Thoughts on indie publishing

I usually don’t blog about the publishing business, but next week marks the completion of my second year as an indie publisher of novels, and I’ve been thinking about that. Specifically, the state of the business. If this isn’t your cup of tea, I understand, and I’ll be back to my regular blog posts in November.

For the rest of you who are still here… welcome and hello! First off, let me say I think this decade is the best ever, in history, to be an author. For the first time, every author has the opportunity to have their books published, to find their readers, and to possibly build a career. You can walk right around the former gatekeepers of the industry with nary a glance. The publishing world is open to you!

That’s the good part. The bad part is… well, it’s a lot of work. Not only do we have to write the books, but we have to wear most of the hats that are worn in a traditional publishing house: publicity, advertising, promotion, art, formatting, bookkeeping… the list goes on.

If we’re smart and can afford it, we hire people. Editors (or a team of them), cover designers, accountants, etc. If we can’t afford it, we do the best we can, and make do with that.

It seems that the biggest hill we authors struggle on is publicity, including promotion and advertising. It’s all expensive. Much of it is ineffective. Worse, if our product is anything less than stellar (including the book, the cover, and the blurb), even the most expensive and effective methods won’t work.

So far, I’ve experimented with Amazon ads, Bookbub ads, and various promotional newsletters that send e-book bargains to their subscribers via email. I’ve not tried Facebook ads, or Pintrest or other social media advertising. Mostly because I haven’t had time to learn about those platforms yet.

In the two years I’ve been part of this parade, the price of advertising has risen, while the effectiveness has diminished. As more authors climb on the bandwagon, this trend will likely continue. The competition is getting crowded. I’ll continue running Amazon and BookBub and newsletter ads, but I’ve recently reached a new conclusion about all this….

And at the end of two years, here’s what I think: the most effective way to try to make a living in this very crowded field is to write and publish your next book. And the next one. And the next. Preferably several a year. Last year, I published four. This year, I’m on track for the same. I think I have the best job in the world!

A few other suggestions for newbie or wannabe authors: Make sure your book covers are professional and perfectly on-target for your genre (I struggle with this sometimes), and make sure your blurbs (book descriptions and back cover copy) are enticing (I always struggle with this). Have your manuscript edited and proofread.

Build up your own author newsletter as soon as you start publishing. I started late on this, but now recognize it as a huge asset for both me and my readers — they get all the information on discounts, free books, new releases and giveaways, and they help me launch my books. Win/win!

And that, my friends, is that. My opinion, for whatever it’s worth.

God bless you, and have a great day!

Snow… in September?

I’m sitting in central Montana at the moment, and we’re under a winter storm watch. Originally the forecasters were prognosticating 18″ to 36″ of heavy wet snow this weekend, but now they’ve revised it down… a lot. Maybe we’ll get six or eight inches.

Still, I’d like to point out it is September! And this isn’t Alaska, where a September snowstorm is normal or expected. Fortunately, I did bring my snow boots on this trip, “just in case.” Even though the temps were in the 80’s when we arrived.

Always be prepared, like a good Boy Scout!

In other news, by the time you read this, my new book will be out. ‘America’ is the third book in the Daughter of Babylon series. I’m currently working on the fourth in the series, and I’m hoping that will wrap it up.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

‘AMERICA’ now available on pre-order

Hello, everyone! I’m happy to announce the third book in the Daughter of Babylon series, AMERICA, is now on pre-order at Amazon. Release date is Sept. 28, 2019. Here’s what it’s about:

AMERICA is facing its ultimate test. Can it stand, or will it fall?

Reeling from devastating attacks on California and New York, the United States teeters on the brink of collapse. In Oregon, Katie and Zach Nelson are hoping to catch their breath and plot their next move. But a sinister threat drives them from their hiding place.

Meanwhile, Vice President Alana Mills awakens to unexpected and devastating news. Can she help steer the country through this shocking turn of events?

Or is it too late to save the nation?

AMERICA is the third book in the apocalyptic thriller Daughter of Babylon series.

