Independent author 

Written by Samantha C Sinclair

Before we get into this post, please check out the video above. Thank you.

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Self publish, or not?

My name is Samantha C Sinclair. God has blessed me to publish 13 titles, and counting. I have published all but one of those titles through Amazon. The Call For Emily is my first to be published through a publishing company, and made into audio. If you are looking for a publishing company to contact Christian Faith Publishing. Need an audio book company? Audio Books Network is the way to go.

Now that we have astablished that I’m on both sides the isle on publishing, let me tell you all the reasons I self publish through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing 99 percent of titles.

First of all, publishing on a platform such as KDP is free. Can that get much better? Well, add in you can be a published author in under 72 hours, what are your thoughts?

So the work is done, right? No.

So you have written this great book, made sure all its grammar needs are met, designed or chosen a beautiful cover, what’s left?

Who is going to buy your book?

Social media is really helpful. Multiple platform presence is a good idea. Remember, not everyone uses the same platforms, and some people use none.

Amazon KDP offer to allow you to receive proof copies. These are copies that can not be sold. Author copies are books you get at printing price, and you have on hand. You can self distribute, or maybe use as gifts to get word of mouth circulation started.

Remember those people that don’t participate in social media? You need to reach out to them as well. You could create an email list. Put this information in the book before releasing it, so they can get on your email list. You might even go old school, and do an actual mailing list for those who don’t even do email. Posting flyers around town about your new or upcoming release is a good idea also. Some stores will allow it, and the library would be ideal. If it is Christian based, churches might also be a good point of contact.

So what else is involved? Well plenty.

You need to find a way to keep up with your online and in person royalties. Yes, even the cash.

My check list.

For those in a project, or just starting. This is for you.

First, pray about any project. Short, or long. It doesn’t matter, you will need God’s guidance. I also like to pray and ask HIM to keep me out of the way. I’ve made the mistake of getting in the way. It didn’t work out.

Second, start writing.

Where are you going to write? Maybe it’s your office, kitchen table, your favorite chair, or outdoors. Maybe it’s a favorite coffee shop. Now that you have that information, let’s move on.

So, what is your story about? Is it fiction or non fiction? Who is it about? What… ? That is a lot, isn’t it? Let’s break it down.

First of all, let’s decide. Are you a pantser or a planner? In other words, do you fly by the seat of your pants, and see where the story takes you? Do you plan out everything, or maybe just have a detailed story plot? Yea, you can be both. I am.

So, now if you are one of those people who want to write out a plan for each chapter, or not, grab a note book or open a document. Either way, here are a few things you might want to pray about.

First, who are your main folks? What are their names? Do we know what they look, sound like, what are their weaknesses and strengths? Etc.

Where is the story set? Are we in one town, are we moving, and what season are we in? You don’t have to force feed all this to your reader. God will teach you to blend it in. Also, HE has given us a lot of good writers before us.

The best learning you can do is read authors who write in the category you are writing in.

Now a blank page can be slightly, or a lot, intimidating. But, don’t let it stand in your way.

You are going to meet new friends. Tell yourself this as you approach your writing space. It helps. If you want to get your book folks story, emotions, and all through well to your reader…you had better become close friends with them. Get in their shoes, in their heads. Let yourself feel their feelings. If it’s a romance, or maybe a sad part, let your self go back to something in your life when you felt similar feelings.

I could write more. But that is all for this post. LORD willing, come back for more.

God bless.

Don’t miss my upcoming release, Tammy’s Story. A Christian Fiction Suspense based around domestic violence. LORD willing releasing later this week.