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thebibliosphere · 1 year

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I got an ask over the weekend, which I now can't find (sorry), but it related to this post talking about book comps in mainstream publishing and how I think trad-pub would describe Phangs.

Fortunately, I didn't have to think about it too hard because I already talked about this with one of my editors when that post went around. Gently rolling our eyes at trad-pub as we concluded that I'd most likely be marketed as "Twilight meets Fifty Shades" at worst and "Gail Carriger meets... probably Fifty Shades" at a hopeful best.

(Which... I mean. Yeah, I could see the Carriger association. Fifty Shades, however, nope, nope. Absolutely not.)

And I think we can all agree if I got marketed as Twilight meets Fifty Shades, you'd have a lot of disappointed people.

Not to mention the people who would enjoy Phangs wouldn't pick it up because Phangs, as it has been described by the actual fans, is the queer goth love child of Terry Pratchett meets Jane Austen, replete with vampires, werewolves, [REDACTED BEINGS], tongue-in-cheek social observations, multiple depictions of disability representation and a burgeoning dom/sub dynamic that expands into a happy open throuple in the second book after several bouts of vigorous communication.

Yet the industry would latch on to the vampire-werewolf dynamics, try to sell the polyamory as a love triangle, then lump the dom/sub elements into the horrific kink rep that is 50 Shades of Yikes because that's all it knows.

It knows "these are the things that made a profit; therefore, we must find ways to compare them, or we cannot market them," because they will not take a risk.

It's sad.

And also why, unless I'm offered obscene amounts of money, I'll be staying in my indie-self-pub lane. Trad-pub wouldn't know what to do with my disabled queer monsters.

They already demonstrated that when I did shop the novel around and I was asked to "tone down" the disability and also to turn the polyamory into a love triangle. So just, y'know, the core essence of the entire series 🙃.

#rambling with joy #indie author stuff #don't mind me just having my thinky-thoughts out loud

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steampunkskull · 2 years

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Happy Labor Day! Take the time to honor those who stood up for the working class and just spend all day reading!

What's that? You have nothing to read? Well, then...

Action. Adventure. Guns that shoot magick. Hit up the link below.

http://mybook.to/sinsoftheelders

#reading #indie author #steampunk #fantasy #indie author stuff #storytelling

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vmccombs · 2 years

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People's Snobbish Comments About Writing Have Stuck With Me Down Through The Years

I'm at an age where you spend a lot of time looking at where you are in life and wondering how you got here. How Choice A led to Result B which then led to Result C, and things of that sort.

Now as I take a stab at being the author I've always wanted to be, I realize I've internalized some things I need to deal with, if I want to succeed. They're the kind of statements people make and never, ever think about again, yet manage to stick with their listeners for the rest of their lives.

Statement One came from a calculus teacher back when I was in high school in Ye Old Dark Ages: "You're too smart to get a degree that won't do you any good. Major in math or finance, and then if you still want, you can write in your free time."

Result: Too many years working as a CPA, and learning to question the ethics of everything my firm did every single day. Finally quit out of frustration. Then did dances of validation weeks later when an ethical shitstorm took out the entire firm.

Statement Two came from a professor in the MFA program I got into afterwards, back when dinosaurs still roamed the halls of academia. It was preceded by this question: "Is it true you used to write fanfiction?"

Naively, I tell him that only did I write fanfic, but a fanzine publisher actually asked if she could take some of my fanfic stories and publish them in their very own zine. I said yes, and she "paid" me in complimentary copies.

Him, *shaking his head*: "Well, I'm sure that was fun. But now it's time to get down to some real writing. So you'll want to pay attention and see what new habits you need to learn as we go along."

Result: Too many years banging my head against the wall trying to write literary fiction. When the entire reason I wanted to write in the first place was genre fiction. Another category of writing my professors looked down upon.

Statement Three came from a poetry acquaintance of mine at a big city literary festival, back when quills and parchment were still fashionable: "Oh, God. This woman's self-published. I can't believe they asked her to be here."

Result: Too many years sending things off to agents and publishers and getting rejected. Even though I knew Ernest Hemingway and Virginia Woolf both self-published, and that James Joyce's Ulysses wouldn't have been published if independent bookstore owner, Sylvia Beach, hadn't published it herself.

So, I come here today to reject these internalized ideas:

Writing isn't a respectable profession.

Fanfiction isn't real writing.

Self-publishing will destroy any chance you'll ever have of having somebody tell you that you're a real writer.

These are the snobbish statements I've allowed to hold me back. The thoughtless asides I've taken to heart and have kept me from doing the things I really wanted to do.

Well, no more. That's over. Regardless of what anyone thinks, I am a real writer. I write real stories, and I write real books.

And very soon, I'll do what's needed to self-publish my very real work.

