Since publishing my book about ten months ago, I have been busy learning the business of indie publishing. It was a struggle. There seemed to be too much to do in too few hours, and what I needed to do differed from one expert to another. It took me a while to learn the various author platform tools and decide which to adopt. All this research, learning, and testing left little time for writing. I started a book and stopped halfway as I spent time discovering what worked best for me in promoting my first book.
If you are struggling to learn the ropes and fit everything into a busy schedule, don’t give up. It gets easier. You too will find out what works best, reject what you don’t like to do, and find short cuts. Becoming good at indie publishing does not happen overnight. But when it all finally comes together, if frees you up to pursue other interests., like writing.
Life after indie publishing
I am writing this blog in my stateroom as I listen to the ocean and gulls. How cool is that! After all that struggling to learn the ins and outs of indie publishing, I am now able to do what I want to do–write. As long as I have access to the internet, I can publish my blog and reach out to my followers from anywhere in the world as I research my next book. Perhaps this freedom is one reason that there are so many authors.
My immediate plans evolve around hiking and biking through Europe. No longer bound by rigid office hours, I can set my schedule. I plan to walk or peddle four to six hours each day, leaving plenty of time to continue writing a weekly Camino Tip for my book’s blog, and a My Musings posting for this blog. I am also keeping a trail journal as well as a personal hand-written one. I will be busy writing books of my adventures, once I return.
It has taken me ten months to get to this point. I hope it takes you less. Tell me about your indie publishing venture. How long before you felt that your marketing efforts were in control and that you could get back to the business of writing. I’d love to hear your story.
