kirstenmarion
@kirsten-marion.bsky.social
Author - The Rowanswood Crones series| voracious reader| paranormal & epic| fantasy | follow the magic| midlife adventure
Happily married
Happily married
Where does a new self-published author even start with the book marketing? And how? Here's what I've learned. #bookmarketing #bookpromotion #selfpublishing #writers
kirstenmarion.com/marketing-be...
kirstenmarion.com/marketing-be...
Marketing Begins Before You Have Anything to Promote - Kirsten Marion
One of the most irritating pieces of advice given to me when I was starting out was that I should start marketing my book before I’d even finished writing it. I had no idea what that meant. How was I ...
kirstenmarion.com
September 10, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Where does a new self-published author even start with the book marketing? And how? Here's what I've learned. #bookmarketing #bookpromotion #selfpublishing #writers
kirstenmarion.com/marketing-be...
kirstenmarion.com/marketing-be...
Reposted by kirstenmarion
Books for the class library recommendations by kidlit creators including: @suecurrie24.bsky.social @parentclub.bsky.social @drawntoyourstory.bsky.social @erinsilver1.bsky.social @shannonotoole.bsky.social @kirsten-marion.bsky.social and more!
Available as ebooks and paperbacks for your readers.
Available as ebooks and paperbacks for your readers.
September 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Books for the class library recommendations by kidlit creators including: @suecurrie24.bsky.social @parentclub.bsky.social @drawntoyourstory.bsky.social @erinsilver1.bsky.social @shannonotoole.bsky.social @kirsten-marion.bsky.social and more!
Available as ebooks and paperbacks for your readers.
Available as ebooks and paperbacks for your readers.
Fourteen years ago, I wrote a fantasy novel inspired by one unanswered question in King Lear. Now it's revived. The story behind The Wooden Ring - with magic, pirates, and a book that waited until I was ready for it. #books #fantasy #Fantasyfiction #magic #power
kirstenmarion.com/some-books-w...
kirstenmarion.com/some-books-w...
Some Books Wait Until You’re Ready for Them - Kirsten Marion
The Wooden Ring began fourteen years ago with a question about Cordelia's missing journey in King Lear. After finding an agent but not a publisher, the novel waited on a hard drive until its author wa...
kirstenmarion.com
September 3, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Fourteen years ago, I wrote a fantasy novel inspired by one unanswered question in King Lear. Now it's revived. The story behind The Wooden Ring - with magic, pirates, and a book that waited until I was ready for it. #books #fantasy #Fantasyfiction #magic #power
kirstenmarion.com/some-books-w...
kirstenmarion.com/some-books-w...
Five months into Substack, I have 79 subscribers I cherish—and a clear idea of what I’m building: candid notes on self-publishing, solopreneurship and the creative life, plus original fantasy from Rowanswood.
There’s room for another chair: klmarion.substack.com
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors
There’s room for another chair: klmarion.substack.com
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors
August 23, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Five months into Substack, I have 79 subscribers I cherish—and a clear idea of what I’m building: candid notes on self-publishing, solopreneurship and the creative life, plus original fantasy from Rowanswood.
There’s room for another chair: klmarion.substack.com
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors
There’s room for another chair: klmarion.substack.com
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors
Marketing before publication doesn’t mean shouting “My book is coming!” for two years. It means knowing your reader, giving them somewhere to find you and building familiarity before asking for a sale.
klmarion.substack.com/p/marketing-...
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #amwriting #books #writers
klmarion.substack.com/p/marketing-...
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #amwriting #books #writers
Marketing Begins Before You Have Anything to Promote
Adventures in Self Publishing Part 6 of 9
klmarion.substack.com
August 21, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Marketing before publication doesn’t mean shouting “My book is coming!” for two years. It means knowing your reader, giving them somewhere to find you and building familiarity before asking for a sale.
klmarion.substack.com/p/marketing-...
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #amwriting #books #writers
klmarion.substack.com/p/marketing-...
#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors #amwriting #books #writers
I've made the mistakes so you don't have to!
If you want a calm book launch, focus on giving the book enough pre-release runway rather than trying to do everything possible. klmarion.substack.com/p/launching-...
