A self-published author's diary

Today, I explain why I won't be posting new episodes regularly, share great new about my latest biopsy (no signs of recurrence, YAY!), an update about the month of December (so many things: Vella, writing immersive videos and more) as well as three newsletters for writers. Oh and I have a new book up for pre-order # Most Eligible Scrooge (how awesome is that title?)

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Today is another episode about Kindle Vella. Now that I've been on the platform for more than nine months, I thought I'd do a recap.

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Today is all about my Kickstarter not getting funded for #TheLeftoverBride audiobook: what I would do differently, what I learned and what I did after it didn't get funded ...

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As always:

Today, I'm sharing what happened since #SweetsForLove release day: the number of sold copies, how I already earned some money before release day, number of reviews and what comes next (marketing, ads and more). Plus, you get a peek inside my day on the actual release day. 

Within a few days, I had a few self-publishing ups and downs, including: hearing the words every romance wants to hear (during a pretty stressful day), losing a crown on one of my Vella stories, fangirling over Eloisa James and regaining a crown on said Vella story. Today I also talk about my dream of having Fear Me, Fear Me Not adapated for Lifetime or Netflix... And I have my first voicemail!!!! 

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Today, I share with you my book promo results using BargainBooksy as well as my audiobook promo results using AudioThicket. But first, I start by sharing some good news as well as explaining why sometimes it feels like I "need, need, need" to write. And more advice from writers on TikTok: :Pick one thing at a time and master it. You don't have to be brilliant at everything right out of the box." by @mckennadeanfiction and "Be easy on yourself" by @katryanwrites...

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Today, I give you an update on my social media marketing, how writing for Kindle Vella is helping me not only keep a schedule but also going back to my Margie Lawson's lecture packet on deep editing. I also share writing advice writers would give someone who's just starting. 

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In today's episode I am sharing my book sales breakdown for April. I am hoping my books bring comfort to readers (as I am myself a comfort re-reader). I am sharing lines that have stayed with me from Trust Me, Trust Me Not (and how much they mean to me. After all we don't write in a vacuum) and I explain how my "let's post every day on TikTok for #TheLeftoverBride is going... :-)

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I am back from holidays. A bit jetlagged. Very grateful for the time spent with loved ones in Germany and in France and getting back into a writing routine (and podcasting routine).

For the first time, I recorded this episode live on TikTok (before editing it for the podcast). Today, I talk about writing using the Pomodoro method again, my Kindle Vella bonus (more than I expected). Plus, I share an excerpt of the audiobook of Trust Me, Trust Me More and more...

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Today, I go back and check if I achieved my March self-publishing goals (audiobook, Kindle Vella and more...). I also share with you my March book sales. 

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Today, I share the four reasons I decided to try Kindle Vella as an author and what my experience has been so far. I also share some resources that I've been finding helpful and some events I'm looking forward to.

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Today I share with the costs of my cover as well as the strategy for its reveal. In addition, I start learning how to apply the 7 rules of marketing as an author (will definitely dig deeper into this topic as I research more and try different strategies). I also share an update on my amazon ads.

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In today's episode, I explain how one of my TikTok videos went viral on Instagram and using Amazon ads as an indie author.

For that video to go viral (it has more than 26000 views) which is very uncommon for me, I followed a few steps. That video also resulted in sales and pages read. My book went from sitting at 700000 to about 70000 and then climbed a bit higher and stayed around 100000 for a few days without any ads.

When it comes to the Amazon Ads, my French ads seem to be doing well. I'll keep you updated.

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At the beginning of today's episode, I mentioned that I added links to the episode description in case you can donate to help Ukraine. Here are the links:

Today, on the podcast, I talk about getting back on track with writing, schedules and even getting a writing session outside. I'm also looking into bringing my pen name stories to Kindle Vella before putting them in Kindle Unlimited and the Draft2Digital acquisition of Smashwords...

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Episode 46 is also known as season 2, episode 1 :-)

Today, I'm starting season 2 by talking about writing more than 10000 words a week, by doing sprints for a couple of hours per day (not every day), leaning into my process, writing two stories at the same time and more.

