Author interview with Chantal Agapiti

I put a shoutout on my instagram page for Indie Authors, asking if they would like to be interviewed, and luckily for me Chantal answered that call. Not only is Chantal an author, but she also supports others with her indie bookshop. Take a read and get to know a bit more about her.

What inspired you to become an indie author instead of pursuing traditional publishing?

It took me forty-one years to gain the courage to write my story, so I felt I had no time to lose trying to query. So I just went on the self publishing path right away.

Without spoilers, can you share the story behind your latest book? What sparked the idea?

My latest book is a collection of stories I’m writing with fellow indie authors, which participate to The Dreamer’s Bookshop. I wanted to do something together to put my indie bookshop in the spotlight and share the story of how dreams come to life.

How do you approach the writing process? Are you a planner or a panster?

My writing happens for most part in my mind, the actual writing on paper only comes towards the end when the story is a clear visual to me.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an indie author, and how did you overcome it?

Getting my books on the shelves, living in Belgium I encountered a lot of closed doors and no love for indie authors. Even the local library wasn’t interested in my books, they wouldn’t even look at them. That’s why I created my own indie bookshop called The Dreamer’s Bookshop (I’m the dreamer) and I help fellow indie authors and small businesses as well.

How do you handle the business side of indie publishing, like marketing and distribution?

I’m working seven days a week, twelve hours a day on promoting my bookshop and its books on social media. Mingling, getting in touch with readers is a great part of it. No paid ads have ever been helpful to my cause. Genuine human interaction has.

What role does reader feedback play in shaping your writing or future projects?

Being a nonfiction writer, it doesn’t have a big role in my writing. I knew from the beginning that the topics I write about aren’t for everyone and I accept that. That’s why my memoirs are topic driven and rather short, making it easier for readers to choose the one they can relate with most. I need to keep my writing relevant to the ones who read it.

How do you balance writing with other responsibilities, like a day job or family life?

I don’t have a day job other than running my small business and being a writer. I do have a family with kids and fur babies, working from home allows me to be there for them and to take care of them as much as possible.

What’s your favourite part of the indie publishing process, and why?

The freedom of conception, no pressure from anyone external to myself, no deadlines other than the ones I impose myself. I have enough stress as it is with my small business and my family, that I don’t need to add to it.

How do you build and connect with your audience as an indie author?

Being there, showing who I am in every facet, just being real.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block, and if so, how do you push through it?

Writing about my life and the struggles I have endured, I can’t talk about writer block. But I do encounter emotional blockages as to not being ready to share certain topics yet. In that case I need to wait till I feel I can write about it, and that’s all part of my healing process as well. No way to force it or push through it, I just need to be patient.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d received when you first started as an indie author?

Put some money aside as the process of making money is very slow, especially writing nonfiction. It won’t take a few months, but rather years.

How do you approach cover design and branding for your books?

I’ve always been creative in my mind, imaginative, yet putting those images on paper can be struggling. That’s why I use Canva to create my covers and branding for my small business. But I usually know right away what I want so the creation process goes rather quickly.

What’s the most rewarding moment you’ve experienced as an indie author so far?

Getting feedback from readers, listening to common people stating that my writing has helped or motivated them is the greatest reward I could get. Helping others it the very reason why I write.

How do you stay motivated to keep writing and publishing independently?

What other choice do I have? This is part of who I am, this is what I was meant to do and I wasted so much time already.

Do you collaborate with other indie authors or creatives, and if so, how has that impacted your work?

Yes, thanks to my bookshop I help many fellow indie authors getting their books under the spotlight. These are authors from all over the world, and I’m so honoured for them to trust in me and my project.

Can you recommend some other indie authors that you enjoy reading?

Take a look at all the wonderful indie authors featured in my indie bookshop. They all have something special to share with their audience. I always say it’s up to the reader to decide what they want to read.

What is next for you?

Having a chronic illness I live day by day, I don’t plan much in advance. But I do have dreams for myself and my bookshop and I’m working hard to materialise them.

If you want to know more, just click on the links below

https://thedreamersbookshop.myshopify.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@ChantalAgapitiAuthor