Curious about how to get traction for your book before it’s released or after? Today, we are joined by three bookstagrammers who will talk to us about how they can be helpful with your book launch by getting eyes on your books and reviews to establish or sustain the momentum of your book marketing campaign. Suzanne Leopold, the founder of Suzy Approved Book Tours, helps to match readers to your books through her customized tour program. We are also joined by two bookstagrammers, Caitlyn Aresti and Christy Taylor, who read and review books for the joy of it. We hope you’ll join us today to gain insight on how bookstagrammers can help your author platform.

How did you become a book influencer?

What genres do you enjoy?

Do you read/review genres other than the ones you enjoy personally as a book influencer?

How do you contribute to the book community?

What challenges do you face as a book influencer?

What are the joys of being a book influencer?

What should authors know about you and the ways in which you can help them?

How can they find you?

SOURCES & LINKS:

Suzy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzyapprovedbooktours

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzyapprovedbooktours

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyapprovedbookreviews

Caitlyn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plots.pages.puppies

Christy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmtloveswineandbooks/

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, we'll dive into the fundamentals of advertising on Facebook and Amazon for authors. We’ll explore whether ads are the right choice for you, depending on your goals, budget, and readiness to invest in promotional strategies. You’ll learn about the benefits of each platform, what types of ads work best, and how to get started with your first campaign, including tips for optimizing results over time. This episode will help demystify the process and empower you to make informed advertising decisions.

OVERVIEW: Brief overview of the goals for this episode: helping authors understand if Facebook or Amazon ads could work for their book marketing strategy.

• Facebook Ads:
  • Types of ads (Boosted posts, Sponsored content, Carousel ads).
  • Audience targeting features (demographics, interests, custom audiences).
  • Advantages of Facebook’s powerful targeting capabilities for niche audiences.
• Amazon Ads:
  • Types of ads (Sponsored Product Ads, Sponsored Brand Ads).
  • Reaching readers directly
  • Advantages for visibility in highly competitive categories.

• Budget: Estimating realistic ad spend, starting with a modest budget.
• Marketing Goals: Identifying if you want to increase brand awareness, generate sales, or build your reader base.
• Understanding Ad Metrics: Basics of impressions, CTR (Click Through Rate), CPC (Cost per Click)
• Time Commitment: Emphasis on monitoring ads, testing, and optimizing.

Creating Your AD

Our Experiences

Sources & Links

• David Gaughran – Insights on Facebook Ads, and tips on how to leverage Facebook’’s platform for book sales. YouTube: Facebook Ad Tutorial We highly recommend signing up for his newsletter as well because he gives updated tips and trends of Facebook ads
• Jane Friedman – Facebook advertising strategies for authors, understanding audience targeting, and budget tips. “Amazon Ads for Authors: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide” & “Amazon Ads: A Step-by-Step Walk Through for Beginning Authors”

Do Now:

Evaluate whether Facebook and/or Amazon ads align with your goals & your budget. Start small by setting up a test campaign with a limited budget to get a feel for ad management. Consult the links above for step-by-step instructions.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Blogs and newsletters are excellent ways for you to connect with readers. Have you ever wondered whether you should do one over the other or both? In this episode, we’ll provide you with the purposes and differences of blogs and newsletters, so you can make an informed decision about how you can best connect with readers. And, we’ll make suggestions for content for both.

SHOW NOTES:

Key differences between blogs and newsletters

Blogs usually focus on one topic and go into some depth about it. They are a great way to connect to readers and let them know something about you, personally and professionally.

Newsletters usually include several short topics, lead magnets, and links. They are a great way to keep your readers updated on your author-life and provide ways for them to take action (writing a review, entering a giveaway, buying your book…)

Hybrids can be a combination of both

Both can be sent on a schedule which you should determine based on your needs

Challenges:

Matching your own skill set & what you are comfortable sharing

Getting readership-relying on social media promotion

Gaining subscribers-sign-up sheets, giveaways that collect email addresses, Many Chat (app for Meta) Linktree

How we use blogs and newsletters

Blog sites: Wix, Wordpress, Squarespace

Mailers: Mailchimp, MailerLite

Substack: for both blogging and newsletters

Blog Topics:

Tell a personal story

Share a hobby

Provide instruction (a How To)

Write a review

Share your writing inspiration

A new project you’re starting

Newsletter Topics:

Quick writing update

News about upcoming events

Links to books, website, etc.

