Indie Author Conference and Showcase 2016.
I attended the Indie Author Conference and Showcase 2016.
Introduction
The Indie Author Conference and Showcase were held on November 12, 2016, at the Parma-Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Parma, Ohio.
Three lectures were presented concerning different aspects of self-publishing. Following the lectures, a showcase was presented featuring over 50 self-published authors.
The first lecture was by Dana Kaye, called “Your Book, Your Brand”.
She presented the lessons she learned as a publicist and detailed in her book. It is important to create and establish your author brand, which consists of you and your book. To find your brand search for the common denominator in your writing and distill that into a short tagline. To establish your brand, first get your online house in order. Make sure that all the platforms that you use, reflect the message that you want to convey. Update your website. Secure your online real estate. Create accounts even if you do not use them now, because at some time you might want to use them and you do not want someone else to use a site that can be confused with content coming from you. Identify your target audience. Develop a content strategy. Do not be afraid to say no, if an opportunity does not fit your brand.
The second lecture was by Deanna Adams, called “Beta Readers and Editors: Don’t Publish Without Them”.
There is more to creating your best work than just self-editing your manuscript. It is important to invest in yourself and in your book. Search for an editor because they can see what you can’t, they understand the industry, and can help you become a better writer. The Editorial Freelancers Association job listing service is a good place to look for freelance editors at http://www.the-efa.org/ Writer’s groups are a good resource for beta readers. Beta readers in your genre can give insights into where your writing is going right and going wrong.
The last lecture was by A. E. Jones on “Self-Publishing Doesn’t Mean You Have to Do Everything Yourself.”
First, every author must ask some basic questions. Why do you want to publish? Why do you write? What do you want to accomplish? How much can you afford to spend? How much time can you dedicate to writing? Depending on how an author answers these questions, determines where you go next. Everyone needs a support system. You must find your tribe. Your tribe is like-minded individuals that share your goals. Determine what you can do on your own and when you need to call on your tribe.
The following are the steps for publishing your work. Write the book. Determine your goals and motivations. Determine your publishing path, traditional, completely self-published, or independently published. If you choose Indie, then learn the process. Determine what you can do yourself and what you need help on. She handed out an information sheet which gave many examples of the websites that further expand on her steps for publishing.
She offered one of her books for free on https://www.instafreebie.com/ I have downloaded several additional books from the website. The site offers different genre books at different times.
Conclusion
The best thing for me at this conference was that I found one person from my tribe. Cat Russell, the self-described writer, reader, vegan, poetess of the Greek Gods can be found at https://catherinerussellwriter.wordpress.com/ and https://twitter.com/ganymeder
I’m glad I went to this conference, I learned a lot.
Links
A similar Conference to the Indie Author Conference and Showcase 2016 was the Western Reserve Writers Conference 2016. Winter Fiction Fest is sponsored by Literary Cleveland while the Cuyahoga County Public Library sponsors a similar event called the Western Reserve Writers Conference 2016.
This is my recap for the Western Reserve Writers Conference 2016 on September 24, 2016. It was located at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library at the new William N. Skirball writer’s center which is located at the branch. It was a one-day event with an introduction, a keynote speaker, three breakout sessions, and one Q & A panel.