Becoming an indie author is an exhilarating journey filled with new challenges, uncharted territories, and thrilling discoveries. As I embarked on this path as a brand new indie author, I found myself standing at the starting line with no fans or followers. In this blog, I’d like to share my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, in the hopes that they may resonate with others venturing into the world of indie publishing.
Building a Foundation
One of the first steps in my indie author adventure was understanding the importance of building a fan base. Without a readership, my books would remain undiscovered treasures in the vast sea of literature. I made collecting subscribers for my newsletter a primary focus. This meant creating content that engaged readers and kept them coming back for more.
Reconnecting with social media was another key element of my journey. While I had accounts on various platforms, I had never truly engaged with the online community. I was a silent observer, merely scrolling through posts. Now, I had to transform my passive presence into an active one. Networking with fellow authors and connecting with potential readers became vital to my success.
From Reader to Author: Writing My Passion
Writing a book, the part I loved most, was my first step in the journey. Fantasy romance was my chosen genre because it held a special place in my heart. I wanted to write what I loved and immerse myself in a world of magic and love. However, this choice came with its own challenges.
As a new author, I often compared myself to established authors. It’s only natural to feel intimidated when your work stands beside the giants of your chosen genre. The fear and self-doubt began to creep in. Was my book good enough? Would people connect with my characters and my story? These questions haunted my thoughts.
Seeking Validation
To ease my doubts, I relied on beta readers and an editor. Their feedback provided valuable insight into my work. I revised and edited my book multiple times, determined to make it the best it could be.
But, self-doubt can be relentless. It gnaws at the edges of your confidence, questioning every word, every sentence. It wasn’t enough to have had beta readers and an editor; the fear that my book might not measure up still lingered.
The Power of Positivity
This is where positive thinking and mindset come into play. I wear a ring that reads “I am enough,” a constant reminder to myself that I have what it takes. Sticky notes with affirmations like “like attracts like” adorn my workspace. I believe in the energy I put out into the universe, and that what I give will return to me. Staying in a positive mindset is crucial. I listen to self-affirmations I recorded at the start of this journey to remind myself of my capabilities.
The Thrill of Release
Finally, the moment of truth arrived – the day I hit the “publish” button. The excitement was palpable, but so were the nerves. I anxiously watched every passing hour, waiting for my book to go live on Amazon. It was a moment of immense pride and accomplishment.
Yet, I held off sharing this milestone with my extended family immediately. I wanted to dip my toes in the water, navigate this new territory, and find my footing. It was an intimate journey, one that I had embarked on solo, and I wanted to savor the experience before opening it up to a broader audience.
In Conclusion
Becoming an indie author is a transformative journey filled with ups and downs, self-doubt, and thrilling accomplishments. It’s a road where you start with zero fans and, with determination and perseverance, you build a community around your work. It’s a path where writing what you love may present challenges, but it’s those challenges that make the journey worthwhile.
The fear and self-doubt are the shadows that come with the territory, but positive thinking and the right mindset can dispel those shadows. As an indie author, you have the power to make your own way in the literary world, to share your stories with readers, and to celebrate the excitement of every book release.
So, to all the aspiring authors out there, take that first step, embrace the challenges, and cherish the journey. It’s a path where each day brings new adventures, and where, with each word you write, you create your own literary world.
