10. Self-Publishing & the Grounding Practice of Writing with Andi Cumbo-Floyd

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Today’s guest is Andi Cumbo, a writer and editor from Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains. She’s written 11 books—10 are self-published—so we talked about the learning curve, self-publishing tips, how to promote your book, what to share in a writing newsletter, and what Andi would do differently if she were just starting out today. Andi also shares a big life decision she recently made that helped her make more space to write.

Highlights

• How writing supported her through a life-changing transition

• What a writing routine looks like with a 15-month-old at home

• Why she chose to self-publish 10 books, plus what she’d do differently if she were just starting out

• Book launch advice

• An ordinary drive around a farm changed the trajectory of her life (and writing life)

• Why she doesn’t edit the same types of books she writes

Guest Bio

Andi Cumbo-Floyd is a writer, editor, and writing coach who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains and writes regularly about writing over at andilit.com. 

Links + Resources

• Blog post: The Not-So-Final ROI On My Latest Book Launch

• Madeleine L’Engle

• The Slaves Have Names

• Love Letters to Writers

• Self-Publishing Resources:

• Vellum book software

• Draft2Digital

• Kirsten Oliphant’s Create If Writing Podcast

• Jane Friedman

• BookBub, for book promotions

• Mark Dawson’s classes on Facebook ads

• Strangers to Superfans by David Gaughran

• Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry

• Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer’s Path

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