The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers


30 Books And Counting. Lindsay Buroker On Being A Full-Time Author

December 21, 2015

What's changed in the last 3 years in the self-publishing world? What's working right now? In today's show, I talk to Lindsay Buroker, fantasy author and podcaster.

In the intro, I mention my new book, Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish an ebook and print book, available now on all ebook platforms.

Also, the launch of BiblioManager, a print on demand service for Latin America. Although it's not open to indies as yet, it's another step towards a global eco-system of technology that allows authors to reach readers all over the world.

Plus, I'll be speaking in Austin, Texas on March 30-31 for the Smarter Artist Summit, run by the Self-Publishing Podcast guys, Johnny, Sean & Dave. I hope to see some of you there!

 

Lindsay Buroker is the bestselling fantasy author of the Emperor's Edge, Rust and Relics and Dragon's Blood series as well as other fantasy books.

You can also listen to Lindsay's first appearance on the show here, back in 2012, when we discussed building a full-time living slowly.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher, watch the video here or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

On the long build to success as an indie author and the value of sticking with it.

Lindsay's writing process.

The pros and cons of writing under more than one author name.

Strategies for authors who are just beginning, including releasing three books within a few weeks of each other.

The advantages and disadvantages of going with Kindle Unlimited and whether Lindsay will stick with KU for her pen name.

The split of Lindsay's income between Amazon and the other retailers.

Embracing the mindset of selling globally.

Advertising, marketing and book launch strategies that work for Lindsay, and the mindset behind her strategies.

How to decide if a series is popular or not, and why fiction doesn't age.

On Lindsay's podcast and how that intertwines with her life as a writer and seller of books.

You can find Lindsay at www.LindsayBuroker.com and on twitter @GoblinWriter

Transcription of interview with Lindsay Buroker
Joanna: Hi everyone, I'm Joanna Penn from TheCreativePenn.com and today I'm here with Lindsay Buroker. Hi Lindsay.

Lindsay: Hello, it's great to be back about three years later I think.

Joanna: I know it's so funny and we will come to that in a minute but just a little introduction. Lindsay is the bestselling fantasy author of "The Emperor's Edge" and "Dragons Blood" series. As well as loads of other fantasy and other books.
Lindsay, you were last on the podcast in September 2012 and I can't believe it's been so long. Give us an update on what your author business looks like right now.
Lindsay: All right, yeah I had to go back and look and see what I had published at that time because I don't even remember. I'm coming up on five years now and I guess that would have been about a year and a half into things and it looks like I had about five books out, maybe the sixth one coming out back then. And now I have I counted just for you Joanna just because you're special. 21 novels under my name.

I have a bunch of novellas. Seven novels under the pen name that I started last year. I'm closing in on 30 and lots of shorter stuff too. I just don't count anything under 80,000 words or so. Yeah, and that's been good and the I've got two mains series now and a bunch of smaller things. And the income has continued to grow so that's good.

I feel like if you could just stick with this long enough that more people find you and assuming people actually like your writing that help that they go on and read your other stuff. Coming up on five year anniversary.

Joanna: Which is amazing. And yet I originally had you on this show because we talked about building an author business slowly and what I love is that, well, I don't know if anyone would call it slow considering you now have 30 books in...