K. Ford K. went from freelance writing to indie publishing, finding frustration along the way with traditional publishers. Now enjoying the freedom of self-publishing, K. discusses the varied tools she uses to reach readers.
1. Give me the “elevator pitch” for your book in five to ten sentences.
What if a timid, sexually-inhibited woman suddenly developed the psychic ability to see what everyone else needed to be blissfully happy in bed? And what if she started blurting out sexual advice against her will? That thought was the seed for my new novel, The Concubine’s Gift, and the poor, long-suffering character of Bernice Babbitt was born.
2. Why did you become an indie writer?
I became an indie author by choice. I was a freelance writer, publishing articles and short stories in newspapers and magazines and had several near misses with major publishing houses. Many times they decided to publish my novels and then changed their minds at the last minute. I was starting to feel like I was in an abusive relationship. Editors told me they loved my work; I cozied up to them and then they slapped me with a rejection. After awhile I was back and the same thing happened all over again. ‘Indie-authorhood’ has been wonderful. I love being in charge of my own career and being able to make all the editorial and marketing decisions about my novels. I’ve been lucky in that readers have been very supportive.
3. Tell me about the marketing techniques you’ve used to sell your books. Which ones have been the most successful?
Some of the marketing techniques that have been the most successful were getting book bloggers to review my book and being active on the Goodreads site. I have hosted lots of book giveaways and those are always fun.
4. Are there any marketing techniques you intentionally avoided or discontinued, and if so, why?
I have my novel listed on Amazon’s KDP Select. The best thing is the free days of promotion but I think I will discontinue after one more month so that I can list the book on other sites such as Smashwords.
5. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about self-publishing that you didn’t know when you started out?
The most important things I’ve learned so far are that book bloggers are the best! I’ve also learned that Goodreads can really help to get the book noticed.
6. Indie authors face the challenge of marketing their books without the resources of traditional publishers. What advice do you have for an indie just starting out?
The best advice I can give a new indie author is to get started on marketing before the book is published. Find book bloggers who will review your book. Get started on Goodreads. Do a book trailer on YouTube, if you can. That is my next step. I really couldn’t afford to make a trailer before.
7. What are you currently working on?
I work on several books at once. I find this keeps my mind sharper. I am editing a novel called The Wife of John the Baptist now and it will be published by Christmas. I am also working on The Fortune Teller’s Wife and Shooting the Dog, a memoir of the imagination.
8. If you could market your brand – not just one particular book, but your overall brand of writing – in one sentence, what would it be?
It would be hard to brand my novels. They are all so different and they cross genres. Readers always remark on how imaginative and sensual my writing is so I guess I’m just The Imaginative Indie Author!
9. How can readers learn more about your books?
The Concubine’s Gift is available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook.
Readers can find out more on my website or follow me on Twitter and Facebook:
Kris Wampler 
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