A self-published author's diary

Within a few days, I had a few self-publishing ups and downs, including: hearing the words every romance wants to hear (during a pretty stressful day), losing a crown on one of my Vella stories, fangirling over Eloisa James and regaining a crown on said Vella story. Today I also talk about my dream of having Fear Me, Fear Me Not adapated for Lifetime or Netflix... And I have my first voicemail!!!!...

Today, I share with you my book promo results using BargainBooksy as well as my audiobook promo results using AudioThicket. But first, I start by sharing some good news as well as explaining why sometimes it feels like I "need, need, need" to write. And more advice from writers on TikTok: :Pick one thing at a time and master it. You don't have to be brilliant at everything right out of the box." b...

Today, I give you an update on my social media marketing, how writing for Kindle Vella is helping me not only keep a schedule but also going back to my Margie Lawson's lecture packet on deep editing. I also share writing advice writers would give someone who's just starting.  Mentioned in this episode: TikTok video asking writers for advice they would give someone who's just starting. Margie...

In today's episode I am sharing my book sales breakdown for April. I am hoping my books bring comfort to readers (as I am myself a comfort re-reader). I am sharing lines that have stayed with me from Trust Me, Trust Me Not (and how much they mean to me. After all we don't write in a vacuum) and I explain how my "let's post every day on TikTok for #TheLeftoverBride is going... :-) Mentioned in this...

I am back from holidays. A bit jetlagged. Very grateful for the time spent with loved ones in Germany and in France and getting back into a writing routine (and podcasting routine). For the first time, I recorded this episode live on TikTok (before editing it for the podcast). Today, I talk about writing using the Pomodoro method again, my Kindle Vella bonus (more than I expected). Plus, I share a...

Today, I go back and check if I achieved my March self-publishing goals (audiobook, Kindle Vella and more...). I also share with you my March book sales.  Mentioned in this episode: ScribeCount: https://www.scribecount.com / In addition, to help Ukraine, here are a few links: Voices of children: https://voices.org.ua/en/?fbclid=IwAR3Rw0CD3ykmpVwfcuQMBdMvP2NvfuRPrCebNwSJbjajeOIU0pYWica0l5E &nb...

Today, I share the four reasons I decided to try Kindle Vella as an author and what my experience has been so far. I also share some resources that I've been finding helpful and some events I'm looking forward to. Mentioned in this episode: Romance eBook Anthology ‘Nightingale’ to Raise Money for Ukraine Relief https://books2read.com/u/m2YN8r Facebook group 20BooksTo50k: https://www.facebook.com/g...

Today I share with the costs of my cover as well as the strategy for its reveal. In addition, I start learning how to apply the 7 rules of marketing as an author (will definitely dig deeper into this topic as I research more and try different strategies). I also share an update on my amazon ads. Mentioned in this episode: Qamber Emporium: https://www.qamberemporium.com/ Does the rule of 7 still ap...

In today's episode, I explain how one of my TikTok videos went viral on Instagram and using Amazon ads as an indie author. For that video to go viral (it has more than 26000 views) which is very uncommon for me, I followed a few steps. That video also resulted in sales and pages read. My book went from sitting at 700000 to about 70000 and then climbed a bit higher and stayed around 100000 for a fe...

Today is a replay episode from a couple months ago. I share my top 3 self-publishing mistakes... I started self-publishing in 2014 and let's just say I could write a book about the mistakes I've made in my career as an indie author. It includes not building my newsletter and so much more. As always: Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: htt...

At the beginning of today's episode, I mentioned that I added links to the episode description in case you can donate to help Ukraine. Here are the links: Voices of children: https://voices.org.ua/en/?fbclid=IwAR3Rw0CD3ykmpVwfcuQMBdMvP2NvfuRPrCebNwSJbjajeOIU0pYWica0l5E A few ways to help Ukrainians: https://snyder.substack.com/p/a-few-ways-to-help-ukrainians?utm_source=url&fbclid=IwAR1tRHYwpS0...

Today, on the podcast, I talk about getting back on track with writing, schedules and even getting a writing session outside. I'm also looking into bringing my pen name stories to Kindle Vella before putting them in Kindle Unlimited and the Draft2Digital acquisition of Smashwords... Mentioned in this episode: Draft2Digital acquires Smashwords Press Release: https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/pr-d2...

