Review: It's a great book for indie authors
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 19, 2013
Mistakenly I bought this great book, thinking it was a guide on writing and editing. To my pleasant surprise it turned out to be a book, which could also have been called "Chats with real authors for real authors". In general, indie authors don't profit from reading interviews with star authors, because famous authors usually have the kind of support, which indie authors just don't have."Writing Tips from Authors" features honest interviews with authors, who not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. Of course there is lots of advice most writers have heard already; e.g."The most helpful advice that I ever received, concerning my writing, was to stay true to my voice in whatever genre that I chose to write in."It is still nice to hear this confirmation.Even though my method of overcoming writer's block is only practiced by eight other writers featured in this book, I found it interesting to find what others do.Author Patricia Puddle gave me excellent tips, which I consider valuable to even the experienced indie book markting expert.One of the most straight-forward interviews is the one with Donya Lynne. It is extensive and straight from the writer's desk:"The other item to note about social networking is to turn it off! If you're Facebooking all day, you can't be writing."That's the kind of kind of advice, which your mother would give you regarding other activities. But, it is true, and all of us, who are so concerned with marketing our books need to hear it. In the end its is all about the product (book) and this short book is great product.Lastly, I found it very interesting to see the book covers of  these authors' books in combination with their thoughts. While in theory the cover had nothing to do with the content, in a way it rounds out the picture. In the olden of publishing authors had barely any control over the cover. Today, authors work with cover designers thus the covers reflect their thoughts and personality. My absolute favorite cover was  Annie Miles' Misled. Not surprisingly, in the interview she comes across as a person, who thinks a lot like me and favors similar marketing methods. While I liked almost all covers depicted in "Writing tips from Authors" the following (listed in no particular order) stood in a way, which I still have to ponder:David Bishop's - The WomanTarek Refaat - Ribbons & HeelsThorns of an Innocent Soul - Barbara WatkinsCarlyle Labuschagne - The Broken DestinySolease M Barner - Secrets Of The GhostsPatti Roberts - Paradox - Bound By BloodI think that most indie authors will profit from reading this ebook. While not everything in this ebook will work for all, they have an opportunity to pick and choose from a vast amount of information.Gisela Hausmann -- author & blogger