When people ask me about books that have helped me on my indie publishing journey, my first recommendation is always Indie Author Survival Guide, by Susan Kaye Quinn. I launched my own writing career in the fall of 2013–right about the time this book came out–and it's been an invaluable resource for me.
Sue is a prodigiously talented and prolific writer in multiple genres, including sci-fi, steampunk romance, future-noir serial and middle-grade fantasy. You can find a complete listing of her work on her website.
For my money, Indie Author Survival Guide is the best all-around book for writers of any stripe. Here’s why:
Methodical
Sue shows her engineering background (she really is a rocket scientist) by approaching the topic of becoming an indie writer analytically. Using a mountain-climbing expedition as a metaphor, Sue leads her readers through a logical progression of:
- Planning – how to write your own Five Year Plan and get started
- Packing – how to format, publish and market your work
- Traveling – how do you measure your success
- Avoiding hazards – dealing with the things that might take you off track
Multi-Dimensional
I like to compare being an indie writer to running a startup company. You need to think and plan in multiple dimensions: production, working capital, marketing, sales, post-production, brain-storming, and promotion, to name a few. I find the mix of business and creative work stimulating, and whenever possible I seek out books that will help me on my journey.
Sue looks at the life and work of an indie holistically, interlacing commentary on the craft of writing, the business side of publishing, and the creative balance between the two. Then she takes that insight and overlays it on a rapidly changing publishing landscape.
Personal
For me, the most attractive feature of Indie Author Survival Guide is Sue’s ability (and willingness) to remember how vulnerable she felt as a new writer. In her foreword, she relays her own story from a querying closet romance writer to a very successful indie midlister in multiple genres. She speaks openly about her own early struggles with “owning” the title of writer and how to use emotional judo on those who might try to stand in the way of your dream. A tidbit worth sharing:
People who are successful aren’t successful because they’ve divined the secret code. They’re successful because they made their own code…fully embraced and carried into the world with confidence.
– Susan Kaye Quinn, The Indie Author Survival Guide
The Interview
Last month, I was lucky enough to speak with the talented and inspirational Sue Quinn. Here's a few of the topics we covered:
- Her experience as an author and marketing mastermind for the Synchronic anthology
- Writing in multiple genres and what impact that has on your readers
- Pricing strategies and what Amazon pre-orders mean for indies
- Her progress in the realm of virtual reality, which she likens to the Star Trek holodeck!
- Maintaining your creative edge as an artist
David Bruns is the creator of the sci-fi series The Dream Guild Chronicles, and one half of the Two Navy Guys and a Novel blog series about co-writing the military thriller, Weapons of Mass Deception. Check out his website for a free sample of his work.
