Today’s interview is with J. C. Maine. We met over on Twitter, like most of my online friends, and we managed to stay in touch over the years and a platform change where we reconnected on Threads after I left. I love hearing different experiences with self-publishing and sometimes I learn a little something too. Jump into this short, but sweet, interview!

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Let’s talk about social media. Where do you like to hang out and do you find it beneficial to selling books or do you use it only to network with other authors?
Most of my time online is spent on Instagram. I think it’s very beneficial for promoting and selling books, because it forces you to be visual. It’s also a good way to network.

You seem to write a little bit of everything. How do you decide which project to write?
Whatever moves me at the moment. I was inspired by the dynamic of a real-life couple when I wrote the novel, I Can’t Help It. When Covid-19 disrupted our way of life in 2020, the uncertainty inspired me to write Days of Revelation.

How much of the work that goes into publishing do you do yourself, like formatting, cover design, and editing? Do you like all aspects of it? What is your favorite part?
I do my own formatting, and I do the majority of the editing. Occasionally, a beta reader will also help me with editing. I want my book covers to look professional, so I outsource that to someone who specializes in it. I somewhat enjoy the editing. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of formatting.

What do you think is the hardest part of publishing and what do you do to make this part manageable/affordable/profitable?
Definitely the formatting. I have to tinker with it for a few days before I get the inside of
my books the way I like it.

Your books are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. How did you decide to enroll in KU
and not publish your books wide?
I enrolled in KU because I didn’t want to put pressure on someone who wanted to read my work, but didn’t want to pay a lump sum for it. I write books more for exposure than for profit, so giving readers access to it this way doesn’t bother me. Although there are other self-publishing companies I could use, for me it’s a lot easier to work exclusively for Amazon. Besides, I can always order and sell physical copies of my book.

What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the rest of the year?
I’m working on a new thriller. This will be the first time I’ve written a book from a 1st
person point-of-view. I’m having fun writing it so far, and I think people will really like it once it’s published.

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J.C., I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions and sharing your experiences with indie-publishing. J.C. is active on Threads, BlueSky, and Instagram, and you can follow him on Amazon and Goodreads.

I hope you all are having a great spring so far, and have a lovely week ahead!

Follow J.C. here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.C.-Maine/author/B087TPZD7W
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20343208.J_C_Maine
Instagram: jc_maine
Threads: jc_maine
Bluesky: jcmaine.bsky.social