Indie Author Magazine Featuring Mark Leslie Lefebvre First Draft Styles, Book Drafting, Novel Plotting, and Author Motivation: Indie Author Magazine, #23

By Chelle Honiker and Alice Briggs

In this issue of Indie Author Magazine, find new strategies for reaching the finish line in your first draft. Tackle the question of which writing software works best, learn how you can escape the everyday with writing retreats that focus on your story, and rediscover the joys of creative storytelling and of being your book's first reader.

Read three key articles: 

✓ The Truth Behind Nonfiction: What It Takes to Write about Real Life

✓ The Expert's Guide to Hiring a Book Coach

✓ What to Consider When New Book Ideas Threaten Your Work-in-Progress

You'll also follow Mark Leslie Lefebvre through his many adventures as an author, publisher, bookseller, and public speaker. Learn about the teachers who influenced him early in life, what he sees on the horizon for independent publishing, and his sources of writing inspiration—then and now.  

Plus:

Our Sassy, Advice-Giving Aunt, ★ Indie Annie ★ Shares Her Thoughts with an Author Who Feels Discouraged as a Woman Writing in a Male-Dominated Genre

Reignite Your Creative Spirit: Finding the Writing Retreat Right for You

Back to Basics: How Writers Can Make the Most of Google Docs and Microsoft Word

What You Need to Know about Image Copyright Law as an Indie Author

​​Martelle's Motivation: Author Outreach

Tried-and-True Tips for Making Your Historical Fiction Believable from the Start

Five More Simple Stretches You Can Do from Your Desk

Ten Tips: Facebook Groups

Prosperity: If at First You Don't Succeed, Write, Write Again!

The Truth about Trans Characters: Who Can Write Them, and How to Do it Right

Corner the Market: How to Make Millions with Marketing with Steve Higgs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chelle Honiker
• Release date: Feb 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215498095

Book preview

Indie Author Magazine Featuring Mark Leslie Lefebvre

INDIE AUTHOR MAGAZINE FEATURING MARK LESLIE LEFEBVRE

FIRST DRAFT STYLES, BOOK DRAFTING, NOVEL PLOTTING, AND AUTHOR MOTIVATION

CHELLE HONIKER

ALICE BRIGGS

Athenia Creative Services, LLC

Indie Author Magazine

Chelle Honiker and Alice Briggs

© 2023 by Indie Author Magazine

The publication, authors, and contributors reserve their right to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. All copyrighted work was reproduced with the permission of the owner.

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Indie Author Magazine articles and other information on the website are up to date and as accurate as possible, at the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Indie Author Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein.

Furthermore, Indie Author Magazine takes no responsibility for any losses, damages, or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this publication. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indie Author Magazine.

Published by:

Athenia Creative Services, LLC

Sparks, NV 89436

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CONTENTS

In This Month’s Issue

Typewriter Tales

From The Editor

Celebrate the Journey

Insider Insights

Martelle’s Motivation

Author Outreach

If at First You Don’t Succeed, Write, Write Again!

How to Make Millions with Marketing

Ask Indie Annie

Breaking Barriers in British ColumbiaAsks…

Am I Making a Difference?

10 Tips

10 Tips for: Facebook Groups

On The Cover

The Epic Adventures and Spirited Side Quests of Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Business

The Expert’s Guide to Hiring a Book Coach

Sweet Escape

Writing Retreats Become ‘Joyful Respites’ for Attendees. Here’s How to Find Your Own.

The Truth Behind Nonfiction: What It Takes to Write about Real Life

Technology

Back to Basics

How Writers Can Make the Most of Google Docs and Microsoft Word

Licensing and Rights

The Rights Stuff

Breaking Down the Complicated Lingo of Image Licensing

Devil In the Details

The Truth about Writing Trans Characters

Should You Write a Transgender Character If You Don’t Identify the Same Way?

Genre Tropes

Don’t Trip on the Cobblestones: Getting Historical Fiction Right

Health, Wellness, and Mindset

Write Your WIP, But Keep the Gold

What to Consider When ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ Threatens Your Work-in-Progress

Stretch It Out: Simple Yoga Poses to Try from Your Chair

When Building a Relationship with Your Fans, It’s OK to Share About Life Beyond Your Books

Connect With Us

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

In this issue of Indie Author Magazine, find new strategies for reaching the finish line in your first draft. Tackle the question of which writing software works best, learn how you can escape the everyday with writing retreats that focus on your story, and rediscover the joys of creative storytelling and of being your book’s first reader.

Read three key articles: 

✓ The Truth Behind Nonfiction: What It Takes to Write about Real Life

✓ The Expert’s Guide to Hiring a Book Coach

✓ What to Consider When New Book Ideas Threaten Your Work-in-Progress

You’ll also follow Mark Leslie Lefebvre through his many adventures as an author, publisher, bookseller, and public speaker. Learn about the teachers who influenced him early in life, what he sees on the horizon for independent publishing, and his sources of writing inspiration—then and now.  

Plus:

• Our Sassy, Advice-Giving Aunt, ★ Indie Annie ★ Shares Her Thoughts with an Author Who Feels Discouraged as a Woman Writing in a Male-Dominated Genre

• Reignite Your Creative Spirit: Finding the Writing Retreat Right for You

• Back to Basics: How Writers Can Make the Most of Google Docs and Microsoft Word

• What You Need to Know about Image Copyright Law as an Indie Author

• ​​Martelle’s Motivation: Author Outreach

• Tried-and-True Tips for Making Your Historical Fiction Believable from the Start

• Five More Simple Stretches You Can Do from Your Desk

• Ten Tips: Facebook Groups

• Prosperity: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Write, Write Again!

• The Truth about Trans Characters: Who Can Write Them, and How to Do it Right

• Corner the Market: How to Make Millions with Marketing with Steve Higgs

Welcome from Indie Annie

TYPEWRITER TALES

Our executive team offers a bit of perspective and insight into the issue.

Read more typewriter tales on our website >>

FROM THE EDITOR

CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY

Six months ago, I wrote The End on the first draft of my current manuscript. It was some time in the early evening, in the middle of the work week. I remember sitting on the floor beside my writing desk and pausing my music to type those final words.

I’ll admit it: there were a few tears shed.

Thinking back on it now, it feels like small potatoes when I consider the accomplishments of the authors we feature in these pages—Mark Leslie Lefebvre, this month’s featured author, being no exception. I also certainly looked past how much more work there was to do before I would share the story with others. As the second book I’ve actually finished and the first I felt could be worthy of publishing, I was simply elated to see it complete. As I should’ve been.

The journey from idea to the finish line is challenging for any author. (If any of you are shaking your heads at that statement, please, share your secrets with the rest of us!) Whether it’s your second book or your seventieth, you’ll spend any number of hours working on