Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Indie Life: Learn Everything

Welcome to the second month of Indie Life, a second Wednesday Monthly blogfest where writers publishing with small presses and self-publishing their writings. Each month we give and receive advice, supporting each other in this lonely life of the modern writer.

This Friday we're having an inservice day at school. The powers that be have arranged two hour sessions of lessons in technology and a lot of other school related issues. I'm not above selecting a presentation that will assist me in my second career. On Friday I'll be joining one of the art teachers in learning more about Photoshop.

With the dangers of using other people's photos on my blog or anywhere else, I asked for a new camera for Christmas. And now I'm going to learn more ways to use my amateur photos. More ways that will help me promote my book and perhaps make my own book trailers. I could hire someone to do that but I'm indie published which means a limited budget.

In today's world, especially those of us who are indies, you have to know every piece of the writing business. I'll be doing some of that on Friday.

Also helping me with learning every part of it is L. Diane Wolfe. I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners of her book, How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now. I've just skimmed it so far, but I already have some notes. I really believe no one can ever know everything about promotion. Check out Diane's book on her blog.

Check out the other member of Indie Life here. What part of the writing business are you confident about? What part do you feel you need to learn more about? How are you going to learn more?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I learned by trial and error when I self published my books. The first book all went smoothly but it was the second book, the cover was not to my satisfaction, many of the spelling errors were not corrected, but all turned out well eventually and am proud to say that our Alex wrote on the blurb which made it all the more special.
Yvonne.

Stina said...

I haven't started self publishing yet, but I'm headed in that direction this year.

I didn't used to enjoy photoshop. I preferred focusing my effort on the actual shot (and the pre-production of that shot) than manipulating it later on. But I have recently changed my mind. I love editing my stories. So why not edit photos? :)

Unknown said...

Going indie scares me, and I really admire those who do it. SO many things you need to be good at, especially marketing, at which I don't do too well at all!

Anonymous said...

I need toi expand my promoting horizons. I',m exploring writing articles for free for certain magazines in hopes of more exposure to new people.

Unknown said...

I know. Gone are the days when you just got to sit behind a typewriter and just write. Sigh.

Michelle Wallace said...

The frightening part of the self pub is the techno stuff... that really scares me!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Unleash the power of Photoshop! You'd be surprised what you can do with that program.
Already have Diane's book on my iPad - some good stuff on promotion.

Fantasy Writer Guy said...

BLOG CHALLENGE from Fantasy Writer Guy!

Hi Susan,
Too many young people are packing up their instruments because they perceive that musical pursuits are in conflict with more legitimate career pursuits, or otherwise losing sight of their musical dreams. Too many beautiful songs will not get written! Please help me try to change that:

Please blog about the most meaningful musical experience you’ve had in your life; an event, song, album, band or concert perhaps. Maybe it was music of your own creation. Anything in the realm of music which changed you or inspired you or was very special in some way: Your own proof that music is a positive and vital part of the human experience.

Please include the following links in your post so that your readers may also have the opportunity to participate!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HGMSZ7X
or email: newday.rising@live.com

Thank you for considering this challenge!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm glad you found some nuggets you can use.

I've always used my own photos on my blog. Safer.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I find most technology a bit intimidating but I just take the plundge. Just about everything is fixable if you back it up.

Lynn Proctor said...

i like photo shop but i have to admit--i still prefer the raw pics---

The Happy Whisk said...

A new camera? So exciting. What kind are you going for?