A Spotlight on Creativity and Passion
At Book Ecke, we celebrate every story that leaves a mark, and indie authors are redefining literature with their creativity and courage. As part of our “Inspiring Authors of 2024” series, we’re spotlighting talented indie authors whose works provoke thought, inspire, and bring something truly unique to readers.
Today, we’re thrilled to feature Marie May Carter, the creative force behind The Best Man. Her journey is one of resilience, discovery, and love for storytelling.
1. Tell us a little about your journey to becoming an indie author. What inspired you to take this path?
“In all honesty, I never planned on becoming an indie author. I even thought I’m untalented when it comes to writing for most of my life. That was until one day I hit out around four chapters in one day and just couldn’t stop writing, even when I tried. Those were my early fanfiction days and I still look back smiling, because they brought me here.
When I saw a writing competition in 2023, I thought ‘why not?’ So I joined and published my first book with them. The Best Man is a friends-to-lovers romance short story set in London. The city is particularly close to my heart because it’s so beautiful, vibrant and—of course—the British-accented handsome people help with inspiration, haha. I’ve lived there for a while and even though I’ve written an unpublished short story set in New York, I always come back to London because it has my heart.”
2. What is the central theme or message of your (latest) book, and what inspired you to write it?
“The Best Man was originally written as a fanfiction story with a whole lot of different scenes and plot points. I turned it around into a fully-fleshed romance short story I hope people can connect with. It’s about Chloe, who just got engaged to what she refers to as the love of her life. Throughout the book, she questions that choice, especially when her best friend Andrew supports and truly loves her.
I like to think that people closest to us should be most important, and that we should differentiate between the good and the bad. While every person has a good and a bad side in my opinion (and that’s totally normal and fine), I like to believe you can tell if a person truly has good intentions, or if they don’t. This book is a reminder that we should let ourselves fall around those people who are there to catch us, again and again.”
3. Indie publishing can be challenging. What has been your biggest hurdle, and how did you overcome it?
“When I first started out (and I still consider myself to be in the early stages of indie publishing with one short story and one anthology published), I had no clue where to start. Questions like ‘how does KDP work?’ or ‘how will people even learn about my book?’ were some of the first that hit me. Safe to say I don’t have it all figured out, but I think it’s a process.
Apart from that, I do struggle with writer’s block from time to time, and it’s difficult to figure out plot holes. But I think as with other creative tasks that’s normal and it teaches us to think in different, bigger ways and seek inspiration. For me, it’s letting the story rest as I think about how I want to go forward with it. I don’t hit publish until it’s as perfect as I want it to be, which takes more time than I’d like, but I also don’t want to let my readers down.”
4. What does your creative process look like? Do you follow any rituals or routines when writing?
“I’m a pantser through and through, so when that first spark of inspiration hits, I start up my laptop and write it all down. It might sit there for a while, but I always come back to it and add scenes. It differs from story to story when I eventually sit down to fully outline the plot, then I get into writing. I usually work through the draft several times before I send it off to Alpha readers, followed by my editor. I like the thought that my readers get their hands on the raw version first; as a reader myself, I love that.
I don’t follow any specific rituals or routines when I write. Sometimes I write during the day, sometimes at night. I write on my laptop and on my phone, depending on where I am. Sometimes I just scribble down a quote that pops in my head out of nowhere. What is a constant throughout though, is that I create a playlist and a Pinterest board that grow over time. I listen to/look at it constantly.”
5. Who or what has been the most significant influence on your writing style and storytelling?
“I’m a very big fan of books by Whitney G, Louise Bay, and Paige Toon. Every one of them has a different style of writing, but I love them all for different reasons, whether it’s quick-paced short stories to emotional books that you need a box of tissues for. Books that make you both laugh and cry, as well as steamy scenes that have my jaw on the floor. These authors influenced my writing amongst others. I do love witty dialogue as much as heart-breaking and heart-mending conversations, steamy scenes, and chapter endings that throw my readers for a loop and/or leave them on a cliffhanger (sorry, haha!).”
