What does it take to keep a book alive and thriving years after its debut? We asked author Curt Iles to pull back the curtain on his 13-book career. He has some hard-won strategies that have turned his regional tales into evergreen successes. From leveraging beta readers to craft authentic narratives to harnessing Kickstarter campaigns for momentum, his practical insights for indie authors can help you navigate today’s publishing landscape.
He describes himself as a Southern writer passionate about showcasing the unique Piney Woods region of western Louisiana, known as No Man’s Land or the Outlaw Strip. His books are set there, and the area’s rich history inspires his storytelling. His guiding principles are to stay curious, be amazed, and share remarkable stories. Those belong on every writer’s wall.
Curt: I’m 61, not a 30-year-old writer, but I’m thrilled to have more book ideas than I’ll ever write. Writing at this stage of life is exciting.
How did you start writing?
Curt: I began as a journal writer. My uncle gave me a journal as a high school senior, and I’m now on my 90th journal. For 30 years, I wrote privately while working as a principal and coach. School life provided funny and sad stories, which I recorded for therapy. People kept saying, “You should write a book!” So, in 2000, I self-published my first book through WinePress, buying 1,000 copies. That book, now 14 years old, still sells.
I’ve published 13 independent books, all evergreen, and this holiday season, I sold more full sets of all 13 than ever before. Your podcast’s emphasis on keeping books evergreen has been key.
Jim: You bundle your 13 books together and offer discounts. Nice strategy!
Curt: Yes, my first four short-story books in a box set and my three-novel Westport Series. I was shocked at how many full 13-book bundles sold over Christmas. My new book, As the Crow Flies (affiliate link), has boosted interest in my older titles. I’m repackaging my earlier books through CreateSpace (now called KDP), adding large-print editions. As the Crow Flies was my first large-print book, and it’s sold well, so I’m converting all 12 earlier books to large print, too. There’s a real market for it.
Jim: When you say repackaging, are you just doing large print, or are you updating covers and back cover copy, too?
Curt: The whole nine yards. I’m getting new covers, new back cover copy, large print, and another edit. I’m a better writer now than in 2000. We’re working on the second edition of the second book now.
Thomas: That sounds more like a second edition than just repackaging, especially with the editing.
Curt: Exactly. For my last three covers, I used 99designs, where graphic artists bid on your project for about $300. The winner for As the Crow Flies was an artist from Barcelona, Spain. His cover, with the perfect font and a background from my uncle’s landscape art, was a standout. Jim, working with you on the back cover copy was a great investment. Can you tell listeners about your process?
Jim: I write back cover copy for novels, and Curt and I collaborated on a compelling blurb for As the Crow Flies. It was a fun project.
Curt: I’d rather write a 100,000-word novel than back cover copy. It’s tough to distill a story. Jim, your copy makes readers’ eyes light up. I watch people in bookstores. They look at the front cover, and if it grabs them, they flip to the back. For As the Crow Flies, a historical fiction YA novel set in Louisiana, the back cover starts, “My name is Missouri Cotton, and I was born into a family of thieves. All I want is to escape, but I’m only 15, and I have no idea how.” Teenage girls especially connect with it. They say, “I’ve got to have this book!”
If readers flip inside, we’re halfway to a sale.
What other strategies from the podcast have you applied, and what were the outcomes?
Curt: Through the Novel Marketing podcast, Thomas taught me the value of a WordPress website. My domain, creekbank.net, hosts my blog, where I’ve posted about 1,300 entries over 16 years. I blog two to three times a week and send a MailChimp newsletter every Friday, which is a tip I got from you both. The blog and newsletter reach different audiences, but consistency is key. Thomas’s advice on WordPress and plugins helped me build a professional site. My website manager, based in Uganda, handles uploads to Amazon and CreateSpace. We met during my three-year mission there, which wasn’t great for my writing career but was a rich experience.
How do you work with beta readers?
Curt: Beta readers are vital for indie authors. I see my books as the center of concentric circles, with beta readers as key helpers. I pay two editors. One is a fiction writer in South Carolina, whom I pay for an initial edit, and the second is Paul Connett in Dallas, whom I pay for a final review.
For As the Crow Flies, I had three beta readers. My oldest son, a skilled writer familiar with my style and region, gave honest feedback. A local “woods woman” brought life to the female protagonist, Missouri Cotton, which was essential since I’m a 61-year-old man writing from a 15-year-old girl’s perspective. Finally, an archaeologist friend from high school. He was a know-it-all in the best way and provided 50,000 words of track changes. Their diverse input shaped the book. I use mostly the same beta readers for each book to help with consistency.
