Will You Be The Next Best Selling Author on Amazon? Advice For New Writers From Published Authors - Comments Welcome

You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance. ~Ray Bradbury

Some writing advice from some wonderful Indie Authors who have been there and done that. 

If you have some helpful advice, please enter it in the comments box below. 

Mel Comley  I'd say don't EVER upload a book until it's been before a PROPER editor and at least 3-4 proof readers. If you're serious about your work prove it. Trad pubbed authors don't or can't release their work without an editor looking it over. :-)


Selso Xisto Get an editor, don't think you'll ever spot all the problems and mistakes by yourself... Also, get a good cover artist; EVERYONE judges a book by it's cover

Julia Crane Don't worry about the first draft just get it on paper and go back to revise. (Several times)


Bryden Lloyd Definitely to read, especially in the genre's you know and wish to write in.
Find like minded individuals and get your name known through their blogs (reciprocating for them, of course).
Above all, I was always told to write for myself. If I don't love and appreciate my work, I shouldn't expect anyone else to.

 Trinity Wise Do your research and know as much as you can about the journey that you are undertaking. Hone your craft, read & write as much as possible..and support others, too.

Deborah Louise Richardson The best advice I ever heard was nobody asked me to do this. I write because I love it, and because I am compelled to do it. So if publishers or editors or ever readers give me feedback - positive or negative - I accept that feedback with good grace and learn from it.
 
Nicole Brooks Try to write everyday, even if it's just a few sentences. The more you write, the more you grow your craft. It's like watering your plants to give them the nutrients they need to grow.

Jonathan Gould Expectations - don't expect things to take off. Knuckle down and keep writing.

Saul Tanpepper Never publish something until it has been read and edited thoroughly by someone looking for spelling and grammatical errors. A good story well told will always be ruined by these kinds of mistakes. Weak dialogue, poor character or plot development can usually be compensated for, but mispellings and poor sentence structure are like spotlights showing your lack of professionalism.

Michelle Hughes Agree with Saul, hire an editor. Don't even think about publishing without one. Seriously it will come back to haunt you.

Mandy Trouten

Writing is far easier than promoting the book. If it's something you really, really want to do, don't let anyone tell you not to. Don't let anyone tell you it's a pointless dream or that it isn't a "real" job. If a potential promoter says they can't help you, don't let that stop you. You may have to do everything yourself, with only the help of friends and others here, but it can still be done.

As I'm also a new writer, I would love any advice on how to promote my book on a budget of $0, who to contact for endorsements, etc.

Philip V. Truman I would echo Jonathan. It's like a preacher once said to me about marriage, and the same would apply here - Lower your expectations, raise your commitment.
 

Nicole Brooks I was told if you can't afford to hire an editor then don't put the book out. LOL.

Kim Northrop Allow yourself to write whatever and however you want. Don't try to follow rigid rules, they just stifle creativity. Try to learn as much grammar and punctuation as you can to save on editing costs. 

Adona Pierre The best advice I received was to re-read, edit and let your words have a voice. Also, not to rush and make it enjoyable for all readers.

Catherine Stovall The best advice I can give is write from the heart and avoid the band wagon and second invest in an editing program. Seriously, it can save your career. You don't have to pay 400.00 for one. The cheap ones work well enough.

Glenn Starkey Before you worry about all the publishing and reviews, first write a work worthy of being read. (that's what I would advise.)

Shiri W Sondheimer Can't be a writer if you don't write.

Robert J. Oliver Be certain, whatever you do, that at the end of the day, writing is still fun for you. If it loses the joy, then it is time to let it go.

Jay Deb Visualize and be close to your characters.

Mark Alan Shaffer I was told to write what I like. And never let anyone tell you you are not good enough!



JT Lewis Author Don't rush your first book before it's ready...I mean REALLY ready.


Michael J Ploof Contact EVERY website that promotes free books and tell them about your free days. Give away at least 500 books and you should see numbers soar. Also category placement is key. But most importantly, write a great book. You can market the hell out of a turd, but it is still a turd.

