When Kate O’Mara realized that the book she was looking for didn’t exist, she decided to write it herself.  Read about her outreach efforts and her upcoming projects.

1. Pretend for a moment I’m a reader looking for my next book.  Pitch me your book in five to ten sentences.

Inspiration: Write Every Day is a motivational book for writers and people who want to write.  Formatted to the calendar, each page/day offers quotes from famous authors, thoughts about writing, affirmation/motivation statements and writing prompts.  The book allows for ample annotation.

2. What motivated you to become an indie writer?

Originally, I just wanted to buy this book.  I searched book stores and then inquired with publishers and was told that there wasn’t anything like it.  They didn’t feel there was an audience.  However, when I spoke with other writers and my mentor, everyone was very excited about the project.

3. Have you been traditionally published?  Why or why not?

I’ve been published in print (magazines and newspapers) and online for many years with a byline and as a ghostwriter.  Some time ago, my first book, Elijah’s Dilemma, was contracted; but within a year the publisher went out of business.  It became a legal mess with regard to the rights.  Since that time, the industry has been downsizing.  My understanding is that it is not likely a traditional publishing house will pick up a writer without some unique quality, i.e. audience, already in place.

4. How have you liked self-publishing so far?

Self-publishing has been wonderful and intense.  There are many skills needed to publish a book.  Thankfully, I have some great friends who helped and supported this project through the process.

5. Tell me about the marketing techniques you’ve used to sell your books.  Which ones have been the most successful?

I’m so excited about kathleenomara.com and the Facebook fan page; both are great ways to connect with writers and readers.  My outreach plan includes connecting with excellent bloggers like Kris Wampler, social networking, reaching writing groups and programs.

6. Are there any marketing techniques you intentionally avoided or discontinued, and if so, why?

Not yet.

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about self-publishing that you didn’t know when you started out?

Well, it’s not that I didn’t know the marketing would be tough but it’s even more time-intensive than I thought it would be.

8. If you could do one thing differently in publishing your books, what would it be?

I’d like to partner with more people through the next project for three reasons: 1) It’s wonderful to let people do what they do best, 2) My time is better spent writing and 3) It’s so great to work with other people especially after producing a larger book.

9. Independent authors face the obvious challenge of marketing their books without the resources of traditional publishers.  What advice do you have for an indie author just starting out?

Believe in your project.  Make it the best.  Go for it.

10. What projects are you currently working on?

My next project is Solid Happiness.  The blog at solidhappiness.com focuses on how to find your own happiness; not the commercial or fleeting happiness but real, deep happiness.  I’m at the end of the research process, so it’s just about the writing.

11. If you could market your brand – not just one particular book, but your overall brand of writing – in one sentence, what would it be?

Kathleen O’Mara writes entertaining stories and books to encourage people to be their best.

12. How can readers learn more about your books?

Information about Inspiration: Write Every Day is available at kathleenomara.com and Amazon.com.