IndieReCon 2015 | Day One

Since I'm not in London to attend Indie Con, I'm going to be participating in the online part of the conference. It's completely free to join in online, and worth your while if your an author, or want to be one.  IndieReCon has joined with the Alliance of Independent Authors to help authors understand self-publishing, give us great seminars, and exciting events all year round. 

Long story short: I'm going! And I'm going to attend quite a few seminars. I will update this post all day long as I hop into twitterchats, watch videos, google chat and more. So, let's get the day started. :)

Highlights from the opener! 

• RACHEL ABBOTT:  As a self-published author you need to define what success looks like to you, because it’s only when you know what you are seeking to achieve that you’re able to plan for it. Consider your priority list – which number means the most to you: readers, chart position, five star reviews, money in the bank?
  
• MARK DAWSON: You need more than one book to be successful. Each new book increases discoverability, and gives new readers somewhere to go.
• STEENA HOLMES: Surround yourself with a team of people who have strengths to overcome your weaknesses.
• CJ LYONS: Here’s the magic formula: Write a great book, give your readers time to fall in love and tell their friends, repeat. Most authors will do two out of three, but you need all three to achieve success.
  

What Authors Need to Know Now: Mark Coker and Orna Ross. 8:30 AM. 

Highlights:

• "All authors will face moments of self-doubt."

• "Your time is more valuable because you need to be writing MORE books."
  
• "Authors waste too much time on social media."
• "Stop worrying about piracy. People will steal your books. The only way to prevent it is to not publish."

Million Dollar Ideas: David Farland. 10:00 AM

Highlights:

• "What do you do when you have an idea that's cool?" Figure out if there's an audience, and create one if there isn't. To reach a wide audience, you have to make an idea accessible.

• 50 Bestselling novels and books of all time have element of transport in common. Post-apocalyptic settings are always popular.
• Audience: If you're writing for YA, character should be around 16 years old. If you're targeting female writers, need female MC. 32% of males say they won't read a book about a woman.
• To grab a wide audience, have a larger cast with more diverse characters.
• Rule: The story that makes you cry the most wins! Emotionally powerful.

10 Million Sold and Counting: Barbara Freethy & Bella Andre. 11:00 AM

Highlights:

• Bella's advice: Put out the best book you can create. The packaging is what sells to readers. Once you have a catalog, sell through it. Mantra: It's a grand experiment. It's okay to screw up.
• Barbara's advice: Be careful about testing the waters. There's no publisher support unless you're at the top of the list.
• You're not a one book wonder. Put your head down and write.
• More and better competition in the indie world.
• Readers need an interactive place to find you. -Barbara
• The team: "Know what you're good at and outsource the things you aren't."