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Before diving right into my yearly review as an indie author: if you're struggling or know someone who is struggling (or maybe even just mention it or post it or share this resource with people in your life): https://www.crisistextline.org/ Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.

Today, on the podcast, I talk about the highs and lows of my self-publishing career in 2021.

Some of my lows included:

Some of my highs included:

And more...

As always:

Today, I talk about five things I've learned about self-publishing in 2021 (such as the importance of my newsletter and how sending emails more often does help me, Netgalley and more...) and one thing I learned about writing.

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And as always:

Today, I talk about the release of #TheLeftoverBride French edition and breaking the top 100 in Apple Books (my book was hanging out right next to Sally Thorne's The Hating Game! :-)). I share five things I've learned about podcasting as an author in 2021 and five things I want to do next year (podcast-related). I also gush about Cape Cod in December and Isaiah Jones Bed & Breakfast...

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And as always:

Today, I talk about the excitement that is uploading the files to publish the French version of #TheLeftoverBride, using Draft2Digital, KDP select & Google Play. I also explain why I decided to get my manuscript proofread one more time and I may start brainstorming about the next books in the Swan Cove series. Also mentioned on this episode: the books/free webinars I'm planning on taking (rapid release, dictation & writing your book and more amazon ads courses).

And as always:

Today, I talk about gearing up for the publication of #TheLeftoverBride French edition which includes updating backmatter, putting another book permafree, adding the French edition to several readers' websites in France, formatting the text and adapting my ad strategy.

I also mention how I've been building my writing craft over the years, similarly to building blocks and how some strategies and ways of writing come more easily to me now than they did before.

Links from this episode:

Today, I talk about keeping track of indie author conferences as I completely missed the Romance Author Mastermind conference. it does require an invitation but I only saw talks about it after it happened (or while it was happening) so making sure I'm adding the link to it to my favorites. I also mention the 20booksto50k conference and Inkers Con. 

During the week, I also updated my author newsletter landing pages to make them less convoluted and I'm currently experiencing the very fun writing high of starting to write a story I've been thinking about for several months now.

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Today, I share some good news: I had a PET scan on Wednesday and then we saw my oncologist. And no signs of malignancy. I'll see him again in three months but as I'm now two years out of transplant, no more scheduled scans 🙂

I also talk about using Netgalley as an indie author: what my goals are in terms of reviews and reaching more readers and why I decided to put #TheLeftoverBride on Netgalley.

As a self-published author, I use Victory Editing co-op (for one title and one month) and have already received hundreds of request for review.

Today, on the podcast: another lesson learned in my self-publishing career or how I may have slightly panicked on Wednesday when it comes to the French translation (should be fine now but this was stressful) of my next novel and how I'm learning from my mistakes, getting back into a writing routine, putting #TheLeftoverBride on Netgalley, not doing NaNoWriMo... and more.

Also mentioned today:

This is a REPLAY episode. This episode was published earlier this year.

Have you ever wondered about getting your books published as audiobooks? Or are you thinking about working as an audiobook narrator?

This short interview (which wasn't conducted live. I had sent questions to Megan so she could record the answers whenever possible) goes into her process as audiobook narrator and a bit of behind-the-scenes of the FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT audiobook (which is available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes). She also gives her top 3 tips for audiobook narrators.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://elodienowodazkij.com/2021/01/27/the-one-with-an-interview-with-audiobook-narrator-megan-carter/

Today, I share with you what I've done each day to increase my royalties: one step at a time. Between updating #TheLeftoverBride epilogue, starting to format another bilingual book, putting one of my books as perma-free and running a free promo on another book who is currently in KDP select, I am making progress. 

Another topic I'm talking about today is dealing with feeling inadequate or not "as successful" as an indie author because those are feelings many of us have at one time or another. And a reminder that success isn't a pie and that learning from other indie authors as well as remembering what our goals are is oh so important.

Also mentioned in this article:

And if you'd like to listen to the FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT audiobook, it's only one credit on Audible and you can try Audible for free!

Today, I am doing a "lessons learned" recap for my latest book release as indie author. #TheLeftoverBride has been out for a bit less than a month and while, of course, a lot of readers will read it and smile in the coming weeks, months, years, decades... there are a few things that I will do differently with my next release and things that, I think, have worked very well for me.