Sigh.

That is, as soon as I finish this all-too-real novella I'm currently working on.

This next-to-last draft is doing its best to really kill me. :)

#my posts #writing woes #indie author stuff #fanfiction #Old on Tumblr #Publishing #self publishing #indie author #indie publishing #WIP: Your Artificial Afterlife Awaits

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becomingkatie · 1 year

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Conference outfits doing a silly little pose. I have returned to my room and changed into sweatpants already. There’s one more session I mightttttt attend but I will go down in sweats if I decide to go. And screenshots from my lunch video chat with Ken and Theo.

One of the vendor tables on Monday was giving out emergen-C where everyone else was giving out pens. I’m not convinced it does anything but I did just take it because I’m starting to feel a sore throat and just a little off.

Yesterday was big panic. Anxiety. Bad bad not fun in my head. But I’m feeling loads better emotionally today and really enjoyed all the sessions I attended.

Tomorrow I fly back home and I am soooo ready. I do feel like I need another week off from work to process the information and implement all the things I’m so excited about from this conference. Alas, the bills say no. Back to my day job I go. For now.

I actually remembered earlier that I have a job which means that for a fleeting moment I forgot. To be so immersed in author world and entirely focused on my future career that my brain departed from my current reality was pretty cool. Remembering I have a job waiting for me wasn’t.

So glad I came. So ready to be back to my house and my husband and my cat and my bed and my coffee maker. But so glad I came.

All right! Time to lie down on the hotel bed for a bit, write some words, pack my stuff, then get a few hours of sleep before my 3am alarm! Wheee!

#gpoy #personal #indie author stuff #20booksvegas

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thedruidsforest · 1 month

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Super excited to announce that my fantasy book, Queensdaughter, is available for purchase straight from my printer! That means that instead of buying from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc, it will ship to you directly from the printing house. And, instead of me receiving a $0.50 USD compensation per sale, it's significantly more and will actually help me order more books, pay my next cover artist, etc. Check out the link above to order paperback, and click HERE to order hardcover 💚

Navette lives a peaceful life in her home of Osala, managing a bakery that was passed down to her and her elder sister. The night of the spring festival of Emystre arrives, and the village is laid to ruin when ancient creatures-the skáiga-come in search of the Queensdaughter. Navette flees to the capital, where she discovers her fate as the heir to the throne and a world far more vast than she had ever imagined.

This story follows Navette as she learns how to become a queen, control her innate magic, and battle the darkness that threatens her entire world. Meanwhile, her sister Ivy remains in Osala as the people try to rebuild a village from ruin, even as the darkness returns.

In the lands of Varyn, not all is as it seems. The trees begin to whisper of danger, the dragons of old are little more than legends, and even queens have their secrets. Love and companionship are more valued than ever as Varyn begins to sink into darkness, but even after the darkest of nights, not all is lost.

#personal #queensdaughter #writing #my writing #writing stuff #fantasy #new author #indie #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writeblr #high fantasy

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the-ellia-west · 25 days

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EXCUUUUUUSE MEEEEEEE TUMBLR?

WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME I HIT 200 FOLLOWERS????

WHAT

Holy Shit this is amazing!

Um... Thank you all so much for this!

I don't have much to give you... But um...

Here's my 200 (*3) Follower Special I guess!

@goodluckclove @danielleitloudernow @aestheic-writer18 @justalittlebuddy @kia-is-poisoned @deluluriddhi @jeremy-no @nkikio @sunnyjustice @latay7 @darkandstormydolls @ryahisbored @phoenixradiant @willtheweaver @somethingclevermahogony @illarian-rambling @thepeculiarbird @agirlandherquill @baconandeggs-25 @jesusfreakspeaks @supersoakerfullofblood @sl-vega @ajgrey9647 @smudged-red-ink @pastellbg @clever-naming-convention

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TCOT Prologue Sneak Peek

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The hidden caves remained dark save for moonlight as Sokuna’s scaly hand set the sparkling vial against her daughter’s lips. The Shade steadied her uncertain emotions as the last of the silvery contents left the glass. She rubbed her thumb over a drop that fell onto her daughter’s compressed wing to erase the remaining evidence. The door creaked open behind her and she stood. “It is done,”

The figure in the doorway folded Sokuna in an embrace and brushed the tears from her face, his feathers swishing softly against her skin.

“Reon, what will we do if she doesn’t remember us?”

Reon squeezed his wife’s shoulders. “We’ll raise her just like we did the first time, but safer.” He lifted her hands and brushed his lips gently over her knuckles. “Ready?

“To be rid of this cursed place?” Sokuna squeezed her husband’s hands. “Never more so.”

