Indie Trailblazers by David Stricklen

 

Artwork by Melissa Bailey

You may have noticed our beautiful new Indie Trailblazers Icon on the SCBWI-MI website.

Indie stands for independent publishing. Authors have chosen independent publishing for a variety of reasons. Full creative control, frustration with the query process, and a quick turnaround to name a few.

As your Michigan indie coordinator, I thought that we could do a bit more for the indies who are trying to find their way. The trouble with working on an independently published project is that there is more than one way. The traditional path is well worn but the indie path is like cutting your way through the literary wilderness. That is why we call our indie authors, trailblazers.

There is an obvious need to point inquiring authors in the right direction. A helpful suggestion by someone who has already been down that path (and learned from trial and error) can save time and costly mistakes.

Indie publishing would include hybrid publishing (combines aspects of traditional and self-publishing – you hire your dream team), vanity publishing (publishers do it all for you for a price), self-publishing (the author does it all) and digital. All of these various publishing methods would fall under the indie umbrella. 

In an effort to provide the most current and accurate information for our members we have acquired three award winning or Kirkus review recommended indie authors to be our advisors: 

Melissa Bailey - Picture Book 

David Stricklen - Middle Grade

Melanie Hooyenga – Young Adult

Depending on the indie path that you are considering, you may contact one of our three advisors above that best fits your intended direction. Please keep in mind that they are not intended to take the place of a critique group. They are here to make helpful suggestions regarding the path you wish to take depending on your particular goals.

When choosing one of our indie advisors to answer your questions, you should not only look at their genre but also their process. 

• Do you plan to completely self-publish? 
• Are you going to enlist a dream team to complete the different aspects of publishing? 
• Pay a vanity publishing company? 
• Are you going to do your own artwork? 

Has one of our advisors already blazed that trail and done it successfully? It is my hope that you find this opportunity helpful as you take the first step in blazing a trail of your own.

You will find information about each of our indie advisors, as well as their published work and their step by step publishing process by simply clicking on the link below to the SCBWI-MI website:

https://michigan.scbwi.org/files/2020/08/Indie-for-info-Web-Page.pdf

Coming up on the SCBWI-MI Blog:

A new post from our Equity and Inclusion Team, a special book drive, Pinterest tips, Webtoons, a Writer Spotlight, Book Birthdays, and more! The Mitten blog is always looking for guest posts from SCBWI-MI members. Find our Submission Guidelines here.

Did you notice we have a new blog banner? Thanks to our new Featured Illustrator, Wendy Berry! Read her interview here.

SCBWI-MI Happenings:

Virtual Shop Talks and Workshops will continue in the months ahead. Information is posted on the calendar at the SCBWI-MI website. Follow our chapter on social media and subscribe to the MichKids listserv for reminders, updated information, and ongoing conversation. Everything you need to stay connected is here: https://michigan.scbwi.org/online/.

Save the date! 

April 23-25, 2021, more details to come.

SCBWI-MI Calling for Indie Mentors!

Here's a special request from SCBWI-MI Indie Coordinator, David Stricklen:

As the Michigan Indie Coordinator, I am seeking to identify our indie high achievers and ask them to consider a role as an indie mentor.

This is an important first step in an effort to provide the most current and accurate information to our members and help them choose the right indie path to publishing for them.

Indie publishing would include hybrid publishing (combines aspects of traditional and self-publishing), vanity publishing (publishers do it all for a price), self-publishing (the author does it all), and digital. All of these various publishing methods would fall under the indie umbrella.

Mentor information will be added to the SCBWI Michigan website with a link to a special page called Independently Publishing Resources. On this page, visitors will find the indie mentor's bio, links to their work, contact information and their particular publishing path. Depending on the indie path members may be considering, they will now have identified the best resources for information.

Are you an indie high achiever? Would you agree to be a resource for members on the SCBWI-MI website? At a minimum, you should be able to answer yes to the questions below.

 ● I have independently published at least three picture books or two novels.
 ● I have sold a minimum total of 2,500 books.
 ● I have presented at a variety of schools and/or conferences.
 ● I have presented my work at a variety of book fairs.

If you would like to be one of our SCBWI-MI indie mentor resources, please email indie coordinator David Stricklen.

David Stricklen is the SCBWI-MI Indie Coordinator, Grand Rapids Shop Talk Coordinator, and the overall MI Shop Talk Administrator. Learn more about his middle-grade novels at www.blackwaterpond.com.

Coming up on the Mitten Blog:

Wendy BooydeGraaff will be here this Friday with Standard Manuscript Formatting in the KidLit World - just in time to submit your manuscripts for the SCBWI-MI Nonfiction Mentorship Competition. The submission window opens on May 5th.