‘AMERICA’ excerpt

Greetings, everyone! I’ve been getting questions about when the third book in the Daughter of Babylon series, ‘AMERICA,’ is coming out. And the answer is… SOON! September, actually, if I keep my fingers on the keyboard.

And for those who just can’t wait, here’s an excerpt from the book.

WARNING — SPOILER ALERT — POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

If you hate spoilers, stop reading right now. You’ve been warned.

****

The gas prices were staggering. Evan wasn’t sure if this was just normal for Canada, or if it was a result of the events in the United States.

After filling both vehicles, he went into the building to use the restroom. As he came back outside, he heard angry voices. His gaze went immediately to his truck and the Audi.

Sure enough, that’s where the trouble was brewing.

“You people are a menace to Canada!” A plump, black-haired woman in a pink tank top jabbed her finger at Elizabeth’s face. “Go home!”

Elizabeth opened her car door.

The woman’s boyfriend sauntered around to the passenger door and peered inside.

“Hey!” Evan shouted, hurrying toward them. “Leave her alone!”

At the adjacent pump, Dad opened his door and got out of the truck. “What’s going on?”

The boyfriend whirled on him.

“What’s going on, is you Americans bringing your radiation up here! You’re contaminating our country!”

“Yeah! Contaminators!” His girlfriend chanted. “Contaminators! Contaminators!”

She yelled and pointed at Elizabeth, while looking around. It was obvious she wanted a crowd.

“Radioactive contaminators!”

Dad rubbed his chest. “We aren’t contaminating anything. We were nowhere near New York City!”

“Radiation! Contaminators!” The woman yelled, and her boyfriend joined in. “Radiation! Radiation!”

Now they were drawing a crowd. And not a happy-looking one. Evan didn’t see a sympathetic face in the bunch.

Willow’s Cabin and a big black bear

Our neighbor is building Willow’s Cabin for us. Our version is actually nicer than the one Willow moved into, though — it’s a 16×20 dry cabin (no water or electric) — but I wanted more windows, and my husband wanted a back door. We also wanted a front porch. And a back porch that has evolved into an enclosed mudroom (perhaps future bathroom?). Oh, and I wanted kitchen cabinets.

So yes, it’s much nicer than Willow’s. And I don’t expect to have seven people living in it! Although there is room for that many, as described in my Band of Believers series.

Anyway, our neighbor/builder was coming in the other morning, and when he turned into our driveway, there was a big fat black bear! It took off when it saw him, running toward our house and the forest beyond.

My neighbor figures the bear smelled his chickens and was coming over for breakfast. I think it smelled his pigs (and eight newborn piglets). Maybe he wanted bacon and eggs.

Now when I walk through the woods to the cabin, I make lots of noise. “Hello, there, Mister Bear! I don’t want to see your hair!”

Ridiculous, I know. At least it’s not a moose. Or the cougar we had hanging around last year. Life in the woods….

Oh, yeah — my new book, New York, releases tomorrow. Enjoy!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Daughter of Babylon series begins today!

I’m pleased to announce that my new series, Daughter of Babylon, is now launched! Book 1, California, is available in the Amazon store. Here’s what it’s about:

***

Katie Nelson just wants to celebrate her anniversary with a relaxing camping trip on the California coast. But terrorists have other plans for the weekend. Like torching the place.

When she and her husband Zach scramble to evacuate, they’re snared in all sorts of trouble, and soon they’re running for their lives.

Meanwhile, Basilia Hernandez and Alana Mills, the new president and vice president of the United States, face one shocking turn of events after another. Do they have what it takes to protect and defend the country during the apocalypse? Or will they make it worse?

***

I hope you all love it! If you do, please consider leaving a review on Amazon — reviews are immensely helpful; thanks!


Could you survive in the wild?

In my Band of Believers series, young Christians flee to the Montana wilderness to flee persecution and likely death. This raises the question: Could this actually happen? Could people really survive out in the forest?

