A while back a website owner contacted me with a proposition. That usually means it’s spam. But this was real.
It’s called Shepherd.com and it’s for indie authors and book readers. They aim to take on Goodreads as a bookworm’s go-to. Would I like an author profile there? Why, yes I would!
Instead of just posting a bunch of navel-gazing content, they ask for a list of five books. The genre or topic is up to the author. I chose to highlight my five favourite books about being inside journalism.
It was fun to write mini-reviews for each book. Choosing the books was easy as they’re all memorable to me and I’ve recommended them to friends. I will eventually create other lists as well.
Shepherd is a good place to see what’s new in books. To find new reads in different genres. To discover an author you haven’t previously have heard of.
As a writer who’s about to publish her first novel, I need all of the platforms I can get. Marketing costs for indie publishing don’t tend to pay off. You’d be shocked at how difficult it is to get the word out about a book.
So why write a novel if it won’t likely make money? To scratch a creative itch. Otherwise, why paint or sing or draw or perform when there are no guarantees of acceptance or success? It’s about more than money or any accolade. You do it because you love it. And not doing it would be worse. Regret is tougher to live with than the result of action. I believe the only failure is in not having done something I want to do.
Congrats! Can’t wait to read your book. I have a dear friend (a local gal too) who is celebrating 10 years of living with cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer whe she was in her early 40’s. She has recently authored a book about her journey. It’s available at the Port Stanley book store. Kathryn White is her name. Maybe we’ll see your book there too?
That sounds like a heck of a story. I’m not sure whether mine will be there.
I may just go the ebook route! It’s an expensive proposition and few authors
make their money back on printed books. I’ll think about it. 🙂 Thanks, Rachael.
Lisa,
Whoohoo! I can’t wait to read your next book. An avid reader who loves your page turner books.
They are beautifully written and grab the reader. You are an author who needs to leave the humbleness behind and start bragging about you! Be proud. Be loud.
Thanks, Nancy! Maybe I need you to be my publicist! 😀
I’m looking forward to reading your novel, Lisa. You have such a great way with words, so I know I will love it as much as I did when I read The Naked Truth.