What I’ve Learned as an Indie Author

Quill pen and ink on a desk

I’m not new to self-publishing, but a lot has changed since I first hit the “publish” button on Amazon's Kindle Direct publishing site! In 2012, I began writing fan fiction for fun on several websites, which received some encouraging reviews and conversations. As self-publishing became more popular, I took the plunge and put my work out there, a collection of novellas and short stories. I didn’t expect to earn much, and the little bit of royalties I did make were a bonus.

Then, a few years later, I dove into freelance writing and did this exclusively for about three years until my career changed. I still write now because it’s my passion, but I have decided to return to the world of self-publishing and, this time, share my experiences and research on haunted places and urban legends in Ontario.

A lot of things change over a decade! Also, many experiences with self-publishing remain the same. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Sales will happen, but it will take a while.
2. A good sales ranking in your genre does not mean you’re making lots of sales; chances are, you’ll notice this when you check your dashboard for sales reports and royalties. However, the ranking is good for visibility, which can lead to more sales in the future. If your genre is niche, you can boost your rating quickly with just one or two sales…