A self-published author's diary

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...

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...