I've been Indy (a "hybrid" as I also have Publishers) for about 8-9 years and the path has been a hard one from the start--compared to the ease of today. I learned programming, not easy, to format books, However, now the ease using Vellum for formatting, etc., and other tools has also thickened the competition for buyers.
Back to Vellum: I cannot recommend this formatting software enough. With one .docx, you can spin out all sorts of book formats, complete with links, bios, basic ad work. However, at this time, I believe Vellum is only available in Mac format. BTW, I use an iMac and an iPad, and the crossover between the two comes just short of miracles. For instance, if in rough draft, I write something in either the iPad or the iMac, I can Save and pick it up on the other machine, whichever is convenient at the time. Over anything though, I recommend an iPad, which comes complete/free with Pages (word processor) and Numbers (spreadsheets, data keeping, etc.) and other programs.
With a large number of books (an inventory if you will), I am republishing as an Indy, some of my early books, reverted from the Publishers. The Bride Says No, now .99, a romantic comedy, is my latest updated cover, etc. Please note the meme, which is changed as needed. These are so handy, used for Twitter, Facebook and other places. !Also please note that I left the links visible. This is to show one way of marketing. Donna Fasano has been great to share her tips, as have other authors.
Now. Once you have a "meme" like this, you can edit, adapt it in many ways.
Now! #99cents
She knows the heartbreak of being jilted. When her sister dumps a grumpy rancher, Clementine just has to help…
>>The Bride Says No @CaitLondon
iBooks: https://apple.co/2TmrjXM
Nook: https://bit.ly/2ZlY0sd
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2ZjrCGJ
#romanticcomedy #humor #nook #iBook #kobo
Right now, I am retooling my early projects, and frankly seeing that I have to add easier modes. There are two sides to being an author: First=Writing/Editing/etc. Second=Ad work, a must. Currently, I am looking at FiveRR.com for helpers. Whatever you do in seeking assistants, query, query, query. That's my very best advice.
As for covers, I did this one with Adobe Elements, which I recommend. It comes with a number of backgrounds, graphics, etc. which you might otherwise have to purchase. I did buy the entire program, rather than a subscription.
I hope that helps you. Until next time--