So, I'm detailing the top 3 mistakes I've made for that release (which turned into the top 5 or so) and then the top 3 things (which turned into the top 4 or 5) I've done very well when self-publishing #TheLeftoverBride.

I also talk about what I'm planning to do for the next release and about turning 2 (my stem cell transplant was on October 7th 2019 so I am two for my second birthday).

In this episode I mention:

Today, I am talking about my new process for getting #TheLeftoverBride to the French-speaking market, explaining why I don't translate my own books. After all, literary translation (and all types of translation) are an art. I dig a bit deeper into why I am "wide" on the French-speaking market. More than 15% of pre-orders are currently on Apple & Kobo. And I'm about to set up my pre-order on Google Play.

I'm also setting up my calendar and my upcoming projects and trying to find one thing to do each day to help my royalties. :-)

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Today, I share why the Chemical Engineer was right and how I didn't listen to him but listened to L. Penelope. :-) It's related to the formatting of the #TheLeftoverBride title and how to make it more "searchable".

I also answer questions from Sam (on Instagram) who asked: what was the hardest part about writing #TheLeftoverBride? I added the hardest part about self-publishing it...

I go more into details about:

Next week, I'll talk about book translations/marketing, don't hesitate to ask me a question per email or record a question...

Today, I go back and forth between being "done-done" and "just one more tiny change". Those are pretty much the jitters before publication as #TheLeftoverBride releases next week... 

Today, I am very very happy about finishing my book. At the time of recording, I was finalizing it before sending it to my copy editor (cue, happy dance and a very giddy Elodie). I also talk about what I've learned in this process: I tend to write better on the couch and to revise and edit better sitting at the chair in my office. 

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Today, I talk about needing to change one scene's point-of-view and the process behind that decision (mainly related to which character needs to have a certain realization). I also discuss falling in love with my revised chapters, when I no longer focus on each page, paragraph, sentence, word and re-read the whole chapter on a different device than my computer...

Plus, I share some tidbits about my 40th birthday and our 10-year anniversary getaway. The Chemical Engineer surprised me with a trip to Inn Boonsboro (the inn owned by Nora Roberts) and we had a wonderful time. Yes, he is amazing.

And I also open up about feeling overwhelmed with everything happening in the world and wanting to make sure I find ways to help. Mentioned in this episode:

Today is a bit different. As I'm celebrating my 40th birthday as well as my husband and I's 10-year wedding anniversary this week, I am not recording a full episode but instead, I am sharing the first three chapters of the A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER audiobook with you all (narrated by Megan Carter).

Today, I'm talking about: being vulnerable and honest about some of my experience with cancer in an article I've written for the Ulman Foundation, reflecting on finding my words again and using writing as a form of catharsis (not only in this article but in my novels as well). I'm also sharing an update on my #TheLeftoverBride revision which includes letting the ending of #TheLeftoverBride simmer a little and more google searches. :-)  

Today, a patchwork of my revision process which includes: : spending hours on one paragraph, thinking about the length of my chapters, making my characters even more endearing, wanting to pull at readers' heartstrings and more google searches. You'll also hear an update on my most recent check-up (blood tests and physical exams and they are all good), the shows we're currently watching and more.

Today, I am sharing a patchwork episode as I recorded every single day, documenting my progress in my revision of #TheLeftoverBride. Come revise with me and also discover what topics I googled on each different day (for this story). :-)

Today, I discuss revising #TheLeftoverBride. After feedback from my critique partners, I cut the first five chapters from about 16000 words to a bit over 8000. And it is a roller coaster of emotions full of doubts but also moments of success...Plus do writers get decision fatigue?

Today, I am answering two questions I've received from a reader named Amanda: Did I always know I would write for readers? And where does that confidence come from?

I go back into my junior high writing of poems and my high school writing of romance and my later years of fanfiction writing to answer the first question. And when it comes to the second question and the confidence aspect, I try to analyze a bit where that confidence comes from. :-) And how fleeting it is throughout the process.

I talk about my very scientific writing process of "ooohhh" and "yay" and about my love for romance books. Readers pick up those books knowing what the ending will be and yet we still get so enthralled by them. I think that's really a testimony to the magic and the art of writing romance.

