Happy November!
I'm delighted to report that my writing has been ticking along - in bursts and lulls as life and illness necessitate - but I am hopeful I will be able to have a proof copy of my book in my hands this year.
I also know that in order to sustain this momentum - while chronically ill, on a very limited budget, and still trying to build my author platform - I'm going to need to keep myself motivated and accountable.
To help me, I've decided that in addition to this blog and my social media accounts on TikTok and Instagram, I want the space to share more in some longer form - and more enduring - content.
Project Proof copy: accountability and sharing my publication journey on Youtube
I love Youtube and it has been an extremely helpful source of free information - and community - many indie authors share generously on there.
I had toyed with the idea of my own channel for a number of years, but I could never find the right 'hook' - my 'why' for being there.
This past year, I've been finding growing confidence in leaning into my new identity and reality as a chronically ill indie author.
I've decided to take the plunge - we will never know what might/not work if we never try.
I've created my own Youtube Channel where I will initially be documenting my weekly progress to get to the proof copy of my first book.
You can find the first videos outlining my project aims here.
Chronically Ill, she wrote: candid essays about my indie author life on Substack
After a long time of overthinking, I've also returned to Substack.
I first wrote on this platform back in the pandemic while I was a writing coach.
I'm now here, years later after surgeries and non recoveries have placed me in a new physical, career, financial, and emotional place.
I thought it would be good to share some of the big lessons in writing and business mindset I've learned - and am still learning - as a chronically ill indie author.
There is a free space with an introduction essay there. I will soon be adding a paid tier where I will share more candidly some of the challenges behind the paywall.
Big Indie Author Ambitions: shoestring budget
While the initial aims of these new additions of longer form content platforms to my writing work are to share and to find accountability in community - I am also looking at all opportunities for increasing my income streams.
Trying to publish as an indie author when not in salaried employment due to illness is a tall order: as an indie author, I have to front all the costs of production and publication of a book.
I have managed to keep this to a minimum, but it is not cost free and I do need to save some additional funds towards formatting software, ISBNs, editing and proof reading.
Trying to do this is a context of rising cost of living and with growing teens is adding further reality checks to my business model.
Big Indie Author Ambitions: stop being afraid to try new things
This mindset shift - to stop feeling afraid of judgement for trying new ways to add income streams - has been taking shape over this year as my confidence in my book has grown as my momentum has - slowly - continued.
I'm excited to talk about my book and characters and worlds - and to share my experiences and growing expertise as an indie author who is working in a context of chronic illness and a minimum budget.
It's challenging, but it is where I am - and the only way is up, right?
- If you would like to come and chat, watch, read, support me on my journey to publication of 'Bluebell Murder' and on my indie author career trajectory, then click on the links.
- You can also buy me a coffee on my Ko-Fi page too - these are super helpful and much appreciated.
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