BEHIND THE SCENES DIARY
One Author shares her journey to publication.
BTS031, Rewrite a Self-Published Novel, Using a Paid Beta Reader, Book Blogging Tours, and My Second Bargain Booksy Promo
Listen On:
What the listeners are saying…
I love the bite-size length of these episodes, and hearing about another’s writer’s experience and methods. Often, how-to books/info about writing can become quite pedantic or salesy, trying to convince you to follow their exact method and how it will solve all your problems. Refreshingly, [Amelia] is simply real and honest. I recently struggled to start revisions on my manuscript, but one of her tips has got me back into the work. Excited to keep following along with her journey!
Struggling to Format Your eBook, Paperback, or Large Print Paperback?
I can help make formatting a stress free experience for you.
Episodes
BTS033, Opting Out of Kindle Unlimited, My First Free Promotion on Kobo, and Outlining a Short Story | June Author Diary Update
Coming up in this episode, I discuss my decision to opt-out of Kindle Unlimited or KDP select and shifting my focus from book sales to getting more book reviews. On top of all of this, I’m making a special announcement, at the end of the show.
BTS032, Publishing a Second Edition of a Mystery Novel and Using Book Blogging Tours as a New Author | May Author Diary Update
Coming up in this episode, I will discuss my progress with publishing the second edition of a mystery novella Missing and the results of the book blogging tour. And, I share the results of my boosted Facebook post and my Book Doggy promotion.
BTS031, Rewrite a Self-Published Novel, Using a Paid Beta Reader, Book Blogging Tours, and My Second Bargain Booksy Promo | April Author Diary Update
Coming up in this episode, I will discuss why I chose to rewrite a self-published novel and the steps involved. While we’re on this topic, I also share my experience using a paid beta reader, and how this entire experience has changed my writing and self-publishing process for the better. On top of all of this, I’m also going to discuss the results of my second Bargain Booksy promotion.
BTS030, Frustrations with Publishing Wide, Trying Something New, and Dealing with Negative Feedback | March Author Diary Update, Part Two
Coming up in part two of the author diary episode for March, I will discuss my frustrations with publishing wide, trying something new, and dealing with negative feedback. And, I also share what that means for my James Lalonde series.
BTS029, Writing Beats within Scenes, Scene Blocking and Experimenting with First and Third Person POV in a Novel | March Author Diary Update, Part One
Coming up in this episode of the Authorpreneur Podcast, I will discuss rewriting a novel, writing beats within scenes, experimenting with first and third-person POV in a novel, and scene blocking.
A Podcast Update: I’m Back From My Hiatus
I’m back from my hiatus. And in this short episode, I’m going share exactly what you can expect from the Authorpreneur Podcast going forward.
BTS028, Book Blogging Tour, MailerLite Frustrations, and Rewriting a Thriller Novel
Coming up in this episode, I’ll discuss who decided to enlist the help of a book blogging tour service. Also on the show, I will share my attempts to grow my email list, whether I’ve made any progress on book two, and what I’m doing to get book reviews for my crime thriller novella, Missing.
BTS027, My Revision Plans for Book Two, A Huge Tech Fail, More Amazon Ads, and a Book Promo Update
There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the second book in my James Lalonde series. I’ve made a tonne of progress this week on fixing the issues in the story arc. In book marketing news, I started dabbling in Amazon ads for the US store. I’m going to share why I turned off the Amazon Ads on the UK store. On top of all of this, I experienced a few exciting author first’s this week.
BTS026, I’ve Written a Pile of Garbage, Amazon Ads, and Book Promo Results
Coming up in this episode, I’ll share my experiences in experimenting with Amazon advertising and the results of the book promotion services that I purchased during the last week in January. And, I’ll discuss how I discovered that I’d written a pile of garbage which is the current state of book two in the James Lalonde series.
BTS025, Experiments in Book Launching and Book Marketing as a New Author
Coming up in this episode, I’m going to share with you exactly what I did during my first ever book launch. And, I’m also going to discuss a few experiments in book marketing as a new author. I’ve also changed my mind about something essential to my book marketing plan.
BTS024, Getting Ready to Self-Publish a Thriller Novella, Translating a Novel in French, and Changes to the Podcast
Coming up in this episode, I’m going to discuss where I’m at in the publishing process for Missing, my thoughts and plans on how I’ll self-publish my crime thriller novella, and a few more marketing ideas. Before we dive into my exciting publishing news, I want to first talk about a slight change to my podcast and why I struggled with consistently publishing episodes. And, what I plan to do to overcome these issues in the future.
BTS023, KDP Select or Going Wide: Which is Better for New Self-Published Authors?
Over the years, there has been a big push by some well-meaning people to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket and publish your books to all of the platforms or go wide. But, is this the best advice for a new author? In this episode, I’m going to discuss the difference between going wide and enrolling in the KDP Select programme and what you need to consider before deciding. And at the end of this section of the podcast, I’m going to share three actionable steps to help you decide which option is right for you. After that, in the second part of the podcast, I’m going to share with you a short behind the scenes author diary update.
Have you found the blog and podcast useful? Wish you could buy the host, Amelia D. Hay, a cup of coffee? Now, thanks to Buy Me a Coffee and PayPal you can!
Hello!
My Books
A van Gogh is Missing and A Body is on the Lawn
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…
James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.
£1.99
Find it on Amazon:
What I’m Writing Now!
Revised Draft
48,483 of 55,000 Words
Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series (title coming soon), for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have the ebook available in Kindle Unlimited by the end of November 2020. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
First Draft
0 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook in Kindle Unlimited by the end of November 2020. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Revised Draft
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four in the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be available in ebook in Kindle Unlimited by the end of February 2021. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
FAQ’s On Writing
Behind the Scenes, My Author Blog
I’m A Proud Member of ALLi!
Follow Me on Goodreads
Tools I Love + Use
