Zack Nolan

I normally discover new ebooks by word of mouth, from blogs and Amazon. The great thing about ebooks, is that you can access a wide array of independent authors and tap into their experiences. I love reading, especially non-fiction. The fact that you can pick up a book and get expert advice from those who are successful is worth its weight in gold. It gives you a viable road map to pursue your dreams.

The mainstream (what's on the NY Times best seller list) is a mere fraction of what is out there. A best seller doesn't necessarily mean it's the best book on the subject. To me, the publishing industry is very much like the music industry. There are a ton of great bands out there but will never make it to the level of success as a major recording artist because the odds are so stacked against them. Those who do become wildly successful (what I call "the two percenters"), have done so through hard work, connections and let's face it...a good deal of luck. Often, it has nothing to do with how "good" a band is. There are plenty of "unsigned" indie bands that are incredible with an established fanbase. Such is the same in the book publishing industry and indie authors. In this day, indie is no longer an "amateur" word.

Some writers like to start with an outline to gather their thoughts. I just start writing! When I write, one thing leads to another. My thoughts and experiences are often triggered, for example, by a paragraph and I build on it. I find that my writing becomes more real and I'm able to flow better, rather than trying to sit down and write an outline that can be more contrived and unnatural.

Of course, organization and format are important. Those processes I actually do all at once. Then, when I feel I'm finished writing and I have an idea on how I'm organizing my chapters, I go back over and edit (and edit, and edit!). The editing process is a very important step and can mean the difference between a decent manuscript and an exceptional one.