Confident Reads: Krista Holle & The Wind Whisperer

Hello everyone! Confident Reads is a feature I have here each week once in awhile and is a way to open communication between readers and Indie authors.  This  is to help readers feel confident in the books they spend their money on, and for authors to feel confident in the book they publish.

Today I have author Krista Holle here to promote her newest book, The Wind Whisperer. I have not read it, but it sounds rather intriguing!

When, and how, did you come to being an indie/self published author? 

I first self-published in December 2011 after every literary agent told me there was no audience for selkie

novels.  The Lure of Shapinsay revolved around the Scottish mythology of the selkies—seal men and women who lure mortals to their death beneath the ocean. Though selkies are still obscure mythical creatures, I was delighted at my positive reviews.

Did you attempt to publish traditionally?  What were your experiences? 

There was a time when I queried publishers.  I had a few nibbles from some smaller presses but ultimately it wasn’t to be. The “Big Houses” or large publishers are earned through agents.

If you were offered a deal with a traditional publisher, would you take it? 

Yes, I think I would. More doors are opened for traditionally published authors. There are many bloggers who won’t review or even promote indie authors.  

What is the best part of being indie/self published, for you? 

I love the freedom of choosing every detail of my book. The indie author controls everything from the editing details to the look of their cover. It’s my baby all the way.

The indie/self published scene is constantly changing.  Even quite a few traditionally published authors have ventured into the world of self publishing.  What do you predict for the future?  How do you think the indie scene is changing and where do you think it will go?  

The market is being flooded with indie authors.  This is making traditional publishing less lucrative and more competitive than ever. Every author is waiting for their big break, whether they are traditionally published or self-published.  

As an indie/self published author, what has been your biggest obstacle?  

My biggest obstacle is getting exposure.  I’ve read statistics that claim readers won’t purchase a book until they’ve been exposed to a certain title a minimum of 4 or 5 times.  That means my audience needs to see my cover in five different locations before they feel confident enough to buy.  This requires lots of hard work.

In the world of indie/self published not everyone goes about things the same way.  Many make mistakes (and hopefully learn from them).  What are the biggest mistakes that you think authors are making and how do you suggest they improve?

Some indie authors make the mistake of trying to edit their own books.  After about the third read, the author becomes completely blind to any errors they’ve written into the story.

How do you approach reviewers? And what has worked best when doing so? 

I simply ask nicely for a review and hope the reviewer’s tbr pile isn’t too large. Some reviewers want their post to accompany a giveaway.  I’m always open to that.

When it comes to sales, what do you think has worked the best for you and had the biggest impact? 

I’m still trying to figure this out.  My sales have been surprising steady.  There was a time when I was holding simultaneous giveaways, paying for advertising on multiple web sites, offering free bookmarks.  With all of this gone, my sales are still about the same.  Go figure.

If someone tells you they are thinking of publishing a novel themselves and they would like some advice on where to get started or some tips for success, what advice would you give?  

Self-publishing isn’t right for everybody.  If you don’t have the time to promote your book, there’s really no point.  

We all know covers are important; can you tell us about your cover story?  

Anaii, my fifteen-year-old protagonist is hinting at her relationship with the wind as the leaves flutter around her fingertips.  In the background is Elan,Anaii’s best friend, and Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.  It’s the making of a sticky love triangle.

Bad reviews are inevitable; most every author gets at least some.  How do you handle things when you get a bad review so you don’t get hung up on it or possibly lash out which could cause more damage in the long run?  

I never respond to bad reviews.  The perfect book that everyone loves doesn’t exist. Bad reviews sting, but I just shrug and look forward to my next five star review.  

 

It’s your turn!  Ask my readers one question that you are dying to know the answer for.

I’m dying to know what you think of The Wind Whisperer cover.  Do you like love triangles?

At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious.  Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks.  But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.

As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him.  It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior.  Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief. 

Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated.  Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light. 

While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes.  Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.

 Author Bio:

Krista Holle is an award winning author who stepped up her writing after reading Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series.  It occurred to Krista that there is an insatiable audience of women and girls who want to read books filled with stories about true love—not just vampires.  When Krista is not writing, she loves to collect seashells, watch movies, and eat obscene amounts of pizza.  Krista currently resides in Montpelier, Virginia with her husband, four daughters and an eccentric cat with a weird attachment to the family’s socks. 

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