LeAnne Pearson: Passion to Publication

Get ready to discover another talented indie author, LeAnne Pearson, whose book I’m sure will be in your hands after you read this feature!

LeAnne Pearson, age 24, is a mother, and indie author. Pearson has self-published one book, The Gray Institute, and has plans to expand this novel into a trilogy.

Pearson founded her passion for writing through primary school where she discovered she enjoyed taking part in creative writing.

“For as long as I can remember I used to write as a hobby, just for myself or for family to read. As I got older I started taking it more seriously and joining writers' groups etc online until eventually I decided to go ahead and write something real,” said Pearson.

As she grew older Pearson continued to pursue writing as a hobby, until she got the idea for her first novel.

“Originally I never even thought about seriously publishing any of my work, I used to just write for my own gratification. Then when I came up with the idea for The Gray Institute and started writing it, it occured to me that this was something I could maybe publish. I still didn't actually publish it for a long time as I had doubts that I was good enough as a writer and also whether the work itself would interest anyone,” said Pearson.

Pearson first thought of publishing her work when she was halfway done writing her first novel. After letting her mother read The Gray Institute, Pearson began to pursue publishing her first novel seriously. She decided to self-publish her work so that she could have more control over promoting, and content of her work.

“I realised I had been writing for years and had gotten better and better over time, and that it might be something worth pursuing,” said Pearson.

Like many indie authors Pearson has to balance her daily life obligations, and caring for her son while making time to write.

“I try to keep myself inspired and immersed in whatever I'm working on by reading similar genres or even re-reading my old work. I can only write during the evenings so I set aside two or three hours once my son is asleep to work,” said Pearson.

Today Pearson has successfully published one novel, and is continuing to write. Through self-publication she has joined in the tasks that come with being an indie author.

“What we (indie authors) do is extremely hard at times, and very time-consuming. I think a lot of people see us as writers who have cut corners and not done things the 'proper way.' In actual fact what we do is so much harder; we promote ourselves which takes so much dedication and time, we basically do everything ourselves,” said Pearson.

Pearson reflects on ways supporters of indie can help in the expansion of their work.

“Personally, I've found that - apart from obviously buying the book - the best way readers can help indie authors is through promotion. Sharing posts, retweeting, telling friends and family, just generally getting the book/author's name out there as much as possible. Promotion is tiring, demanding work and it's always easier if others are helping you do it.”

Want to support indie author LeAnne Pearson?

Like her Facebook page here!

Follow her Twitter @leannejjpearson!

Check out her website here!

Buy her novel, The Gray Institute on Amazon here!