Journey as an Indie Author: Setting Deadlines

Having written and published as both a traditional author - in non-fiction, with the support of a publishing house behind me - as well as publishing as an indie author in the fantasy genre, I thought I might write a little more this week about some of the ways in which the two experiences are both similar, and different.

As I've suggested in prior posts, in both instances, a large part of the secret to producing a quality book is adequate editing. I will typically plan on at least four proof-read/editing cycles for each chapter, before I would even think of having a beta reader review my work.

Where the two most obviously differ, of course, is in marketing. As an indie author, you have to divide your time between writing the next book in your series, and promotional activities to support your prior work. The latter can be a considerable drain on time, particularly when you're a part-time writer with a regular job to support. That whole subject is probably a good topic for a future post of its own one day. But not this day.

The similarity and difference that I wanted to focus on this week, however, is setting deadlines. My first book, a non-fiction title focused on aviation history, had no real deadline driving it forward when I first set about writing the book. As a non-fiction title, I had to do a considerable amount of research, compiling sources, details, and laying the assembled information out into a form that readers could readily absorb. It took more than a decade of effort to get it to the point where I was willing to send query letters out to publishers.

Once I had found a publisher, however, the deadlines quickly set in. I had only so many weeks to reduce the word count to meet my publisher's expectations. I had to compile photographs and illustrations, and send them in by the appropriate time. Then there was the index, also with a due date behind it. And working with a proof-editor, to ensure that the formatting for the citations was consistent throughout. It was a lot of work, with a lot of deadlines to meet - one right after another.

When I went to write my first self-published fiction novel, therefore, I realized that if I wanted to see this book published in a more reasonable time-frame, I would have to set my own deadlines, goals and milestones. I would need to self-impose deadlines for the first draft, for completing each editing cycle, and for releasing the book to publication. My first fantasy novel required a little over six months to develop - from beginning the writing process to seeing it as an eBook online.

Which brings me to where I am today: approaching my own, self-imposed deadline for completing the first draft of my second novel - by the end of April (this month!). I'm far enough along that I can see that deadline taking shape: the light at the end of the tunnel. From there, it will be a lot of editing cycles to get everything the way I want it to be - before I can even begin to release it to my beta readers. But that first, all-important milestone is today visible - within reach. However onerous those self-imposed deadlines might be, it's a good feeling to have.

Book Covers: The Building Blocks

My middle daughter and I paid a visit this past weekend, to the grounds of Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, Connecticut: collecting photographic references for use in the cover design of my second novel.

Most of the trees had not yet begun to bud forth their spring leaves. It was a grey, overcast day, full of the potential promise of spring and the reminders of winter. The state park's grounds provided fertile ground for imagination. Every corner and view could evoke its own apparitions and storyline, waiting to be retold. I very much look forward to seeing what my daughter (who also provided the cover illustration for the first novel in the series) will eventually produce.

Book Review - When the Moon Was Ours - Video Version

I decided to add a video review for the book - for the benefit of those that would rather hear a review online.

Book Review: When the Moon was Ours

When the Moon Was Ours
by Anna-Marie McLemore
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In the world of "magical realism" or "low fantasy", When the Moon Was Ours stands out as unique. It could be interpreted as a modern day fairy tale - but one which tackles issues of child abuse and gender identity that others have only rarely explored in this, or any other medium.

The book follows the story of Miel, a girl who mysteriously showed up in town one day, who has roses that grow from her forearm and wrist, and Sam, the neighbor boy who's the only friend she has in the small town high school. In the story, Miel is being pursued by the Bonner sisters - four sisters who believe that the roses that grow from Miel's wrist could somehow, magically restore their status as the most sought-after girls in town. The plot line sounds simple enough, but between Miel's half-remembered past, the secrets that only she and Sam know, and the Bonner sisters' ruthless determination - there's a lot more that's going on beneath the surface than meets the eye.

The style of prose for this story is very similar to traditional folk stories or fairy tales: a narrative voice, rather than an in-the-moment retelling. If I had to point to similar artistic influences, I would have to cite Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux, or Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - both books aimed at a much younger audience. I believe that this parallel was very much by intent.

Where the author diverges from the fairy tale tradition is in the narrator's awareness of the very real differences between the folk tale as it might be retold generations later - after it has been absolved of real world flaws, shortcomings and the scar tissue left behind - and the reality as it was experienced by those that lived through the "fairy tale".

The book has its fair share of tear-jerking moments - although I understand that for some the flowery, fairy tale prose might be a little off-putting at first. As was alluded to, trigger warnings are warranted. This book touches on issues of child abuse and gender identity that some readers might be uncomfortable with. The book nonetheless paints a modern day, fairy tale portrait of our world, and some of the realities that not everyone has yet come to terms with.