During our Friday Indie Q&A this week we ask Author Britt Laux a few questions around Indie Authorship, their new book The Forest Witch, and the importance of support to our BIPOC friends.
Indie Creative
Q: Tell us what brought you to write your book, The Forest Witch, and decide on Indie Authorship?
A: I’ve been indie since my first book published way back in 2017. At the time, it was the right course of action, and while I’ve considered querying in the future, I really like the creative control that comes with being indie.
The Forest Witch came on the heels of my book Summer at Enid’s, which I call my ‘transition book’. I went from my first novel, which was a Christian romance, and started exploring my spirituality in a new way. I left the church and Enid’s was birthed from that place of questioning. When I got to The Forest Witch, I wanted to tell a story of unity and everyday magic and nature.
And the tale itself was inspired by a walk in the woods with my youngest. We have trees that get bent by the wind or larger fallen trees, and they form these arches. While we were walking, we played a game – stepping through those arches would take us to a new world.
From there, it all fell into place.
Experts Needed
Q: What kind of advice would you give to an Indie Author that you wish you had prior to starting on your Author journey?
A: Get help from professionals, as much as you can. Cover designers, formatters, editors. That’s huge. I know it can be pricey, but it will make all the difference in the world when it comes to the quality of your book. The Forest Witch is gorgeous because I sought out experts instead of doing it all myself. I still have the creative control and can veto a design or edit, but I’m not alone in the process.
And make sure you get feedback before you publish. Alpha readers or a critique partner, and beta readers. It’s easy to think that once you have a complete manuscript, it’s good to go, but that’s very rarely the case. (Unfortunately!)
BIPOC Community Need Us
Q: I watched a powerful IG story posted by you on Wednesday evening regarding racism and speaking up. It was a personal account of how you and your family do not have to be afraid of the police. You were worried and hesitant to speak up, but you did it. We admire that in you. Please, tell us in your words, why you decided to stand with our BIPOC folks and discuss your experience with police in juxtaposition to our BIPOC friends?
A: Thank you for asking this!
I decided to stand up for the BIPOC community, because they need us. They need our voices. Our siblings benefit from us taking the time to put ourselves in their shoes – to the best of our ability. To ask, ‘What if that was me? My loved one?’
I’m vocal by nature, and there are times it gets me in hot water, but if not me, who? It’s easier to be silent, for sure, but I don’t want easy. Not until it’s easy for all of us, and nobody has to be afraid. And definitely not because of the color of their skin. Nobody deserves to live in that kind of fear.
-Britt Laux, Author of The Forest Witch on standing up for BIPOC community.
A Big Win
Q: What is one big win that you’d like to share with us?
A: The Forest Witch has been chosen as the inaugural book for a book club! Sapphic Stories Bookclub put together by Aliya Hall. I’m so excited! This was one of those moments where I felt like I ‘made it’.
Shoutout
Q: People support and help us along the way on our writing and author journey. Who would you like to give a shoutout to that has helped you?
A: Oh my goodness, I don’t even know where to begin! I feel like I would leave so many people out. I have an incredible found family in the writer community on Instagram.
I’ll keep it to my team for The Forest Witch, or I’ll agonize over this question! Julia Scott of Evenstar Books, my formatter and dear friend. Phillip Ridgers of Well Tempered Proof. My betas readers, Jacqui, Steffani, and Rebecca. Camilla McCann who did some editing and lovely custom candles for the launch.
This book was the first time I didn’t feel alone in the birth of my book baby, and I can’t stress enough how amazing it was. It was a radically different experience from my first two books.
-Britt Laux, Author of The Forest Witch
Find Britt Laux on IG @authorbrittlaux or at brittlaux.com
