Author Events Podcast Interview! + books & links, deals & lawsuits, writing & parenting
A podcast interview with yours truly on publicity & book events; book review outlets; PubSpot; craft books; upcoming workshop; book haul; Bardugo gets big $; Internet Archive loses; plum tea
Greetings readers & writers,
I have a different kind of newsletter note today: a podcast interview! I had an absolute blast being interviewed by
for her Substack newsletter/podcast Get Your Book Seen and Sold. She asked me about all my favorite things: planning book events, helping writers advocate for themselves, and what marketing (if any) to expect from your publisher and publicist. And did I mention book events? I was really excited to talk book events.Here’s the complete interview for your listening pleasure, along with a transcript!
For show notes and resources, check out Claudine’s Substack.
Would you like to see me do more podcasts, either on other topics or with Book Marketing Now authors? Let me know by liking this post or dropping a note in the comments!
Poet, Grub Instructor, and kindred-writer/parent Ben Berman will share the publishing journey of his new collection of essays, Writing While Parenting, and how he balances poetry, parenting, and marketing.
ICYMI: Last month’s interview with science fiction author S.B. Divya!
For more interviews with newly releasing authors on their marketing and publishing journeys, check out the Book Marketing Now archives. Interested in participating? Fill out this form.
Are you a writer/parent too, struggling to find balance? I’ll be leading a workshop in May where we’ll brainstorm fresh approaches to time management, staying inspired, re-aligning expectations, and being artistic role models for our kids. Hope to see you there!
Writing Like a Parenting, Parenting Like a Writer
Metrowest Writers Guild, Massachusetts
Sundays May 7th and May 21st, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
Online via Zoom — Registration required!
Writing/Marketing Resources
Be sure to bookmark this list of 300+ book review outlets, links to book reviewers, and planning tips, as compiled by writer and editor, Raegan Pietrucha.
IBPA PubSpot is “a publishing resource center from the Independent Book Publishers Association” rich with (mostly) free articles, podcasts, and webinars especially relevant to independently published authors. But many of their resources (especially their marketing info) is useful for writers of all stripes.
How BookTok Makes Money {Vox} both for publishers, writers, and BookTok reviewers, by channeling authenticity.
I’m into this short but powerful list of Craft Books for Writers Who Hate Craft Books {LitReactor}. I don’t, in fact, hate craft books, but I love the author, Stephanie Wytovich’s, conceit that “anything that creates a spark, that ignites passion and curiosity and excitement can help us hone our craft and explore our voice.” Do you have any “non-craft books” that inspire your writing?
Reading Corner
It’s been a slow book reading month because I’ve mostly been reading as-yet-to-be-published writing and manuscripts I can’t talk about. But, ever the hopeful book dragon, I’ve checked out several from the library and been accruing some new (and used) books too. Which should I pack for my read-cation next week?
Industry News
Peter Usborne, founder of children’s publisher Usborne, died on March 30th at age 85 {Shelf Awareness}
Ugh. After a federal judge ordered the return of more than a dozen books to a Texas library, the county’s commissioners are considering shutting down the library. {Publisher’s Weekly} — If you’re as concerned as I am about the proliferation of book bans, consider supporting the ALA’s Unite Against Book Bans campaign.
Leigh Bardugo, author of the Grishaverse books (now a Netflix series), reaches blockbuster deal with publisher Macmillan {Tor.com}, in an eight-figure agreement for a dozen books across several imprints. This isn’t the first time Macmillan has shelled out big dollars for an author with a committed fanbase and strong backlist: in 2015 they signed SFF author John Scalzi for a 13-book, $3.5M deal. {The Guardian}
The Internet Archive has lost it lawsuit against publishers {TIME} claiming the IA committed copyright infringement when, in 2020 in response to the pandemic, it stopped limiting the number of digital copies of books that it leant out. While a victory for publishers and authors {Author’s Guild}, in many respects, the lawsuit has generated concern about predatory licensing agreements and access to controlled digital lending {Inside HigherEd}. IA plans to appeal the ruling. NPR’s Marketplace does a good job of summarizing both sides of the issue. You can also see complete converage of the case at Publisher’s Weekly’s.
Tea
I was bequeathed a very generous gift card to Harney & Sons, so be prepared for a thorough analysis of my purchases! First up is their Organic Passion Plum Herbal Tea\. It’s zingy and versatile, channeling its wintertime flavors with cinnamon and orange peel when served hot, but its fruity hibiscus, rosehips, and ginseng notes when iced. And with the weather we’re due here this week, I’m making iced tea by the quart!
Plant something — a flower, a seed, an idea — and see what grows.
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
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It was such a pleasure to interview you, Allison. I am excited for the authors who will benefit from your vast book publishing, marketing and promotion expertise. Let's do it again soon!