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Kara Isaac–New Adventures: The Difference Between being a Traditional and Indie Author #giveaway

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I’m excited to invite Kara Isaac back to tell us about her upcoming release, Then There Was You!

Good morning, Inspy Romance, and thanks so much to Janet for hosting my visit today! :)

You’re welcome! Tell us about your “new adventure.”

In six days, my first indie (independent) release, Then There Was You, heads out into the big wide world. After two traditionally published novels (Close To You and Can’t Help Falling) I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the differences I’ve discovered between working with a traditional publishing house and being my own publisher!

How exciting! What  differences have you discovered?

Total Control / ALL the Responsibility:

Being an indie author means total control! You are the final decision maker on everything from cover, to back cover blurb, to distribution channels. This is both great and terrifying! There is no one chasing you up to make sure things are done by specific times and no contractual obligations to motivate you to meeting milestones just your own internal motivation. If a step is missed or something doesn’t get done it’s your responsibility to notice it and fix it.

If the cover doesn’t hit your target reader demographic, if the back cover copy doesn’t engage them, if a promotional activity doesn’t pay dividends, it all comes back to you.

Right! That can be fun and scary!

You Get To Pick Your Team:

I am so blessed that I got to work with an incredible team at Howard Books and am so grateful for the experience. Being an indie meant I had to pick my own team! For Then There Was You this included a developmental editor, a copy editor, a proofreader, a cover designer and a formatter.

I had worked with my developmental editor and proofreader before, my cover designer’s work I had admired on a couple of author friends’ indie releases, my copy editor I knew from writing circles and my formatter was a recommendation from an indie friend. They all did incredible work and getting Then There Was You to this point wouldn’t have been possible without them!

Love your cover! And formatting paperbacks is no joke! (I may have to get that name from you later.)

You find out how much REALLY happens behind the scenes:

Being an indie author for the first time is a many months exercise in discovering how much you really don’t know! From getting an ISBN for your book, to navigating tax requirements, to making decisions from pricing to the color of pages, to getting advance copies to early reviewers, you’re it when it comes to navigating from the first draft right through to release.

Thankfully the indie author community is a very helpful supportive one and people are always willing to point you in the right direction or share their expertise and experience.

All the picking out is kind of like building a house. Yes, the indie community is so supportive, as is the Christian fiction community as a whole.

It’s YOUR money on the line:

My primary motivation for going indie was that with two novels releasing in 2016 I wanted to have a 2017 release to maintain momentum with readers and (for a variety of reasons) that wasn’t going to be possible with my traditional publisher.

When I made the decision to independently release Then There Was You there was one thing I was determined about. That it would go through the same level of rigor and be of the same quality as my two traditionally published novels. That meant that I had to be willing to make a significant financial investment to pay for professionals to do the things that I couldn’t – cover design, formatting and copy editing. Fortunately my developmental editor accepted payment in the form of New Zealand coffee and chocolate and my proofreader is a friend who did me a favor :)

All of these things were covered by my traditional publisher. Being indie means paying the bills and watching the $$$$ disappearing out of our bank account!

But there’s no point having a well-edited book with a beautiful cover if no one knows about it! So, on top of those things I needed a budget for promotional activities, marketing, review copies, giveaways etc. I keep telling my husband you have to spend money to make money ;-)

LOL, I’ve been there–making sure you can prove a return on the investment for the husband!

#Giveaway

#giveaway TWO #Kindle eBook copies of Then There Was You to give to two lucky commenters! #InspyRomance Kara Isaac

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Thank you so much for having me here today! I have TWO Kindle eBook copies of Then There Was You to give to two lucky commenters (also a bit of shameless promotion the eBook is also on a preorder special of $3.99 until midnight on the 21st :)  I will be popping back in to respond to comments/questions later in the day (thanks to the time difference with New Zealand I don’t even wake up until the US is well into the afternoon) and I’m also juggling three small people so please bear with me if it takes me a couple of days to reply!

I’ll try to be patient, ha! Thank you so much for your generous offer. No worries about the promotion! I know our readers will be excited to order. 