#writing #books #ampublishing #indipublishing #indieauthor
If you want a calm book launch, focus on giving the book enough pre-release runway rather than trying to do everything possible. klmarion.substack.com/p/launching-...
#writing #books #ampublishing #indipublishing #indieauthor
August 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM
I've made the mistakes so you don't have to!
If you want a calm book launch, focus on giving the book enough pre-release runway rather than trying to do everything possible. klmarion.substack.com/p/launching-...
#writing #books #ampublishing #indipublishing #indieauthor
If you want a calm book launch, focus on giving the book enough pre-release runway rather than trying to do everything possible. klmarion.substack.com/p/launching-...
#writing #books #ampublishing #indipublishing #indieauthor
booksirens.com/bundle/pirat...
My book was chosen as a #piratefantasy early readers would love!
#books #fantasy #indieauthor
My book was chosen as a #piratefantasy early readers would love!
#books #fantasy #indieauthor
Pirate Fantasy ARCs You'll Love
booksirens.com
August 12, 2026 at 8:44 PM
booksirens.com/bundle/pirat...
My book was chosen as a #piratefantasy early readers would love!
#books #fantasy #indieauthor
My book was chosen as a #piratefantasy early readers would love!
#books #fantasy #indieauthor
A beautiful cover isn’t necessarily an effective one.
The Chic Crone has now had THREE covers, and each taught me something about thumbnails, genre signals, reader expectations—and expensive publishing lessons.
Sometimes you really do need the advanced course. 😏
#SelfPublishing #BookCovers
The Chic Crone has now had THREE covers, and each taught me something about thumbnails, genre signals, reader expectations—and expensive publishing lessons.
Sometimes you really do need the advanced course. 😏
#SelfPublishing #BookCovers
August 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
A beautiful cover isn’t necessarily an effective one.
The Chic Crone has now had THREE covers, and each taught me something about thumbnails, genre signals, reader expectations—and expensive publishing lessons.
Sometimes you really do need the advanced course. 😏
#SelfPublishing #BookCovers
The Chic Crone has now had THREE covers, and each taught me something about thumbnails, genre signals, reader expectations—and expensive publishing lessons.
Sometimes you really do need the advanced course. 😏
#SelfPublishing #BookCovers
Expensive lessons1
In today’s post, I look at what The Chic Crone taught me about book cover design, genre signalling, thumbnails, reader expectations—and the hidden costs of changing a published cover.
#SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #BookCovers #IndieAuthor
klmarion.substack.com/p/third-time...
In today’s post, I look at what The Chic Crone taught me about book cover design, genre signalling, thumbnails, reader expectations—and the hidden costs of changing a published cover.
#SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #BookCovers #IndieAuthor
klmarion.substack.com/p/third-time...
Third Time’s the Charm: What Three Covers Taught Me About Book Cover Design
Adventures in Self Publishing Part 4 of 9
klmarion.substack.com
August 7, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Expensive lessons1
In today’s post, I look at what The Chic Crone taught me about book cover design, genre signalling, thumbnails, reader expectations—and the hidden costs of changing a published cover.
#SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #BookCovers #IndieAuthor
klmarion.substack.com/p/third-time...
In today’s post, I look at what The Chic Crone taught me about book cover design, genre signalling, thumbnails, reader expectations—and the hidden costs of changing a published cover.
#SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #BookCovers #IndieAuthor
klmarion.substack.com/p/third-time...
Book covers are usually seen as thumbnails, where details vanish, dark colours merge and elegant type becomes unreadable. Can the right reader understand yours at postage-stamp size? I learned that one the expensive way. #selfpublishing #indieauthor #books
klmarion.substack.com/p/your-book-...
klmarion.substack.com/p/your-book-...
Your Book Cover Is Not Decoration. It's Positioning.
Adventures in Self Publishing Part 3 of 9
klmarion.substack.com
August 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Book covers are usually seen as thumbnails, where details vanish, dark colours merge and elegant type becomes unreadable. Can the right reader understand yours at postage-stamp size? I learned that one the expensive way. #selfpublishing #indieauthor #books
klmarion.substack.com/p/your-book-...
klmarion.substack.com/p/your-book-...
