indie author Archives - Page 2 of 14

The Social Media Gamble

May 23, 2014 By JPMcLean 13 Comments

Like most authors, I’ve taken the social media gamble. I’m connecting with readers, writers and industry experts via social media on a daily basis. Some days, especially when I’m on the learning curve (or procrastinating), I spend more time on social media than I do writing.

A few days ago, in the midst of a marathon Twitter session, someone asked me what I would do if Twitter collapsed tomorrow.

It was a fair question. My heart sank as I blinked away visions of Myspace.

How would the demise of Twitter or Facebook impact me?

If I’m honest with myself, I would be devastated. I’ve spent countless hours there, learning the ropes, getting to know people, contributing as best I can. It frightens me to think how easily this social network that I’ve built could be forfeited. But it could.

Worst of all, most of the people I connect with on social media aren’t on my independent mailing list, so I’d lose touch with them entirely. That would be a tremendous loss.

It reminds me of the adage about not gambling more than you’re willing to lose. If time is my currency, then I’ve gambled plenty on Twitter and Facebook and it’s more than I’m comfortable losing.

It’s perhaps a timely reminder that the writing needs to be the priority. It’s what makes my world go round. Social media may be fun and it’s an important component of an author’s platform, but it’s the side dish, not the main course. So if I’m AWOL from social media from time to time, forgive me and rest assured that I’m spending the time writing (okay, maybe a little gardening, but mostly writing).

I’d hate to lose our connection

If you feel the same, please sign up for my VIP Lounge. I’ll send you free short stories, insider scoop, and new release news. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The writing I’ve prioritized is the Gift Legacy series. You can download Secret Sky, the book that started it all, with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, my Bookstore tab has links to other retailers. You can also click on the covers below:

Social Media Photo by Merakist on Unsplash

In Praise of Indie Bookstores

April 24, 2014 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Indie bookstores rock! Here’s a sight dear to my heart and one I never imagined I’d see: All three of my books on the shelf at Abraxas Books, an indie bookstore here on Denman Island. I took this photo after the third book came out and must confess to popping into Abraxas Books far too often just to sigh and smile at the sight of them perched there.

I’m fortunate to live in a community so well served by a supportive bookstore and wanted to give them a well-earned shout out. Juan Barker is one of the owners and he has not only provided me with much needed guidance when I was new to the business, but he continues to go out of his way to promote local writers.

Juan Barker

That’s him behind the counter in this photo taken at one of the book signings he organized.

And it’s not just Juan who makes you feel welcome. All of the partners and staff at Abraxas Books are knowledgeable and user-friendly. If you can’t find the book you’re looking for on the shelves at Abraxas, they’ll order it in for you . . . at a competitive price! That’s saying something in these days of mega stores and on-line retailers.

Buy local means something at Abraxas Books

They not only support local and indie authors, they also carry a selection of pottery, paintings and other crafts made by local artists. We really are quite a creative bunch here on Denman Island. (Likely has something to do with the winter rains that keep us indoors and the ferries that stymie our escape!)

So if you find yourself on Denman Island, turn left at the top of the ferry hill. You’ll find Abraxas Books at 1071 Northwest Road. Juan, Leslie, Corinne or Shaun will be happy to serve you.

Abraxas by phone: 250.335.2731 ~ Abraxas by Email: abraxas9@telus.net

Look who else thinks that Abraxas Books rocks! Here’s a five-star review I found on Yelp, written by a customer from Seattle! And if you’d like to support this indie writer, check out the buy direct from author links on her Bookstore tab.

On the Topic of Poor Planning…

April 16, 2014 By JPMcLean 24 Comments

On the topic of poor planning . . . when is a trilogy not a trilogy? When I started writing about Emelynn Taylor and her Gift, I had no idea so many people would love her as much as I do. It’s such a thrill for me to learn that readers want to know if there will be another book.

The answer is YES! I’m happy to confirm that I’m currently working on a fourth book featuring Emelynn…but it’s got me in a bit of a conundrum.

What do you call the fourth book in a trilogy?

The Gift started off as a stand-alone before it grew into a trilogy and now a fourth book is emerging. Clearly my foresight in this area isn’t stellar.

And the ideas just keep coming (some of them fueled by readers!) I can see Emelynn and her covey heading for a heap of trouble, and with the upheaval in the Tribunal, and their secret exposed, there’s no end of potential fodder. That is NOT a complaint; I love writing about Emelynn and I’m quite happy that The Gift Trilogy laid the groundwork for what may follow. The conundrum is what to call it?

Talk about poor planning! Book four cannot, obviously, be part of the trilogy. I could rename it a quadrilogy, but that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? And what do I do if yet another book comes calling?

I could really use your help. So far, I’ve come up with the Covey Chronicles (yuck), and The Gift Series (yawn).

Your input would be greatly appreciated. In fact, if I use your suggestion, I’ll give you credit in the book as well as my unending gratitude! Give it a thought.

And if you’re curious about what started it all, you can download a copy of Secret Sky with one simple click here. Buckle up…your adventure awaits! (and if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, click on the Bookstore tab for more options. Or click on the covers below:

E-ink or Paper?

April 10, 2014 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

This discussion comes up more often now that I have books for sale in both formats: do you prefer e-ink or paper? For me, it’s not an either/or situation. I love my paper books, the way they smell, the heft of them, the feel of paper. I love beautiful cover art and the way books look on a bookshelf, enticing and ready to pluck like ripe fruit.

My e-reader has earned my affection as well, but for different reasons. It’s lightweight and easier to travel with. If I wake in the night, I can open my e-reader and neither its light nor the rustling of paper will wake the Cave Master, and if I fall asleep reading, it won’t break my nose. And I love that I can touch a word and instantly get a definition. It’s lazy, I know, but you can’t deny the convenience, and with an e-reader, you never need to worry that someone is peering at your book cover and judging you by your reading choices.

Pros and cons for both formats

You can underline passages in your paper book, but if you’re anything like me, you’d never put a mark in your beloved book, let alone dog-ear a page. E-readers make it easy to bookmark and find passages.

As an author, I can sign a paper copy of my book, and I get a thrill each time someone asks. That’s not something I do with my ebooks, though I know the technology is out there.

The author in me also likes that readers who don’t know my work might take a chance on me and buy the less-expensive ebook format. That’s not a bad thing—I do it myself all the time. And, if you aren’t familiar with the publishing business, you might be surprised to learn that I earn more on a $5.99 ebook sale than I do on a $24.99 trade paperback.

But regardless of its conveniences, E-ink will never replace paper books, at least in my world. In fact, I just purchased a brand new hardcover of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, a book I’ve already read twice in paperback. I don’t even have the bookshelf space for it, but when I love a book, I want to hold it, smell it, caress its cover and feel the paper beneath my fingers.