Writing, Publishing and Lessons Learned – A Chat with Shweta
Writing a book is one thing. Bringing it to life and sharing it with the world? That’s a whole different adventure! Shweta, the author of Numbers Don't Add Up, takes us behind the scenes of her writing journey – how the story came to be, the struggles of publishing as an indie author, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Let’s dive in!
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Shweta, and my latest book is – Numbers Don't Add Up. I am a writer and an avid reader. When I am not writing, I am reading. Anything I can get my hands on - crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance, slice of life, young adult, Reader's Digest, newspapers, anything. Just like my reading preferences, my written works are spread across several genres. Numbers Don't Add Up is a thriller. And when I am not focusing on something related to work, I keep talking to myself (internally, not loudly).
2. Okay, pitch your book in one or two sentences.
When a bomb explodes in the state legislature on Martyr’s Day, two officers are assigned to investigate. But what begins as a routine inquiry unravels into a web of old crimes, political vendettas, and dangerous secrets buried deep within the system.
3. And what kind of readers would love this book?
It is a thriller aimed at those who enjoy a good mind-bending twist.
4. Now, let’s get a little personal. What’s the story behind your story?
The idea for this book formed when my scriptwriter friend asked me if I could suggest a quick outline for a story about two cops. What I gave her was hardly 500 words, but then I got caught up in the storyline and kept working at it off and on for the next 2-3 years. And finally, that was transformed into the book that we are talking about today – Numbers Don't Add Up. It’s the first book in The Revelation series.
5. Indie publishing is quite a journey! How has the ride been for you?
Glad you asked, because indie publishing is indeed a journey that is best travelled with a guide or mentor. I did not have any, and I have paid the price for that literally as well as emotionally. And that’s why I am sharing my journey. If even one author can learn from it, my work here would be done.
My indie publishing journey started with publishing a flash fiction collection on KDP. Now, KDP does not offer print-on-demand in India, and I realised that late. I wanted to hold the print copies of my first book in my hand.
So, I went with a vanity publisher - White Falcon Publishing - for my next book in 2019, which was a non-fiction – How to Live Happily Ever After. My experience with them was very bad because they did not do much (or rather anything) for promoting or marketing the book. In fact, even for the Amazon listing, for which I was paying, I had to come up with keywords myself. I mean, that was the least that I expected them to do, but of course, since I did not have any idea that I should have asked that beforehand.
My third book – another non-fiction book, 24 Hours Are Enough – I published on KDP. For print versions, I used Notion Press. At that point of time, they had a free tier, which I utilised. And when the fourth one – Numbers Don't Add Up, that we are talking about – was to be published, I went for their paid publishing program. But for its sequel, I am not sure what to do. Because again, I am disappointed with Notion Press. They are a good publishing house, but only if you have your own followers or email lists or tribe to which you can sell. Otherwise, be ready to shell out lakhs of rupees for promotion and placing books in bookshops and digital marketing, etc.
6. You have had a hell of an experience. Anything different that you would do for your next books?
I will talk about marketing books since that is the single biggest pain point of every indie writer.
Going forward, I am going to market my books the way I know marketing, not the way people think it should be done!
What I have learnt about marketing is that a personal brand is very important. When you are using indie publishers, personal branding is very, very important. Because you need a group of people who believe in you and trust you. And only then, you might convince them to buy from you. If you reach out to traditional publishers, they also look at your social media following.
Now, I do not have any social media following, but that does not mean that I will stop writing books. Because first and foremost, I write to fulfill my own creative urges. I will continue writing and publishing books, but I will also be more intentional about marketing them. In the low-impact way I do for my personal brand. And who knows, I might find a set of people who are willing to buy my books.
It is not necessary that what works for others would work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. It is important to analyse which platform would work for you best and then go all out on it.
For instance, LinkedIn is supposed to be a professional networking platform. It is the only social media platform where I am active regularly. But since everybody said (at least those people I listened to) that it was not good for book marketing, I hardly talk about my books or writing fiction. But last month, I started a fiction newsletter, and within a day of posting my first story, I had 500+ subscribers. So this is definitely a channel. I am going to look into it more deeply.
All I'm trying to say is look at what has worked for you in the past, even if the scale isn’t large, and double down on it.
If you are not inherently a marketer (yes, marketing comes naturally to some people!!) like me, then go for brand building and take it from there. And by the way, you do not need lakhs of followers to make money. What if you had only 20 K followers and 10% of them buy from you? Wouldn't that set good Initial momentum that you can use as a launchpad?
7. Loved the way you put it. Now, what’s one scene or character from this book that sticks with you?
I love the climax scene because I had conceived it when I was just a few chapters in, and everything led to it. And that would be a spoiler, so I can’t really talk about it!!
8. Yeah, no spoilers! What part of this book gave you the hardest time?
Writing the initial investigation part was very smooth for me. Since I knew who was to be the culprit or the accused, whatever you want to say. I struggled to segue to that portion logically. I know that fiction has to be, well, a work of fiction. But still, I always look for logic in any fiction that I am reading, and for my story also I could never dream of putting something illogical or literally out of the world. I kept writing and thinking of scenes and putting words on paper, and finally it clicked into place. So yes, my discipline of adding at least 800 words to the story every day helped.
9. And what’s one weird or unexpected thing you Googled while writing this book?
I don’t know about wild, but I loved diving into the local languages of Jharkhand, which I wanted to sprinkle in the book. I have stayed here my whole life, so I knew a few words, but as you put it, research can throw up unexpected things. I saved quite a few links from my research for the sequel.
10. Now, for all the aspiring indie authors out there. What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you?
Indie publishing is a long and arduous journey. So before you embark on that journey, know your why. Why do you want to publish the book? Is it for money, for fame, or just for the joy of putting your stories in the hands of others? Now, keep that goal in mind and start working backwards to achieve it.
11. Ohkayzz, and where can readers find you and your book?
For regular updates, subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter – Tale of Two Tongues. I’m also available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
You can find Numbers Don't Add Up on:
If the book sounds like your kind of read, be sure to check it out! Support indie authors by grabbing a copy and leaving a review!
PS… What’s your go-to writing snack or ritual?
Green tea is my go-to “snack” if it can be called that. And ritual, well, putting away my laptop in its sleeve before I start writing?? Yes, I still write the outline, beats and 75% of all first drafts in a spiral notebook. So, I need the desk devoid of everything digital. Only notebooks, sticky notes and lots of pens are allowed!!
And that’s a wrap.
Want to see more indie author stories? Stay tuned for more interviews…
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