Blogger: Rachel Kent
A Books & Such client asked a great question on Facebook recently. She wanted to know what some experienced bloggers wished they had known before starting their blogs. The majority answered that they wished they had a …
Social Networking
Platform–A Snarky Commentary
By Wendy Lawton
Okay, confession time: Here at Books & Such I’m known as the platform denier. The skeptic. Card-carrying member of the Book Marketing Flat Earth Society. Yes, I know that an author’s platform can be a powerful thing, …
I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Platform
by Janet Kobobel Grant
“Badges? We don’t have no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you no stinkin’ badges!” is a portion of a bandito’s dialogue from the 1948 movie, “The Treasure of Sierra Madre.” …
Promo Shock
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Writers who published their first books in the 1980s to 1990s–even the early 2000s–tend to flip out when someone utters the word platform. They’ve never recovered from the sticker shock of seeing a list of what …
Perspective and Your Writing Career
Blogger: Mary Keeley
It was inevitable that the word author would evolve to authorpreneur as your publishing responsibilities have doubled in this industry. You can view this development as either a cross to bear or an opportunity for added control …
Author, Check Your Online Presence
Blogger: Mary Keeley
When your book proposal interests agents and editors, the first thing they’ll do is investigate your website, blog, and social media activity. That’s why it’s so important that each area of your online presence compliments the others …
Five Free Ways to Build Readership
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
The current publishing climate isn’t for the faint of heart or weak of spirit; it takes a willingness to experiment to find what will generate the word of mouth to sell books.
How can a writer …
Build Your Platform, Grow Your Audience
Blogger: Mary Keeley
I am traveling from the Books & Such bi-annual retreat for clients today and won’t be able to respond to your comments. Today’s blog was originally posted over a year ago and ignited a great conversation. I …
Growing Loyal Readers
Blogger: Mary Keeley
My precious grandson leaves for basic training in the Marines soon. I took it in stride when he went away to college. That was a normal part of life, and he’d be back home on weekends and …
Controversial Issues: Engage or Avoid?
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Most writers and bloggers are averse to broaching controversial issues. We would prefer to avoid polarizing subjects because we want to be popular, and writers surely don’t want to lose followers, especially readers. But the truth is …