Here’s a little bit about Josh and Paige’s story…
Then There Was You

Then There Was You

 Paige McAllister needs to do something drastic. Her boyfriend can’t even commit to living in the same country, her promised promotion is dead on arrival and the simultaneous loss of her brother and her dream of being a concert violinist has kept her playing life safe and predictable for six years. Things need to change. A moment of temporary insanity finds her leaving her life in Chicago to move to Sydney, Australia. There she finds herself, against many of her convictions, as a logistics planner for one of Australia’s biggest churches, and on a collision course with her boss’s son.

Josh Tyler fronts a top-selling worship band and is in demand all over the world. But, in the past, his failed romantic relationships almost destroyed both his reputation and his family. He’s determined to never risk it happening again. The last thing he needs is some American girl tipping his ordered life upside down. Especially one who despises everything he’s ever worked for and manages to push every button he has.

When Josh and Paige are thrown together to organize his band’s next tour, the sparks fly. But can they find a way to bridge the differences that pull them apart? Or will they choose the safety and security of what they know over taking a chance on something that will require them to risk everything?

Sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it!

Kara Isaac lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She is the author of Close to You, a RITA Award Double Finalist, and Can’t Help Falling, an RT Review Top Pick. Her next book Then There Was You releases on June 22. When she’s not chasing three adorable but spirited little people, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connect on her website, on Facebook at Kara Isaac – Author and Twitter @KaraIsaac  

Kara Isaac
Romantic Comedy Writer
RITA Award® Double Finalist
Close To You & Can’t Help Falling
Available now from all great retailers
Sign up to my newsletter for exclusive news and giveaways
Thank you so much, Kara, for hanging out with us! READERS, Leave a comment by June 20, 2017 to be included in the giveaway!
Janet W Ferguson (66 Posts)

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. ​Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/


Comments

  2. Hi Janet and Kara. Thanks for sharing your indie journey, it is interesting learning about the differences. Then There Was You looks great- I live across the ditch from you, so love the setting!! Look forward to reading,
    Blessings:)

  3. Hi Janet and thanks for the introduction. Welcome Kara! Thanks for an insightful and educational post about the publishing business. Your new book sounds delightful. This retired high school teacher can relate. I was a pastor’s wife for 25 years and lived in Chicago for 10 years. My younger brother was a violinist. As a retiree, most of my travels today are in the Midwest or via my arm chair through books and posts from friends. My furthest travels from the Midwest was to Japan in 2008. That 15 hour flight was long enough, so not sure about a lengthy flight to Australia. So your story catches my interest – how will a violinist from the Midwest adjust to a different culture and seasons in the land down under. Intriguing. When not reading or interacting with authors around the world, this grandma chases two adorable little granddaughters ages 3 and 5 months four days a week, while their parents work. Since it is now summer break and I also entertain two grandsons ages 11 and 9, who come to my house for the food. Best wishes Kara. Happy writing and enjoy those precious little people.

  4. I enjoyed the interview! I am adding the book to my TBR list. I really like the cover, too!

  6. Hi Kara and Janet,
    It was fun getting to hear a little bit more about Kara and the process of indie publishing. It really must be scary, but you needn’t worry, you are a fantastic and skilled writer. I’ve enjoyed your other books.
    I look forward to reading this book, I’ve seen it being promoted by others on Facebook and I think it will be a big hit!
    Best wishes for great success!

  8. Hi Wemble! I hope to visit y’all’s side of the world someday! Looks beautiful!

  9. Hello, Renate! You always have such great insights! I hear grandchildren are awesome! I’m not there yet, but looking forward to it. I think that would be a long flight to Kara’s, but I’d love to go. It may be just through a book for me, as well :) Blessings

  11. Hi Laura! Thanks for stopping in! Yes, I was interested in the traditional side, since I’m indie.

  12. Yes, her other books are wonderful! Can’t wait to read this one, too. Have a great day Marilyn!

  13. Thank you for sharing about the indie process. It does sound daunting, but so glad everyone pulls together to help each other out. The snippet you shared sounds like it will be a very interesting book. :)

  14. I totally agree with Janet: “Sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it!”
    Thanks for sharing your experience as and indie author. I know other in this blog publish like that too and it’s good to hear more about the work of the authors we support.

  15. I think it’s a great idea to indie publish in between your other books to maintain momentum with readers. I think that this book will definitely accomplish that, I know it has for me, just having another book from you to look forward to. I absolutely love the cover!!!

