It's Indie Author Sunday! Every other Sunday, we're posting an interview with a different indie author along with posts about them on all our social media accounts. This week it's Mel Greenberg, the author of Running With Our Eyes Closed.

WW: Tell us about your experience with Indie publishing?

MG: It’s been quite a journey! This is my first novel so the learning curve has been notable. That said, the resources I’ve discovered and people I’ve connected with have been fantastic. There a number of organizations out there, free and with a membership that serve the Indie community well. I’ve found other indie authors are open and generous in sharing advice based on their experiences.

WW: Tell us about your book.

MG: Running With Our Eyes Closed is the story of a woman facing her life as an empty-nester. Samantha’s story has been a stay at home mom and is searching for her voice again – as a woman – seeking to be relevant in the next years of her life. She’s questioning all of her roles now that the children are moving on – her marriage, her home life, and her self-worth. Samantha meets her husband Michael in Florence, Italy, fully prepared to walk away from their twenty-five year marriage, only to discover that Michael has secrets and an agenda of his own. The next seven days follow the couple through the tumultuous heartache of betrayal, fear and love – which is never black and white – as they try and find themselves. To redefine themselves as a couple and as individuals. It is the first installment of three books exploring this phase of midlife.

WW: What made you want to write in the genre of your book?

MG: I became an empty-nester five years ago. While I struggled trying to decide who I was and what I wanted the coming years of my life to be I noticed that my peers, both male and female were seeking answers to the same questions. So much of the conflict seemed based in love – of family, spouse and self. As I pondered all of these concepts, Samantha and Michael evolved.

WW: What has been your favorite part of being an Indie Author?

MG: I love the ability I’ve had to fully execute my vision for the story. My approach has been a complete grassroots effort. Social media has been a strong and positive component. We are working with independent bookstores, retailers and private entities in areas that compliment the messaging in my novel. I could not be happier with the initial results.

WW: What do you wish you knew before going the indie-publish route?

MG: I did considerable research prior to making the decision to indie-publish so to a great extent there have been few surprises. However, balancing the amount of time I spend marketing / promoting my book and writing is absolutely a challenge.

WW: What books or authors have inspired you?

MG: I love deeply layered characters – the stories they tell and how they navigate their journey -this inspires me. Jacqueline Park’s – The Secret Book of Grazia di Rossi touched my soul, the first read and all the years since, it’s my go to re-read! Franny and Zooey and This Side of Paradise remain my two of my favorites. Currently, I can’t get enough of Liane Moriarty and I’m reading the Harry Potter novels again. Brilliant entertainment!

WW: Are you working on anything now?

MG: I’ve begun working on volumes II and III of my series.

WW: What does your writing space look like?

MG: It changes with my mood. At times I prefer the solitude of my home in the foothills of Tucson, Arizona. I also love to write in a crowd. I’ve written some of my favorite dialogue sitting at a busy bar – lost in the energy of the crowd.

WW: What is your writing process like?

MG: I lived with my characters in Running With Our Eyes Closed 24/7. I remember waking any our or stopping a drive to make notes. I don’t create a comprehensive outline, but rather follow a general trajectory, letting some of the story play out organically.

WW: What advice would you give writers looking at indie publishing?

MG: DO IT!!! It may sound cliché but seriously – if you have a story that intrigues you and the desire to tell it – take the leap. This has honestly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

WW: How connected are you to the indie publishing community? What is that experience like?

MG: It’s a relationship that is growing. I’ve connected, with groups on Facebook and Instgram authors and book bloggers. I’m find them to be a tremendous source of knowledge and inspiration, just a great community overall. My membership in the IBPA is a valuable resource as well. I naturally like to connect – people / projects / ideas – what I’ve realized very quickly is that serious indie-authors are open to connecting and sharing. Seriously, a fantastic community!

WW: What platforms do you use to promote your work?

MG: Social media! Instagram, FB and Twitter continue to provide the best response for growing the brand. My website and blog provide a solid base from which expand the marketing efforts.

You can find her book, Running With Our Eyes Closed on Amazon.