Your Book Cover Is Not Decoration. It’s Positioning.
A book cover is more than decoration—it signals genre, tone, audience, and professionalism before a reader ever reaches the blurb. Drawing on expensive lessons from The Chic Crone, I explore thumbnail testing, print colour, designer briefs,…
A book cover is more than decoration—it signals genre, tone, audience, and professionalism before a reader ever reaches the blurb. Drawing on expensive lessons from The Chic Crone, I explore thumbnail testing, print colour, designer briefs,…
Your Book Cover Is Not Decoration. It’s Positioning.
A book cover is more than decoration—it signals genre, tone, audience, and professionalism before a reader ever reaches the blurb. Drawing on expensive lessons from The Chic Crone, I explore thumbnail testing, print colour, designer briefs, series branding, and how the right cover helps the right reader recognise your book.
kirstenmarion.com
July 31, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Your Book Cover Is Not Decoration. It’s Positioning.
A book cover is more than decoration—it signals genre, tone, audience, and professionalism before a reader ever reaches the blurb. Drawing on expensive lessons from The Chic Crone, I explore thumbnail testing, print colour, designer briefs,…
A book cover is more than decoration—it signals genre, tone, audience, and professionalism before a reader ever reaches the blurb. Drawing on expensive lessons from The Chic Crone, I explore thumbnail testing, print colour, designer briefs,…
You thought there was one book.
When I finally finished my first adult fantasy book, I was very pleased with myself. My next decision was whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing ... klmarion.substack.com/p/the-cauldr... #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #amwriting #books
When I finally finished my first adult fantasy book, I was very pleased with myself. My next decision was whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing ... klmarion.substack.com/p/the-cauldr... #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #amwriting #books
The Cauldron of Spells: Files, ISBNs, Metadata, and Other Publishing Mysteries
Adventures in Self-Publishing, Part 2 of 9
klmarion.substack.com
July 24, 2026 at 9:22 PM
You thought there was one book.
When I finally finished my first adult fantasy book, I was very pleased with myself. My next decision was whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing ... klmarion.substack.com/p/the-cauldr... #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #amwriting #books
When I finally finished my first adult fantasy book, I was very pleased with myself. My next decision was whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing ... klmarion.substack.com/p/the-cauldr... #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #amwriting #books
The Cauldron of Spells: Files, ISBNs, Metadata, and Other Publishing Mysteries
At first glance indie publishing looks overwhelming. My advice is not to look at the whole thing at once. That way madness lies. Break it down into individual pieces, work through them one at a time and celebrate…
At first glance indie publishing looks overwhelming. My advice is not to look at the whole thing at once. That way madness lies. Break it down into individual pieces, work through them one at a time and celebrate…
The Cauldron of Spells: Files, ISBNs, Metadata, and Other Publishing Mysteries
At first glance indie publishing looks overwhelming. My advice is not to look at the whole thing at once. That way madness lies. Break it down into individual pieces, work through them one at a time and celebrate ticking them off on the master document.
kirstenmarion.com
July 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
The Cauldron of Spells: Files, ISBNs, Metadata, and Other Publishing Mysteries
At first glance indie publishing looks overwhelming. My advice is not to look at the whole thing at once. That way madness lies. Break it down into individual pieces, work through them one at a time and celebrate…
At first glance indie publishing looks overwhelming. My advice is not to look at the whole thing at once. That way madness lies. Break it down into individual pieces, work through them one at a time and celebrate…
Hot news! I'm running a Goodreads giveaway for my upcoming release The Wooden Ring. It's your chance to win one of 100 ebooks I'm giving away! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
#fantasy #giveaway #kinglear #pirates #adventure #magic #indiepublishing
#fantasy #giveaway #kinglear #pirates #adventure #magic #indiepublishing
Book giveaway for The Wooden Ring by Kirsten Marion Jul 17-Aug 07, 2026
Enter to win one of 100 free copies available. Giveaway dates from Jul 17-Aug 07, 2026. Win The Wooden Ring: adult fantasy with court intrigue, pirates, ...
www.goodreads.com
July 22, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Hot news! I'm running a Goodreads giveaway for my upcoming release The Wooden Ring. It's your chance to win one of 100 ebooks I'm giving away! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
#fantasy #giveaway #kinglear #pirates #adventure #magic #indiepublishing
#fantasy #giveaway #kinglear #pirates #adventure #magic #indiepublishing
Chapter Three of Threshold Water is now live.