As part of my research for this series, I studied persecuted groups that had fled to the wilderness to survive. (The earliest one I could think of was the Israelites, wandering around in the desert after escaping from Egypt – but that was a special case in which God actually provided their food and water, and I was looking for something more modern.)

While studying the end times, I found it interesting and practical to brush up on the Holocaust. There are many parallels between that time period in Europe and prophesied future events. As it turns out, the Nazi regime was an excellent focus area both for the question of wilderness survivability and for reviewing the fearsome intensity of exterminating a large population of religious people.

In a nutshell, the answer to the question in the first paragraph is “Yes.” This can actually happen (and it has, not long ago) and yes, people can actually survive out in the forest.

One of my favorite stories from this time period is that of the Bielski brothers. In 1941, they established a small base camp in the dense forest, then persuaded other Jews to join them there.

By the time the war ended in 1945, over a thousand Jews were living in their forest encampment. It was gritty and rough, and winters were hard and hungry. Some died (especially those younger than ten or older than forty). But many lived!

Many things contributed to their ability to survive – practical skills, health, fortitude and courage, not to mention God’s blessing. In today’s world, not many people have the basic skills needed, and few have serious interest in learning. But they could.

If you want to learn more about this fascinating story, there are a number of good books on the topic. I suggest “The Bielski Brothers” by Peter Duffy or “Fugitives of the Forest” by Allan Levine. (If you prefer to watch a movie, check out “Defiance.”). This is a true story, and it’s raw and hard – but also encouraging and hopeful.

What do you think about all this? Your thoughts and comments are welcome. God bless you, my friends!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


New series coming!

Hello, everyone!

I hope you are are doing well and staying warm and dry… it’s been quite a winter, hasn’t it? I know I’m looking forward to spring!

Just a quick update… I’ve just completed the manuscript for the first book in my upcoming series, Daughter of Babylon. I’m looking forward to sharing this series with you this summer, beginning with ‘California Burning’ in May 2019!

As always, please feel free to contact me using the button above… I love to hear from readers. God bless you and keep you! Jamie

Library in a box

When we moved to Alaska, we got rid of pretty much everything that didn’t fit in our pickup or the travel trailer behind it. Including almost all of our books. Since then, we’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. Including LOTS of books.

I’ve wondered occasionally, if we were to undertake a big move like that again – or evacuate for a natural disaster – or for some other reason need to ditch most of our library, what I would keep? Say I could take ten printed books, or fill a medium-sized box? (Obviously, I’d take my Kindle if I could, but what if there was an EMP or a long-term power outage? I need paper books to read!)

That was the idea that spawned this month’s giveaway, in which I asked readers if they could keep only one book in addition to their Bible, what would it be? My dear readers’ answers were interesting and insightful. I might write another blog entry all about that.

But for now, I’ll let you in on which books I might keep if I had to leave most of my beloved (physical, printed) books.

  1. The Bible. Has everything I truly need!
  2. Carla Emery’s “Encyclopedia of Country Living.” Charming and full of knowledge from her decades of raising children, gardens and livestock. Reminds me of my grandma.
  3. SAS Survival Handbook. How to stay alive.
  4. A good first aid or ditch medicine book. (Okay, I haven’t narrowed down which one, exactly, but I’d grab one in this category.)
  5. A foraging book for my local area.
  6. My mom’s Betty Crocker cookbook.
  7. A novel that my dad owned.
  8. A very old book of poetry that belonged to my grandma.
  9. A book of hymns or worship songs.
  10. A fiction favorite. Either Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” or Peretti’s “The Oath.”

Wow, that leaves out a lot of favorites, like “Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival” and a stack of devotional favorites, a slew of novels, all my books on writing, books on Alaska (I’m a bit of a fan), gardening books, “PDR for Herbal Medicines,” a stack of books by David Wilkerson, and John Price’s “The End of America.”

Obviously, I’d have to pack two boxes. One just won’t do it!

How about you? If you had to reduce your library to a single box, what would you include in it?