Thomas: Beta readers were my favorite part of writing my nonfiction book. I shared each chapter as a Google Doc. I started with a research team and then expanded to beta readers. Comments sparked discussions. Readers debated the theology or science in my chapters, and those discussions strengthened the manuscript. Some challenged my arguments, so I addressed those critiques in the first draft. It was fun and made the book stronger.
How do you ensure your beta readers are candid?
Curt: My three were very open, especially the archaeologist, who was hypercritical. I tell readers, “Be honest, and I won’t be offended if you suggest changes, as long as you won’t be offended if I don’t take every suggestion.” Their feedback confirmed what I subconsciously knew needed fixing. They know my style and aren’t afraid to speak up.
Thomas: Beta readers give good constructive criticism, and they protect good writing. I considered cutting parts of my book, but readers said, “Keep this!” That balance is crucial.
Curt: [Good beta readers highlight what sings and what doesn’t, unlike toxic critique groups focused only on negatives.
What advice would you have for an author who wants to use beta readers but hasn’t yet?
Curt: With 13 books published, I’ve built a regional following, so I know who’s serious about reading. Many volunteer, but some never follow through. Your podcast taught me to set deadlines like, “I need feedback by this date, or we’ll catch you on the next book.” Commitment is key.
Thomas: I created a Google Form application for beta readers, shared it on my blog and email list, and vetted applicants. Some strangers became close friends. For my book on dating, most beta readers were single then; now, most are married, which is fun to see. I promoted the best research team members to beta readers, growing the group as I gained confidence.
Curt: Do you send chapters individually?
Thomas: For nonfiction, yes, since chapters stood alone. For fiction, I’d send the whole book with a deadline. Google Docs works for shorter texts but may struggle with a 100,000-word novel, so Word might be better, though merging feedback from multiple documents is tedious.
Curt: Are more writers using Google Docs over Word?
Thomas: It’s generational. Older writers prefer Word; those who used Google Docs in college lean toward it. Word excels for track changes, but with 20 beta readers, merging Word documents is messy. Google Docs simplifies collaboration.
Curt: Could Google Docs replace Word, like Word replaced WordPerfect? Also, can you upload Google Docs to Amazon?
Thomas: You can export Google Docs as Word documents, but you’d want to use typesetting software like InDesign or Vellum to create print-ready files to upload to Amazon. Google Docs prioritizes collaboration over print formatting, which gives it unique strengths.
How did you use Kickstarter for As the Crow Flies?
Curt: Thomas’s Ultimate Crowdfunding Course was invaluable. I set a modest $4,000 goal and surpassed it, which created momentum. I offered a $1,000 reward tier where backers could name a character. A doctor friend bought that level to honor his father, and a California couple paid another $1,000 for a second name. Nearly half my funds came from those. However, I lost money on $10 pre-orders for physical books, which normally sell for $15 plus $5 shipping. Printing and shipping costs ate into profits, so I’m unsure about using Kickstarter again.
Thomas: Next time, make the $10 level ebook-only so you can keep the full amount. I set physical book rewards at $20 or higher to cover printing and shipping.
Curt: That was my mistake, though it built momentum. I’m also hosting a Dry Creek Weekend, where couples pay $200 each to visit my story settings and enjoy a bed-and-breakfast, cookout, hayride, and storytelling. Your Kickstarter course was key to my campaign’s success.
In today’s world, anyone with a good book can publish through CreateSpace (now KDP) or IngramSpark and buy as few as five copies. Unlike early self-publishing, you don’t need to commit to buying 500 or 1,000 copies.
One thing I love about CreateSpace is that corrections can be implemented immediately. I encourage readers to email me mistakes they see in the book, and I’ve made four corrections to As the Crow Flies. Print-on-demand makes this easy.
Thomas: Curt’s success comes from targeting the niche of Southern fiction rooted in Piney Woods culture. By serving an underserved audience, he inspires fierce loyalty, with readers paying $250 for events or $1,000 for character names. Focusing narrowly can be a goldmine.
Curt: I’m producing As the Crow Flies as an audiobook through ACX, narrated by a female voice, per your podcast’s advice. I’m also recording audiobooks for my earlier books in my studio to keep them evergreen.
Any final advice for writers?
Curt: Keep your books evergreen by adding features like audiobooks or large print and exploring new marketing strategies. I’m a regional author writing about western Louisiana’s Piney Woods—not cotton country, Cajun country, or New Orleans. It may not sell in New York, but it resonates here, and that fulfills me. My goal this year is one physical book and two e-books, plus more audiobooks.
Jim: Congrats on your success and captivating stories. I love your website’s quote from Anthony D’Amelio: “The shortest distance between the truth and a human heart is always a story.” Your stories touch hearts. Thanks for joining us.
Curt: [00:31:30] We’re storytellers, whether through books or blog posts. A blog is just a short story, and I’ll always keep telling them.
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