Ailsa has been brought home—but returning to the sea will require a choice no one else can make for her.
Read The Choosing on Substack. klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #WomenWhoWrite #Selkies #Rowanswood
Ailsa has been brought home—but returning to the sea will require a choice no one else can make for her.
Read The Choosing on Substack. klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #WomenWhoWrite #Selkies #Rowanswood
Threshold Water — Chapter Three: The Choosing
Some thresholds cannot be crossed by command.
klmarion.substack.com
July 21, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Chapter Three of Threshold Water is now live.
Ailsa has been brought home—but returning to the sea will require a choice no one else can make for her.
Read The Choosing on Substack. klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #WomenWhoWrite #Selkies #Rowanswood
Ailsa has been brought home—but returning to the sea will require a choice no one else can make for her.
Read The Choosing on Substack. klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #WomenWhoWrite #Selkies #Rowanswood
Finishing a manuscript is a huge achievement.
It’s also the moment you learn that writing a book and publishing a book are two different jobs.
The writer asks: Is the book good?
The publisher must ask: Can the right reader find it, understand it and trust it?
Unfortunately, both people are now you.
It’s also the moment you learn that writing a book and publishing a book are two different jobs.
The writer asks: Is the book good?
The publisher must ask: Can the right reader find it, understand it and trust it?
Unfortunately, both people are now you.
July 18, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Finishing a manuscript is a huge achievement.
It’s also the moment you learn that writing a book and publishing a book are two different jobs.
The writer asks: Is the book good?
The publisher must ask: Can the right reader find it, understand it and trust it?
Unfortunately, both people are now you.
It’s also the moment you learn that writing a book and publishing a book are two different jobs.
The writer asks: Is the book good?
The publisher must ask: Can the right reader find it, understand it and trust it?
Unfortunately, both people are now you.
This is the first post in Adventures in Self-Publishing, a nine-part series about what I learned in my first year of indie publishing. klmarion.substack.com/p/so-youve-w...
#amwriting #ampublishing #selfpublishing #indiebooks #books
#amwriting #ampublishing #selfpublishing #indiebooks #books
So You’ve Written a Book. Now What Fresh Hell Is This?
Adventures in Self-Publishing, Part 1 of 9
klmarion.substack.com
July 17, 2026 at 4:04 PM
This is the first post in Adventures in Self-Publishing, a nine-part series about what I learned in my first year of indie publishing. klmarion.substack.com/p/so-youve-w...
#amwriting #ampublishing #selfpublishing #indiebooks #books
#amwriting #ampublishing #selfpublishing #indiebooks #books
I reject the idea that later life is an afterword.
There is still friendship to be found. Work to be done. Mischief to be made. Love to be risked. Power to be discovered. Old wounds to be understood. New paths to be taken.
There is still friendship to be found. Work to be done. Mischief to be made. Love to be risked. Power to be discovered. Old wounds to be understood. New paths to be taken.
July 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
I reject the idea that later life is an afterword.
There is still friendship to be found. Work to be done. Mischief to be made. Love to be risked. Power to be discovered. Old wounds to be understood. New paths to be taken.
There is still friendship to be found. Work to be done. Mischief to be made. Love to be risked. Power to be discovered. Old wounds to be understood. New paths to be taken.
A rescued selkie must return to the sea—but first Anthea must cross waters that refuse to obey her. Fog, voices, and an island that may not exist await in Chapter Two: The Crossing.
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #Folklore #Selkie #SerialFiction #WritingCommunity
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #Folklore #Selkie #SerialFiction #WritingCommunity
Threshold Water — Chapter Two: The Crossing
The way back to the sea is not as simple as reaching the shore.
klmarion.substack.com
July 14, 2026 at 3:26 PM
A rescued selkie must return to the sea—but first Anthea must cross waters that refuse to obey her. Fog, voices, and an island that may not exist await in Chapter Two: The Crossing.
