August 2022
I’ve written here before about author persona and deciding how you want to show up as an author. I mentioned the woman I remembered seeing once at a trade show wearing a velvet cape and hat. Well, meet Miss Maggie. This past week I was at the Christian Product Expo (CPE) and at their Sunday night author book signing event called Appetizers...
August 2022
A big trip is on the horizon for one of our authors, Aquilah Dhu, who lives in Colorado. She will travel hundreds of miles between one side of her state and the other and then going north into Wyoming to meet folks in at least six locales, doing book signings in bookstores as well as speaking for one museum. She’ll be...
August 2022
Want to build relationships with media representatives? Here’s one thing to understand. You aren’t equals. At least, your schedule and time and theirs are not equal. I’ve spent a lot of years working with the news media, and while it’s an ever changing landscape for them and for us, some things have not changed. And here are some things about...
August 2022
And the winner is… Have you considered entering your book in a book contest? One of the standard bits of wisdom authors are taught is that an award for your book will draw attention and help boost sales because it means an independent body has recognized the book’s excellence.And book awards are worth talking about, but like some other topics...
July 2022
On a busy tradeshow exhibition floor, I was once surprised to spot a woman wearing in a rich jewel-toned velvet cape with some kind of matching hat – possibly featuring a feather -- and I was intrigued but mystified. Then a more experienced colleague explained to me that some authors take on a persona and show up at events in costume. That...
June 2022
So how aware are you of this community? Maybe you or those you love participate in the Christian homeschooling community, but if not or it’s been a while, have you considered this committed and caring community of families? For many authors, this is an ideal market for their books and ministry. There are publications, blogs and podcasts that specialize in serving...
June 2022
So let’s say you are an author, or a writer preparing for getting your first book out, but you aren’t one who normally spends a lot of time on social media. How do you get started? And to cut to the chase, how do you get from Rarely There to the “buy my book!” kind of posts? Previously we introduced you Shannon Danesteh,...
June 2022
Today’s missive on social media is one of those many of you can skip, but before you go, check out these recent (2021) social media statistics: Did you know… • 82% of Americans use social media, meaning they have a social media profile somewhere on some platform.• That’s 223 million people.• In 2008 the number was 10%. By 2011 it was...
May 2022
In the past couple of weeks as we’ve been discussing press kits, including news releases, I was reminded of a principle I use that might be helpful for those of you seeking to write your own news releases and decide what is the best news angle. It’s not a principle that’s unique with me, but I call it the “So What?”...
May 2022
Last week we introduced the topic of press kits, a crucial tool for promoting an author and his or her book with the news media. As we said then, a press kit is a set of documents about an author and the author’s book designed to interest journalists and then help make it easier for them to interview and...