     

Join active writing/author groups on Facebook that will support you on your journey:
 

Indie Authors - Soon to be released books

Authors Critique Group

The Write Stuff

"First 5 Chapters"

These are just four - there are so many more great sites worth following.

Don't forget to have a great blog and Twitter.

Writing Tips from the Masters.

Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain 

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov 

Write without pay until somebody offers to pay. ~Mark Twain 

Learn as much by writing as by reading. ~Lord Acton 

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. ~G.K. Chesterton 

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. ~Oscar Wilde 

Zest. Gusto. How rarely one hears these words used. How rarely do we see people living, or for that matter, creating by them. Yet if I were asked to name the most important items in a writer’s make-up, the things that shape his material and rush him along the road to where he wants to go, I could only warn him to look to his zest, see to his gusto. ~Ray Bradbury 

Stephen King's final piece of advice echoes the wisdom of the ancients: "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut." 


 

Questions you may like to answer in the comments box below: 

Helen Howell I'm a new Indie Author with my release of Jumping At Shadows - I'm doing my best to promote, sent out review copies, gave a couple away in a comp, tweeted and talk about it here. Have already had two 5 star reviews, but what else can I do to promote and get it out there?  

My advice would be - 

Set yourself a daily word count goal. Start with around 300 and slowly increase it until you are writing 1000+ words a day.

Set yourself a realistic release date so you have a reason to write everyday. Writers need a deadline to work towards!

I like to design a cover and pin it on my work board where I write.  This gives me fresh incentive everyday to fill the pages and have the finished book published.

Try not to spend too much time on Facebook - I really need to heed my own advice with this one. Every hour you spend on Facebook is an hour lost to your writing.  Set limits... that is what I try to do - but have also been known to fail many times....


Read tons - great homework for writers.


Find an editor! You can not successfully edit your own writing - no mater how good you are. A lesson usually learned the hard way.

But most of all, the most important advice I can offer is - support you indie friends. You will never want for a better, more supportive group of friends! And I should know, I have the best!  Patti Roberts. 

   

Kindle Queen - Amanda Hocking's writing tips - HERE

If you have enjoyed this post please Tweet or share on Facebook. Many thanks, Patti

Up Close & Personal with David Kubicek, Author of In Human Form

Author interview with David Kubicek:  Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, where I live with my wife Cheryl, son Sean, two dogs, and a cat who thinks he owns the place.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My most recent novel is In Human Form.

Wendy loses her memory, forgetting she’s an android. The few who have guessed her secret hide her identity even from her, putting Wendy and her friends in mortal danger.

Do you have plans for a new book?   Is this book part of a series?

In Human Form is the first book in a planned trilogy, but the story is complete in itself--only the main characters will continue to volumes 2 and 3 (I’ll also add new characters). I’m already working on volume 2.

What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

I decided to become a writer after devouring Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles. Stephen King also has inspired me. The influence of both Bradbury and King can be seen in the pages of In Human Form.

I’ve been writing for years and years and years. And years.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

Sure.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

My wife suggested the title, which seemed appropriate because Wendy looks and acts human, but she is an android. A house fire triggers the events in the story, so I thought that would be a good focal point for the cover, which was designed by a wonderful artist and Indie writer named Joleene Naylor.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

Jared Parker, the former farmer and now businessman who finds Wendy wandering dazed in the country, was inspired by my Dad. Although some of myself went into all of the characters, Aaron McCormick, the police officer who falls in love with Wendy, got the lion’s share of my personality.

What books have influenced your writing most and why?

I learn from every book I read. From the good ones I learn a lot about how to tell a story, and from the bad ones I learn how not to tell a story. I’ve learned more about how to write a novel from reading novels than I’ve learned from all of the writing how-to books I’ve ever read.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Years ago I exchanged brief words with Stephen King when he was on a book tour for The Dead Zone, but I’d like to sit down with him for a lengthy discussion.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

All of the above. I read whatever’s handy.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

Barnes & Noble online because I get free shipping for the paper books, and I have a Nook for the ebooks, but I also shop on Amazon and at Indie bookstores.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

Yes.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Yes, several.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

Logan’s Run. I thought the movie actually improved on the book.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek and Mile 81 by Stephen King. Both are ebooks.

