Indie Success with Alicia Kat Dillman

I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!

We all know there are many different routes to success in this industry. Today on the blog I have someone who not only said, "Hmm... I think I'll go Indie," but, "Hmm... I think I'll just go ahead and start my own Indie business." That kind of spirit and determination is an amazing thing to see, and I've made room twice-over this week on the blog for Alicia Kat Dillman for that reason..

Indie author & illustrator Alicia Kat Dillman is a lifelong resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. Kat illustrates and designs book covers & computer game art by day and writes teen fiction by night. Her first book, DAEMONS IN THE MIST, features seventeen year old Patrick Connolly who has been hopelessly infatuated with Nualla for years, though he is all but invisible to her. Until, that is, he rescues her from a confrontation with her ex. Little does Patrick know he’s just set off a dangerous chain reaction that will thrust him into a world of life altering secrets and things that shouldn’t exist, because the fog and mist of San Francisco is concealing more than just buildings.

What made you decide to become an Indie publisher?

Most little girls play house or with dolls, I played store. I think I’ve wanted to own my own business since I was five. I come from a long line of people with that entrepreneurial spirit, so it was inevitable, really. I have nothing against traditional publishing, I have a lot of friends who work in the industry. But for me, it was more important that I do this myself, than hand my project over to someone else. I really like the idea that this is mine; that I made this. My words, my art, my design, my drive, moving it forward. That my readers get one complete vision, one story, one voice. Pure, the way it was meant to be.

Did you do a lot of research? What resources do you recommend?

I do a lot of research before I do anything, but yes, I did a lot of research before I decided to open my own indie publishing company. I joined a few online groups. Read a ton of articles, blogs and books. I started going to two twitter chats each week geared toward indie publishers. I researched and learned a few new computer programs. I studied books, not the stories in them, but the books themselves. The way they were constructed, the way they were laid-out, the way digital books are formatted, to make sure I could make something just as well put together as the big guys.

Books that were helpful:
Self Printed: A sane person’s Guide to Self publishing by Catherine Ryan Howard
Smart Self Publishing by Zoe Winters
The Newbie’s Guide to Publishing by J.A. Konrath

Twitter chats:
#IndieChat
#MBPA

The cover art for DAEMONS IN THE MIST is fantastic - and you did it yourself! What's your process?

I hit the books, analyzing what’s out there. Trying to design something that’s true to the story while at the same time something that will stand out from the pack of other new releases.

For the base of Daemons in the Mist’s cover, stock photography was used as part of a newer art form called enhanced photo-imagery. I head on over to the stock photography sites and browse for what I need. I then download their mock images and jump into InDesign to start mocking up a cover based on the template generated by the book printers. Because Daemons in the Mist is part of a trilogy, all 3 books were mocked up at the same time. When I get the cover design the way I like, I purchase the chosen images and head on over to Painter.

I then use my custom designed brushes and go to town. I tend to use what they call  “illustrative color” even though my process with the cover was a departure from my norm, my signature style and use of vibrant color and dramatic lighting is still present. Once the painting is complete, I head back over to InDesign and import the final art before exporting the file and sending it off to the printer. And that’s how my covers are born.

You want to know a secret? The photo-enhanced cover I did for Daemons in the Mist is only the second one I’ve ever done.

Your trailer is also very nicely done, and again - you did it yourself! You're so useful! :) What made you decide to take the approach that you did with it?

Daemons in the Mist is told in first person so I figured the trailer should be as well. I decided the trailer would be Patrick’s story, told from his point of view, so I chose two scenes from Daemons in the Mist as the base of the trailer. Why those two scenes? Because really, the whole story pivots on the decisions he makes in those chapters.

The Words
Most of the lines in the trailer were lifted from actual passages in the book and then edited to fit the format of the trailer. It gives you a taste of what you’ll get in the story and a look into the way Patrick thinks; his voice. The few lines he says speak volumes to all the conflict he’s going through in the story without giving too much away and spoiling the story like our modern movie trailers do.

The Music
I wanted a song that was quiet and dramatic like the rain because it is in those small moments we hear ourselves the loudest. Or at least I do anyways.

The Visuals
I wanted it to look like you were one of the people on the street watching Patrick and Nualla through a mix of passing cars, fog and rain. And I wanted that beautiful and dreamlike quality of mist and fog. It’s a metaphor for the whole story. Like fog, the things in it are never as they seem. The farther you go into it, the more you see, the more you realize that everything you thought you knew, was wrong.

What's your marketing strategy? How do you plan to raise awareness of yourself as an author and DAEMONS IN THE MIST as a title?

I’m easing into it so I don’t get overwhelmed. I’m new to indie publishing and I don’t want to take on too much and get burned out. That being said, I use all the digital tools at my disposal. If it’s high-tech and social media based there’s a good chance I’m there.

