Renee Marski enjoys the control that self-publishing allows authors. Here she explains the importance of making sure your work is thoroughly edited.

1. Tell me briefly about your latest book – what is it about and what motivated you to write it?

My most recent book is book three in my fantasy series. This book follows Andy, one of the team members of my group of hunters. They are descended from the original fairytale characters, trained to hunt the monsters that plague our world. Andy has some issues he has to work through, after suffering a loss in book two. Andy and the team have to complete their third trial and stick together.

2. How have your sales been?

Sales have been up and down. I took a month off to just focus on me and so without promoting anything I didn’t really sell anything. But when I do promote, I get some good results.

3. You’ve chosen self-publishing. How have you liked it so far? Talk about some of the positives and negatives you’ve encountered.

I love self-publishing. I like the control I have, I can publish when I want, there are no deadlines except for the ones I give myself. But at the same time, being self-published means I have to do all the marketing myself and that is so hard to do. Especially when you’re just starting out and don’t know what you’re doing.

4. What sort of networking have you done as an author, and what have been the results?

I’ve networked on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram have been the most successful for me. Most of my sales have come from Twitter, actually. The writing community there is amazing and supportive but I have also gained some really good writing friends on Instagram. Facebook boosting posts has helped some as well, but I save those mainly for free books.

5. Talk a little about the sort of marketing techniques you’ve used to sell your books. Which ones have been most successful?

Follow loops have helped sell books, especially with a striking cover. Honestly, having a great cover has helped more than anything else.

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

Pintrest and Tumblr. I know some authors can make them work but neither have worked well for me, so I haven’t used them much.

7. What are the most important things you’ve learned about publishing that you didn’t know when you started out?

Having an editor is the most crucial thing you can do. Self-editing your book is great, but that extra pair of eyes is so crucial to the process.

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

I wouldn’t have published as early as I did. When I found out I could self-publish, I got so excited that I released two books without sending them to an editor and they were terrible. Grammar was bad, everything about them was bad. Worst decision ever.

9. New authors face the challenge of getting their books into the hands of readers. What advice do you have for an author just starting out?

Giveaways work. I have gained several faithful readers because I gave them that first book for free and now they come back for the next book, excited to see what’s going to happen next in the story.

10. What other projects are you currently working on?

A murder mystery based off a country song. The main character is male in this one and he witnesses his girlfriend’s murder without realizing it. What follows is a cat and mouse between him and the killer.

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?

Oh gosh this one is hard. Do you like reading stories that grab your attention and keep you coming back? Then Renee’s books are the right ones for you.

12. How can readers learn more about your books?

My Instagram at reneemarskiauthor, Twitter at reneemarskiaut1   

You can also check my website at: https://reneemarskifiction.wordpress.com/