Hi all. I’ve been at the HNS conference at Caesar’s Palace since Thursday. Historical Fiction writers from all over the country (and other countries) are here. I’ve been attending sessions and learning about various aspects of writing in order to get moving on our book (Doug and I). I’ve gotten a lot of helpful tips. I have an interesting session on world-building coming up, and I just finished one on marketing. I was pretty sure before I came that Indie was the way to go for us, but I am very sure now. Publishers have a lot of control over what you say and the message you convey, and I want to be able to express myself freely.
Caesar’s Palace is a bit noisy, expensive, and smoky for me, and I’m not into gambling, but I like the actual conference sessions. When I say it’s a bit expensive, it’s A LOT expensive. You heard of “nickel and diming you to death?” CP will $20 you to death! I won’t come back to this location, but I’m glad I came.
I’ve gotten to talk a lot of writers, which is always fun!
I have a 7:15 a.m. flight tomorrow so I’m out of here early and back home, and back to blogging!
What a great literary outing you had, Bonnie 🙂
Will be glad to get home though
Thank you for letting us know how the conference is going, Bonnie!
I’m learning a lot!
Wonderful!!
It’s always great to mingle with other authors. Fly home safe.
It’s so cool that everyone I’ve talked to has a unique idea.
You are going to enjoy that world-building session most of all, I think, given your preferred choice of genres. Thank you for the plug for Indie publishing. So much more freedom, although I can’t deny there are trad publishing benefits. So glad you’re enjoying your trip:) xo
What are the benefits? Used to be marketing but I think even trad authors have to do some.
Traditional publishers have far more money for marketing than most Indie authors; they have a wider reader base as they are known and established; and many readers trust trad published books more. I know many Indie authors make it big…but places, like Bookbub, which is huge, has shown they are preferential to traditional published books for their promotions.
Very good points.
I also know authors who are traditional published through Wild Rose, Harlequin, etc. who work hard at their own marketing and aren’t any better off for it. Maybe it all comes down to what Clark Gable had said about himself (I included it in one of my books). He was just lucky slob from Ohio who was in the right place at the right time:)
And possibly most of the money goes to the publisher
I was recommending Booksirens to someone the other day. Isn’t that a good place to build a readership?
Personally, I love Booksirens! I used to use BookSprout and stopped, but I heard they have improved and may go back there.
It’s good that you picked up some knowledge there, Bonnie. I imagine you’ll put it to good use.
I am going to try!
🩵
So wonderful that you have enjoyed your sessions and picked up some tips and information that you can use. Have a safe trip home.