Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Indie Life: Thanksgiving

Today, I'm giving thanks for all the encouragement I've found as in Indie author on the web and in the brick and mortar world.

So many awesome blog buddies have encouraged me in my publishing pursuits, and I am thankful for each and all of you!

Today, Natalie Aguirre is doing a big Indie Giveaway at Literary Rambles as a way of supporting her Indie blog friends. I'm super excited to give away an e-copy of Champion in the Darkness there. Natalie is a great blog buddy!

In the brick and mortar world, I've found encouragement at Indie bookstores. It makes sense that Indie bookstore owners and Indie authors work together. I am thankful for those bookstore owners who have supported my writing endeavors.

I want to encourage every Indie author I know to go out and meet an Indie bookstore owner - they may not have the huge reach of the big 'zon, but they can give tangible support to Indie authors.

Check out my book stores page. Thanks to these stores, I have had the "wow, my book is on bookstore shelf!" moments. I admit I haven't experienced a ton of sales in these places, but my book is getting some shelf space, and some small recognition in my community because of them.

What are you giving thanks for today? Where have you found encouragement for your writing dreams? And have you approached an Indie bookstore owner with your book?

18 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for the shout out about my post today and the kind words.

I agree that Indie bookstores are awesome! So glad they have survived and are thriving. So much in life to be grateful for.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I used to go to an indie bookstore - they've since closed down - and the people there were so great. They ordered copies of the anthologies my stories were in and had me sign them. I loved seeing those books on the shelves. :)

Julie Flanders said...

I think it's so cool that you have your book on the shelves in these stores. Must be so exciting to see it there!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Natalie - you're welcome! And I am concerned about the indie bookstores and whether or not they are thriving. I've decided to make some changes in the way I shop to try and help them out.

Madeline - that sounds like a great bookstore! I hope that we can all work together to keep some indie bookstores alive.

Julie - Thanks! It is! And I think that many indie and small press authors could have some similar experiences - all it takes is a visit to an indie bookstore with your book in your hand. :)

Morgan said...

I love Indie writers. I think they're amazing. And they're always willing to help and give advice. Such an amazing community!

LD Masterson said...

Sadly we have almost no indy bookstores left in our area. How I mess them.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Morgan - Thanks!!!

LD - I know what you mean. I'm trying to get out and support the ones still around the best that I can.

Heather R. Holden said...

I'm always hearing how hard it is to get indie books into bookstores, so that's great how indie booksellers aren't as resistant. How cool it must be for you to see your own book on their shelves!

M Pax said...

My local indie stores are not so friendly to the local indie writer, and there are a lot of us. They'll let us do signings sometimes, but won't carry our books. You're lucky.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Heather - it is really cool! It's really exciting

M Pax - that's too bad. I guess I've been more blessed than I realized. Not every Indie bookstore has said yes, but I've received more positives than negatives.
I'm particularly impressed by King's Books in Tacoma - they seem to have made it one of their specialties to carry Indie authors, and really appreciate that.

It seems like the match between Indie authors and Indie book stores would be advantageous to both.

Maurice Mitchell said...

Having a book on the shelf must be very satisfying Tyrean!

Gwen Gardner said...

Yay for indies! I hadn't really thought about searching out indie bookstores, but it's a great idea. I'll look into it. And yay for Natalie! She's awesomesauce.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Maurice - it is! I don't know why it seems so much more satisfying than seeing it up for sale online, but it just is.

Gwen - Natalie is awesomesauce!

Cherie Reich said...

It's a good idea to search out the Indie bookstores. The worst they can say is "no" to carrying your book.

Jack said...

Thanks for the reminder, that we need to take time, to remember the small things like these.

Karen Lange said...

So many things to be thankful for! Writers are a great bunch. :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post! Indie is grand!

PK HREZO said...

That's great! And yes being an indie author has been so rewarding. People are so genuinely helpful and it's just awesome!!!