Special editions have become a game-changer for indie authors, offering a unique and profitable way to engage readers. At the Toronto Indie Author Conference, Day Leitao will share her insights on creating and selling special editions. In this Q&A, she discusses common misconceptions, practical tips, and how these stunning books have transformed her career.
Day Leitao – Special Editions
Tell us about yourself.
I’m from Brazil and I’ve been writing for a while, but only recently I started to write to market. I have raised 95k CAD with special edition Kickstarters, not counting my current campaign. Almost half of this amount was raised with my previous YA books that didn’t sell very well.
At our conference, you’ll be talking about Special Editions. For those who are unfamiliar, can you share what Special Editions are?
Special editions are books that have more features than regular hardcovers or paperbacks and that can be displayed as shelf trophies. Roughly speaking, they’re books that readers buy because they’re pretty. The most common features you’ll find in these books are illustrations, foil, sprayed edges, and faux leather.
Why are Special Editions important for indie authors?
Special editions can be a great source of profits via direct sales and can be used for both backlist and frontlist books. They’re amazing for events because of their higher profit margin and because they’re eye-catching and stand out.
What is the biggest misconception indie authors have about Special Editions?
The biggest misconception is that you need to own a warehouse or a garage to be able to get a print run. I don’t have a car and I live in a small apartment in Montreal. The stairs are indoors, but they’re steep, and I used to think I couldn’t get a print run. I was wrong, thankfully.
Another misconception is that you can only do a special edition for a very successful book.
Can you share one actionable tip or strategy for authors looking to improve with Special Editions?
Check what other indie authors are doing. There are lots of special edition projects on Kickstarter, for example. You can also check book-boxes in your genre.
Do you have a favorite success story related to Special Editions that you’d like to share?
Yes. I used to think I couldn’t travel to conferences because they’re so expensive. With special editions, I went to Orlando for the RomantasyCon in October 2024 and made a profit. I figured that all I had to sell to pay for my trip were 20 special edition books. I sold 40! It’s not a lot, but that’s exactly what makes it so feasible, that you don’t need high numbers.
What excites you most about sharing your insights at the Toronto Indie Author Conference?
I’m excited to meet other Canadian indie authors.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when starting in indie publishing?
I think I got all the right advice. I used to hang out on Kboards, and now I feel like an ancient being. What I wish is that I had listened and applied the advice I got, especially in terms of writing to market.
What kind of writer are you? Discovery / Plotter? Do you write linear or as scenes strike you?
I’m a chaotic plotter/pantser. Plotting for me doesn’t mean following a set template or beats or writing down all the scenes, but I need to plan the story, the world, and the biggest secrets, and get a sense of the ending and characters’ motivations. I mostly jot down illegible notes on random notebooks, then I forget I wrote the notes and think I pantsied the story.
I write chronologically, but not linearly because I tend to write multiple POVs, so sometimes I’ll write a bunch of scenes from one POV, then another, another, and then in the end I shuffle the scenes.
Do you have a tip on the craft of writing?
Tons of tips! But if I were to reduce it to one tip, it would be to read good craft books but keep your spidey sense alert. Not everything will serve you, so take what helps you and ditch what thwarts you.
What’s your favorite series (book) and why?
I think it’s Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. I love how it addresses the issue that novels for women are considered “silly.” 200 years later, nothing has changed.
What is your favourite way to connect with other authors and/or your readers?
I love to connect with authors in author groups on Discord and Facebook, and with readers on Instagram and my newsletter.
Join us at the Toronto Indie Author Conference to learn more from Day Leitao and other industry experts on how to create special editions and build a sustainable indie publishing career!
