Why I love Indie - Guest Christie Rich!

Today is our first guest author, Christie Rich, talking about why she goes the Indie route for her fantastic books. With her stunning covers and creative story-lines, she is a great inspiration for anyone who loves to write.

Just who is Christie Rich? Here is a glimpse into the person behind the Elemental Enmity series.


I grew up daydreaming about fairytales, and my love for discovering new worlds has never died. I am not one of those writers who always knew I would write. I thought that was what other people did until one day a few years ago, I took a challenge from a friend and typed my first words. My journey has been wonderful, and I cannot imagine a day where I would ever give up writing. My love for reading is what fueled my imagination in the first place and still does. When I am not writing or reading, I am enjoying family time with my husband and two children. I also dabble in painting but writing has taken over my creative time right now. I hope to get back to it at some point in my life, but I'm not sure when I'll have time for it. My family and I live in a quiet community in Northern Utah, and I am so thankful for the rich life I have been blessed with.

Where you can find Christie:

Website l Blog l Goodreads l Pinterest l Twitter l Facebook

Now, here we go!

1) When did you first begin to write as an Indie-author/self-published author? 

I published my first novel, Five (Elemental Enmity Book I) in August 2011. I just released the final book in the series in January.


2) Why did you decide to go the Indie-author/self-publishing route?

I'd shopped around for agents for a while with my manuscript with a bit of interest and more rejections. For me, my decision came when I found Dean Wesley Smith's blog and started reading "Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing". Mr. Smith opened my eyes to the world of Indie publishing. I had no idea that I could do this all myself, and maybe a few years ago, it would have been harder, but things are opening up for writers. We have more choices than ever before, and I love the control of the product. I love being able to change something from the blurb to the cover if something is not working.


3) What are some advantages to being an Indie-Author/Self-published author? 

As above, control. When I hire an editor, I get to decide if I agree with suggestions for change. When I hire a cover artist, I get to decide when the cover is complete. I've worked with some amazingly talented people who love their work and do a great job. They are just as interested in making the product great as I am. My cover artist, Amber McNemar, of eThink Graphic Solutions has gone above and beyond to make my covers great. She takes pride in her work and it shows. I give her a guideline of what I want and she always blows me away with the finished product.


4) What are some of the disadvantages to being an Indie-Author/Self-Published author?

Control. Everything is my responsibility. If I don't keep things straight, it's my fault. That's the only down side I can think of. There are just so many great things about being an indie writer.


5) What is your best advice to someone who wants to break into the Indie world? 

Do your research. Don't take anyone's advice without checking into things. Make sure you know the difference between a copy editor and a developmental editor and a proofreader before you hire anyone. Realize this is a long process, whether you decide to go indie or traditional. Even if you signed a contract with a trad publisher tomorrow, it would most likely be a year or more before you would ever see your book in print. Realize you can beat this time frame on your own, and produce a product that rivals any trad publisher. Realize you are starting a business and learn all you can about it. It's okay to hire people to help you, but make sure you know what the going rate is and what to expect when you hire someone. At that point they are your employee for services. You are in charge.

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Thank you for for participating in the Why I Love Indie blog series, Christie! (Now...off to buy some of these books....)

Why I write Indie

Welcome to my first installment in the “Why I write Indie” series. I will be featuring a weekly interview and/or guest blogs with some Indie writers I know, who have some amazing novels.



I am an Indie writer, and self-published, for several reasons. First and foremost, because while writing is my passion, it is not enough (yet?) to pay my bills. Most days I cannot devote more than one hour to my novel creations, due to my lovely 2 hour work commute, 8 hour work day, and then my other full-time job as a toddler wrangler (aka, mom to an almost 2 year old). You can imagine that this schedule would not fly with the traditional publishing needs for quick edits and solid deadlines.

My writing is also very personal to me, and I like having very little hands in the pot, if you will. Over the year that it takes me to write/publish a novel, the characters become like my children, and I cannot imagine handing over control of their lives (aka plot-lines) to someone who doesn’t know the plot for the next book in the series, or the ideas banging around in my head for a 4th book.

Self-publishing allows me to do what I can, when I can. Yes, in some ways it is much more difficult since I have no marketing team other than myself, but I can deal with that. I am able to schedule events for when it fits my family’s schedule, and go past a self-imposed deadline without huge fall-backs. I am able to meet an incredible array of people who help me to create covers, bookmarks, web banners, and all the things I don’t have the talent to achieve. Until I started researching the Indie world, I had no idea about the incredibly talented men and women who work in the Indie world.

It’s not laziness, but simply accepting the reality of my life, and being able to merge my life as an author with my life as a computer tech, wife, and mom.

Teaser Time - Heart of Kylassame

It's teaser time! This is another little tidbit from the second book in the Kaldalangran series, Heart of Kylassame, soon to be released!

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A taller figure dressed in black approached the house carefully, moving slowly down the center of the pathway. He stepped onto the first step of the porch and tripped, then gave a short scream of shock as icy cold water splashed down from the bucket that had been tipped by a trip-wire strung over the step.

He retreated, the whites of his eyes gleaming in the darkness as he looked for the defenders of the house. When he moved back five steps, three other youths joined him, and they moved towards the house in a military V formation.

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It certainly seems like things are not looking well for the people of the realm, but looks can often be deceiving. You will have to be sure to read the entire story to find out the details.

Need something to tide you over while waiting at the bus stop? Maybe you are looking for your next good read. Be sure to check out the teasers found in the Teaser Blog Hop! You might find your next best read.