A self-published author's diary

This is a REPLAY episode. This episode was published earlier this year. Have you ever wondered about getting your books published as audiobooks? Or are you thinking about working as an audiobook narrator? This short interview (which wasn't conducted live. I had sent questions to Megan so she could record the answers whenever possible) goes into her process as audiobook narrator and a bit of behind...

Today, on the podcast: not writing for a few days, not having any urgent deadlines and a SEE ME, SEE ME NOT audiobook preview. Next week will be a replay... SEE ME, SEE ME NOT is narrated by Megan Carter. Get the full audiobook now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B5hZuz ; Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/?asin=B08TLR55FC ; iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/see-me-see-me-not-gavert-city-bo...

Today, I share with you what I've done each day to increase my royalties: one step at a time. Between updating #TheLeftoverBride epilogue, starting to format another bilingual book, putting one of my books as perma-free and running a free promo on another book who is currently in KDP select, I am making progress.  Another topic I'm talking about today is dealing with feeling inadequate or not...

Today, I am doing a "lessons learned" recap for my latest book release as indie author. #TheLeftoverBride has been out for a bit less than a month and while, of course, a lot of readers will read it and smile in the coming weeks, months, years, decades... there are a few things that I will do differently with my next release and things that, I think, have worked very well for me. So, I'm detailing...

Today, I am talking about my new process for getting #TheLeftoverBride to the French-speaking market, explaining why I don't translate my own books. After all, literary translation (and all types of translation) are an art. I dig a bit deeper into why I am "wide" on the French-speaking market. More than 15% of pre-orders are currently on Apple & Kobo. And I'm about to set up my pre-order on Go...

Today, I share why the Chemical Engineer was right and how I didn't listen to him but listened to L. Penelope. :-) It's related to the formatting of the #TheLeftoverBride title and how to make it more "searchable". I also answer questions from Sam (on Instagram) who asked: what was the hardest part about writing #TheLeftoverBride? I added the hardest part about self-publishing it... I go more into...

Today, I talk about publication day... #TheLeftoverBride is out in the world. Between celebrating, managing expectations (and sometimes not managing said expectations), a rush of anxiety and knowing readers will be smiling, release day is a roller coaster of emotions. Also mentioned in this episode: this reel from Courtney Summers: "Everything I've done doesn't feel like it happened. Courtney Summ...

Today, I go back and forth between being "done-done" and "just one more tiny change". Those are pretty much the jitters before publication as #TheLeftoverBride releases next week...  https://books2read.com/TheLeftoverBridePodcast I also discuss my next projects, talking about time management, planning and more. And I added the bonus episode at the end of the episode: the article I've written...

Today, in this bonus episode, I share with you the article I've written for the Ulman Foundation entitled: "Because Sometimes You Just Need To Ask About a Dog..." I've decided to read this article out loud in case it can help someone. You can find more information about the Ulman Foundation here: https://ulmanfoundation.org/ Also mentioned in this episode: September is also Blood Cancer Awareness...

Today, I am very very happy about finishing my book. At the time of recording, I was finalizing it before sending it to my copy editor (cue, happy dance and a very giddy Elodie). I also talk about what I've learned in this process: I tend to write better on the couch and to revise and edit better sitting at the chair in my office.  Also mentioned in this episode: Because Sometimes You Need To...

Today, I talk about needing to change one scene's point-of-view and the process behind that decision (mainly related to which character needs to have a certain realization). I also discuss falling in love with my revised chapters, when I no longer focus on each page, paragraph, sentence, word and re-read the whole chapter on a different device than my computer... Plus, I share some tidbits about m...

Today is a bit different. As I'm celebrating my 40th birthday as well as my husband and I's 10-year wedding anniversary this week, I am not recording a full episode but instead, I am sharing the first three chapters of the A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER audiobook with you all (narrated by Megan Carter). If you'd like to listen to more chapters: don't hesitate to subscribe to my YouTube Channel ( https://y...

Today, I'm talking about: being vulnerable and honest about some of my experience with cancer in an article I've written for the Ulman Foundation, reflecting on finding my words again and using writing as a form of catharsis (not only in this article but in my novels as well). I'm also sharing an update on my #TheLeftoverBride revision which includes letting the ending of #TheLeftoverBride simmer...

