The Indie Industry - A Breakdown | All Booked Out Fest 📕

Held in the InterClub Ballarat Drop In Centre, Coven Press had organised an indie literary festival delight!

Along with many local self published authors, the festival ran a few other insightful panels. The panel I spoke on was a chance for me to talk about my own experience being a self published author, and also hear from other well regarded professionals in the Australian publishing space.

Enjoy this presentation where we talk about our experience in the indie author and book publishing industry.

Thank you so much for Coven Press for an amazing weekend!

Featured guests from left to right: MG Hunt, Paula Gleeson, Laura (Hardy Audio) and Stef (Coven Press).

Featured guests from left to right

• MG Hunt (me)

• Paula Gleeson (Author of Original Twin and Boney Creak)

  • Paula Gleeson’s Website

• Lauren from Hardy Audio

  • Hardy Audio Website

• Stef from Coven Press

  • Coven Press Website

Panel moderator: Liz McCracken from Coven Press

Questions asked

Question 1

I’d love to hear from everyone with this question: What got you interested in the publishing industry, whether as an author or professional?

Question 2

Paula, can you share your experience as a traditionally published author? What was the process of securing a publishing contract like, and what has your experience been with distribution and marketing?

Question 3

MG and Stef, this one’s for you: In your view, does indie publishing offer a difference in accessibility or inclusion compared to a traditional route, such as what Paula has done?

Question 4

Lauren, a question specifically for you: With your work at Hardy Audio, how have you seen indie authors approach audio production? What other possibilities are out there in the audio realm for authors to take advantage of?

Question 5

While we're on the topic of audio, MG, you're the host of the podcast Indie Author Life, where you speak with authors and vendors in the independent publishing space. How has this medium helped you build connections, and how do you think audio can be a valuable tool in an author’s toolkit?

Question 6

Stef, could I ask what advice do you have for indie authors trying to establish a brand or identity in such a saturated market? Market?

Question 7

A question for the entire panel: How much of your time is actually spent writing (or doing the fun stuff) vs marketing or managing the business side of your work?

Quick fire questions (this or that)

Okay, that’s the end of our structured questions, here’s a list of quick fire this or that questions to get to know our panelists:

• Early mornings or late nights?

• Quiet workspace or background noise?

• Coffee or tea while working?

• To read: Fiction or non fiction?

• To read: Print books, ebooks or audiobooks?

MG Hunt’s links 📚

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Goodreads

• Facebook

• Website

Where to purchase Still Waters Run Deep 📚

• Etsy

• Beventi

• Amazon Paperback

• Amazon eBook