Resources for indie authors
There was a time where I didn’t think about resources for indie authors or how useful they’d be. Call it naivety or arrogance (maybe a bit of both), but once I wrote my first book, Reality Check, I thought the hard work was done.
I was wrong, so very wrong. Not only is there the editing involved (both my own revisions and external) but there’s a lot more that goes into making a book as good as it can be. You can find out more about each step in my self-publishing journey, but I thought it would be useful to list some of the amazing resources and people I’ve worked with bringing my books to life.
There is no incentive for me to do this – I’m not being paid or receiving any discounts for this. I’m doing it purely because I’m really happy with the work that was done, and it might be a good place for you to start if you’re looking for these services.
That’s all there is to it.
Remember: there’s no substitute for doing your own research. The people and services I’ve listed below as part of my resources for indie authors list have been fantastic with me, but I did some research and asked a lot of questions to make sure we were on the same page. Definitely check these people out, but if they’re not right for you, that’s okay! You’ll find the right people to bring your book to life.
Editing
Rachel Rowlands
Rachel is one of the best editors I’ve had the fortune to work with. Her experience and understanding of the writing craft helped me improve my own writing skills, and the feedback provided made sure my stories are the best they can be. Everything is presented clearly, concisely, and constructively, and being able to ask questions about anything raised helps immensely.
Proofreading
Sofia Matias
Sofia was recommended to me when I needed a proofreader, and I’ll openly admit I was dubious. After all of the drafts and editing, what use was proofreading going to be? Well, the number of errors that had been missed while focusing on other issues really surprised me, and I won’t think that way again. Sofia picked up on every mistake and asked questions over anything uncertain so I could address it. That attention to detail is invaluable.
Cover Design
Design for Writers
There are plenty of ways to create a book cover, but like it or not, first impressions matter. The more professional and eye-catching a cover, the more likely a reader will look at it further. As writers, we might have ideas for what works but an expert cover designer will look beyond that and at what works in the genre, too. That’s what Design for Writers helped me with, and the results were outstanding. Combined with their book formatting, the whole process of putting my book together was simple.