  16. I can’t wait to read your book, Kara! And thanks for all the effort you had to bring your story to us. I would never imagine all the effort behind publishing a book..

  21. I loved the blog post and it was informative.
    Congrats on the new book and I would love to read.

  23. I loved hearing the differences from an author who has/is doing both. Currently, I’m seeking traditional publishing, but I love that you are indie publishing a book in-between. I’m kind of sad I have no other books to read from you yet, but June 22nd is soooo close. :)

  24. Yeah! Three real life babies and three book babies! Loved the first two books so I’m looking forward to reading this one, also.

  26. Arletta, That is a fun correlation! Book babies! It is like putting your child out there for the world to critique. I get nervous every single time!!

  27. Enjoyed your post and also enjoyed Close to You! Looking forward to reading more of your books!

  31. Hi Kara! So excited about your new book! And thanks for going to such lengths for your readers! I think most of us don’t realize what you all have to do besides just writing the story to get a book published.

  32. Hi, Nancy! It is a lot of work. If I didn’t write Christian fiction, I probably wouldn’t stick with it. For God and readers, it’s worth it!

  34. Thanks, Kara and Janet! You are both such amazing writers! I’m looking forward to reading your book, Kara. I think it’s next on my list, so I should be finished by release day.

  35. Love the blurb, and that cover is awesome! I may need to message you to find who your cover designer is, because I need the same style and feeling for a release planned for early next year. I tried to get something similar but set in London for my first indie book, but ended up paying for an epic fail!

    The book deserves to do wonderfully well, and I’m sure it will!

  37. Hi Autumn! Covers are so hard to get the way we want them! Your book in London sounds great! Blessings

  39. Hi Wemble! Whereabout do you live across the ditch? I’m very envious that you’re winter weather is so much better than ours!

  40. Hi Renate! Wow, you are one busy grandma. Your grandkids (and children!) are so blessed to have you able to be so involved! We don’t have any grandparents living in the same city as us and definitely miss it. If you’ve made it to Japan you could definitely make it to New Zealand and Australia. From Auckland to LA it’s about a thirteen hour flight and I think it’s roughly the same from Sydney to LA as well :) I hope you enjoy Then There Was You if you have the opportunity to read it.

  41. Hi, Elizabeth! I’m so glad you like the cover :) It’s a very different style to my other two but I love it. I hope you enjoy Then There Was You if you have the opportunity to read it!

  42. I appreciated the information on what you have to do when you are independent. It makes me more grateful for what you authors have to do and why reviews are so important.

    If I do not win, I will end up buying it. Now I have to decide ebook or paperback.

  44. I bought three copies of ‘Close to You’ because I loved it so much I kept giving it away. Kara is a GREAT storyteller, and I’m sure ‘Then There Was You’ will be just as good <3

  47. I have Kara’s first book, and can’t wait to read the next! I’m a teacher who loves to read in the summer!

  49. Having read and loved Kara’s first two books, Then There Was You is a must read for me. Thank you for the background info of what it takes to produce an indy book, though I imagine this just skimmed the surface, and for the ebook giveaway.

  50. Hi Pam! So glad you are excited about this next book! I’m sure it will be great!

  52. Hi Joy! I totally understand. I worked as a school librarian for seven years. Summer was for reading and projects around the house! Enjoy!

  55. I do the same thing with books I love! Thanks for saying hello, Jebraun!

  57. Oh yes! Reviews are so important!! Ah, so many choices! Paperbacks are fun to share!

  60. Hi Andrea! Yes, daunting is definitely a good word for it but it has been a lot of fun too :) I hope you enjoy Then There Was You if you have the chance to read it.

  62. Just finished Can’t Help Falling today after renewing it 4 times at the library! Can’t wait to read Then There Was You on my phone with no return dates ever!

  64. I know many authors who are both traditionally published and indie published. Some went indie for various reasons while others dabble in both. :-)

    I really love this cover Kara! The story sounds pretty good too. :-)

  65. Thanks so much, Heidi! I’m so glad you love the cover. It’s very different from the other two but I love it as well :) And yes, now that I’ve taken the leap I am very excited that it’s only been nine months between Can’t Help Falling and Then There Was You rather than potentially a couple of years for readers to wait!

