GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Gail Z Martin's Days of the Dead Book Tour: Indie Publishing in a Weird World | I Smell Sheep

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Gail Z Martin's Days of the Dead Book Tour: Indie Publishing in a Weird World

Indie Publishing in a Weird World 
By Gail Z. Martin 

This has been a weird year, in pretty much every sense of the word. Jokes about ‘apocalypse bingo’ aside, we’re all dealing with a confluence of major issues that none of us really have relevant life experience to fall back on for problem-solving ideas. That makes the ability to pivot, adapt, and try new things more important than ever. 

Given concerns about the virus, events are cancelled and people are staying home more than ever. So people have more time than ever to read, binge watch TV, and hang out online, hungry for entertainment. At the same time, job insecurities have made people worried about spending. We want diversion, but our minds are filled with today’s improbable headlines and concentrating can be difficult.

When the world has gone crazy, how do you continue to function—and maybe even thrive—as an indie author? 

The key, I believe, is being willing to adapt and get out of our comfort zones. In-person events have been cancelled, but online events are booming. Convention-style panels, author readings, virtual signings, online meet-and-greets, and live video gatherings may seem intimidating to the camera-phobic, but they’re an essential part of staying connected with readers, other authors, and the fandom community. Zoom is an author’s best friend, along with learning how to be comfortable with Facebook Live and the constantly-changing Facebook Rooms.

People are bored and looking for diversions. They’re also pinching pennies. That makes this a good time to experiment with budget-friendly options like Kindle Unlimited. Boost discoverability with sites like Prolific Works, Book Funnel, Story Origin and Book Sweeps that host themed group promotions featuring multiple authors all offering free stories or excerpts. Readers can get a taste of your style and your worldbuilding risk-free, then feel confident about looking for the rest of your work.

All kinds of cool collaborations are springing up because people have more time on their hands with their normal schedules upended, and because we’re all looking for fun and excitement. Keep an eye out for new podcasts, online conventions, video interview series, group storytelling projects, and other multi-author efforts that enable both the readers and the authors to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves and create community.

Whatever version of normal we find waiting for us at the end of the current unpleasantness, I think we’ll retain the best of the new things we’ve discovered during this extended time at home. That means the skills involved have potential long-term value and aren’t just a passing phase. 

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! 

What’s new? Plenty!
Monster Mash and Creature Feature are the newest Spells Salt and Steel books. 
Witch of the Woods and Ghosts of the Past are the newest in the Wasteland Marshals series.
And Black Sun is the latest Joe Mack Adventure. 
Coming soon: Fugitive’s Vow (Assassins of Landria Book 3) and Reckoning (Darkhurst Book 3).

GIVEAWAY 
My Days of the Dead blog tour runs through October 31 with brand new guest blog posts, giveaways and more! 
You’ve got to visit the participating sites to get the goodies, just like Trick or Treat! 
Get all the details about my Days of the Dead blog tour at www.gailzmartin.com

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Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, the Chronicles Of The Necromancer, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, and the Assassins of Landria. She and co-author Larry N. Martin write the Spells Salt and Steel, Wasteland Marshals and  Joe Mack Shadow Council Archives Adventures. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow series. 

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