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N is for Newbie

We all have to start somewhere, right? This year, actually, exactly two months ago, I self-published my middle grade book, The Puzzle Master, through Amazon and Amazon kindle. (only .99 cents! get it here.)

Great experience, great learning curve, and wow, do I feel like a newbie. I feel like a nothing and an everything at the same time. I am one of millions, vying for readers attention, and yet I have the ability to have full control of editing, marketing, writing, etc.

This is both good and bad. Good because I'm learning a lot, and again have full control of my work, and at the same time, bad because I don't know what the heck I'm doing.

Here's an exception, a guy who has made a huge success of himself and is also willing to help us newbies: his name is Joe Konrath. He's a great writer, who has put in decades of writing to finally get to where he is today.

His blog has tons of info on how to be a self-published author and do it well, and argues that his success wasn't a fluke: that he had to work hard to be successful. His blog is called A Newbie's Guide to Publishing.

He wrote a great blog post about how he made 100,000 in three weeks (hard work, long hours). And another post about how a lot of people aren't so sure he deserved it (he did!)

If you're interested in self-publishing, or want to learn more about the writing process, check it out. It is a wealth of information.

Newbies, you can do it.
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Comments

  1. Krista McLaughlinApril 16, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    That's some great advice! I'll have to check out his stuff. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jay NoelApril 16, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Yup, been follow JK's blog for sometime. I've been thinking about self pubbing some future stuff. Just to get some things out there and learn the process.

    But for now, I'm going to traditional publishing route.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lynn ProctorApril 16, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    hmmm not sure if i am a newbie :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 16, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Everyone has to be a newbie at one point or another, or nothing ever gets accomplished ;o) Takes guts to publish your own book!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 17, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    Hi Heather, I do have your book, just haven't had a chance to read it. I made a note of JK's blog link so that I can check it out.


    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joseph S. RamirezApril 17, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    I went and saw your book on Amazon... and I REALLY want to buy it, but I must wait until I get another Amazon gift card. Therefore! Your book goes on my wish list. :)

    ReplyDelete

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