Links to giveaways or special offers

Exclusive offers

Links to appearances

Lists (Top Ten…)

Book recommendations

SOURCES & LINKS:

Blogging Versus Email Newsletter: Which Is Better for Writers?, Jane Friedman

How to Start Blogging: A Definitive Guide for Authors, Jane Friedman

Email Newsletters for Authors: Get Started Guide, Jane Friedman

“Creating Effective Author Newsletter,” Rebecca Rosenberg/ LaunchPad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book

Episodes mentioned in this one:

Creating a Website: Options and Content, Episode 23

DO NOW: Assess your goals and skills. Research some of the (blog/newsletter) websites to determine the best fit for your needs. Make a list of topics that align with your brand.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

SUMMARY:

Today we are interviewing two publicists, Michelle Glogovac, THE Podcast MatchmakerTM and Lilian Sue, publicist and author, to help you leverage a successful career through public relations.

SHOW NOTES:

Journey into public relations

Specializing in storytelling and relationship-building

Unique approach to PR

Overcoming fears, imposter syndrome, etc.

Establishing your Unique self

Key milestones as “The Podcast Matchmaker”

The Powerful Publicity Prescription

Broadening your reach as an author

Beyond the podcast: sharing content to expand your audience

SOURCES & LINKS:

Lilian Sue, PR Coach & Publicist

www.linkedin.com/in/liliansue

https://www.instagram.com/liliansuecopywriterpr

www.inretrospectwritingservices.com

https://in-retrospect-marketing-academy.thinkific.com/

Michelle Glogovac, The Podcast Matchmaker

https://michelleglogovac.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheMLGCollective/

https://www.instagram.com/michelleglogovac

https://twitter.com/micglogovac

Episodes mentioned in this one:

So What Kind of Writer Do You Want to Be? Episode 30

What is an author brand & how do you get one? Episode 5

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

SUMMARY:

Join us in conversation with Libby McNamee, author of award-winning upper middle grade novels including "Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War" and "Dolley Madison and the War of 1812: America’s First Lady," and their Study Guides. She is also the co-editor of "The Epic Story of 1776" and "The Epic Story of America 1777-1779." Currently she is writing a third novel, "The Union Spymistress: The Story of Elizabeth Van Lew."

.We’ll delve into what led her to becoming an author, what fuels her to write historical novels, her writing process and more.

SHOW NOTES:

Welcome

Tell us about your books

Tell us about your author journey

What fuels you to write historical novels?

What made you want to write upper middle grade novels?

How do you market to a young audience?

What is something you learned the hard way?

Advice for authors wanting to write to this age group?

What are you working on now?

SOURCES & LINKS:

Website: LibbyMcNamee.com

Facebook: LibbyMcNameeAuthor

Instagram: libbymcnameeauthor

Goodreads: Libby McNamee

LinkedIn: Libby McNamee

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Summary:

Are you interested in writing a book but don’t quite know where to begin? This episode delves into the beginning stages of writing a novel. From brainstorming, to research, character creation and world building, we’ll discuss the process to set a good foundation for the novel you always dreamed of writing.

Show Notes:

How to begin?

Character, world, plot, title, a question…

How to explore seeds of inspiration

Once you decide, write a quick summary of the plot or even a tagline to help you begin conceptualizing the story

Do you need to conduct research?

Freewrite what you know

Make a list of what you need to know & begin researching: record details and sources in a document

Create extensive character bios: goals, conflicts, arcs

Create a timeline of major plot points/ when and where major events in your novel occur

Create an outline

Establish a schedule and goals for writing

Begin! The first draft will be messy (and probably not good). Refrain from trying to perfect it. Just get it all down on paper.

