A self-published author's diary

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):...

Talking with YA author Katy Upperman (author of KISSING MAX HOLDEN, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US and HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN) about incorporating feedback in her revisions (and how much she loves the revision process), being vulnerable in our writing, her dream projects...We also talk about her life list and true crime (not related). Do you want to win one of Katy's books? Including a signed book if you...

Talking with contemporary romance author Mona Shroff (author of THEN, NOW, ALWAYS & THEN THERE WAS YOU) about the time she met Martha Stewart (and almost met Matthew McConaughey), her writing process, receiving the calls from her agent and book deal and how falling in love isn't the solution for all our characters' issues. Do you want to win one of Mona's books? Enter the giveaway here : http:...

In addition to explaining my current process about engaging readers even before the cover reveal, I talk about my very complicated feelings about social media and the fact that I am still learning how to use it as an author. I even made my first Instagram reel &enowodazkij) and joined tiktok (@elodienowodazkij). I'm also celebrating Jessica Patrick's new book THIS IS FOR TONIGHT and talking ab...

I'm so happy to have L. Penelope on the podcast today. Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Her book Song of Blood & Stone  was selected as one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time . Visit her website: https://lpenelope.com/ Do you want to win o...

Today I share my top 3 self-publishing mistakes...It includes not building my newsletter and so much more. My upcoming romcom is only $0.99. You can pre-order it: Amazon ,  iTunes ,  Kobo . You can also add it on Goodreads. Bookbub article by Ines Johnson:  How I Make Six Figures as a Self-Published Author by Ines Johnson . Also mentioned in this episode: Publisher Rocket , newslett...

You can ask me questions about self-publishing, writing and/or my books by sending me an email authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com or you can also send me a message via the anchor.fm website. I'll be answering those questions on the podcast! I'm also announcing Spotlight Friday with amazing writers!  The books I mentioned are: IN A BOOK CLUB FAR AWAY by Tif Marcelo. WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES by D...

In this episode, I share how I became a hybrid author with my book A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER (it involved an email from a French publisher :-)), the story behind the writing of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and how I track my book sales (TrackerBox & BookReport). I also share the wishlist of The Ulman Foundation. At Ulman House they provide free housing for young adult cancer patients, and their caregiv...

In today's episode I not only interview The Chemical Engineer (listen to what he has learned so far from my podcast and so much more), I also share about Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week and talk about the Ulman Foundation and their conversation with Tamika Felder . They talked bout her experience with cervical cancer and what led her to inspire others to share thei...

In this episode, I'm going behind-the-scenes: explaining the soft and official launch of this episode, the different steps in launching this podcast, my goals, the questions I have been wrestling with and more. All the links mentioned in this podcast are available here:  https://elodienowodazkij.com/2021/04/13/the-one-with-the-behind-the-scenes-of-launching-a-podcast/ As always, don't always...