Expanding Your Author Life – A Case Study: PART ONE
PART I: Expanding Your Author Life – A Case Study
by Grace Sammon
Two authors, who do not know of each other, launch their new books at the height of the pandemic. Both are women, one is mid-40s, one is mid-60s. The elder woman (gosh that’s tough to write), we will call her “G,” has published 3 other books in the area of education; this new book is a fiction. The younger woman, let’s call her “M,” launches her debut work, a novel.
G, the “seasoned” author, is an entrepreneur and educator at heart. She’s started and managed four successful education-based companies. She is traditionally, independently, and hybrid published. She knows that books can take authors to unexpected places, but considers her novel an end point rounding out a career. M, on the other hand, spent 14 years in classrooms teaching elementary and middle school, college, and professionals. At the time of her debut, she is focused on launching her writing career with a release from a small press.
Serendipitously, both women have books about inter-generational relationships and finding your way in the world. In a case of life imitating art, the releases of their books prompted these authors to explore new ways to leave their mark on Planet Earth. Their paths cross, there are connections, there are divergences, there is lots of independent work, and there are collaborations. Separately and together, here is the result of a whirlwind two years:
- Development of author “brands” and websites
- Development of one author’s newsletter (The Gift of Story)
- Participation in 30 virtual or live book club discussions and to book signings
- Development of strong networks of readers, writers, promoters, “influencers,” librarians, and national membership organizations
- Recognition and awards for their books
- Creation of one of the fasted growing readers/authors-focused FB Groups with regular programming, a website, and three newsletters (www.BookishRoadTrip.com)
- Creation of an Instagram channel with regular monthly programming (@Bookish.Road.Trip)
- Participation in over 130 radio, TV, newspaper, magazine, and podcast guest interviews, blogs, and panels – nationally and internationally
- Presentations at 10 webinars and conferences
- Creation of an author network with an eBook and panel series (www.AuthorTalkNetwork.com)
- Creation of two radio shows, one focused on the story behind the storytellers and the other on book launchers. Each air in 153 countries on Authors on The Air Global Radio Network (The Storytellers and LAUNCH PAD).
- Creation of a two monthly Instagram programs, one focused young-adult literacy program (Growing Up Bookish) the other, co-anchored with other authors, focuses on all things bookish talk (Coffee with the Crew)
- Development of “Author Marketing Coach,” an author marketing support business
- Creation of a twice monthly radio show focused on book launches, that airs in 153 countries, on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, generates revenue, and provides book marketing coaching services to authors (LAUNCH PAD)
- Developed drafts for two new novels
- Inked a contract for a three-book series on writing a book, publishing a book, and marketing a book.
That’s a lot!
Much of M’s success was well planned and thought out. Below are links to articles penned by M that will help you launch your book and develop a successful marketing plan.
G, on the other hand, remains very much a look for an open door (ok, even a closed one), see if there is an opportunity, throw some spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks sort of woman. Their paths are still sometimes connected and sometimes not at all. Regardless, they would agree on the following – an author never knows where their book(s) will take them! Success, however defined, in the world of book marketing, demands an incredible amount of unanticipated hard work, author participation, an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong network, a plan, and, a bit of spaghetti!
In Part 2 of this series, we will provide essential tips to help you build your author identity, grow an audience, and be a great guest on any media outlet.
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To find out more about or contact “G” – Grace Sammon
Grace Sammon is an entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and author. She has started and managed two for-profit and two not-for-profit companies, and she has traveled to thirty-five states and eight foreign countries. Recognized in “Who’s Who in Education” and “Who’s Who in Literature,” Grace is utilizing skills built up over decades as she reinvents herself with her award-winning fourth book and debut novel, as well as with a return to one of her early loves, radio.
The Eves is an intergenerational story about lives lived well and lives in transition. It is a novel that challenges each of us to ask who we want to be in the world, regardless of our age. Grace brings that quest for a good story and a drive to keep contributing to her radio shows and podcasts, “The Storytellers” and “LAUNCH PAD.” Always committed to supporting authors, Grace created the Author Talk Network (www.AuthorTalkNetwork.com) and joined forces with author Mary Helen Sheriff on the LAUNCH PAD PROJECT. Grace is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers’ Association and the Women’s National Book Association. She is Director of Membership for one of the fastest-growing FaceBook groups, “Bookish Road Trip.” She is currently working on several anthologies and sketching out her next novel.
To find out more about or contact “M” – Mary Helen Sheriff
Mary Helen Sheriff is the author of the award-winning southern women’s fiction, Boop and Eve’s Road Trip. In her role as head of Book Marketing Coach, she provides critical support to authors navigating the waters of effectively launching, positioning, and seeing their books and their careers take off and succeed. She is the CEO and a co-founder of Bookish Road Trip and a blogger at “…the gift of story.” After 14 years in classrooms teaching elementary school, middle school, college, and professionals, Mary has taken a break from the classroom to focus on writing. She has an MFA from Hollins University, an MA from ODU, and a BA from UVA. She lives in Henrico County with her two children, two cats, and one husband.Resources on book marketing from Mary Helen Sheriff, Author Marketing Coach
- https://www.kareneosborne.com/post/five-tips-for-designing-a-book-marketing-plan
- https://bookishroadtrip.com/10-tips-for-launching-your-book/
Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
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