Making Space in Your Life for Marketing + publishing trends, journeys, and upsets
Balancing writing and marketing as an author; survey; newsletter tips; publishing trends; self-pub journey; word sprint game; linguist mages; publisher news & warnings; HC union contract; immuni-tea
Greetings readers & writers,
This month, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Kyra Wilson Cook, writer and founder of the Metrowest Writers Guild, to help her design her personal marketing landscape for this spring. She’s ambitious, but strapped for time and energy, so we’ve been concentrating on how to balance her own marketing goals with that of the Guild, her family, and other personal commitments.
The key to the marketing-writing balance is acknowledging that there’s an ebb and flow — of bandwidth, funds, time, creativity, and deadlines — and then harnessing your knowledge of the book biz and your own strengths to plan accordingly. Inspired by my work with Kyra, here are six steps to get you started!
Six Steps to Being a Balanced Writer-Marketer
Set realistic goals and break them down
Goal-setting is the first step to any effective marketing plan, whether you’re launching a book or starting an Instagram account. It helps to drive your marketing choices, the kind of support you need, and get a deeper understanding of your time commitment.
Action: Luckily, I’ve written about goals a-plenty! Use Mapping Out Your Writing Life and/or How to Find the Right Marketing Support to generate a list of 2 - 3 goals for your marketing this year, some of the steps to achieve them, and identify where you need the most support.
Honestly assess your availability and commit the time
Don’t try to commit to all the marketing all the time. In the same way you give yourself dedicated writing time, carve out time in your schedule to just focus on marketing, whether it’s once a week or a little every day.
Action: Start a list or calendar to plan out your marketing timing, balanced with your regular commitments. Be sure to include deadlines, lead times, plus how much time you’d like to commit per week/month for both marketing and writing.
Commit to marketing strategies that excite you and support YOUR work
What kind of marketing makes you want to get up in the morning? You’ll find it easier to make time and commit energy to strategies that feel fun and tap into your strengths and help you reach your desired audience.
Action: Brainstorm a list of marketing ideas, no matter how wild. Then match up that list with your availability, budget, and support network. What feels most doable? What feels like a stretch?
Collaborate and combine efforts when you can
Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You’ve heard many of our author interviewees say it before: it takes a village to make a book. Collaborate with other authors, connect with established events and communities, and don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Action: Make a list of fellow authors and/or marketing partners you’d like to tap into. Consider those who have similar projects/interests or publishing timelines; have been supportive in the past; or have a direct connection to you and your writing.
Make the commitment
Be prepared to market hard. When launch time comes, you may need to set aside your writing for awhile as you get your footing with events, marketing, media, etc. Similarly, be sure build in rest time afterwards to relax and reflect.
Action: Take some time at the end of each month to pour yourself an iced beverage and take stock: what’s working? What isn’t? What needs the most attention? What can you try that’s different? And don’t forget to reward yourself for work well done.
Does this all still feel like too much? Here are five simple marketing actions you can do, even if you’re burned out.
Share what steps or actions you’ve taken to find the writing-life-marketing balance!
Ps. Kyra and I are cooking up something fun for you for later this year. In the meantime, give the MetroWest Writer’s Guild a look. They’re just the kind of supportive and accessible (hybrid! free!) writing community to help get you engaged.
This newsletter is for YOU. What keeps you coming back? What else would you love to see in this space? If you have a moment, please fill out this short survey. If you get to it before Feb. 28th (extended deadline!!) you could win a $10 gift card to an indie bookstore!
Writing/Marketing Resources
Considering starting a newsletter? Learn how authors have used their newsletters as communication tools, sandboxes, launch pads, and publishing platforms to promote their books on Substack {On Substack blog}
We’re talking about A.I. at the speculative fiction variety hour group I co-host, and we’re not the only ones! A.I. is one of the top publishing trends for 2023 {Written Word Media} in how it affects writing, art, audiobooks, advertising, and copyright.
Legends & Lattes* has been recommended to me left and right as cozy fantasy-meets-Dungeons & Dragons. Sign me up! Game designer, audiobook narrator, and author Travis Baldree, shares the step-by-step process of the book’s self-published book launch {Medium} back in 2022. L&L went on to be picked up by fantasy powerhouse publisher Tor and re-released traditionally.
Speaking of fantasy, 4thewords.com is a free browser app that lets you turn writing sprints into fantasy game quests and monster battles. Write and play a fantasy game at the same time!
Reading Corner
Most unexpected read of January: Battle of the Linguist Mages* by Scotto Moore.
This book was a wild ride and I was here for it. A champion video game player gets recruited to use magical language phonemes to fight off the apocalypse and collaborate with trans-dimensional aliens. Had serious Space Opera* vibes, but I fell in love with Moore’s voicey protagonist and would follow her anywhere (even into the logosphere).
Next up: The Last Cuentista* by Donna Barba Higuera
Industry News
“Barnes & Noble saved itself by putting books first” {LA Times} looks at B&N’s rebound since its purchase by Elliott Management in 2019.
The CEO of Penguin Random House, Madeline McIntosh, is stepping down {The New York Times - free link} after five years.
Two different small publishers have come under fire this month for their predatory practices: Author’s Place Press {Author’s Guild}, which is currently being sued by nearly a dozen authors for withheld royalties; and Adelaide Books {Publisher’s Weekly}, which has similarly had complaints filed for breach of contract and withheld royalties.
Writer’s Beware is an excellent resource for scoping out dodgy publishers and scams.
HarperCollins has finally ratified a new contract with their employee union {Publisher’s Weekly}, after three months of workers being on strike, seeking better compensation, employee benefits, and more robust diversity initiatives.
Tea
I’m gravitating towards anything labeled immunity this season. Republic of Tea’s Organic Immunity SuperGreen Tea is a smooth blend of green teas and ginger, with hints of fruit from blackberry leaves, elderberry, and echinacea. I’m also eyeing their Organic Serenity SuperGreen Tea, which looks like less fruit, more tulsi.
Balance can feel elusive — do your best to embrace the season you’re in and the work that needs doing now, especially if that work is taking care of yourself first.
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
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*Bookshop.org affiliate links. Proceeds go to a rotating list of book-industry related charities!
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