Self-Publisher Interview with Lauren Carter
1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
I’ve been writing on and off since I was nine years old. It wasn’t until I got to university and did a writing course that I started to write more. My first short story was published in July of 2022 and then my first book in April of 2023. Since then, I’ve published three books (two self-published and one through a publisher) and a handful of stories and poems too. I’ve also edited an anthology due to publish this year and will be working on another anthology with a fellow author (to be announced).
2. What made you decide to write a book?
It’s always been a dream of mine. This is down to two things, one being I love to read. And the other being I have stories and ideas in my head constantly that I honestly think I would explode if I didn’t get them out somehow. It took a while for the right books, the right genre, to reach me but I eventually I wrote my first novelette and novella in 2022 and have been working on my first novel since.
3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?
I’ve started with self-publishing because I love the whole process of it. I love formatting my book and commissioning artwork to go inside. I am a book cover hoarder, which also works in my favour to self-publish. But I’ll eventually branch out from this and will both self-publish and traditionally publish also.
4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?
I’ve mostly had a good experience with it – the only bad time I’ve had was with an editor I hired for my first book. It almost made me stop writing. To this I would say, be careful who you hire and trust with your work – I’ve now thankfully found someone amazing and lovely to edit my books. I’ve also had amazing support from other indie authors, some I’m lucky enough to call friends.
5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?
I would say if you don’t read self-published books, you are missing out! Some of my favourite books are self-published and I’m incredibly glad that I found them. Authors work really hard to make their books and it always shows, not just within the words, but also the pages and overall look of the book.
6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher so far?
Be wary. Be careful who you trust with your money and your work and always look into people/businesses before handing anything over to them.
7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
I know now that it takes much more work than I originally thought it would. There’s a long process between draft and publish so definitely give yourself much more time to get everything done before setting a publication date. Especially with your first book.
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 never see it as vanity. Even traditionally published authors promote their books alongside their publisher. Without promo, your books may not reach as many people as it would with promo. There’s been many times when people have found my books through a post I did promoting them. It’s also how I’ve found some of my favourite books, so I’d never see it in a negative way, only positive.
9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
Twitter has worked best, but I also use Instagram and have a newsletter too. I funnily find using memes as a good way for your book to reach new people – whether that’s current memes or old, they both work well! Also when people share their reviews; it adds a little extra to just seeing the book cover and a synopsis of the book. I’m always grateful when people do that.
10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
Formatting was a big thing I taught myself. My first book, YOUR DARLING DEATH, was formatted with Word (which is particularly hard to do!). I have since invested in a formatting software that does most of it for me, but I like that I know how to format in Word as a backup in case I need it.
Please tell me about this formatting software and where we can find it.
The formatting software I use is called Atticus.
11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?
It’s not for everyone and that’s okay! It depends on the person and their situation. A lot of the work is done on your own and some people may not have the time or means to do that. There’s also the money aspect of it – you can almost do it for free, but it depends what direction you want to take your books.
12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
So many big publishers/agents won’t touch niche books. They’re looking for something specific and have a set mind on what they think will “sell well”. Self-publishing gives authors complete control of their book and there’s so many fantastic books I’ve read where the author was told their book “would not do well” but has gone BEYOND better. My book YOUR DARLING DEATH is told in a very odd way, and I knew this would be a very hard sell but, despite what some these publishers say, there are readers out there that love the unexpected.
ABOUT LAUREN:
Lauren (she/they) is a library assistant by day and writer by night. She is the author of WHEN THE DEMONS TAKE HOLD and YOUR DARLING DEATH.
She has published several short stories including: ALIVE, JUST with The Horror Tree, THE CHILDREN OF OWL WILDS with Haunted Words Press, and THE SACRIFICES WE MAKE with Rooster Republic Press.
Twitter: @writerlcarter
Instagram: @writerlcarter
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