Remember, the first draft is the story you tell yourself.

Sources:

Save the Cat Writes A Novel, Jessica Brody (structure)

Story Genius and Wired for Story, Lisa Cron (structure and character development)

Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book, Emma Dhesi, Grace Sammon

Everybody Writes, Ann Handley

Busy Writer’s Guide, Marcy Kennedy

Write the Damn Book, Elizabeth Lyon

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott

Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

Do Now:

First decide what your book will be about. Use the Fiction Inception worksheet. Next, get the gist of the story. Write a plot summary or tagline. Create in-depth bios for your characters with the Create a Character worksheet. Conduct research, timelines and an out. And, then begin.

FREE Downloads are also available on our website.

If you enjoyed this episode AND are a member of the WFWA, consider attending our workshop

“What We Learned the Hard Way” which will not only address next steps, but will highlight all the steps from inception of an idea to beyond publication. Our webinar will take place on September 25 @ 7:00 PM ET.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Summary:

A recent article by author Rea Frey, “Protecting Author Privacy: The Cost of Marketing Your Own Books,” Writer's Digest, touches on the challenges of today’s authors and why the question “So what kind of writer do you want to be?” is fundamental for all writers. In this episode, we’ll discuss the article, our own take on some of the key points and discuss how to set goals, priorities and boundaries as a writer.

SHOW NOTES:

• Rea Frey’s Perspective: Key points from article.

• Self-Assessment: Now ask yourself…what drives you to write? What kind of impact do you want to have? What are you willing and not willing to do?

• Writing Exercise: Discuss a writing exercise or prompt to help listeners explore their own writing identity. For example, "Write a letter to your future self about the kind of writer you hope to be in five years."
• Examples of Successful Writers: Share examples of well-known authors who have clearly defined their writing paths and discuss how this focus contributed to their success.

• Setting Goals: Discuss the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals to help steer your writing career in the desired direction.
• Setting Boundaries: What are you not able/willing to do?

Claiming your Boundaries in a Social Media World:

Engaging with Your Audience Beyond Social Media

SOURCES AND LINKS:

“Protecting Author Privacy: The Cost of Marketing Your Own Books,” Writer's Digest, Rea Frey

“Marketing Your Books: 4 Essential Questions for Authors,” Linkedin, Drew Garber

DO NOW:

Write a letter to your future writer-self projecting where you will be in five years. Make a list of goals for the next five years AND a list of boundaries. Finally, prioritize what is on these lists from most to least important.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

SUMMARY:

Have you ever wondered if or how a writer reads differently than a reader? Join us on this episode as we discuss passive versus active reading. What are writers paying attention to when they read as compared to what most readers don’t even notice? Learn how you can use reading as a school for writers.

SHOW NOTES:

What writers say vs. what they do

Reading as a reader (passive reading): characterization, plot, conflict…

Reading as a writer (active reading): style (diction, syntax, tone)

Anthony Doer, All The Light We Cannot See: Wordsmith/prose *excerpt

Barbara Kingsolver, Demon Copperhead: Architect, constructing intricate plots

Liane Moriarty, Apples Never Fall: Ensemble cast, characterization

Taylor Jenkins Reid: Daisy Jones and the Six, journalistic style

Edith Wharton,The Age of Innocence: Omniscient narration *excerpt

Elin Hilderbrand, The Nantucket Hotel: Establishing atmosphere/setting

Jean Meltzer, The Matzo Ball: Creating culture

Infusing what we’ve learned into our craft

SOURCES & LINKS:

Elements of Style, E.B. White & William Strunk Jr.

On Writing, Stephen King

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott

Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

DO NOW: Make a list of the authors you love. What is it about them that attracts you? Take a look at a passage from their writing. Highlight examples of what you admire about it.

Take a piece of writing you have written & try a mirror writing exercise. Use elements of the authors’ style you have flagged with your content. Try to get as close to the author's style as you can.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you