You can't edit a blank page - you must write that first draft. First drafts are the toughest part of the process. They're rough, they're messy, and they're necessary. So how do you keep going when you hate every word you've written? Don't be just another "aspiring author" — it's time to finish. ★ In this issue of Indie Author Magazine, you'll learn how to optimize your first draft process and join the ranks of working indies. ★ ✓ How to conquer the muddy middle of your first draft… and finish strong. ✓ How to use dictation software like the most productive authors. ✓ What writing software can make your first draft a joy instead of a slog. In this issue of Indie Author Magazine, you'll learn all about first drafts, and meet Jami Albright, our featured author. She's hilarious, relatable, and shares her story of pouring literal blood, sweat and tears into her first book — a runaway hit. Besides the in-depth topic articles on first drafts, we have over a dozen more articles for you! How do top-earning authors leverage collaboration? Read their strategies! Discover what readers of Urban Fantasy expect and how you can satisfy them. Learn how to design your own author logo without spending a dime. Implement Ten Tips for Clubhouse - the new app indies use to share their secrets Do you know how to effectively kill a character with poison? Learn how to get away with murder. Uncover why hydration is key to imagination — and what apps work Get serious about Scrivener - read the shortcuts that pros use to master this popular tool Read reviews of top first draft books for indie authors Peruse Podcast Picks you need to bookmark and listen to every week Learn the technology tools the top-selling authors use (plus tutorials!) BONUS: Learn what thought-leader Kevin McLaughlin has to say about Amazon's new serialized fiction marketplace, Kindle Vella. Is it the new killer app? Don't miss a single tip. Download this month's e-book version and read today.

Self-publishing is not a new phenomenon. Indeed, it was commonly practiced in the 19th and 20th centuries; the fact that Dostoyevski (incidentally, one of the pioneers of crowdfunding) asked his friends for money to finance his books, that Nietzsche paid for the self-publishing of 50 copies of "Thus spoke Zarathustra" out of his own pocket and that Lewis Carroll did the same thing with "Alice in Wonderland", as did Marcel Proust, Alexandre Dumas, Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Edgar Alan Poe, George Bernard Shaw and Ernest Hemingway, is not something to be overlooked. All of these writers started off as independent authors in the days when paying for the publication of books out of one's own pocket was not looked down on and those who wished to make their work known could use their own means, without shame, to reach a limited audience without being treated with contempt. First and foremost, because it was considered that the author in question believed in his work to the extent that he was willing to invest in it. Self-publishing platforms cannot be overlooked. They are technological companies that publish, distribute and promote on demand. They are fast and have a large portfolio of authors. One of the key elements of this decade (2010-2020) will be the consolidation of self-publishing in the book world. In this context of change, the objective of the study "Indie Authors: The Self-publishing Revolution" is to provide professionals in the book world - be they publishers, agents, authors, booksellers or librarians - with a broad analysis of the impact of self-publishing in the publishing sector so that each one may establish the business opportunities and advantages of self-publishing.

In this accessible, straightforward book, seasoned author Betsy Graziani Fasbinder offers readers the why, what, and how of public speaking, along with exercises and resources to support ongoing learning. She provides inspiration and encouragement to help writers to overcome their fears of public speaking, but she doesn’t stop there; she also lays out the practical, nuts-and-bolts tools they need to select, deselect, and arrange the content of what to say when they’re on a podium, in an interview, or in casual conversations about their writing, and includes a model for handling challenging questions from interviewers and audience members with confidence and grace. Part practical how-to—full of usable tools and tips—and part author cheerleader and champion, From Page to Stage is the ultimate resource for writers who wish bring their storytelling skills to their speaking opportunities.

ISBNs are unique product identifier codes that help distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and readers find your book and contrary to poor advice, yes, independent authors do need them. Understanding how ISBNs work, why they matter, and how to source and use them will help you distribute your self-published books efficiently and professionally. But there is a lot of misinformation out there. In this short guide from the AskALLi team of the Alliance of Independent Authors, you’ll learn all the key facts to make informed decisions about ISBNs and be confident when publishing your own books.

The publishing industry changes so fast it’s hard to keep up. On any given day there are at least dozens of news articles for authors. You could spend hours reading them all. Odds are, you could also be using that time to write your next book. News You Can Use—All in One Place. The Indie Author State of the Union is a roundup that covers the most important publishing industry news, books, podcasts, and courses of the year that you might have missed. It will help you make better business decisions and sell more books. Author business coach Michael La Ronn spends hours researching the news so you don’t have to. Every chapter is quick and actionable so you can apply it immediately to your writing business. What’s in This Year’s State of the Union? In this year’s edition you’ll discover: * What’s happening with Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Apple and more * A new YouTube channel for authors that will blow your mind * Why libraries are the next battleground for indies and how you can join the front lines * How to write 2 million words a year * 22 Marketing tools that will improve your book sales * Important business updates to help you avoid lost sales, fines, and lawsuits And much more! Are you ready to become a smarter authorpreneur? Buy the 2016 Indie Author State of the Union today and build your author platform.

