bcomet wrote:Margo,
How did you find the/make the art for the covers for your Amazon.com books? Did you work with other professionals on editing, formatting, layout, marketing, etc. too? Would love to learn more about your process. Your success is very inspiring!
I'll try to answer briefly and hit the highlights.
When I write under
my name, I have a cover designer and an editor. That's a labor of love that makes no money.
When I write under my pen name, my priority is profit. I have to walk the line between getting something done well and getting it done fast.
I buy licenses for stock photos and do the covers myself, following a basic template I came up with that establishes a certain look (aka brand) to all my covers. Using Book Cover Pro, I can put a cover together in about 30 minutes. Other successful writers have commented on how distinctive and attractive the covers are. That is mostly due to the fact that I have an eye for a certain look, and I maintain the style.
I don't use an editor--too costly and time-consuming. Yes, I end up with minor typos, etc., that an editor would catch. I've only had one comment on it from a reader, and the reader was very forgiving, the sort of review that goes, "Yes, there were a couple of typos, but it was still great." I don't do six or eight drafts. I do two at most (though my first drafts are exceptionally clean).
I have developed a standard format from observing what others have done, and all my titles follow that format. I keep it very simple but always include a clickable table of contents.
I do no marketing. Seriously, it is an utter
waste of time. The release of my next title is the only marketing that counts. THAT is what keeps up visibility. I put a couple of exerpts from older titles in with newer ones, so older titles continue to generate interest.
When I started out, I wrote a LOT, and that is extremely important. For months on end, I did 55-60k words a month. Now, I can slow down, because I've established an audience and some momentum, but I still need to release titles regularly. For someone writing full-length novels, I'd suggest four books a year, three minimum. Six would be ideal. For someone writing novellas, one or two a month. For someone writing short stories, at least one a week, though two would be better. I also suggest pricing higher rather than lower. Price conveys a message (positive or negative) about quality.
I hope that info helps.
Edit: I also suggest getting really REALLY good at writing first. That way, when you (figuratively speaking) dial it
down a notch to account for the necessary output, you're still better than the average bear.
Edit again: I should also mention that, with my pen name stuff, I am MERCENARY about giving readers what THEY want, not what I like to write (though I am having fun). So...no artistic flights of fancy. No "but my muse says this I should write it like this". No, "but my character wanted to do this instead".
Yes, I miss your Tweets and blogs as well, but it sounds like you've hit one helluva stride right now. Congrats on all your successes!