I have a FB page for my studio, my writing, and for the Marked Ones Trilogy. As well, I have a Google+ for me and a page for the books. A lot of authors are on FB but they completely ignore Google+ I don’t, in fact the tour wrap party will be on the DITM Google+ page on June 23rd.

I’m also a regular on Goodreads, Deviant Art, Pinterest, Tumblr and I participate in 5 twitter chats a week. Part of it is about being where my audience is, but mostly it’s because I spend 90% of my day working alone in the studio and I’m a very social person.

This year most of my marketing is internet focused. I’m only attending half the events I normally do because I’m getting married later this year. But that doesn’t mean I ignore the outside world completely. It’s all about a good balance of both. Aside from all the social media, I also exhibit at conventions and festivals and do events and signings at my local indies.

On top of all this I’m doing a two week 30 blog virtual book tour. Which of course you know because you’re on it.

Any last tips for those considering going Indie?

Learn to do as much as you can yourself and hire pros for the rest. I for example, am dyslexic, so editing and copyediting just isn’t in my skill set. So I hired people to fill those positions at Korat Publishing. You can skimp on a lot of things when it comes to running your own indie company but editing and a top-notch cover design should never be the place where you make your cuts.

Lastly, if you’re not willing to put in the work to deliver a professional product, then don’t even try to go it your own. There are plenty of publishers and indie presses out there still looking for talent. Do yourself a huge favor and work with one of them.

Interview with Brandy Colbert

I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!

Today's guest for the SAT (Successful Author Talk) is my fellow Lucky 13'er Brandy Colbert, author of POINTE, in which a ballet prodigy's life begins to unravel when she is forced to admit to the role she played in her childhood friend's abduction. Brandy grew up in the Missouri Ozarks and graduated Missouri State University with a Journalism degree. Fifteen days later she moved clear across the country to Los Angeles. Brandy has been writing since she can remember and has the many, many spiral-bound notebooks with her childhood stories to prove it. POINTE will be available from Penguin Fall, 2013.

Are you a Planner or Pantster?

I’ve always called myself a pantser, but now I’m not so sure. I don’t stick to a detailed outline – never have – but I do outline in my head. Before I start a novel, I spend several days thinking about the characters, their struggles, and even specific scenes. I start an email draft once ideas begin coming together so I can keep track of everything, in case I forget. The notes are very haphazard (they rarely contain full sentences and they’re not written in chronological order) so I don’t quite consider it outlining. But I suppose that means I’m not exactly a pantser, either.

How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?

I’ll usually spend about eight to 12 weeks on a first draft. That one is almost always just for me. I write pretty fast, but a lot of things change in the second draft. Revising is more rewarding, but it’s also very difficult, so I prefer drafting. I think the fast pace allows me to be a little freer. My first drafts are messy in terms of plotting and they need a lot of work, but I love them.

Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi tasker?

One project at a time is all I can handle. I get so involved with the characters and their world that it’s hard for me to switch back and forth between two projects. That being said, I don’t always finish a project in one pass. I’ll often start a draft, set it aside for a while, and pick it up again when I’ve figured out how to move forward.

Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?

I’ve been writing since I was about seven years old, but I started writing for publication six years ago, in 2006. My main fear was not finishing, as I’d had trouble with that in the past. I wrote my first novel during NaNoWriMo; I finished the first 50,000 words within the month of November, and then finished the novel a few weeks later. I’ve gotten to the point now where I’m always working on something, but NaNo was great motivation for that first book.

How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?

Three. All YA novels. All were queried and rejected so many times I lost count. I actually signed with an agent for that first novel, but we parted ways after six months, due to incompatibility. (It really is all about the right fit!)

Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?

Like I said earlier, I’m never afraid to set aside a manuscript if the story isn’t working for me at the moment. But I’ve picked up and reworked manuscripts after they were sitting on the back burner for years. Even if I only use a few elements from the original version, I still consider it incredibly helpful.

Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them? 

I’m represented by the amazingly fabulous Tina Wexler of ICM, who pulled my query from the slush pile (!). I know that referrals can be helpful and a lot of people have success pitching at conferences, but I didn’t know any other writers when I was querying and I’d never attended a conference, so I always assumed I would get an agent through the traditional query route. I emailed my query to Tina early one morning and she’d requested the full by lunchtime. She got back to me in a couple of weeks with the kindest words about my writing and a revise-and-resubmit request. I was absolutely on board with her suggestions to make the book better, turned in a revised manuscript six weeks later, and signed with her a couple of weeks after that. Best decision ever. Tina is my Dream Agent to a T.

How long did you query before landing your agent?

I queried for four years before I signed with my agent. I don’t know if I was ever very good at figuring out how to target my queries. I extensively researched the agents I queried, but the ones I assumed would like my work (based on the clients they represented) were rarely interested, and the ones I never assumed would request pages were the most enthusiastic. (Fun fact: I queried Tina with my first manuscript and received a rejection upon query. Just because one of your books isn’t right for an agent, that doesn’t mean they won’t be interested in your subsequent work.)

Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?

All of this has been said before, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t give up. Start another project while you’re querying so you don’t drive yourself crazy with the waiting. Only query agents who represent what you write and follow their submission guidelines. Be polite. Be professional. Trust your gut. And remember that this is a job and if you want it to be yours someday, treat it as such before you even have an agent.

How much of your own marketing do you?

It’s a tad bit early for marketing, as my book won’t be out until fall of 2013. But I do have a blog and a Twitter account. I’ll build an official website and set up a Facebook author page closer to publication.

When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?

One thing Tina mentioned during The Call was that she couldn’t find a lot about me online. I was surprised at first and then realized she was right—at the time, all I had was a locked-down Facebook account and a Twitter account that I’d had for a few years but was just starting to use regularly. I think it’s smart to build a platform before you sign with an agent, but I don’t think it’s necessary when you’re writing fiction. The quality of writing is the most important part; building an online presence can come later.

Do you think social media helps build your readership?

In my case, it’s too early to tell, but I certainly think it can’t hurt. Personally, if I enjoy talking to an author on Twitter/blogs/Facebook/etc., I will most likely want to read their books. To be honest, I struggle with social media sometimes. I’m not shy, but I am a fairly private person by nature, so it can be difficult to open up to people I don’t know in real life. In addition to the privacy factor, I worry that no one will care about my journey/ what I’m working on/what I think is the smartest show on television right now. But at the same time, I’m friendly and truly enjoy meeting new people, especially those who have the same interests or career path. I’ve met so many wonderful people through Twitter— authors, writers, and readers alike—and hope to meet many more along the way!

Interview with K.A. Barson

It's back to life as usual for yours truly, which means you guys get an interview today! Today's SAT guest is a fellow Lucky 13, author K.A. Barson. She graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She can usually be found in her messy office sporting no make-up, bed head, and sweats. Her YA debut, 45 POUNDS, is about Ann, a sixteen-year-old girl who doesn’t fit—not in her blended family and certainly not in Snapz! clothes—is convinced that if she could only lose 45 pounds, her life would be perfectly normal. She soon learns that is nothing perfect about normal. 45 POUNDS will be available from Viking Children's Books, Summer 2013.

Are you a Planner or Pantster?

I’m both. I start with a plan, but it inevitably goes awry while writing. After I write a draft, I re-plan—with better understanding of my characters and story—and write again.

How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?

My first novel, which is really bad and hidden away, took about a month. Lately, it’s taken a lot longer: between six months to a year for a draft. Revisions are another story. I haven’t finished those yet, so as of now, they take forever.

Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi tasker?

I have several projects in various stages of completion, but in general, I focus on one at a time.

Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?

No, when I first sat down, I thought I could write anything. I was fearless and stupid. The fear didn’t come until I realized how much I didn’t know. Now I have to conquer it daily. What I wouldn’t give for a few more fearless, stupid writing sessions!

How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?

About three. One will never come out of from the trunk. One will need to be dismantled, re-visioned, and started fresh—someday. One is being revised right now. Another is newly revised and out on submission now.

Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?

Yes, once, but only because there was nowhere else to take it. It was a weird combo of fiction and non-fiction based on a family hobby. The potential audience was too small, the plot was weak, and the writing wasn’t very good. Not much to work with, so I let go and focused on other things. I have other books that I’ll come back to revise later with fresh eyes and better skills though.

Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them?

Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Inc. It’s a pretty traditional story. I queried. She asked to read the full. A couple weeks later, she offered to represent me.

How long did you query before landing your agent? 

I queried two other agents and got rejected almost immediately. After six months of research and talking to people, I put Sara Crowe at the top of the list. When I revisited my query, I realized that I hadn’t mentioned two really important things—the title and what made it different from other books. I revamped and queried Sara exclusively because I really wanted to work with her.

However, I queried a few agents years ago—way before I should have—with that now-and-forever-trunked piece. (I don’t count those.)

Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?

Yes. Finding an agent or editor is like finding the perfect mate. You want someone who wants you as much as you want him/her. (Think Cheap Trick.) Don’t just look for any agent. Look for the one who enthusiastically wants to rep you. If you get a rejection, don’t take it personally; it only means that agent is not your match.

If you constantly get rejected at the query, the problem might be the query. If you get a lot of rejections on the work, take another look at it, and never submit until you’ve had other readers—the more brutal the better—vet it first.

Finally, don’t give up. You might be one query away from a yes.

How much of your own marketing do you?  

Since my book won’t be out for over a year, I haven’t done much yet. I joined a couple groups of other debut authors for support and group promotion and have participated in some blogs (like this one, for instance). I have a website, I’m also on Twitter (@kabarson), Facebook, and Goodreads.

When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?

I built my initial website before the agent/book deal and am adding to it as I go.

Do you think social media helps build your readership?

I hope so. It definitely helps get the word out.