Today, a patchwork of my revision process which includes: : spending hours on one paragraph, thinking about the length of my chapters, making my characters even more endearing, wanting to pull at readers' heartstrings and more google searches. You'll also hear an update on my most recent check-up (blood tests and physical exams and they are all good), the shows we're currently watching and more. G...

Today, a short recap about our much-needed vacation: we went to Vermont (beautiful!) and ate delicious food including gluten free pancakes that has become our favorite pancake (Will Flour Pancake Mix is available here: https://www.willflour.com/ ) and I also discuss the reasons why I have decided to slightly postpone the release of #TheLeftoverBride (or should I say extend the pre-order period). A...

Today, I am sharing a patchwork episode as I recorded every single day, documenting my progress in my revision of #TheLeftoverBride. Come revise with me and also discover what topics I googled on each different day (for this story). :-) Get #TheLeftoverBride for only $0.99: https://books2read.com/TheLeftoverBride Subscribe to my readers' newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/elodienowodazkij/website Inst...

Today, I discuss revising #TheLeftoverBride. After feedback from my critique partners, I cut the first five chapters from about 16000 words to a bit over 8000. And it is a roller coaster of emotions full of doubts but also moments of success...Plus do writers get decision fatigue? Subscribe to my readers' newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/elodienowodazkij/website   Pre-order #TheLeftoverBride fo...

Today, I dicuss going wide with my audiobooks: changing their ACX exclusive status to non-exclusive and bringing them to more e-retailers and libraries via Findaway Voices. On ACX you can now do so after 90 days. And Findaway Voices has a template which you can just copy and paste. In addition, I talk about some market data I found in the US and in France about the audiobook market. I also refer a...

I don't know if "adapting" is really the correct term. I've been thinking about preparing the launch of #TheLeftoverBride and preparing for it as if it will be a bestseller so taking all the necessary steps so that if it does, my other books (my backlist) are also ready. Following my conversation with Ines Johnson about her use of social media as author and Erin Bowman's Instagram post about her o...

Today, I am answering two questions I've received from a reader named Amanda: Did I always know I would write for readers? And where does that confidence come from? I go back into my junior high writing of poems and my high school writing of romance and my later years of fanfiction writing to answer the first question. And when it comes to the second question and the confidence aspect, I try to an...

Today, I'm sharing some of what I've learned from my own data and experience when it comes to the French-speaking market for self-published books (in this case, mine): what vendors generate sells and revenue, what price point do I use, recouping investment. Before that, I also add a bit of info shared by the actress portraying Umma in Kim's Convenience in regards her crucial input for the food ele...

Today, it's all about selling my e-books directly to readers, using my backlist, talking about Kim's Convenience (and storytelling), the happy revision feeling, time management and expectations and that happy "I got that one paragraph" feeling from revising #TheLeftoverBride. Some of the links mentioned in this episode: New Instagram for the podcast: www.instagram.com/aselfpublishedauthorsdiary Ne...

Today, I am very happy to welcome Ines Johnson, who is a self-published author who has published 65 books under 2 pen names.  A couple of weeks ago, I read on BookBub an article Ines wrote entitled: How I Make Six Figures as a Self-Published Author: https://insights.bookbub.com/how-make-six-figures-self-published-author/ Ines not only shares her insights about the work behind her self-publish...

Studying cover trends and romantic suspense covers to see if maybe I should re-brand my Gavert City series. I found an article from Creativindie with top fonts used in different genres and I have played around with designing a new cover for the first book in the series, using Depositphoto and Canva. Today, I'm also sharing a snippet from my upcoming novel #TheLeftoverBride, and the doubts about re...

Talking with actor and writer Megan Carter (audiobook narrator of FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT - SEE ME, SEE ME NOT - A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and more) on how acting may influence her writing, the similarities between publishing and acting, critique partners. We also talk about roller coasters and Medea... Do you want to win one of my books narrated by Megan? Enter the giveaway here (open internationally):...