I1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?

It has been fun, a huge learning experience and, personally, a growing one for me. I’ve done things I never thought I would, building my own website, learning all the publishing steps and simply writing books. I have grown as a person with my writing; it has become a big part of me and always has been. I have a very creative imagination and that was only added to with my writing.

2. What made you decide to write a book?

I stumbled upon writing. I needed a couple of extra classes in my last year of high school and a creative writing course was one that I picked. After that I was hooked! I fell in love with writing and never looked back.

3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?

I didn’t want to wait for a traditional publishing company to decide to publish my books. Also the fact that they can choose to change whatever they would like in order for that to happen, thus making my work potentially not be what it started out as. That control over my books is important to me.

4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?

It has been a big learning experience. I had to teach myself how to load three versions of my books to Amazon, plus the cover art. I also started doing my own cover art. 

5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?

There’s always going to be things others don’t agree with. I just focus on me and what feels right, and self-publishing is that for me.

6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher?

Don’t be afraid to learn and take advice from others. Be willing to learn, grow and make mistakes.

7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?

I am sure there is something, but I can’t think of anything. I knew that there would be a lot of work and that others might not like what I write or that I chose to self-publish. But I love what I am doing and that’s what matters!

8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their book. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?

I don’t think it is vain to be proud of all the work and time you put into self-publishing a book(s). Of course I want to let others know what I have accomplished. It’s a big deal to do something like that, and when it is a dream and passion of yours, in my experience, you want to share it and have your efforts noticed.

9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?

Through word of mouth, social media and some paid ads. Going to art shows with my books (along with my art) has helped a little too. Talking face to face about my books has been the best way to promote my work.

10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?

Be proud of your work. Set goals. Don’t be afraid to learn and make mistakes, you will grow as a writer and a person that way. Be your first and best fan of your work, the confidence in that is very important and will show in your writing.

11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?

Yes, I do. There is more control for authors this way over their books. You get to choose what you write and not have someone tell you to change half of your story.

12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?

They don’t have to wait for a traditional publisher to want their work; this can take years, if it does happen. All the time, effort and hard work gets to be seen, quicker and, in some cases where it otherwise might not have been, because publishing companies don’t want it.

ABOUT ERLE:

“Elves, Dragons, Fantasy and magic; I have always loved them. I fell in love with reading when I was young. I have always had a very active imagination and in my last year of high school I ended up falling in love with a creative writing course. English was always one of my favorite classes and after the creative writing course and writing my first book, I could not stop my mind from thinking of story ideas.  Now I have a pile of short stories and several other book ideas on the go. My debut novel, Federation: Elven Resistance, is on Amazon, with book two getting written and a third planned. The Battle For Grenwin and Telara join Federation: Elven Resistance on Amazon and soon will have two more books in the Grenwin series accompanying them.”

Visit Erle’s website here.