This collection contains Volumes 4-7 of the groundbreaking, behind-the-scenes series of a working writer’s journey! Ever wondered what bestselling authors think about on a daily basis? M.L. Ronn is the author of many books of fiction and nonfiction. This book series is a diary of all the lessons he’s learning as he navigates how to master the craft of writing, marketing, and running a profitable publishing business. Most writers don’t talk about the everyday lessons they learn because they might seem mundane, boring, or obvious. Many only start talking about their success once they’ve achieved it. This book is the exact opposite: it’s about a writer learning how to be successful and documenting the process. The ideas in this book are what writers discuss over beers at writing conferences. They’re insider ideas—you may find them interesting and useful on your journey to becoming a successful writer. V1.0

Do you want to sell more books and earn a good living from your fiction? Discover how to change your way of thinking and revolutionise your writing career. Are you struggling to take your author career on to the next stage? Do you wish you could sell huge numbers of books and make a good income for you and your family? Before he learned to change his mindset, Adam Croft's fiction books earned him around $30 a day. But, after developing the indie author mindset, he was earning $3,500 a day within a matter of weeks. The Indie Author Mindset shows you how simply changing your way of thinking about your writing business can revolutionise your career. Using Adam's personal experiences and examples, you'll be able to think differently about the business side of your writing career and lay down the foundations for long-term success. In The Indie Author Mindset, you'll discover: How to decide who to listen to — and who not to listen toHow to unlock the power of residualsHow to create more than half a dozen income streams from one bookLessons and advice from Bryan Cohen, David Gaughran, Brian Meeks and Mark DawsonWhy almost every writer misunderstands profit and is doing advertising wrongAnd much, much more! This life-changing book is the motivational kick-up-the-backside all authors need. If you like a non-fiction book with a personal touch, practical tips you can apply every day and all the motivation you need to kick your career on to the next stage, The Indie Author Mindset is for you.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience and expertise coaching and mentoring new and upcoming independent authors, pioneering independent author, veteran self-publisher, and author services provider Matthew Wayne Selznick outlines the three essential elements all authors must establish before publishing your first book: your indie author infrastructure. ABOUT INDIE AUTHOR MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE With a strong focus on building a life-long community of readers, friends, and fans around your work, Indie Author Marketing Infrastructure spells out the tools, services, and technology required and recommended, as well as the philosophy underlying the engine of connection that is your indie author marketing infrastructure. From the Table of Contents Introduction -- What You'll Learn -- Why Listen to Me? The Three Elements -- Infrastructure: What Does it Mean? -- Why Does it Matter? -- What Are the Three Elements? ---- Your Website ------ Why You Need a Website ------ Your Domain Name ------ Your Host ------ Your Software ---- Your Mailing List ------ What Is a Mailing List ------ Why Do You Need a Mailing List Provider? ------ Your Most Important Asset ------ Bringing People into Your Community: The Value-Add ------ Choosing a Mailing List Service Provider ---- Your Social Media ------ A Necessary Evil ------ Create an Author Account ------ ...Go Where Your Readers Live ------ ...But Don't Be Everywhere ------ Social Media Serves You Putting It All Together Getting Help Does some of that seem obvious? Indie Author Marketing Infrastructure goes beyond the rote common sense you'll hear in forums and user groups and gets to the why of it all... and, in many cases, why the lowest hanging fruit is not always the way to go. You can spend scores of hours scouring blog posts, podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and books to learn about the essential elements of your indie author marketing infrastructure... you can spend hundreds of dollars for one-on-one consultation sessions with the author... why not take an afternoon to read through Indie Author Marketing Infrastructure and give your self-publishing career a foundation and head start that will put you months ahead of the game?

This Is Your Roadmap to Success! The Indie Author Guide takes you through every stage of the self-publishing process. With e-books, print on demand and the power of Web 2.0, you have the ability to publish your own high quality books and go indie—just as filmmakers and musicians have done. Get detailed instructions, complemented by screenshots, so you can get the most of cutting edge publishing options. April L. Hamilton, founder of Publetariat, an online news hub and community for indie authors, gives you insight to the latest technology and step-by-step advice for making the most of your self-publishing options. Inside you'll find everything you need to know to: • organize your files • create your brand • explore your self-publishing options • format your book for POD • edit and revise you work • design your own book cover • publish through a POD print service provider • publish in e-book formats • build an author platform • promote your work • transition from indie to mainstream publishing Plus, you'll get worksheets to help you plan and organize your book, your business, and your writing life, as well as an HTML primer so you can build your own website—even if you're not tech savvy. The Indie Author Guide gives you the skills and confidence you need to take full advantage of today's unique publishing opportunities and grow your readership yourself.

This collection contains Volumes 8-11 of the groundbreaking, behind-the-scenes series of a working writer’s journey! Ever wondered what bestselling authors think about on a daily basis? M.L. Ronn is the author of many books of fiction and nonfiction. This book series is a diary of all the lessons he’s learning as he navigates how to master the craft of writing, marketing, and running a profitable publishing business. Most writers don’t talk about the everyday lessons they learn because they might seem mundane, boring, or obvious. Many only start talking about their success once they’ve achieved it. This book is the exact opposite: it’s about a writer learning how to be successful and documenting the process. The ideas in this book are what writers discuss over beers at writing conferences. They’re insider ideas—you may find them interesting and useful on your journey to becoming a successful writer. V1.0