The Struggling Indie Author

Today on an ad-free bonus episode, I sit down and chat with Mariah Sinclair of coverdesignerdirectory.com, and we discuss all things book covers. Mariah also shares her tips to finding a quality cover designer, pitfalls we as indie authors need to look out for, AND a little bit about the process of hiring a cover designer. A little bit about Mariah Sinclair: She is an award-winning designer. In a former life, she worked for advertising agencies serving Fortune 500 companies, the City of Los Angeles, and other government entities as a designer and digital marketer. She designed her first book cover in 2001, and now focuses exclusively on designing book covers for independent authors. As a book cover designer, Mariah is passionate about helping indie authors level up in their business. That's why she created the https://coverdesignerdirectory.com/ and why she loves cover design! A group of her clients affectionately named her ‘The Queen of Cozy’ and she wears that crown with pride.

This week, Niki sits down and talks to Vickie Bley of The Southern Pen Bookshop. The Southern Pen Bookshop is a retail and online bookshop for the independent, non-traditionally published author. Vickie Bley, owner and an independent author, wanted to create a retail location where other authors like herself could sell their books out competing with commercially and traditionally published books. The shop has been in operation for three years and seen a steady growth in the number of authors who request to place their books on the shop’s shelves and made available online. The bookshop has become known as more than a retail outlet but also a huge promoter of the authors and their books. Authors are invited to participate in multiple promotional events ranging from live interviews on Between the Pages Live, offering special programs for the shop’s podcast, and teaching webinars. The Southern Pen Bookshop hosts several annual events such as: A Writer’s Conference, Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award, and a Christmas Tea. The retail location is located inside The Monroe Mercantile in downtown Monroe, Georgia. To support the show: Visit https://www.southernpenbookshop.com/ use coupon code NIKKI at checkout for 10% off your order. Visit Formatted Books: https://formattedbooks.com/?ref=25 and mention The Struggling Indie Author. www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Or Buy Me a Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/strugglingindie Contact me!  Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com https://www.pinterest.com/TheStrugglingIndieAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestrugglingindie https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingindieauthor/

This week, Niki sits down with Wallace and Cory, the owners of FormattedBooks.com We discuss the importance of having a professionally produced product, and the common pitfalls DIYers face. Visit Formatted Books: https://formattedbooks.com/?ref=25 and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Or Buy Me a Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/strugglingindie Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com https://www.pinterest.com/TheStrugglingIndieAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestrugglingindie https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingindieauthor/ www.coverdesignerdirectory.com

Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels, comic books, short stories, screenplays, and more. Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. On occasion, he appears in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind your favorite actor. Occasionally, he puts pen to paper and doodles. For more information on Bobby Nash and his work, please visit him at www.bobbynash.com, www.ben-books.com, and across social media.

Niki makes an announcement about Season Two and the Bobby Nash interview.

Today, Niki talks about what steps you should take after hitting the publish button, how to build an author platform and author forum decorum. This is the last episode in the 7 part beginner's series. On Friday, March 19, 2021 I will kick off season two with an interview with author Bobby Nash. Visit Formatted Books: https://formattedbooks.com/?ref=25 and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show.  Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com  www.TheStrugglingIndie.com  https://www.pinterest.com/TheStrugglingIndieAuthor/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestrugglingindie  https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingindieauthor/  www.coverdesignerdirectory.com

This week, Niki talks about the various costs associated with publishing your book.  Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show.  Contact me!  Hello@thestrugglingindie.com  www.TheStrugglingIndie.com  Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

Today, Niki discusses the process of publishing your book. She goes through all of your publishing options and goes into detail about categories and keywords.  Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

In this week's episode, Niki discusses what to do after you've completed the first draft of your book!  Today, Niki discusses the process of publishing your book. She goes through all of your publishing options and goes into detail about categories and keywords.  Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

This week, Niki discusses some breakthroughs in her author journey & the importance of knowing your genre!  Links Mentioned in Episode: Author Planner https://www.etsy.com/listing/869003260/  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/audrey-ann-hughey/the-2021-authors-planner/paperback/product-9j2j5q.html?page=1&pageSize=4  Successful Indie Author: amazon.com/dp/B07SJHR39J/ Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

Today, Niki discusses plotting vs "Pantsing", Pen names, and how to develop a writing habit. Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

In this episode, Niki shares a little bit of her author journey. She also discusses one of the most important decisions you can make for your author career, whether to pursue Traditional or Indie publishing. Mentioned in this Podcast: Writer's Market amazon.com/Writers-Market-2020-Trusted-Published/dp/1440301220/ Struggling Indie Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestrugglingindie Website www.thestrugglingIndie.com Today, Niki discusses the process of publishing your book. She goes through all of your publishing options and goes into detail about categories and keywords.  Visit Formatted Books, and mention The Struggling Indie Author to support the show. Contact me! Hello@thestrugglingindie.com www.TheStrugglingIndie.com Follow me on Pinterest Join my Facebook Group Instagram www.coverdesignerdirectory.com Go to StrugglingIndie.com to get your FREE Indie Author Toolkit

Hi, I’m Niki Morris, and I’m a struggling Indie Author Learning about self-publishing can feel like wading through an endless sea of information... Many successful indie authors and experts share their tips and strategies across various platforms… …Trust me, I'm grateful to them. However, the process of learning effective marketing, growing your audience, and becoming successful can all seem overwhelming when you don't even know how to get your book (or idea) out there in the first place. If you are overwhelmed and don't know where to begin, this podcast is for you. The Struggling Indie Author Podcast will break down the process in a concise and easy to understand fashion. Over the next few weeks you will learn about: • The differences between traditional, indie, & vanity publishers • Choosing and knowing your genre • Establishing a writing habit • The importance of beta readers, editing, and types of editors • The importance of a good cover and where to find one • ISBNs...what they are and if you need one • Potential costs associated with publishing • What it means to be Wide vs. Exclusive • Your publishing options (Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo etc.) • Publishing Keywords and Categories (what they are, and why they are important) • Author platforms and how to establish one And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If your itching to know all of this information today, my book, Intro to Self Publishing is available on Amazon.com for 0.99.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087QY5ZJ6/ Are you ready? Hit the subscribe button, and start your author journey today. www.TheStrugglingIndie.com https://www.pinterest.com/TheStrugglingIndieAuthor/_created/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestrugglingindie https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglingindieauthor/