OMERA Press

OMERA Press ENGAGE. ENCOURAGE. EMPOWER.

Dedicated to quality, innovation, and inclusivity, we aim to nurture a vibrant literary community and connect readers with progressive literary experiences

Let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of being a writer.Imposter syndrome and burnout.Even the most talented writer...
07/30/2025

Let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of being a writer.
Imposter syndrome and burnout.
Even the most talented writers wrestle with self-doubt.

It creeps in when:
— sales don’t reflect efforts
— edits feel endless
— praise sounds empty
— or success doesn’t look how we imagined it

And when that happens, burnout isn’t far behind.

We don’t just get tired—we start questioning if we ever belonged in this space to begin with.

BUT WE DO...
Imposter syndrome isn’t proof of failure.
It’s proof we care.
It means we’re growing, stretching, and pushing boundaries.

And burnout? That’s our mind waving a white flag—asking for rest, not to quit.

If you’re in that space right now, know this:
You’re not alone.
You’re not “less than.”
And you don’t have to prove your worth with every word you write.

Need help?
DM or follow for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

In-person vs Online?Let’s talk numbers—and nuance.IN-PERSON SALES: events like trade shows, book launches, school visits...
07/28/2025

In-person vs Online?
Let’s talk numbers—and nuance.

IN-PERSON SALES: events like trade shows, book launches, school visits, etc.

- Higher conversion rates—people are far more likely to buy when they meet the author behind the story.
- Impulse buys happen with a great pitch and a strong cover.
- You keep more profit—no retailer fees.
- You build stronger reader connections—photos, signed copies, and conversations matter.
BUT...
- reach is limited to where your feet can take you.
- Booth fees, travel, and setup costs can add up.

Still, many indie authors sell 5–10x more books in a single day at the right event than they do online.

ONLINE SALES: your vendor sites like Amazon/IngramSpark/Draft2Digital, your website, and social media

- Scalable and global—your book can sell while you sleep.
- Easy to link with funnels, courses, and mailing lists.
- Good for long-term discoverability with SEO or ads.

BUT…
- You’re a thumbnail in a sea of thousands.
- It takes consistent effort to drive traffic and build reviews.
- And platforms always take a cut.

Most online sales come from long-term marketing, not quick wins—unless lightning strikes with a viral post or a big platform push.

So which one wins?
Short term? In-person, especially for new or mid-level authors.
Long term? Online—if you’re strategic, consistent, and patient.

Need help blending both into a strategy that works?

DM or follow for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

Let’s talk about what REALLY holds many indie authors back: Production Costs.You want your book to stand toe-to-toe with...
07/25/2025

Let’s talk about what REALLY holds many indie authors back:
Production Costs.

You want your book to stand toe-to-toe with traditionally published titles. But once the manuscript is written, the next steps—developmental editing, copy editing, cover design, interior formatting—start to add up.

BUT without those steps, your book likely won’t stand out… or even get taken seriously.

Finding trusted professionals who understand your genre, respect your budget, and deliver quality work is no small task. Many authors end up stuck in a loop of DIY attempts, burned funds, or stalled projects.

This isn’t about vanity—it’s about value.
Something your readership deserves, especially since you ask them to pay for your book.

Your words matter. But so does the package they come in.

That’s why Omera is committed to helping authors bridge the gap between aspiration and execution—so you can publish with confidence and compete with the best of them.

Need help?
DM or follow for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

07/22/2025

Thousands of books are published every single day.
So why does it feel like no one sees yours?

Even with a brilliant story, many indie authors find themselves buried under a pile of new releases. Not because their book isn’t good—but because algorithms favour volume over quality.

Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, even Goodreads—they all run on one thing: activity.
The more clicks, saves, comments, purchases, and shares your book gets, the more the algorithm pushes it. It’s not about the best-written story—it’s about what gets attention first.

Want to work with the algorithm instead of against it?

ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT—ask for reviews, comments, or shares
POST CONSISTENTLY—weekly book updates, behind-the-scenes, or fan art
USE SEARCHABLE WORDS—think like a reader, not a writer
LAUNCH WITH A PLAN—generate buzz early with ARC readers and countdowns
CREATE CONTENT your audience actually wants—education, entertainment, emotion

Visibility isn’t luck—it’s strategy.
And it’s not a one-time event—it’s a long game.

Need help?

DM me or follow for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

Writers, your author bio matters more than you think.It’s not just a throwaway paragraph tucked in the back of your book...
07/21/2025

Writers, your author bio matters more than you think.
It’s not just a throwaway paragraph tucked in the back of your book or buried on your website.

It’s your first handshake with the reader.
Your pitch to the media.
Your profile to publishers.

Let’s look at Ramona Baillie. She’s a seasoned writer and creative professional with a sharp eye for life’s grittier edges.

"Born in Westmount and raised in Pointe-Aux-Trembles—then one of Montreal’s roughest neighbourhoods—her childhood played out against a backdrop of gangs, BB guns, and street-level crime. By age nine, she was navigating dangers most adults never face: attempted abductions, daily fights, even the family’s first (and only) bike, stolen the day after they got it."

Those early experiences shaped her resilience, her instincts, and her voice.
Now? They’re embedded in every story she tells.

Her work is unapologetically honest. Often off-centre. Always human.
As one colleague put it: “Ramona has a distinct affinity for the messy and off-kilter”—and she’s not afraid to go there.

While happy endings sometimes sneak in, her stories are grounded in real life.
For readers of crime fiction, suspense, and psychological thrillers, The Darkest Green delivers a gripping blend of tension, intrigue, and raw emotion.

And it’s clear why—Ramona’s bio tells us she’s lived these stories. And those are often the ones that stay with us the longest.

So here’s a tip:
You likely have a rich and engaging backstory—but your bio doesn’t reflect it yet.
It’s too short. Too vague. Too safe.
And this is one of those rare times when “show, don’t tell” doesn’t apply.

So tell us:
—> What led you to write?
—> What have you overcome?
—> What makes your voice worth listening to?

Don’t be shy.
Make it memorable.
Make it human.
Make us care.

Because when readers connect with the person behind the page, they’re far more likely to turn it.

Need help?

DM or follow for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

“The only limits in life are the ones that you set yourself.” — Robin S. SharmaThis quote lands differently when you’re ...
06/22/2025

“The only limits in life are the ones that you set yourself.” — Robin S. Sharma
This quote lands differently when you’re an indie author.

There are enough external challenges already.
Limited budgets. No in-house marketing team. Gatekeepers who said no.

Often, it’s not the industry that holds us back.
It’s the stories we tell ourselves.

→ “I’m not ready.”
→ “I’m not good enough.”
→ “It’s too late to start.”

These aren't facts. They're fences we build out of fear.
Every time you sit down to write, pitch your book, or learn a new publishing skill—you’re tearing down a piece of that fence.

The journey isn’t about avoiding limits.
It’s about refusing to set them in the first place.

Need help?
DM or follow me for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

We all talk to ourselves. But here’s the million-dollar question:Is your self-talk working for you—or against you?You’ve...
06/19/2025

We all talk to ourselves.

But here’s the million-dollar question:
Is your self-talk working for you—or against you?

You’ve heard the phrase, “Speak it into existence.”

That’s not just fluff. The words you speak to yourself, in the mirror or the shower (yes, even into your hairbrush-mic), are shaping the way you show up in the world.

Repetition matters. Mindset matters.
And guess what? People change when they see value in change.

So if you want change—if you're ready to chase a dream or hit a new goal—craft a statement that captures it. And repeat it like it’s your favourite chorus.

Because your brain? It only holds one thought at a time. Make it a good one.

Here’s what I’ve learned about self-talk that actually works:

(1) Positive only, please:
Instead of “I’m not going to fail,” try “I’m on my way to success.”
Feel the difference?

(2) K.I.S.S. it: Keep it short and simple.
“Record-breaking month” beats a whole paragraph.
Think mantra, not memoir.

(3) You don’t need to believe it... yet:
Say it until you do.
Your subconscious is listening.

(4) Repetition is your superpower:
Like learning lyrics to your favourite song.
Keep looping it.

(5) Reminders matter:
Sticky notes, phone wallpapers, mugs.
Fill your world with the words that move you.

AND MOST IMPORTANT:
Visualise it. Feel it. Become it.

Attract what you reflect.

Confidence is contagious.

Dream big enough to scare you a little. That’s when it gets exciting.

Need help?
DM or follow me, Angela McKenna, BSc, CSP for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

Einstein said it right. Every indie author I work with has faced a pivot:- Changing the way they tell a story to better ...
06/17/2025

Einstein said it right.

Every indie author I work with has faced a pivot:
- Changing the way they tell a story to better serve the reader.
- Shifting from traditional routes to take control of their publishing journey.
- Adapting their marketing approach when the first attempt fell flat.

The smartest move isn’t always having the perfect plan.
It’s being WILLING TO CHANGE IT.

To revise. Rethink. Rework. Rebrand.

Because the moment you decide your book, your message, or your business is worth evolving, that’s the moment it starts to grow.

You’ve written a book on leadership, empowerment, or personal growth.You've channeled all your insights onto the pages. ...
06/16/2025

You’ve written a book on leadership, empowerment, or personal growth.
You've channeled all your insights onto the pages.
But when it comes to your website, many authors feel pressure to match that same level of depth and design.

Reality: your book is where your brilliance shines.

Your website is there to make it easy for people to find you, trust you, and take the next step—whether that’s booking a talk, downloading a free resource, or buying your book.

Keep it simple. Make it work hard for you.

Here's how:
CLARITY OVER COMPLEXITY
Your homepage should instantly tell people who you are, what you do, and how you can help.

USER FIRST
Mobile-friendly, quick to load, and easy to navigate. No one should get lost.

PURPOSE DRIVEN ACTIONS
Think lead magnets, newsletter sign-ups, book links, speaking requests—not long blog archives.

SMART TOOLS, NOT FANCY WIDGETS
Platforms that help you grow your list, schedule consultations, or build your speaking brand beat flashy design every time.

Bottom line? Your website isn’t about looking fancy—it’s about functioning with purpose.

DM me or follow me, Angela McKenna, BSc, CSP, for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

James Joyce once said, “Errors are the portals of discovery.”One of the best business examples? Post-it Notes.In the 197...
06/13/2025

James Joyce once said, “Errors are the portals of discovery.”

One of the best business examples? Post-it Notes.

In the 1970s, 3M scientist Spencer Silver was trying to invent a super-strong adhesive—but instead created a weak one that barely stuck and easily peeled off. At first, it looked like a failure.

Years later, his colleague Art Fry was tired of losing bookmarks in his church hymnal. He remembered Silver’s “failed” glue and used it to create the first repositionable note.

That “mistake” became Post-it Notes—now one of 3M’s most iconic and profitable products.

In every business, it’s easy to forget this.

As an indie author, when you’re knee-deep in rewrites, unsure if your story’s working or if anyone will care—those mistakes, those awkward lines, those plot holes aren’t failures.
They’re progress.

Every “error” teaches you something:
↳ About your writing style
↳ About your reader
↳ About your grit

Joyce didn’t write Ulysses by staying inside the lines. He broke the rules—and then rewrote them. Because error is the road to excellence.

So if you’re revising a line for the twentieth time or doubting your voice, remember—you’re not lost. You’re discovering.

Need help?
DM or follow me, Angela McKenna, BSc, CSP, for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

Judge a Book by Its Cover? Absolutely! The publishing is industry is exactly where we are meant to do this.It's the firs...
06/09/2025

Judge a Book by Its Cover?
Absolutely!

The publishing is industry is exactly where we are meant to do this.

It's the first thing a potential reader sees, making it one of the MOST CRITICAL elements in your selling process.

The competition in publishing has never been fiercer! A well-designed cover can instantly grab someone’s eye, sparking curiosity and encouraging them to pick up the book or stop scrolling.

True story: About 6 months ago, I bought a book solely because of its cover. It sits on my coffee table where I look at it every day because the cover appealed to me that much. And oddly, I still haven’t even read. I’m almost afraid to, in case the content doesn’t live up to the promise of the fabulous design. I’m definitely interested in the subject matter, but this just shows how powerful a book cover can be!

Your cover should visually communicates the genre, tone, and essence of the story. It sets reader expectations. Whether it’s bold colours for a thriller or soft pastels for a romance, the cover gives a first impression of the experience inside.

Your book cover also plays a vital role in marketing! A professional, polished cover creates a sense of credibility, making your book feel more legitimate and worth reading.

BIG HINT: !!!! A strong cover can help you stand out from the competition and compete with traditionally published works!!!!

Ultimately, your cover serves as your silent salesperson, drawing in the right readers and making that first connection.

Have a PROFESSIONAL cover designer create your book cover. It will visually attract the right audience and convey the essence of your story. Unless you're a superstar at art, a well-designed cover crafted by an expert is a key investment in your book's success.

Who do you use to design your book cover?

Need help?
DM me or follow me, Angela McKenna, BSc, CSP, for more tips on indie publishing, distribution, and author visibility.

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