What book do you know that you will never read?

Never say never.

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?

I read Amanda Hocking’s Trylle Trilogy. She’s a good storyteller.

Do you have a book trailer?

Yes. It can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLnFMmY8vCw

                                                                                                   

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

They’re a good piece of an author’s marketing package, but most readers probably will not base their buying decisions on the trailer.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Never give up on your writing or on marketing what you write. When marketing yourself, if something doesn’t work, try something else, and keep trying different things until you hit on something that works. Put up a website and/or blog; whether you are an Indie author or traditionally-published author, an Internet presence is essential. And above all else, be patient; the only way you can fail is if you quit.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

 “Write as well as you can, and finish what you start.” --Ernest Hemingway.

Do you write under a pen name?

Not yet.

What are your pet peeves?

Snobbery in any form, but particularly literary snobbery.

Cats or dogs?

I prefer cats because they’re low-maintenance. But dogs are cool, too; we have a couple of them.

Coffee or tea?

Decaf coffee.

Favorite food?

My wife’s pizza; it’s better than any commercially-made pizza that I’ve ever eaten.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Chocolate.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Two eggs, a piece of fruit, and green tea.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Wireless phone, wallet, keys, reading glasses.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Desktop--my don’t fit the laptop keyboard as well.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

In my basement office. I start around 10:00 a.m. and write until 12 or 12:30. Sometimes if I’m on a roll I’ll work longer. This is the process of physically writing--my mind is working 24-7; I once woke up in the morning with two short story ideas that had come to me while I slept.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

Abraham Lincoln, Stephen King, Neil Armstrong.

One of your favorite quotes -

“I disagree with the advice ‘Write about what you know.’ Write about what you need to know, in an effort to understand.” – Donald Windham

List 3 of your all time favorite books?

It’s an impossible task to name my all time favorites, but three books I really like are:

Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

This is hard. I’m a movie buff, and can lists lots of great movies. But if I must be limited to three:

It’s A Wonderful Life

Ladyhawke

Independence Day

But ask me tomorrow, and those could change.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

Warehouse 13

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

Both.

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog: http://www.davidkubicek.com

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Kubicek/120994307977288

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/davidkubicek

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?field-keywords=david+kubicek&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DavidKubicek

About the book:

In the early days of World War II a violent explosion rattled the small Nebraska town of Antelope Valley, shattering windows in farmhouses out on Old Ridge Road. The next day, the five strangers arrived. They paid cash for a farm, built a new house, and planted crops. They avoided the townspeople, and after a few failed attempts to be neighborly, the townspeople avoided them.

Forty years later, during another thunderstorm, a mysterious fire guts the farmhouse and claims the life of the last surviving stranger. Although his daughter Wendy escapes, she has been traumatized, and her memory is gone. But Wendy has a secret that even she doesn’t know, and the few who have figured it out are keeping her in the dark. While recuperating at the home of local businessman Jared Parker and his wife Lyn, she makes many friends in the community, including 17-year-old aspiring folk singer Priscilla Davenport and police officer Aaron McCormick, who falls in love with her. As Wendy’s memories return, suspicions about her leak out to the sinister and ruthless Earl Vaughn, who seeks to profit from Wendy’s tragedy no matter who gets hurt. Will Wendy’s self-awareness come too late to save her life and the lives of everyone she loves?

David Kubicek

I'm a fiction writer, blogger, and journalist. I have edited and published books, and I've published several short stories and hundreds of articles. My books include In Human Form (a novel), The Moaning Rocks and Other Stories, The Pelican in the Desert and Other Stories of the Family Farm (which I edited), and October Dreams, A Harvest of Horror (which I edited with Jeff Mason). I also wrote a Cliffs Notes on Willa Cather's My Antonia. I live with my wife Cheryl and son Sean in Lincoln, Nebraska.