Traci Sanders is a multi-genre, multi-award-winning author of ten published titles, with contributions to three anthologies. An avid blogger and supporter of Indie authors, she writes parenting, children’s, romance, and nonfiction guides.
Her ultimate goal is to provide great stories and quality content for dedicated readers, whether through her own writing or editing works by other authors.
TIP 289: Ten ways authors can strengthen the Indie industry
**This tip, and many others on marketing and networking, can be found in Beyond The Book: Tips on publishing, marketing, and networking to build your brand.
As a mom, I’ve reprimanded my children several times for “making me (our family) look bad” through inappropriate behavior, or even through inappropriate attire for a certain occasion. It’s my job to make sure my children understand how to dress and behave properly to reflect our (mine and my husband’s) standards as a family unit.
Here are ten ways to help strengthen the Indie publishing industry:
- Support your fellow Indie authors. I don’t mean you have to buy and read only Indie books, but do try to share their promos and events, and add a few of their books to your TBR list in addition to your classic favorites. Supporting the Indie industry is like supporting a small business. There are some amazingly talented Indie authors whose books are every bit as polished and professional as traditionally published ones.
- Make sure your book is professionally edited.
- Make sure you have a professional book cover and formatting.
- Don’t steal copyrighted material from other authors.
- Don’t promote idle gossip about other authors or retaliate against fellow authors with low reviews.
- Don’t be a hypocrite. When you see a favorite music artist’s songs on free download (pirated copies), don’t download them. Buy them and support those artists, just as you would want to be supported in real book sales. These artists are people just like you.
- Share other Indie authors’ books with your friends and family when they ask for book recommendations.
- Offer great writing. Go through the channels it takes to produce great books: writing, revising, rewriting, and editing, before publishing.
- Don’t spam timelines and targeted groups. This puts a bad taste in readers’ mouths about Indie authors, because, I assure you, their favorite traditionally published authors DON’T spam them.
- Wear your Indie title proudly. Don’t let anyone convince you or label you as being “too lazy to get a real publishing deal,” or “not good enough to get a real publishing deal.”
- Knowledge of the publishing process.
- Great writing skills—knowledge of grammar and writing mechanics.
- A tough skin to combat all the negativity.
- A solid marketing plan.
- A personal support system, and a professional one (editors, cover designers, etc.,).
Stephen Geez
I think you’ve covered everything here, Traci. All good advice. The only thing I would add is, never give up. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get your story done right, keep working at it. You are under no deadline but the one you set for yourself, if any. I don’t set deadlines. I work better that way after a lifetime of deadlines to meet before I retired from the clerical world. You’re the boss. Let’s make the Indie industry sparkle.
Sharon K. Connell
Traci has offered to do a “Giveaway” of Volumes 1 & 2 of “Before You Publish” to TWO lucky winners!
Between the Beats 
Thanks for the lovely feature today, Liz! I appreciate your support.
It’s a pleasure. This is a useful series of books for any indie writer or anyone considering writing a book. Thanks for sharing your excellent advice.