Mary's Indie Publishing Workshop

This weekend, I was invited to the Pinehurst, Idaho, public library to share my Indie Publishing Workshop. I'd heard there were a couple of people who had manuscripts ready and wanted to know what to do next. So I added some pretty new slides to my Power Point presentation, dusted off my handouts, and my husband and I went to meet some new friends about an hour-and-a-half drive from our country home. Still thinking I'd be sharing with two or three writers, we set up two tables and six comfy chairs facing the wall where my slideshow would be displayed. Boy, was I thrilled when people kept walking through the door of that small meeting room. By the end, thirteen writers and interested guests had joined with me in talking about the Indie writing/publishing way. Isn't that cool?

From newbies to a writer who'd already published six books, our mutual joy was discussing writing and the process of getting a book published and noticed. I shared tips on marketing, formatting, publishing in paperback and ebook, and what to do next. I met some wonderful writers who had tips of their own to share. One lady encouraged me when she said, "I can't wait to go home and pull my manuscript out and start writing!" That's exactly the response I love. I want to encourage others that they CAN do this. It's not as difficult as they (you) might imagine.

If you're wondering whether or not you should try publishing your book, you CAN do it. If your dream, like mine, has been to write a book since you were a kid, know this, you CAN. Don't give up. Join a writers' group where the goal is to be published, not just to practice writing. Read everything you can through blogs and ebooks about the current Indie Publishing possibilities. It's pretty exciting when you realize what you can do to get your ideas into the hands of readers—without it costing an arm and a leg. And you get to make all the creative choices. That's pretty awesome.

Follow your dream.

You can write AND publish.

Start today.

Begin with a single step...knowing you can!

You CAN

With effort and determination, you CAN do what’s in your heart to do.

I had a dream to write a book. It lingered in me for a really long time. I’d work on my book-stories for a season, then for one reason or other, get discouraged, and set the dream aside. I’d get all worked up again, polish my manuscript, send queries to agents, feel rejected, and set it aside again. The zing of failure zapped my heart.

A familiar tale?

If so, know this. You CAN be a writer. You CAN write a book. You CAN be an author. You CAN do what’s in your heart to do.

Sure, it's going to take some work. But it's worth it!

Don’t wait for an agent or a publisher or anyone else to say you’re good enough.

If you dream to be an author, write! Then edit, edit, edit. Give copies to friends—and strangers, if possible—and listen to what they suggest. Try not to take their comments personally. Each of those people represent a portion of the population of readers who will think the same way. Someone doesn’t like the ending? What can make it better? Someone doesn't get the protagonist? Use your imagination to fix it. Why not? You’re a writer, after all. Full of creative ideas.

If you can afford a professional editor, do it! 

Then google for instructions and testimonials about Indie Publishing. You’ll be surprised at what YOU can do. Yes, it’s a little scary to plunge into the deep water. But once you do, it’s a  dynamite feeling to get the chance to make all the decisions on your own.

It will be a dream come true.

You CAN.

And I hope you do!