My very first novel was more fantasy than sci-fi. It actually started for an English class I was taking when I was working concurrently on my fourth and fifth degrees. It was a three-page creative writing assignment. We were required to give feedback to other students, and one commented that they could read a whole book on my story. That gave me the idea, and here we are.
You published the Everville series from 2013-2015. In 2017 you pubbed a self-help book but didn’t go back to publishing novels again until 2020. Why the drop-off?
There was a gap between the fantasy series and nonfiction due to a divorce and serious financial issues. That is part was why I wrote the self-help book. I actually wrote two additional books within a year of Think Smart Not Hard, Everville #5, which I never published, and the time travel book. Seven Rules of Time Travel was my baby, so there was some hesitancy on whether to finish and rewrite Everville #5 or work on the Time Travel series.
So it sounds like you were still writing, even though you weren’t publishing.
Yes. I also started writing a space opera book. Additionally, I began traveling more during my time off. I'm now traveling around three months a year, so I needed to restructure how I wrote, more frequently instead of shorter marathon sprints. In the interim, I did more marketing to connect with my readers and wrote several shorts that I hosted on other blog posts, some of which I later reposted on my own blog. And I read a lot.
The 2020 lockdown gave me the opportunity to polish
As an indie-publisher, how do you handle the publishing and marketing of your own books?
I did all my own marketing. I hired Damonza.com for the cover art and formatting. I take an all-of-the-above approach to marketing and find the email list and Amazon ads have been the most effective. I also use Twitter, but more to connect with my audience.
I do promotional events, but only discounted promotions now, not free ones for my new works. I'm always looking for ways to streamline the marketing process to improve my overall systems. My audiobook contract takes some of the audio marketing and narrator interaction off my hands, but I still need to promote my series and my brand.
Marketing and writing are both equally important, but writers need to write. If the marketing is too much, it's still essential to have someone else help in the process.
Starting can be challenging, but usually, I'm always writing something. I think the hardest part is writing with purpose. Getting a quasi-outline is usually my biggest obstacle, but in truth, it really is just about becoming intentional and getting down to the basics. Once that's done, the editing is the next hardest part. Consistency, persistence, humility, reflection, and courage in the face of criticism (including self-criticism) are also critical.
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Validation from fans and my recent audiobook contract have been great sources of encouragement. Greater reach and financial success also helped. Various milestones, like reaching 500 reviews on a book along with other lists have all been very encouraging.
I show up, do the work, and commit to keep improving regardless of validation being there. Even negative reviews can push you forward. It means enough people are reading my work to take notice, which means I'm on the right track.
I think forgiving yourself, allowing yourself to write badly (which is subjective), and using negative feedback as a positive thing are important. Remembering I don’t need to do it all and can outsource marketing when needed to stay focused on the writing process. Obsessing about what other people think is a killer and no way to live one's life.
I would say it’s to keep writing, learning, reading, and reflecting. Get comfortable with the process. Don't make excuses, just do it. Find a mentor. If you can't find a mentor, read everything you can from an author whose books inspire you. Embrace a growth mindset.
Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
For writers, I would say write, no matter what. If you are stuck, simply write something, even if it's just random words on copying what something else has written or use prompts to get started. Read a lot. I listen to audiobooks at double speed during my commute, so I'm able to get through a lot of content, which helps my writing.
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short blurb about the storyline?
The next work to be published is the audiobook for Time Travel Tribulations. It’s currently available for preorder.
When something knocks Quinn Black and his team through an anomaly, he finds himself on a crash course with what appears to be an uninhabited planet. With an object of mysterious origin orbiting the system and his crew under attack from an unknown source, one thing is clear: they are not supposed to be there.
Sounds like a lot of action and adventure awaits your readers. If you’d like to learn more about Roy’s books, here are some links to get you started.
Website: https://royhuff.net/
Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook all @realroyhuff
Link to Seven Rules of Time Travel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CJH85M3/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Roy-Huff/e/B00BCX199A/
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