A self-published author's diary: The Ups and Downs of Self-Publishing (and everything in-between)

Elodie Nowodazkij
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BOOKS

The behind-the-scenes of self-publishing and writing with Elodie Nowodazkij, indie author of first kisses, second chances, things that scare the crap out of her and things that make her laugh out loud. Since 2014, Elodie has been riding the roller coaster of self-publishing, celebrating victories and weathering storms. Join her as she shares the candid ups and downs of her self-publishing career and strives to provide invaluable insights for both aspiring authors and curious readers with a touch of humor and a French accent.

  1. 5H AGO

    Numbers: The Book That Had 23 Preorders and...became my most read book.

    This is a numbers episode. I'm going back to the archives a little bit (back to the future, kind of) to talk about a book I released in 2015 that had 23 preorders and became one of my most read books. A Summer Like No Other launched at 99 cents. I had a whole plan — cover reveal with Xpresso Book Tours, NetGalley, YouTube videos, a blog series called The Making Of, emails to readers who had reviewed my first book. I got 23 preorders. In the first three months I made about $200. That same book has now been downloaded 66,550 times in English: 40,279 audiobooks, 24,414 ebooks, and 1,360 paperbacks. Best month was May 2024, with 7,930 downloads. The French version, Un Été Pas Comme Les Autres, had 20 preorders. It's now perma free, has been downloaded 48,368 times, has 1,843 ratings on Amazon France, and the translation got picked up by a publisher that was part of Hachette — which is how I became a hybrid author. So preorders really don't make or break a book. I also talk about: Dictation finally working for me — two days this week with more than 6,000 words, which hasn't happened in foreverA very funny dictation fail from my walkLast week's newsletter (Elodie Now): 205 subscribers, 48.19% open rate, 0.49% click rate, one unsubscribeFun fact: more than 50 subscribers across Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and I didn't know that until this week. Thank youThe two YouTube videos that helped me with dictation: Real Time Dictation Session: Dictate and Edit a Scene With Me — Alyssa in the Books https://youtu.be/I7rpvAGPgv4?si=4Oju1Ob5MjjukVNcBook Dictation for Beginners — The Courtney Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVQ2vd_w1MThe Margie Lawson Deep Edits packets: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More: https://www.margielawson.com/product/deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/Make Endings POP! Deep Editing Style: https://www.margielawson.com/product/make-endings-pop-deep-editing-style/PublisherChamp: https://www.publisherchamp.com/If you'd like to tell me you're listening and where from, I would love to hear from you: authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com

    44 min

  2. 4D AGO

    This isn't a grand gesture ...

    This post is about grief. An update. Going back to write. An excerpt of my next rom-com. And a donkey.

    13 min

  3. 11/14/2025

    My Self-Pub Weekly Diary: Some Wins, Some Wobbles, and Absolutely Zero Words (on My Manuscripts)

    My Self-Pub Weekly Diary: Some Wins, Some Wobbles, and Absolutely Zero Words (on My Manuscripts) This episode is a daily mashup of behind-the-scenes of my self-publishing life including: libraries buying my ebooks, regaining my B&N vendor account, releasing a book (YAY!), but no words on my manuscripts (I did write bonus scenes). Also: trying to invigorate my Goodreads profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55359987.Elodie_Now As always if you enjoy this podcast make sure to subscribe and leave a review. Thank you so much for listening!www.elodienowodazkij.com

    19 min

  4. 11/07/2025

    My F***-It Book: She Had Cancer and Still Gets a Holiday Steamy Rom-Com

    Writers talk a lot about the “Book of My Heart”: the story that feels deeply personal, the one you carry close. But there’s another book, too. The F***-It Book. The book where you stop worrying about what’s expected, or tidy, or “on-brand.” The book where you choose joy anyway. Or choose whatever you need to write because you’re ready to. Sometimes the F***-It Book and the Book of My Heart are the same book. Sometimes they overlap. Sometimes they’re cousins who share snacks and chaos energy. I don’t know the exact category here. But I know Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas is my F***-It Book. The one where I say: Yes, she had cancer. Yes, she gets the holiday steamy rom-com. Yes, this is still allowed to be fun and tender and ridiculous and warm. Nice Guys Don’t Kiss Like That at Christmas is that book for me. And today, I want to tell you why. Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com Want a copy? Email me at: elodie@elodienow.com Otherwise, this book: https://books2read.com/NiceGuysDontKissLikeThat

    18 min

  5. 10/31/2025

    New Release Hiccups, Metadata, Pen Names, and Mild Panic

    I'm releasing my next book on November 7th... Goodreads doesn't remember my name. Oh, and B&N decided to reject my vendor account? Everything is good. Everything is good. Behind-the-scenes and the ups and downs of self-publishing... Mentioned in this episode: - Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas - Anne Victory - NetGalley co-op - Wide for the Win Facebook Group: https://victoryediting.com/services/netgalley-co-op/

    19 min

  6. 09/05/2025

    Hi, it's me...a self-published author now in Belgium

    A quick update. I'm now in Belgium and thinking about thinking... No, thinking about my to-do list and whether to start a Patreon about my self-publishing... oh and I reached 1000 subscribers on my Patreon. And I have an Italian translation coming up and...and... and...

    9 min

  7. 05/23/2025

    Splitting Pen Names & Newsletters (Plus My Cat Might Make an Appearance)

    Welcome to my first audio AND video episode - yes, you can finally see my face (and probably my cat)! I'm diving into the messy reality of splitting my books into two pen names and why updating newsletter automations is a lot of work. I'll share how I create those bonus scenes readers love (epilogues, wedding scenes, even deleted diary entries), why I'm thinking about making Sweets for Love free, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at my current Sophie and Liam story where I just left them in a very interesting situation involving a surprise daughter. Plus, I'm sharing details about InkersCon 2025 - use code Golden25 for a discount! Check it out at inkerscon.com. Grab your coffee, water or whatever and stretch - let's chat about the ups and downs of self-publishing! Visit my website: www.elodienowodazkij.com

    18 min

  8. 05/20/2025

    To KU or Not KU My Gavert City series in English?

    Have a coffee with me, this short self-publishing podcast episode is taking you my thought process on whether to put my Gavert City series in English in Kindle Unlimited or not... Also mentioned in this episode: Golden Angel's Presentation: Money Matters for Authors with Golden AngelYou can sign up and watch it live online or for 90 days after here: https://marylandromancewriters.com/mrw-events/may-meeting/ Find my books online: www.elodienowodazkij.com or www.elodienow.com ...

    13 min
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About

The behind-the-scenes of self-publishing and writing with Elodie Nowodazkij, indie author of first kisses, second chances, things that scare the crap out of her and things that make her laugh out loud. Since 2014, Elodie has been riding the roller coaster of self-publishing, celebrating victories and weathering storms. Join her as she shares the candid ups and downs of her self-publishing career and strives to provide invaluable insights for both aspiring authors and curious readers with a touch of humor and a French accent.

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