“Then let us hope to the stars this works my love.” Reon cradled his daughter with his wings, her weight heavy yet soft against his arms. He paused for a moment, looking back at the room. “This is the only home I’ve ever had. It feels strange to leave it behind.”

Sokuna gave her husband an encouraging smile. “Home is what we’ll build together.”

Reon shifted his daughter’s weight as they snuck through the winding hallways, a sinister weight in the air pressing down on them as voices echoed in the back of Sokuna’s head. Traitor. Liar. Enemy. Betrayer.

Sokuna crept past her battalion’s quarters, wincing each time her talons clicked against the stone. She shuddered. The screams behind closed doors, the crimson stains of a friend scrubbed cleanly from old stone. No, they would make it out. They had to.

Light from the First Lieutenant’s open door caught her eye, and a voice muttered within. She poised to run. But after a moment, the shade allowed herself a small sigh of relief— he had been known to talk in his sleep. She held up an open palm and Reon stopped. Sokuna peeked inside.

The Lieutenant sat on a tall, stiff wooden stool, his massive wings hanging behind him so they touched the floor while the Lieutenant’s face pressed into the very same papers he’d been working on, a small splash of ink smudged on his cheek as he mumbled a few incoherent words and shifted his arms, hiding most of his face. She waited a moment and then waved Reon forward.

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I hope y'all are just as excited for TCOT as I am!

I love you guys <3

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noahhawthorneauthor · 4 days

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I'm part of a queer and indie author podcast, and my episode comes out next Friday! How did this sorcery happen?

Find out more here, we'd love to have you.

And don't forget to say hi to @tesscarletta @ashen-crest @nothwell @ninawolv3rina

They're on Tumblr and part of the podcast too.

#right here write queer #q + c sweep #queer books #indie books #tess carletta #sarah wallace #noah hawthorne #book podcast #writing podcast #indie authors #queer authors #book nerd stuff #fantasy author #writeblr #writing fantasy #writers on tumblr

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kathleen-lyons-the-writer · 1 month

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To all my fellow writers and readers here on tumblr, what do you think is a story that you (YOU) think needs to be told?

It doesn't have to be profound or anything; it's just a story you want and/or need to tell.

Use this post to brainstorm, ask for advice, share feedback, etc.

#writers on tumblr #writing community #writerscommunity #creative writing #indie author #writing advice #writing encouragement #brainstorming #writing inspiration #writers #write #writeblr #creative writers #writers of tumblr #on writing #writer stuff #writing blog #writing positivity

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jon-mcbrine-author · 15 days

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Semi-autobiographical or straight up a self-insert, the MC is doomed 😂

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panicsimss · 8 months

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creative outlets and burnout

uhh idk where else to put these random oc facts, but Poppy was in a band and Hudson was trying his best to become a horror novelist (and probably failing)

#alright so uh also another hudson fact #what makes it all the more ironic about him becoming a vampire is or was his love for the supernatural and vintage horror films #he started out by posting his short horror stories on forums and all that stuff but he wanted to become a real deal published author #basically my mans was making creepypastas lol #and poppy was slowly becoming more well known as an obscure indie artist #she has a bunch of demo cds that were rejected #she still shared her music in hope it would get noticed #somehow someway I believe she and hudson are kinda sorta aware of eachothers work #but they didnt meet until like. now and now none of that matters #ANYWAY #ts4 #the sims 4 #sims 4 #ts4 screenshots #ts4 simblr #*hudson whitaker #*poppy belanger

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eruden-writes · 7 months

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Due to the fact I write under a pen name, I was curious to know how autographing books would work.

I assumed I'd sign under my pen name, which is correct, but that isn't the point of this post.

More interestingly, I found out that an author is meant to stay in their "author persona" at in-person meets or cons or whatever. They do the obvious things, like introducing themselves as their pen name, but some people also expect them to dress in ways befitting their genre.

Which led me to thinking about the monster romance genre and what style of dress is expected.

😂 Won't lie, I'm tempted to invest in some monstrous costume accessories now for in-person meets.

#exophilia #indie author #self publishing #monster romance #lol #legit could buy costume stuff for tax write off purposes :3c

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thebibliosphere · 2 years

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It's been a whole god damn week and I'm going to need the people being absolute fucktrumpets in my inbox over my "fuck Audible post" to simmer the fuck down and stop telling me "I have other options" when I'm already utilizing every option available to me and that it's my own fault for using Amazon.

I have gone wide with global distribution for my titles since day one. I have every global retailer available to me as an indie author listed here and on my website. People still choose Amazon because it is cheap and convenient. Removing Amazon listings won't drive people to the other retailers, it'll just mean I won't get 80% of my sales which I rely on to pay bills and help put food on the table.

