Porirua author flourishing in digital world
Pukerua Bay author Diana Fraser is one of the seven New Zealand writers involved in the ebooks set Second Chances, exclusive to the iBooks store.
Fraser has contributed her contemporary romance The Playboy’s Redemption, and is behind the digital initiative, a strategy writers are beginning to use to promote their work.
The bundle of e-books is sold at a bargain price – Second Chances is on sale for 99 cents and includes seven novels that would normally sell for about $3 or $4 each.
With many authors growing frustrated by the long waits and rejections associated with traditional publishers, independent publishing is becoming more appealing.
‘‘It is incredibly satisfying to have complete control over your book – from the contents, to the cover, to how its marketed, it’s down to you,’’ Fraser said.
‘‘It’s hard work, although you don’t have to do everything yourself.’’
She self-published her first book in 2011 after realising how well writers – romance writers in particular – were doing publishing direct to Amazon and through Smashwords, who distribute to iBooks.
Previously she’d travelled a familiar route of winning writing competitions and having manuscripts requested then rejected.
‘‘I’d never hit the bullseye. But I began to hear how other romance writers had made it big with readers on Amazon, so I thought I’d give it a go.’’
Fraser now has 11 books published, including three medieval novellas written under another pen name.
‘‘What I’ve learnt is that most romance readers want a really good story.
‘‘If you can write one, and you’re prepared to work hard, then selfpublishing is a great way to go,’’ she said.
The boxed set can be pre-ordered online through iBooks or through a link via kiwiindies.com.