  66. Thanks so much, Laura! I hope you enjoy it :) Yes, there’s definitely a lot of moving parts to getting a book released but I’ve enjoyed learning about them all!

  68. There are definitely big pros to both options! I wish you all the best in your pursuit of traditional publishing. I had a wonderful experience with it and definitely hope to do it again. I can let you in on a little secret too. Though the official release date isn’t until the 22nd, Amazon has already started shipping the paperback version :)

  69. Hi Trixi! Yes, there are a variety of reason and paths to publication these days. It’s nice to have choices! Blessings

  70. Hi Arletta! It’s so funny, I was just talking about this the other day with a friend (who was asking if I was having a big launch party for this one like I did for the first one). The third book baby is definitely a bit like the third real baby. You love it just as much as the others but it kind of just has to fit in with everything else that is going on :)

  72. Hi Kara, in southern Victoria. I’ve had the privilege of visiting NZ and loved your beautiful country, and look forward to again sometime:)

  73. Your article really put the Indie experience into words of what goes on in your world. The story of Josh and Paige sounds like they both need to met their own challenges.

  77. It does sound good! I can barely write and my children are grown (sort of 20 & 24), so I’m amazed that Kara has gotten all this accomplished this year!!

  81. Hi Nancy! So glad you’re excited. I hope There There Was You lives up to it :) Yes, there are definitely a lot of plates to keep spinning but it’s worth it when I have such great readers :)

  84. Oh Autumn, I’m so sad to hear you had to pay for an epic fail :( My designed was the lovely Jenny from Seedlings Design Studio – http://www.seedlingsonline.com. She is a dream to work with and I highly recommend her. You’ll see from her portfolio that she has done designs for a number of inspirational romance authors.

  85. Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support :) I hope you enjoy Then There Was You in whatever format you read it in. And yes, reviews are always ALWAYS appreciated by authors.

  90. Hi Joy! Happy summer reading to you :) I’m very jealous as I sit here wrapped up in my lounge against a winter chill that just swept in this morning! I hope you enjoy Then There Was You.

  92. Thanks, Pam! Yes, it’s definitely kept me busy the last six months but it’s been a great learning experience :) I hope you enjoy Then There Was You!

  93. HI Jayna! I’m very envious. My library only allows us to renew books twice. I consider myself a great library supporter for the amount my family rack up in overdue fines. I hope you enjoy Then There Was You :)

  94. Hi Trixi. I’m so glad you love the cover! I love it too even though it is very different from my other two which I also love! I would definitely like to continue dabbling in both but we’ll see what the future holds :)

  96. Thanks so much, Rory! Yes, Josh and Paige definitely have a lot of challenges but there’s no fun in a romance where everything is easy for the characters so authors work hard to make them earn their happily ever after :)

  99. Hi Brittany! So lovely to see you here. Yes! Kat, Allie’s best friend in Close To You, is Paige’s cousin in Then There Was You. I hope you enjoy reading some more of her story :)

  102. I was away all last week at a camp with very limited wifi, so a bit late in responding! I enjoyed reading this informative and interesting post. I do like the frequency of books from indie authors!

  103. Hi Margaret. I hope you enjoyed your time at camp! Yes, that is one of the pros to being an indie – a much shorter lead time between finishing a book and being able to get it into the hands of readers :)

  106. HI Margaret! Hope you had a great week at camp! I used to do church camp for many years. Great memories.
    Speaking of frequency, I need to get to writing!

  108. Hi Kara – I read your article in the “War Cry’ and you captured my attention as soon as I read your comments on not being able to find Christian Fiction you actually wanted to read! For that reason alone I would be keen to read your books, and also would of course have very high expectations of them – lol! Well done on persevering with this obvious passion of yours. I have recently embarked on my own creative venture so I am finding myself being reeled in when it comes to finding out more about anyone who is prepared to persevere with something they are passionate about. All the best to you and your precious family.

  113. Hi Bronwyn! I have to be confess, I read the draft of the article to fact check it for the writer but I haven’t read the final version yet. It was a bit daunting seeing so many words written about me! ;-) Now that your expectations have been set high I hope you enjoy if you do have the chance to read any of them :)

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