Indie Author Interview: Naomi Finley
Welcome to the inaugural post of my new interview series with indie authors! Learn from your peers about what to consider when choosing a platform, if (and when) you should hire editors and other professionals, and what you should know before starting out.
First up is Naomi Finley, for who I have the pleasure of proofreading her sweeping and emotional historical tales.
Naomi Finley, My Self-Publishing Journey
Naomi Finely is the author of The Livingston Legacy and The British Home Children series. Below, she shares tips on finding your team of professionals, advertising your work, and what was easier—and harder—about self-publishing than she expected.
JENNIFER DINSMORE: Why did you choose to self-publish? Did you try the traditional route at all?
NAOMI FINLEY: When I decided to write my first novel, I didn’t know much about self-publishing or traditional publishing. After my first book, A Slave of the Shadows, was written, I started exploring how to get it published. It was during this research phase that I first heard of self-publishing.
Having been an entrepreneur for over twelve years, I had a taste of the pros and cons of being my own boss. I found the appeal of being in control of my branding, cover design, and final manuscript appealing. Once I made the decision to self-publish, I pushed forward and never looked back.
JD: What platform did you use to publish? What factored into that decision?
NF: I decided to go for a wide reach with my books and publish on as many platforms as possible. I didn’t want to restrict how readers purchased or borrowed my books.
I then decided to put a few of my ebooks on Kindle Unlimited to test the program. Like many indie authors, I’ve found Amazon the best platform for selling books. In my first six weeks as a new author, I sold over 2,000 books.
JD: Putting a book out into the world takes a lot of work! Where did you find your team of professionals?
NF: I’m a perfectionist, so finding a credible publishing team was the biggest challenge for me. Like many new authors, I was taken advantage of by people and companies looking to prey on my inexperience. I learned quickly that not all in this industry are who they claimed to be.
Despite these difficulties, I now have a fantastic group of professionals I trust completely. I found my editors in the Editors Canada Online Directory, and my designers through Facebook and or their websites.
JD: Many authors struggle with marketing and self-promotion. Talk a little about your author platform.
NF: Whether it’s launching your new release or promoting an old backlist title, marketing is vital for your success. So, I have a website and place ads on BookBub, Amazon, and Goodreads. I’ve dabbled with Facebook, but after signing up for Mark Dawson’s course (Advertising for Authors) I plan to revisit Facebook ads and revamp my ads on other sites. Sometimes, I conducted newsletter promotions with companies, but in my experience the return on investment was not worth it.
JD: What do you find most rewarding about self-publishing? The most challenging?
NF: The most rewarding, and challenging, thing about self-publishing is working for yourself.
Not only do you have to write stories, but you also have to maintain a website and promote yourself through blogging and engaging on social media platforms.
JD: Are these different than you first anticipated? What do you wish you knew when you started?
NF: When I started out I knew self-publishing would be a lot of work, but I underestimated the magnitude. However, if you asked me if the intense workload required would change my decision, the answer is no.
JD: What advice would you give to those considering self-publishing?
NF: I have a few of pieces of advice for those considering self-publishing:
Beware of people and companies looking to take advantage of new authors. I learned the hard way that not everyone in this industry is who they appear to be. (Jennifer’s Note: Authors, for the latest on scams, check out the blog, Writers Beware.)
Write a good, quality book. Don’t skip corners and forego an editor.
Be open to criticism. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. It is through our mistakes we learn to become better authors.
Stand behind your book, and be proud you shared a part of yourself with the world that so many people will never be brave enough to share.