I’m still (yes! I told you it was a great conference) watching HNS webinars and videos. Today I’ll share “All is Not Lost: Making the Most of Your Research” by Claire Gebben.
Claire started by quoting a comment her editor gave her when she started writing. “Congratulations, you’ve written a book … you’re a third of the way there!” There are three parts to becoming an author, she says: 1) Writing the book, 2) Publishing the book, and 3) Marketing the book.
Writing the Book: While you’re researching and writing:
- Where do you go Online: digital books and archives, online blogs, specialized organizations/communities
- Where do you go Offline: living history exhibits, special collections, libraries, museums, immersion research adventures
- What to take with you: cellphone, business cards, notebook. Keep careful track of` people who help you – send thank-you notes! – keep names/addresses/emails/etc. for acknowledgements, book promotions, etc.
Writing the Book: Building a network:
- Blog about your research/topic of interest – “fun facts to know and tell” – be sure to use hashtags/tags to get posts seen by others who like the same things
- Social media
- Support other authors in the same genre – write reviews, post interviews
- Reach out to experts, both online and in the field, and support them in return – read and review their books, interview them, blog about them, etc.
- Scope out your reading audience – get acquainted with readers who share your interests
- Meet other writers/authors via writing groups, attending events, etc.
Publishing the Book:
- Write articles for publications, ezines, etc.
- Stay present on social media
- Become a go-to resource/authority for followers/subscribers via newsletter
- Gather blurbs/testimonials from well-known authors/experts (and have them vet your manuscript)
- Continue to build your email list
- Consider your niche – what venues would be most interested in your book/subject? Historical societies, rotary clubs, universities, women’s groups, etc.
- Keep track of people to thank and acknowledge
Selling the Book:
- You are now an author!
- For press releases, radio, and TV interviews, mine you book for controversial “talking points”
- The book launch is your coming out party. Involve the community and be a storyteller
- Hold at a venue that syncs with the era/setting of your book
- Dress in costumes of the period or fantasy world and ask your friends to do the same
- Create an atmosphere that evokes the book with food and drink and decorations
- Offer themed mementos
- Create a compelling PowerPoint to accompany your book talks. You can do that more readily since you took your camera everywhere while writing the book!
- Use your research to add value to a reader’s book purchase, with insights, education, recipes, and story presentations as you make appearances, and on your blog
- Make use of social media and book-selling websites to increase visibility as an author/authority
- Goodreads
- Amazon Author Page
- #Bookstagram and @EpicReads on Instagram
- Consider additional book topics –fiction and/or nonfiction – arising from the research you’ve done
Congratulations: you’re on your way! Enjoy the journey.