But writing a book, if it is to be … Read the rest →]]> To write a book is a solitary endeavor. It must be so. Sure, writers have sources that help fine-tune their work, but it is the writer—and her alone—who must write the words.

But writing a book, if it is to be published (and really, what purpose does a book serve if not shared with the world?), is just the first step in a daunting and seemingly never-ending process that must happen before your book is delivered into the hands of readers.

The first step in the process is deciding whether to try the traditional publishing route (in which approximately 2-3 out of every 10,000 manuscripts will be accepted and will deliver royalties in the neighborhood of 7.5% per paperback book sold and 20% for every ebook), or self-publish (which provides for royalties of up to 70%).

For a number of reasons, I chose the self-publishing route, and suddenly a long list of tasks and decisions lay before me. I sat down to list them all out and realized I had no idea where to begin. My head began to spin, and after hours of wracking my brain, I ended up with a To Do list that looked something like this:

Because I’d joined my local chapter of Romance Writers of America, I had a fabulous critique partner, but I knew I would need beta readers, an editor, and a cover artist. I would need reviewers, a manuscript converter, and a whole host of things I probably hadn’t thought of. Oh yeah, and a social platform.

I’m an introvert by nature, and you want me to go out into cyberspace to promote myself and pimp my work? Eeww, no way! That just feels…wrong. And scary. And so not like me.

To say that I felt alone and overwhelmed is an understatement. So much so that I actually shelved the idea of publishing my first book and wrote another one. And then another.

And then over dinner one night with my critique partner, Patricia Rickrode (writing as Jansen Schmidt), we began to talk about publishing. I lamented, “I know I want to self-publish, but it takes a bloody village to produce a book. And I have no idea where to start.”

“Then join the Tribe,” Patricia said. “That’s how I got started blogging and doing social media.”

I blinked. Twice. “The Tribe?”

“Yeah, the WANA Tribe,” Patricia said.

WANA stands for We Are Not Alone.  The WANA Tribe’s motto is:

Creativity cannot thrive on its own. Genius needs help, support, and love. Your family doesn’t get you? They no longer have to. WE TOTALLY GET YOU!

A motto that still brings tears to my eyes! Finally, someone who gets me. ME!

“But what is WANA Tribe, exactly?” you might be asking.

Founded by WANA Mama Kristen Lamb, who has devoted her career to helping writers, WANA is a group of creatives sharing their knowledge and experience to help other creatives like you (and me). A “tribe” is a group, designed to discuss a specific topic. Here are just a few examples of current (active) tribes:

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Christian Writers
YA Writers
Self-Publishers
Scrivener Users Unite!
Writing While Parenting
Social Marketing
Time Travelers

Additionally, WANA offers a host of classes, many of which I’ve taken. With instructors like Kristen Lamb, Marcy Kennedy and Lisa Hall-Wilson (just to name a few) I’m the proud owner of a blog (obviously, you’re reading it), an author Twitter account (which I actually know how to use now—thank you Marcy!) and a Facebook Author Page.

Through my fellow WANA’s I’ve found an editor, a cover artist, and someone to convert my manuscript to print and ebook formats (I figured out how to upload the files onto Amazon all by myself—YAY me!). And I found a tech guy who understands that I am a true technophobe and takes care of all my website maintenance—Jay Donovan (find him at www.techsurgeons.com).

So thank you, Kristen Lamb, you’re more than just our WANA Mama. You’re a mentor, a friend, and a true blessing to writers everywhere.

And thank you, Patricia Rickrode, for telling me about the Tribe.

To join WANA Tribe (membership is FREE!), CLICK HERE. Use #mywana to share your writing-related tweets.

For more about Kristen Lamb, and to read her informational motivational blog, CLICK HERE.

What about you? If you’re a self-published author, who has helped you in your journey to publication? Do you have any resources for others you’d like to share?

If you don’t write but love to read, was it surprising to learn about all the things indie authors have to manage in order to deliver their book to you?

Two weeks ago, #MyWANA friend Margaret Miller gave me the Sunshine Award, which she told me was sponsored by Kratom. Later she explained to me what kratom was and I had to look for more information at their website https://Kratommasters.com/. … Read the rest →]]>

Two weeks ago, #MyWANA friend Margaret Miller gave me the Sunshine Award, which she told me was sponsored by Kratom. Later she explained to me what kratom was and I had to look for more information at their website https://Kratommasters.com/. I learn that kratom helps with a lot of things like anxiety or the loss of appetite. She couldn’t have known when she did just how much I needed it (see recent post Russian Roulette or Mastectomy?), and I am delighted to accept it.

The rules of the Sunshine Award are:

• Include the award’s logo (and rules) in a post on your blog
• Link to the person who nominated you
• Answer the 10 questions below
• Pass the award on to a bunch of “Sunshine Inspiring” bloggers. The rules say 10 people, but choose however many you’d like.

Here are the questions that Kratom send to all participants:

Favorite Color: Pink. Hot Pink. I know, kind of obvious, and I’m not especially a girly girl, but I just love the color in all of its many shades.

Favorite Animal: All of them! I refuse to pick. But here’s a picture of my two puppies.

Favorite Number: Seven. I am my mom’s seventh daughter and I have seven sisters.

Favorite Non Alcoholic Drink:  Starbucks 180 degree skinny mocha., and Kratom obviously.

Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Champagne. Good champagne.

Facebook or Twitter:  Sorry, Marcy Kennedy, but Facebook has a slight edge.

Passions:  My family (including all 4 of my furry children) and writing. Everything else is just a hobby.

Prefer Getting or Giving Gifts:  Giving. Definitely giving.

Favorite City:  It’s a toss-up between New York and Paris, but since I lived a past life in New York I’ll have to give it to the City That Never Sleeps (that is New York, right?).

Favorite TV Show: Long Island Medium, but Drop Dead Diva is right up there (is it ever coming back on again?).

Thank you once again for the Sunshine Award, Margaret. It was a much needed ray of sunshine in my life! Please visit Margaret’s blog, Marmalade and Roses. And the kratom website and buy from them !

And now, here are nominations for the Sunshine Award. These bloggers all use #mywana on Twitter. They may or may not continue the award but have a look at their blogs. And enjoy.

Susie Lindau Her blog, Susie’s Wild Ride, is filled with stories of Wild Rides, Adrenaline Rushes and her latest, The Boob Report where she discusses her recent bilateral mastectomy with lots of humor.

Jansen Schmidt Blogging from the Edge of Eternity (where imagination abounds, nothing is impossible), Jansen talks about an array of tops. Her latest blog is What Haven’t I – Redneck Edition. If you’re looking for a good chuckle, check it out.

Christine Ashworth Christine’s blog, Feet in the Sand, Head in the Clouds is about her personal adventures, red wine and the great outdoors.

Karen McFarland writes about Life As it Happens, and has been so supportive of my life as it’s been happening lately.

Lynn Kelley writes about Random Acts of Weirdness and you just gotta love that.

Rhenna Morgan Rhenna is a paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She’s cute and sassy and she tells it like it is.

Clare Davidson is a Fantasy writer and her website is simply amazing.

And since my lucky number is 7, I’m going to stop there.

Are you following a blog that you’d like to recommend? If so, I want to know.

I love hearing from you. And to prove it, for every comment you leave, you’ll be entered into a drawing. At the end of the month, I will draw a lucky winner who will receive a $10 gift card (your choice, Amazon, Starbucks or iTunes). Winners will be announced in the first post of the following month.