Local Bestselling Author Unveils
Highly Anticipated New Release
Rebecca Hemlock
The Ashland Beacon
A surge in the love of reading is sweeping the nation, and independent authors are riding the wave, thanks to vibrant online communities. Platforms like “BookTok” and “Bookstagram” have become fertile ground for connecting readers with new stories, particularly those penned by self-published or independent authors like myself.
For “indie” authors, the road to publication is often a solitary one. We are responsible for every aspect of our books' journeys—from the initial spark of an idea to the final cover design. This means juggling multiple roles: writer, editor, marketer, and publicist.
For me, online book communities are more than just a marketing tool; they’re a lifeline. It’s honestly a blessing. As an indie author, I wear all the hats. Writing, editing, cover design—it's all on me, or I need to contract it out. And then comes the daunting task of marketing and promotion. These communities are invaluable to me.
Being an indie author is a deeply personal and often solitary journey. When I begin a new book, I start with an idea and a prayer. As a Christian writer, prayer is a critical part of my writing process. I write fiction with the hope of encouraging others and helping them navigate life’s most difficult moments.
The inspiration for A Nurse’s Ambush struck close to home. The idea was born in the halls of KDMC, where I spent countless hours walking around Central Park near the hospital. There, I asked every nurse I met countless questions. Research for a novel is one of my favorite parts of writing. I get to learn about so many fascinating topics, and sometimes, the extra tidbits I uncover feel like I’m being let in on a secret. I also meet wonderful people and make new friends along the way.
The writing process itself is demanding, but incredibly rewarding. In the publishing world, books are measured by word count—most consider a full-length novel to be 50,000 words or more, a novella between 20,000 and 40,000, and a novelette between 7,500 and 20,000. My work spans all three categories, depending on where God leads the story. How much I write each day varies depending on my family and children, but I still manage to complete a story in just a few months. A Nurse’s Ambush was finished in only three.
As online book communities continue to grow, indie authors like me are finding new ways to connect with readers and share our stories.
Over the past nine years, I’ve written and independently published sixteen books, learning a little more with each one. Along the way, I’ve taken countless courses on writing and publishing and even had the privilege of working with New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. I’m honored to share my work with the reading community with each book I release.
If you’d like to support indie authors, there are a few simple but powerful ways to help. Leaving a review online at websites like Amazon, sharing the book with others, and requesting it at your local library can make a huge difference. Even the smallest gestures go a long way in helping authors reach new readers! To learn more about me and my books, visit my website at RebeccaHemlock.com. You can sign up for my newsletter to be one of the first to hear about future books and receive a free eBook for signing up. A huge thank you to everyone who is already supporting my work.
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