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #Folklore #Selkie #SerialFiction #WritingCommunity
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
#Fantasy #FantasyFiction #Folklore #Selkie #SerialFiction #WritingCommunity
I object to the idea that adventure belongs to the young.
Frankly, older women are better equipped for adventures.
We’ve survived things. We can read a room. We know when someone is lying. We have opinions. We have comfortable shoes. We are harder to impress and much harder to frighten.
Frankly, older women are better equipped for adventures.
We’ve survived things. We can read a room. We know when someone is lying. We have opinions. We have comfortable shoes. We are harder to impress and much harder to frighten.
July 11, 2026 at 8:09 PM
I object to the idea that adventure belongs to the young.
Frankly, older women are better equipped for adventures.
We’ve survived things. We can read a room. We know when someone is lying. We have opinions. We have comfortable shoes. We are harder to impress and much harder to frighten.
Frankly, older women are better equipped for adventures.
We’ve survived things. We can read a room. We know when someone is lying. We have opinions. We have comfortable shoes. We are harder to impress and much harder to frighten.
Why should anyone’s most interesting chapter be presumed to have already happened?
This week’s Substack is about Rowanswood, cozy fantasy, later-life magic, and why the Crones were always the point.
#CozyFantasy #Crones #FantasyWriters #WomenInFantasy #Substack
klmarion.substack.com/p/rowanswood...
This week’s Substack is about Rowanswood, cozy fantasy, later-life magic, and why the Crones were always the point.
#CozyFantasy #Crones #FantasyWriters #WomenInFantasy #Substack
klmarion.substack.com/p/rowanswood...
Rowanswood Began as Refuge—and Rebellion
I have a confession to make: Rowanswood didn’t begin with a map, a family tree, or a carefully annotated magical taxonomy.
klmarion.substack.com
July 10, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Why should anyone’s most interesting chapter be presumed to have already happened?
This week’s Substack is about Rowanswood, cozy fantasy, later-life magic, and why the Crones were always the point.
#CozyFantasy #Crones #FantasyWriters #WomenInFantasy #Substack
klmarion.substack.com/p/rowanswood...
This week’s Substack is about Rowanswood, cozy fantasy, later-life magic, and why the Crones were always the point.
#CozyFantasy #Crones #FantasyWriters #WomenInFantasy #Substack
klmarion.substack.com/p/rowanswood...
They are just the cutest! What a day brightener.
July 10, 2026 at 12:03 AM
They are just the cutest! What a day brightener.
When Anthea rescues a wounded stranger from kelpies in a Scottish river, she discovers there's more at stake than a simple rescue. #Substack #Fantasy #FantasyBooks #Folklore #Selkies #WritersOfBluesky #AmWriting #SerialFantasy #TheChicCrone
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
Threshold Water — Chapter One: Saltless
Anthea finds something in the river that should never have been there.
klmarion.substack.com
July 7, 2026 at 5:16 PM
When Anthea rescues a wounded stranger from kelpies in a Scottish river, she discovers there's more at stake than a simple rescue. #Substack #Fantasy #FantasyBooks #Folklore #Selkies #WritersOfBluesky #AmWriting #SerialFantasy #TheChicCrone
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
klmarion.substack.com/p/threshold-...
A little reminder for anyone who has been very, very well behaved for far too long. #dragons #empowerment #
July 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
A little reminder for anyone who has been very, very well behaved for far too long. #dragons #empowerment #
I’ve been thinking about the difference between practising and performing — especially in creative work, where so much of the process is now public. #Writing #CreativeProcess #AmWriting #Revision #WritersOfBluesky
klmarion.substack.com/p/let-practi...
klmarion.substack.com/p/let-practi...
Let Practice Lead
On the quiet work that makes visible work possible
klmarion.substack.com
July 3, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I’ve been thinking about the difference between practising and performing — especially in creative work, where so much of the process is now public. #Writing #CreativeProcess #AmWriting #Revision #WritersOfBluesky
klmarion.substack.com/p/let-practi...
klmarion.substack.com/p/let-practi...