entrepreneurial drive. Having experience with either design or marketing or basic business skills is a bonus, but many of these areas can be outsourced.

What can’t be outsourced is vision. You have to have it for yourself. No one is going to build the right one for you and your work if you don’t have one. A publicist can only get you so far. Even he or she will ask you to build a long-term plan—one built from your vision for your work.

My article “Five Essentials to Succeed in Self-Publishing” teases out what comprises an entrepreneurial spirit. These include being:

• Passionate
• Resource-Minded
• Eager to Learn
• Goal-directed
• Creative

Other contributors to this collection share personal stories about learning to dig deep and develop “the entrepreneur within” so that their stories had a chance in the world. Indiestructible is sure to be an inspiring and eye-opening resource for anyone considering the indie path.

What questions arise for you as you consider the question “which publishing path is right for ME?”

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Just $0.99 on Amazon

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE 

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

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About Laurel Garver:

Laurel Garver is a magazine editor, poet, and writer of faith-based fiction. She enjoys quirky independent films, British TV, and geeking out about Harry Potter and Dr. Who. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Learn more about her books at her website.

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It’s a Small World After All, by D. Robert Pease #Indiestructible

D. Robert Pease

When I was in art school, well over two decades ago, my idols were twin artist brothers. The Hildebrandt brothers were, in my estimation, the greatest illustrators on the planet. I wanted nothing more than to one day have my work grace the cover of fantasy books filling bookshelves around the world. Their story was incredible. They were introverted, men toiling away in obscurity until one day they had the nerve to plop trash bag covered paintings on some editor’s desk and mumble, “Tolkien pictures, we paint them.”

I think back on this time of utter fandom and remember the longing I had to meet these brothers who I considered so much greater than the mere mortals who walked the earth with me.

I tell this story to point out the fact that the world is a very different place now. And I suppose I’m a different person too. Sure the Hildebrandt brothers are still amazing artists, but I suspect if I ever met them I’d find that, in fact, they are human just like me.

This was highlighted by an interaction I had over the past week with another great artist, Keith Thompson. He’s the illustrator for Todd Westerfeld’s Leviathan trilogy. I’ve been working on some illustrations for an omnibus version of my Noah Zarc trilogy, which will be coming out in December of this year. I loved Keith’s art and hoped that I could create illustrations similar in style to them. I don’t claim to have come anywhere close, but do like the direction they are going. And this is in no small part because of the help of Mr. Thompson. You see I found a tutorial of his online that showed his process. Following that tutorial, I created the first illustration. But it wasn’t quite there, so I found his email address and emailed it off to him. In a day or two he emailed back with some suggestions. I took his advice, and created another illustration, which was much stronger than the first. Then I asked him a question about scanning, which he replied to. In the mean time he had looked at some of my work online and emailed me back. In short, I had an ongoing conversation with a professional illustrator, and you know what? He’s a human being, just like me. Sure he’s uber-talented. But he was normal, just like those I interact with every day.

Why do I bring this up? And what does this have to do with why I wanted to be part of Indiestructible? Quite simply, I love the world we live in—the world where I can instantly, or near-instantly talk with folks who inspire me. I’ve often wondered if I had been able to talk with the brothers Hildebrandt back when I was a wet-behind-the-ears illustrator wannabe if my life would have take a different path. I actually put aside my dream of being an illustrator simply because I never thought I’d attain the god-like standing of those amazing brothers. Now, as I get back to creating art again, I certainly don’t put myself in their category. I know the art I create, and the books I write aren’t anything worthy of fandom, but I’m enjoying what I do. And quite frankly, I am to the point where I must do it no matter what anyone else thinks. And my guess is if I spoke with most artists and authors they’d say the same thing. So I want to keep sight of this fact.

I love the small world we live in. I love opportunities for all of us to help each other. The community of authors I’ve met over the past few years just blows me away. Nearly every one has been kind, gracious, humble and willing to lend a hand, or a word of advice whenever it is asked. I want to be a member of that community. I want to help, in even the smallest way, someone who has wondered what it’d be like to write a story and allow someone else to read it. I want to give courage to that writer who has compared themselves to the great writers of today and felt inadequate. I guarantee that those authors, who have somehow achieved fame and fortune, have all felt the same way, and if we were to sit down with them we’d find they really weren’t all that different than us. So if we don’t feel up to the task, that’s exactly where we should be. If you don’t agree, then just ask your favorite author. You may be surprised when you hear back from them.

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Just $0.99 on Amazon

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE 

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

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About D. Robert Pease:

D. Robert Pease is the author of the award-winning Noah Zarc series. Originally self-published, they will be re-released in the summer and fall of 2013 through Evolved Publishing. When not writing, he can be found creating covers for fellow authors through Walking Stick Books as well as running his own website development company.
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Note from Jessica: I'm over at The Alliance of Independent Authors today talking about how indie publishing compares to the indie music scene. Would love to see you there!

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Is Self-Publishing Hard? by Laura Pauling #Indiestructible

Laura Pauling

Traditional publishing, small press, self publishing—so much to choose from yet … it has never been a better time for writers. Is self publishing hard? Yes. Is it competitive? Yes.

And with so many choices comes the responsibility of doing research and deciding what’s best for you. What are your goals? Your dreams?

I’m in the middle of debating whether to submit a workshop on self-publishing to a writer’s conference I attend. Having gone through the process, I understand what self-publishing involves. I have information and knowledge to share with writers who are experiencing the big how-should-I-publish debate.

I feel for them. I really do. Because I remember being there, scared and excited, wondering what was best for my career.

What I’ve noticed at conferences is that many writers just don’t do the research. We are blessed to live in an age where so many professionals in publishing share their wisdom … for free!

Yet, many writers don’t take advantage of this plethora of information.

I blog. I tweet. I read articles on all the different kinds of publishing. Why? So I understand what’s going on. What has changed. And how I might need to adjust.

Every writer considering any publishing decision should do the research. Take the time. It’s worth it.

When Jessica Bell approached her circle of writer friends about writing an article for Indiestructable, I wondered what I could offer that others couldn’t. Many of the authors writing articles for it are very successful. More successful than me.

What did I have to offer? What could I write about? What perspective could I offer, that might help or encourage someone how to self publish, or someone who already has, and is, looking for help?

I realized I could only offer my perspective. So I wrote Being Grateful for Small Milestones. What to do when sales don’t take off like you hoped. What to do when you see other book sales skyrocketing. How to move forward.

Really, the answer is pretty simple … you’ll find it in Indiestructable.

You’ll also finds lots of practical wisdom and different perspectives in this compilation of articles from self published authors.

And that is priceless. All in one place. Just for you.

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Just $0.99 on Amazon

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE 

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

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About Laura Pauling:

Laura Pauling writes about spies, murder and mystery. Her young adult Circle of Spies Series will be completed this fall with the release of book 3: Twist of Fate. Her stand-alone time travel thriller, HEIST, released August 15th, 2013.

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CLICK HERE to subscribe to my newsletter. Every subscriber will receive The Hum of Sin Against Skin for free, and be the first to know about new releases and special subscriber giveaways.