6. Many aspiring authors hesitate to self-publish. What advice would you give to someone considering the indie route?
“Being an indie author tends to be a ton of work, sure, but it’s also very rewarding. I love the fact that I can decide over every aspect of my books myself, from chapters to covers to marketing. Of course, I understand that being traditionally published authors do have perks, but I find it liberating to only answer to myself.
If you’re unsure about taking the leap, maybe first try publishing your stories somewhere else, like Wattpad. It’s a great way to get started and experience that people are amazed by your works. My dms and email inbox are always open if you’re looking for some advice from a small indie author as well.”
7. What has been your most rewarding moment as an indie author so far?
“When I started out, I never thought I’d find readers who would actually be interested in reading my books. There are so many amazing books and great authors out there, I just thought I wasn’t good enough. The most rewarding moments were when readers connected with my book and loved it, because I never thought that would happen.
I’d love to say I sobbed when I held my first book in my hands, but I didn’t. I’m a very emotional person, but it felt more surreal than anything else. It still is that, but I’m also proud when I look at my bookshelf and see my own books sitting there between my favorites by amazing authors.”
8. How do you connect with your audience? Any tips for effective book marketing?
“I still don’t have it figured out. Instagram is what I started with and later joined TikTok. I’m real on there, just me with all my quirks. I do struggle with marketing, especially reels, but I try my best with Canva and CapCut. I have a website as well as a newsletter. Getting Alpha and Beta readers in for a book is a great way to get feedback directly from your readers too, so you know where you can improve.”
9. Are there any upcoming projects or works you’d like to share with your readers?
“The anthology I mentioned earlier is available worldwide. A Compendium of Crimes is its title, and it’s a collaboration with a bunch of great authors from all over the world. It’s mysterious, suspenseful, and unique. My short story in there, titled Out of Love, is a dark romance short story. Let the twists and turns surprise you; I hope you’ll love it.
Several of the books I have planned are in a work-in-progress stage at this point. The next release is likely to be Scattered Hearts (not final title), for now set for release in autumn 2024. It’s a full-length enemies-to-lovers second chance romance suspense book.
It’s an office romance that gets dark and steamy, very unlike The Best Man, and I loved writing such a contrasting story. Brooks and Amber are both hitting rock bottom after some life-changing events. They just need to find their way to each other again, with Brooks holding a lot of secrets Amber wants to get behind. It’s set in London with several scenes being set in New York.
I’m also working on a romantasy book that doesn’t have a title yet either. I like to refer to it as ‘Queen Amalia’ on the socials. It’s a book set in an alternate version of London as we know it today, with Amalia becoming Queen soon and needing to marry.
There are a ton of family secrets to uncover, one of which is that Queens always get turned into vampires the night they marry a man they chose from a line-up of men from all over the country. I can’t share much else about it since it’s still in the early stages of writing, but it’s very powerful, confident, and sexy.”
10. What is one piece of advice you wish you had known before starting your writing journey?
“Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t give up.
Because I feel like I’m very hard on myself a lot of times and it ups the pressure even more. That’s why my new approach is to take my time with my books and write what I want to write. Social media is full of advice on what writers should and shouldn’t do, as well as for example tropes that are mostly unpopular. I get that readers are disappointed in books sometimes. I’m a reader myself, and I don’t love every book I pick up. Readers have high expectations, rightly so, but in my opinion, you can only wow them if you stay true to yourself and not adjust your book many times until everyone will love it. I think there’s not a single book out there everyone loves, and you’ll lose yourself in the process. I do think that as a writer it is important to stay true to ourselves and not let harsh, mean critique or unpopular tropes throw us off.
Readers are important, and I love my readers, but once you start writing books for yourself and not anyone else, you’re invincible.
You’ll find your readers one way or another, sooner or later. And when you do, you’ll be glad you stayed true to you and what’s closest to your heart.”
Marie May Carter’s journey as an indie author is a heartwarming tale of perseverance and passion. Her ability to create deeply relatable characters and her openness in sharing her process inspire aspiring authors worldwide. We’re excited to see her upcoming works and follow her evolving journey in the literary world.