Also to the people absolutely jacking off in my inbox over how I should just use Scribd because it's superior to Amazon for authors, I'm going to need you to show your sources, because here's mine:

ID: A screenshot of my royalty report from Scribd for the month of June 2022. It reports the "sale" of 2 units for a total profit of $1.18. /End ID.

This is a great example of why when authors tell you they can't afford to not sell on Amazon, this is why. If I'd sold 2 copies of that title on Amazon, I'd have made roughly $2.10+ (depends on currency).

Don't get me wrong, I'm still absolutely thrilled people are using paid services like Scribd to access my work. I'd rather you did that than pirate it. And by all means, keep using Scribd if that's what works for you. I'm not here to shame anyone for enjoying things however they can afford to. But don't come onto my post or into my inbox and spout bullshit about how it's "morally superior to Amazon."

Newsflash, there is no ethical consumption under mainstream capitalism. Scribd is not Amazon, and that is to its credit, but that doesn't mean it's "better for authors." It just means it's not Amazon.

Anyway, support indie authors direct where you can, order through a local indie store, ya-da-ya-da.

Fuck I'm tired.

#beating my head off a brick wall would feel more productive #indie author stuff #royalties #late stage capitalism

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steampunkskull · 2 years

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I will sell 50,000 copies of my book.

Reblog to charge, click the link to cast 👇

Peacekeeper Esther Triad's 1st mission seems simple enough: track down a rogue spellcrafter and bring him to justice. But when her airship crashed in the dreaded Gray Marsh, Esther finds herself the target of a dangerous plot.

Aided by a disgraced soldier, a mysterious swordsman, and a young woman with hidden talents, Esther must prevent a shadowy cabal from saving the world.

#indie author #indie author stuff #writers on tumblr #reading #readers #steampunk #fantasy #weird west

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vmccombs · 2 years

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Mood: I need to stop screwing around and write

(Is it a mood if it's a perpetual mantra going off in the back of my head? I swear. I think I dream about this sometimes.)

Anyway...

I've done errands. I've done housework. I've organized all sorts of day-to-day crap that needed to be organized.

Some of it's even been writing related. I've reworked my outline. I've copied and pasted ideas that hit me while I was out doing other things over from my email inbox to my character/plot/scene notes docs. I've changed how I've charted out the emotional arc of my main characters.

In other words, I've tinkered with all of the "global" stuff that can be tinkered with.

So, I've got no excuses. I need to pull up a Word doc and write. actual. pages. I've got two more scenes left to go in this draft. Then after my writing group goes over them, I can actually work on what I *think* will be my *final* draft.

I've been working on this novella for over a year. Granted, it's come a long way from the shallow, stupid idea it started life as, but man, am I ready for it to be over.

Which means I. need. to. write!

Sigh...

OH, hey. Is that the dryer beeping?

I'll be back.

I promise.

#my posts #writing woes #Project: Your Artificial Afterlife Awaits #indie author stuff #indie author #WIP: Your Artificial Afterlife Awaits

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thedruidsforest · 16 days

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Hello friends! I have 2 paperback copies of my fantasy book, Queensdaughter, available for sale! I'll sign and personalize these however you'd like - if you are interested, please send me a message! (You must be able to provide me with a name & shipping address.) $18 USD including shipping (through PayPal) - outside of the US, shipping costs will differ, but I am still able to go international!

Goodreads link (this is book 1 of a trilogy - book 2 is set to release in summer/fall 2025!)

The description is as follows:

Navette lives a peaceful life in her home of Osala, managing a bakery that was passed down to her and her elder sister. The night of the spring festival of Emystre arrives, and the village is laid to ruin when ancient creatures-the skáiga-come in search of the Queensdaughter. Navette flees to the capital, where she discovers her fate as the heir to the throne and a world far more vast than she had ever imagined. This story follows Navette as she learns how to become a queen, control her innate magic, and battle the darkness that threatens her entire world. Meanwhile, her sister Ivy remains in Osala as the people try to rebuild a village from ruin, even as the darkness returns. In the lands of Varyn, not all is as it seems. The trees begin to whisper of danger, the dragons of old are little more than legends, and even queens have their secrets. Love and companionship are more valued than ever as Varyn begins to sink into darkness, but even after the darkest of nights, not all is lost.

#personal #queensdaughter #writing stuff #fantasy #books #new books #book recommendations #author #new author #indie #indie books #fantasy books #lgbt fantasy #lgbt books #dragons #dragon

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the-ellia-west · 1 month

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Wow

I didn't know how human these villains really are. Like, now I'm thinking about their flaws, but also their good qualities, their hopes, their dreams, and what a tragedy it is that they turned into this

They're good, they're flawed, they're sad, they're traumatized, they're human

They're dicks but still

human

Check Out My In-progress Book: The Cursed One's Throne on my Blog ;]

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