Here are some of the people, organizations, and technologies I recommend to indie authors based on my experience.
I receive nothing for this except the satisfaction of sharing and potentially assisting others. If you have recommendations, I’ll gladly review them.
Writing
Putting Words Down
Scrivener – You don’t have to be an expert to take advantage of important features: flexibility in moving scenes, duplication, and version control. And there’s no blue squigglies pestering you while you’re desperate to get that idea down. I’m looking at you, MS Word.
Characterization
Abby Emmons’ Enneagrams – Look, there are a ton of resources out there for fleshing out your characters, but none that make you side eye your partner, friend, coworker or…yourself. Is that really what makes them/me tick? Do I need professional help? You’re welcome.
How Not to Write Men – 9 Male Character Mistakes That Scream “A Woman Wrote This”. Bookfox nails it. He looks good in that t-shirt, too.
Editing
Victory Editing – Copyediting, Proofreading, and More. Anne is prompt, an animal lover, and one of the nicest people ever.
Cate Hogan – Developmental Editor, Story Expert, Kind & Professional. She provides an in-depth audio file of her feedback. That’s right, she talks to you. And she’ll pinpoint your issues like a BFF ninja.
Design
Killion Group – Logos, Websites, Branding, Stock, A+ Content, Author. Knowledge Sharer. I can’t say enough about Kim and her team. And once you browse through her stock, you’ll never be able to unsee it from like half the romance books out there.
Adobe – For everything, especially Stock. But pricey.
Canva – Feature-rich. Much easier and loads less expensive than Adobe. A must have!
Book Brush – Great for Social Media Graphics and Book Cover mock-ups.
Steamy Designs – Logos, Branding, and Book Covers
Book Covers & Formatting
Killion Group – Again, Kim and her team. Quick, Professional, Knowledgeable, Responsive, Talented.
Atticus – For formatting previews, samples, ARCs. If you’re really brave and possess nerves of steel (not I), you could use it for formatting your final book. 😰 If you have a Mac, there’s Vellum.
Beta Reading
Your Beta Reader – Professional, Incisive, Unbiased. And, you know, Canadian. 🍁
Social Media, Events & Marketing
JoyBuilt Events – They are as excited about your book as you are. Maybe more during those Dark Night of the Soul moments. They also plan fabulous events, love BookTok, and Jo is the most enthusiastic and unruffled person I’ve ever met. It’s catchy.
MailerLite – Email marketing software platform. Includes integration, workflows, and a wee learning curve like with all things. Support is whip-fast.
BookFunnel – Deliver your book files to readers. Incredibly swift support.
Organizations
Hearts through History – Classes, Community, and Critique Groups. All online.
Romance Writers of America – Community and Advocacy. They’ve made a 180 since 2005, supporting romance writers and stories of all backgrounds.
Alliance of Independent Authors – International experts and advocates for indie authors.
Website Techy Stuff
WordPress WordPress WordPress. You can host it practically anywhere.
Yoast SEO – If you’re not sure about the what or why, they have tons of informational videos.
WordFence Security Plugin – To keep jerks from hacking your site. Or trying at least 100 times a day.
SOS: Online Backup – I’ve used them for years. Through at least six laptop changes. I can go online right now and find that flyer I made for our Thanksgiving 2008 celebration on my adorable, pearlescent white Sony Vaio. Or the one for 2012, where my mom and dad (divorced for ages) had the fight that will live in infamy. Ahhh, holidays.
Snacks
Stax, Gardettos, Chili Cheese Fritos, Skittles, old Halloween candy. When I’m feeling healthy: peanuts, roasted pecans and walnuts.
For Readers (& Writers)
Feed Your Book Fix
BookBub – Find your next favorite author and meet-up with old friends. I seriously look forward to my daily ebook bargains email.
BookSirens – Get Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and, if you’re an author, launch them, too.
Booksprout – ARCs for reviewers and authors.
NetGalley – Used by readers and the trads for ARCs. Costly for indie authors. Victory Editing hosts a co-op for a shared, less expensive price, if you’re interested!
Snacks
Who needs food when you’re feeding your soul with romance?
Research
Some of My Favorites & Not At All Exhaustive
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