INDIE JOURNEY : Cristin Frank

My Self-Publishing Experience

In the same way that college debt lights a fire under your ass to get a job after graduation, self-publishing motivated me to morph from writer to marketer. Networking was taken to a whole new level: one beyond comfort and self-satisfaction. I was up for the challenge, though, because I believed in my story. My debut novel, Trimming the Blue Hairs was inside me and had to get out. Late at night I found myself figuring out Facebook and reuniting with everyone I'd ever known. When it came to producing my video trailer, I unearthed iMovie after a conversation with some teenagers. Before I went on TV, I consulted a Hollywood friend for a wardrobe critique - velvet shirt... two thumbs down.

The POD publisher I chose was iUniverse. I went with their basic package and then added on a few marketing extras after I published. In the course of six months, I'd say the biggest waste was the money I spent on the booksellers return policy. The only reason I bought into it was to appeal to national booksellers. The truth is my best avenues we're not the oceans but the suburban pools.

Trimming the Blue Hairs appealed to caregivers for the elderly and those who suffered a loss after a long illness. My target audience is not perusing Barnes & Noble; they're visiting hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes and franchised hair salons. There I was able to get in front of interested readers, outside the crowd of thousands of other books. So after investing a disgusting amount of time and a reasonable amount of money, I got a huge education in what it means to be an author. I got my toes wet and polished. I found my voice and my writing style: I'm quirky, observant and like when characters have loyal, ungrateful friends. I also concluded that I'd do it again.