I’m going to kick this off by admitting I realize the irony of the next paragraph. Just because someone has published (trad or indie) a book, has a blog, or is even making a living as a writer, does not mean their advice is valid, worthwhile or even safe to your career. If you want to go it alone as an indie-pub’d person, you absolutely need to learn the difference between “someone with an opinion” and a “topic expert.” Now, just to be {Read More}
Risk – What Is it?
January 28, 2013 by 2 Comments
I’ve been seeing a lot of discussions online (in several different places) about the “risks” writers are taking and most of the time I wander away shaking my head. I finally broke down and tweeted it: There is no risk in not selling. I got a few Exactly!s and a few What does that even mean??s. This is what I mean: The writing is the risk. Everything else is just what you do to get the word out. And, that’s {Read More}
Self-Publisher’s Letter to Friends & Family
December 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Previously, on Indie Year One (totally pretend I said that in announcer guy voice) I gave you a list of 22 things to do if you wanted your self-published book to be a success. I got some notes about the list, but I actually got more than one about #21: Send an email to friends saying how excited you are about this. Share that you’re nervous about doing it without the assistance of a publisher and that their support has {Read More}
It’s in His Kiss – Christmas Freebie!
December 23, 2012 by 2 Comments
Merry Christmas! I am a huge lover of Christmas. The music, the lights, the parties, the seeing people you love… the presents! And so, to celebrate Christmas this year, I’d love to give away It’s in His Kiss to anyone who hasn’t bought it yet. KISS is available on Amazon US FREE on Sunday the 23rd. May it give you a break from the shopping madness! 🙂 It’s in His Kiss Jenna’s been letting life pass her by as she {Read More}
The Last Single Girl ~~Cover Reveal~~
December 4, 2012 by 2 Comments
Check it out! I’m so darn excited about my new cover. It was done by Go On Write which has quickly become one of my favorite websites to peruse. A few quick things for those who have been asking since I’m still working on the blurb: This is nota Theories in Love book so no Jenna or her gang It is loosely connected (which you’ll how see in later TiL books) It’s about 22k — or, in NY Publishing speak {Read More}
When The Next Books Are Different
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Anyone who has read It’s in His Kiss know that there’s a certain level of… wackiness to it. Jenna is a bit over the top. Completely by accident. That is probably what makes her so loveable. She doesn’t know that she’s just a weeeeee bit absurd (and to all you people saying Jenna is me, I say… Um, can we quit asking that while I call her absurd? Maybe just for today? *shifty eyes*) Plus, on top of that, KISS {Read More}
When Do You Put a ‘Best Seller’ Note On?
November 28, 2012 by 4 Comments
Recently I had an amazing run with my story It’s in His Kiss and had some really great outcomes: Yup, that’s KISS at #1 in its sub-category! That was a pretty awesome day. Followed up quickly by this: KISS made it into the Top 50 in Contemporary Romance, its main category, for both the ebooks and the overall category. I danced. I shouted. I took screen shots. I just waved when my co-workers looked at me funny during the dancing and shouting. {Read More}
When the Holidays Inspire You
November 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I’ll admit it. I have holiday fever. I love this time of the year. There’s a certain sort of magic that seems to float on the air like dandelion wisps. And so, while I figure out what the heck is going on in the two books I’m writing to follow-up the novella … not to mention trying to get them done for January and February… I decided, what the heck! Why don’t I write a holiday short. Yes. Now. Go {Read More}
When Characters Force Their Backstory
November 19, 2012 by 3 Comments
Lately I’ve been picking up books that I seem to put down almost immediately. They might be great books. I might even end up giving them 4 or 5 stars in my tracker if I read them all the way through. But, I’ll never know. What’s the new thing that’s been stopping me? Characters forcing their backstory (I know. You’re shocked. It’s not like the title gave it away or anything.) In the last month I’ve picked up books where {Read More}
When Caitie Makes Assumptions
November 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Last year I wrote 22 Steps to Successfully Self-Publishing. It still gets linked on a fairly regular basis and I still get thank you emails from people just a few months behind me on this ladder. It’s now been over a year since that post went live and I realized I made a huge, HUGE, miscalculation. I’ve realized that everyone’s “good enough” is not the same. Personally, mine is “as good as I can get it with free and hired {Read More}