Silent Grief: To New Beginnings was published in January 2022, and it’s hard to believe that my second book in the To New Beginnings Trilogy – Silent Heart, is available now.
Was it easy to get to this point? Hell no!
I've always wanted to be a romance writer, but life seemed to get in the way. The dream of one day having my name across the front of a book. But it became harder to fulfill that dream as the years went on.
When I was younger, we lost a brother in a tragic car accident. Years later, I lost my husband and three months later, I said goodbye to my father. All three deaths left me in a pretty dark place. It wasn't until a few years later, when I settled down in a new relationship, that I sat back and re-evaluated my life. As I became more content in my new life, one day, I sat down and began writing. The words flowed and became a fiction book about second chances.
After putting my blood, sweat and tears into writing my book, I knew nothing about publishing. But, after much research, I went with a company called TELLWELL. The cost of editing, cover design and much more was worth every cent. I was so pleased working with them that they will be helping me publish all my books.
But now that the book was out, the real learning journey began. With my website up and running and my social media accounts set up. Now what?
Well, reviews, reviews, reviews – they are so important and I realize I made a grave mistake by not sending out Advance Review Copies (ARCs) of my books before they were officially released. Even though my books are already out in the market, I still put in a lot of effort to gather reviews as they can make a significant difference. Whenever I come across a five-star review of my book, it's an overwhelming feeling that brings tears of joy to my eyes.
The second mistake I made was not building my social media following. I'm trying every day to grow my platforms. I had a TikTok account, but up until this year, I'd never posted before. You can follow me @deborahadele-author
Marketing a book takes hard work and dedication - no matter how great a book is, if people don't know it's there, how can you sell it? Surprisingly, the friends and family I thought would rush out and buy my book didn't. The ones that I never expected to buy were the ones that did. There are a lot of authors who complain about friends and family; it's not uncommon. So, I am genuinely grateful to those who have supported me from day one.
Being a self-published author is not an easy journey - my book is not for everyone. But if you like emotional, steamy, happy-ever-after books, then To New Beginnings Trilogy might be for you.
Are you working on becoming an author?
It's a challenging journey that requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. In my experience, I have learned that reading extensively is one of the most effective ways to enhance your writing skills. It's beneficial to read books both within and outside your preferred genre. To improve your writing, it's important to practice regularly, even if it's just a few minutes every day. You can also take writing classes, read books on writing, and study successful writers' techniques to develop your writing style.
A vital aspect of writing is the process of editing and revising. The first draft is never perfect, so refining your work is crucial until it shines. Don't rush the writing process or sacrifice quality for speed. The next step is to seek feedback from trusted sources. Share your work with other writers or writing groups to get constructive criticism. Also, remember to stay open to constructive criticism and use it to improve your writing.
Stay organized and manage your time effectively: Create a writing schedule and stick to it. Use calendars, to-do lists, and productivity apps to stay organized and focused. Make sure to set realistic goals and deadlines: Setting goals and deadlines can help keep you motivated and on track.
Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental health. Writing can be a solitary and stressful pursuit, so taking breaks and caring for yourself is essential.
Remember, becoming a great author takes time and effort. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep growing as a writer.
Thank you for reading!
Much love
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