Today, I'm sharing some of what I've learned from my own data and experience when it comes to the French-speaking market for self-published books (in this case, mine): what vendors generate sells and revenue, what price point do I use, recouping investment.

Before that, I also add a bit of info shared by the actress portraying Umma in Kim's Convenience in regards her crucial input for the food element to keep the authentacity (follow-up from last week's episode).

I mention the following articles:

Today, it's all about selling my e-books directly to readers, using my backlist, talking about Kim's Convenience (and storytelling), the happy revision feeling, time management and expectations and that happy "I got that one paragraph" feeling from revising #TheLeftoverBride.

Some of the links mentioned in this episode:

Studying cover trends and romantic suspense covers to see if maybe I should re-brand my Gavert City series. I found an article from Creativindie with top fonts used in different genres and I have played around with designing a new cover for the first book in the series, using Depositphoto and Canva. Today, I'm also sharing a snippet from my upcoming novel #TheLeftoverBride, and the doubts about releasing while managing to make progress and being also so very excited about getting back into the story. So. Many. Feelings.

And I'm answering questions from listeners. Today: what was the first book I self-published? And where do I write?

Talking with actor and writer Megan Carter (audiobook narrator of FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT - SEE ME, SEE ME NOT - A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and more) on how acting may influence her writing, the similarities between publishing and acting, critique partners. We also talk about roller coasters and Medea...

Talking with YA author Katy Upperman (author of KISSING MAX HOLDEN, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US and HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN) about incorporating feedback in her revisions (and how much she loves the revision process), being vulnerable in our writing, her dream projects...We also talk about her life list and true crime (not related).

Talking with contemporary romance author Mona Shroff (author of THEN, NOW, ALWAYS & THEN THERE WAS YOU) about the time she met Martha Stewart (and almost met Matthew McConaughey), her writing process, receiving the calls from her agent and book deal and how falling in love isn't the solution for all our characters' issues.

In addition to explaining my current process about engaging readers even before the cover reveal, I talk about my very complicated feelings about social media and the fact that I am still learning how to use it as an author. I even made my first Instagram reel &enowodazkij) and joined tiktok (@elodienowodazkij).

I'm also celebrating Jessica Patrick's new book THIS IS FOR TONIGHT and talking about how much I am enjoying PRETTY LITTLE WIFE by Darby Kane. I share a short excerpt of #TheLeftoverBride and a happy author moment of the week (reader's email).

Today I share my top 3 self-publishing mistakes...It includes not building my newsletter and so much more.

You can ask me questions about self-publishing, writing and/or my books by sending me an email authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com or you can also send me a message via the anchor.fm website. I'll be answering those questions on the podcast!

I'm also announcing Spotlight Friday with amazing writers! 

The books I mentioned are:

In this episode, I share how I became a hybrid author with my book A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER (it involved an email from a French publisher :-)), the story behind the writing of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and how I track my book sales (TrackerBox & BookReport).

In this episode, I'm going behind-the-scenes: explaining the soft and official launch of this episode, the different steps in launching this podcast, my goals, the questions I have been wrestling with and more.

A little glimpse into the self-publishing platforms that I use and how much royalties I receive for books priced at $2.99 and $0.99.

Plus I mention: the cicadas phenomenom that happens in Maryland every 17 years...the books I just read and am currently reading and more.

Talking about the series I just finished watching and how they might inform my writing, the Naughty Books Documentary, the marketing classes I've just taken or are taking, the writing lecture I'm reading, the need for more diversity in publishing and the books I've published in March...

Most links mentioned in this episode are available in this blog: http://elodienowodazkij.com/2021/04/03/a-self-published-authors-diary-a-little-march-recap/

Have you ever wondered about getting your books published as audiobooks? Or are you thinking about working as an audiobook narrator?

This short interview (which wasn't conducted live. I had sent questions to Megan so she could record the answers whenever possible) goes into her process as audiobook narrator and a bit of behind-the-scenes of the FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT audiobook (which is available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes). She also gives her top 3 tips for audiobook narrators.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://elodienowodazkij.com/2021/01/27/the-one-with-an-interview-with-audiobook-narrator-megan-carter/

In this episode (episode 2)