Celebrating Summer and the Indie Life

Hello everyone! Can you believe a month has passed since our last "Indie Life" monthly post? I can't. Time flies when you are having fun, and to be the self published author is SO MUCH fun! In the past week I've spent time with other Indie authors. This is one of my favorite aspects of the indie life, the power to choose when and where I'll travel for book signings and speaking engagements.

Prior to being an author myself I served on the Oswego Reading Council's board, as publicity chair and then as president. One of the responsibilities our team managed each year was to secure guest authors to speak at our monthly dinners for the teachers of Oswego County. We spent months contacting, scheduling, and planning for authors of different genres and presentation styles. The goal was to engage, educate, and inform local educators while also promoting the guest author.

On more than one occasion an author refused our invitation to speak at our events because their "publisher" wouldn't allow them to. Although the author was speaking to a school in the area, at the college, or a local book store ~ they weren't "allowed" to speak to our organization. Other times, the author could speak but at a cost well above our budget. So, it was a challenge yet one that prepared me for this journey, as author.

As an indie author, I don't need anyone's permission to accept or refuse an engagement. If our local library or bookstore call, I can accept. If I want to set a tent up at the local farmer's market, in the heart of my community, I can (and have). Of course, with a publisher or agent scheduling your bookings, they negotiate prices to ensure the author is making money and not losing it. An aspect of the indie life I personally find very challenging. With each new speaking engagement, I'm learning.

I'm learning as I go with the help of other authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs. A successful indie life isn't one traveled alone, it requires the ability to give and receive help, advice, and support of others. I'm thankful each day for God's leading to self publish and for the people He's placed in my life to move me forward with His plan, not mine.

I have two books out currently with the third to be released later this week. A tidbit about each is below. Click on the book cover for a direct link to Amazon.com for more information or to purchase any of my books.

Releases This Week

Encourage Others: One Day at a Time is more than a book, it's an organizational tool.

I am blessed with memories of my mom, Gram, aunts, and great-aunts making notes on their calendars for births, deaths, anniversaries, and other special dates.

Over the years I've tried to carry on this priceless tradition - to encourage others in times of joy and sorrow. At first I used a calendar, copying the information over from year to year. Then I switched to an index card organizational. Neither seemed to work for me.

Hence the reason for this book - this is my attempt to carry on the tradition inspired by the matriarchs of my family...

To Encourage Others,
One Day at a Time

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Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey is one sister's journey after the kidnapping of her only sister, Heidi M Allen. I wrote this book to share hope and healing with others grieving the loss of a sibling.

Although I received contract offers to publish this book, I decided to self publish in order to maintain the release date of my choice, April 3. On 4/3/1994 my sister Heidi disappeared and so did my faith and hope for the future.

On 4/3/2013, this book released on the 19th anniversary of Heidi's kidnapping to share the hope, healing, and strength available to the hurting through a relationship with Jesus.

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When the Waves Subside: There is Hope was only meant to be an anniversary gift for my parents. After they shared their gift with others, they heard, "Where can I get a copy?" It was their decision to make the book available to the public. 

The response to this book is both overwhelming and encouraging at the same time. Since its release I changed the back's write-up to dedicate the book for any grieving parent, not just the parent of a missing child because of the response from parent's living life without their precious child.

The premise of When the Waves Subside is the beauty and strength of a parent missing their son or daughter. Similar to the broken glass beaten by the waves, they come out of the water stronger and more beautiful because of the journey, "sea glass" or "glass rocks" ~ not broken anymore.

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Visit some other amazing Indie authors - click on their name below.

If you have a story to tell and a passion to write...
then what's holding you back? Join the ranks of the Indie!