Indie Author Interview: Robin Leacock

Welcome back to my interview series with indie authors! I hope that readers thinking about self-publishing can learn from their peers about what to consider—choosing a platform, if (and when) you should hire editors and other professionals, and what you should definitely know before starting out.

Today we have Robin Leacock, author of the middle-grade dystopian fantasy Evolo. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Robin when he reached out for editorial assistance. I worked with him to refine the story and smooth out some grammar and mechanical issues, then cheered from the sidelines as he found his devoted audience. (And as Evolo is a tale about challenging the arbitrary lines that divide us, I think that should be everyone!) Below, Robin shares what it was like to debut as an indie author, and what he believes is the most important thing a writer needs to know!

Robin Leacock, My Self-Publishing Journey

JENNIFER DINSMORE: What made you choose to self-publish? Did you try the traditional route at all?

ROBIN LEACOCK: The decision came down to who I was writing Evolo for. I 100% subscribe to the theory of an ideal reader, meaning that you should have a specific reader in mind for who you write. My ideal readers are my students. As a middle school English teacher, I believe I know what will intrigue young readers and what will make them put a book down.

To me, the world of traditional publishing feels like a rat race, with writers tailor-making their stories for agents and publishing companies to be accepted. Of course, they know what sells, but I didn’t want to compromise my creativity and vision just to try and please the person selling the book and not buying it. So, self-publishing was a personal choice that I felt comfortable with and happy to make.

JD: What platform did you use to publish? What factored into that decision?

RL: I chose Amazon for the simple fact that it seemed like the easiest platform to navigate, and the one with the widest reach. There are drawbacks, but for my first self-publishing experience, I wanted to make things as easy as possible. But this could change for my next release.

JD: Putting a book out in the world takes a lot of work! Where did you find your team of professionals?

RL: In finding an editor, Google led me to the Editors Canada directory, and I combed through every single editor who fit my criteria. I messaged about two dozen and asked for quotes and samples. I wanted this process to feel comfortable and easy, which is why I selected Jennifer as my editor. It just felt right from the very beginning.

As for my cover, I jumped on Reddit, did a little searching, and found that Fiverr was a widely used resource. I contacted a few designers, but they didn’t really line up with what I wanted. Then I found 100 Covers, which is like a one-stop shop for cover design (my kind of shop!). Their sample blew me away, so I went with them.

JD: Self-publishing involves a lot of self-promotion. Tell us a little about your author platform.

RL: This has definitely been the most challenging component of self-publishing, and the one area in which I’ve learned the most lessons. Every sale counts, but what’s most important is getting Evolo into young readers’ hands. Doing this while working a full-time job and trying to continue writing is tough.

I created a Goodreads account, started a Facebook page, and opened an Instagram account. This type of branding is important for Evolo, but it will also serve me well in the future. 

I’ve also made connections with schools, sharing my book in the hope they would teach Evolo or invite me in for a chat with their students. So far, I’ve done some virtual meetings, speaking to students about my writing process, Evolo, being a creative person, and so on.

JD: What do you find most rewarding about self-publishing? The most challenging?

RL: Most rewarding has been young readers’ reaction to Evolo. When I hear “I couldn’t put it down” or “This should be a movie,” I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do. (Cheesy, but true!)

The most challenging has to be the promotional aspect of self-publishing. There are a lot of times when I feel ready to stop being a promoter and get back to being an author.

JD: Are these different than you first anticipated? What do you wish you knew when you started?

RL: I wish I had known the importance of certain advertising platforms before I published. I think having all of that set up beforehand would have helped a great deal as sometimes I feel like I’m playing catch-up.

JD: What advice would you give to those considering self-publishing? 

RL: Surround yourself with a team you trust (editors, designers, beta readers, etc.), and be ready to work just as hard (and perhaps harder) after your book is released. Very plainly: Just because you write a book does not mean people will read it. So, set aside a budget for an editor and a cover designer, for author copies, and for advertising and promotion… You will have to invest in yourself.

But there is also a great community out there that can help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to experienced indie authors, either directly, through social media, or on message boards.

Finally, have fun! Writing can be lonely at times, and self-publishing often feels like an uphill battle, but the freedom and creative fulfillment are worth it.