Is there anything you’d have done differently, or plan to do differently with future releases?

Donnell Ann Bell

Yes.  I plan to challenge myself with every story I tell.  My goal is to improve and get better as an author and to do my best to entertain readers.  I also plan to try my hand at writing a series.

Catherine Bybee

I did have one bad small press”¦NEVER AGAIN! I no longer need to use a small press, so that isn’t something I’d go back to.  As for self-publishing”¦ I will always use editorial help. I wasn’t great about that in the beginning and my readers had no problem pointing out my flaws. Luckily, it didn’t stop my sales. But it was/is embarrassing. 

Laurin Wittig

I wouldn’t have done anything differently. My trad publishing experience was a huge opportunity, and a reality check that has informed every publishing decision I have made since. It taught me as no other experience would have about what I am willing to work with in publishing, and what I am not. My indie experience has given me a good sense of what I like to do in publishing, and what other people/publishers might be able to do better for me. It has also given me the confidence to ask for what I believe is fair, and the confidence to know I can always walk away from a bad offer or a bad situation and still have a viable and often lucrative way to get my work to my readers. It has also taught me that there are a lot of readers out there who enjoy my work ““ not something I could ever verify in the past. Working with Montlake has revived my trust that working with a publisher can be the kind of wonderful experience I once naively expected it to be. All in all, my journey has given me the knowledge, the experience, and the tools to make the most out of the amazing choices we authors have today.

Kat Martin

Just keep working hard and trying to reach more and more readers. There doesn’t seem to be any easy answer–at least I have never found one.

Tanya Anne Crosby

The only one thing I plan to do differently this time around is write exactly what I want to write””not what I’m told to write. And the only compromise I’ll make is with my readers, because without them, there is no career. So my readers are pretty much the only people I listen to now.

Benjamin Wallace

Looking back I wish I had of written sequels to my novels before trying other things. I think having a series goes a long way to gaining readers and exposure.

Vicky Dreiling

No. Because of my marketing background, I tend to do a number of promotional campaigns in addition to my publisher’s efforts. I know how marketing works, so I’m able to make the most of opportunities.

Morgan Hannah MacDonald

I’d put out books faster. I let life get in the way and I haven’t been producing. You really to need to keep writing to reach more readers. I’m also planning on announcing my new book on several websites this time around.

Suzan Tisdale

I plan to spend more money on advertising, but not an exorbitant amount. I’m also going to take a more scientific or professional approach with release dates.