While Valentine's Day was a nice reminder to cherish and enjoy all the little and big moments and also a reminder to infuse those moments into my romance novels, it's also been a challenging week writing-wise. So, it's a reminder for writers out there to keep swimming (or writing) while making sure to be gentle with yourselves. Mentioned in this episode:  My Imaginary Friends: Episode 152: ht...

Today's episode almost got called, "How to write like Nora Roberts & Beverly Jenkins" but I thought this might be a bit deceiving... The main topics of this episode are: the reorganization of my office, finding new spots to write and using new tools (such as Alphasmart), leaning into my process as well as developing new systems. So... quite a lot of topics covered. :-) Mentioned in this episode: B...

Today is monthly recap day: I share with you the four things I've done this month to increase my royalties (and whether they worked or not), possible news about a Fear Me, Fear Me Not Italian edition, a writing update and more... As always: Ask me a question (per email: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com or by leaving me a voicemail: https://anchor.fm/elodie-nowodazkij/message)  Follow me on TikT...

Today, I'm talking about dipping my indie author toe into the TikTok world of booktok and authortok and writingtok and more ( @elodienowodazkij) . I am also talking about getting very invested into the TV shows Billions after watching the first five seasons pretty quickly and how I've been analyzing the character arc (as I was listening to the audiobook Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for...

Episode 46 is also known as season 2, episode 1 :-) Today, I'm starting season 2 by talking about writing more than 10000 words a week, by doing sprints for a couple of hours per day (not every day), leaning into my process, writing two stories at the same time and more. Mentioned in this episode: 20Books Vegas 2021 Day 2 – Becca Syme - Productivity Myths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLrwmj9uU...

Before diving right into my yearly review as an indie author: if you're struggling or know someone who is struggling (or maybe even just mention it or post it or share this resource with people in your life): https://www.crisistextline.org/ Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor. Today, on the podcast, I talk about the highs and lows of my self-publishing career in 2021. Some of...

Today, I talk about five things I've learned about self-publishing in 2021 (such as the importance of my newsletter and how sending emails more often does help me, Netgalley and more...) and one thing I learned about writing. Mentioned in this episode: Tammy Labrecque: https://newsletterninja.net/ Nick Stephenson (https://www.blog.yourfirst10kreaders.com/)  L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/...

Today, I talk about the release of #TheLeftoverBride French edition and breaking the top 100 in Apple Books (my book was hanging out right next to Sally Thorne's The Hating Game! :-)). I share five things I've learned about podcasting as an author in 2021 and five things I want to do next year (podcast-related). I also gush about Cape Cod in December and Isaiah Jones Bed & Breakfast... Mention...

Today, I talk about the excitement that is uploading the files to publish the French version of #TheLeftoverBride, using Draft2Digital, KDP select & Google Play. I also explain why I decided to get my manuscript proofread one more time and I may start brainstorming about the next books in the Swan Cove series. Also mentioned on this episode: the books/free webinars I'm planning on taking (rapi...

Today, I talk about gearing up for the publication of #TheLeftoverBride French edition which includes updating backmatter, putting another book permafree, adding the French edition to several readers' websites in France, formatting the text and adapting my ad strategy. I also mention how I've been building my writing craft over the years, similarly to building blocks and how some strategies and wa...

Today, I talk about keeping track of indie author conferences as I completely missed the Romance Author Mastermind conference. it does require an invitation but I only saw talks about it after it happened (or while it was happening) so making sure I'm adding the link to it to my favorites. I also mention the 20booksto50k conference and Inkers Con.  During the week, I also updated my author ne...

Today, I share some good news: I had a PET scan on Wednesday and then we saw my oncologist. And no signs of malignancy. I'll see him again in three months but as I'm now two years out of transplant, no more scheduled scans 🙂 I also talk about using Netgalley as an indie author: what my goals are in terms of reviews and reaching more readers and why I decided to put #TheLeftoverBride on Netgalley....

Today, on the podcast: another lesson learned in my self-publishing career or how I may have slightly panicked on Wednesday when it comes to the French translation (should be fine now but this was stressful) of my next novel and how I'm learning from my mistakes, getting back into a writing routine, putting #TheLeftoverBride on Netgalley, not doing NaNoWriMo... and more. Also mentioned today: Vict...