S.Z. Estavillo's Blog, page 5
July 15, 2024
Can You Write & Revise While Standing Up? My Experience with a Stand-Up Desk
I’ve never really been a stand-up desk kind of person, mostly because I’ve always felt like I needed to concentrate while sitting down. But recently, after purchasing a new lap desk that converts into both a lap desk and a stand-up desk, I decided to give standing up a try for my writing and revising tasks.
➡️ To my surprise, using a stand-up desk helped me focus better on simpler revisions and formatting tasks.
➡️ I recently completed revisions for my publisher on “The Serpent Woman,” the second book in my series. I was thrilled that the editor didn’t request heavy revisions, allowing me to keep the darker vigilante justice elements intact without having to water them down or take them out. Working with Oliver-Heber has been fantastic—they truly support my vision for the series.
➡️ By the way, I noticed that when I was finishing revising “The Serpent Woman,” I was able to do those revisions using the stand up desk functionality of my new lap desk. It seems easier doing other things like graphic design or content creation for social media and some left brain editing while standing up.
➡️ Now that I’m going to be tackling writing my third book, “Twilight of the Serpent,” I’ve noticed that I can’t do a lot of heavy writing while standing up. I prefer to write sitting down, but I am going to try to train myself. It might be a matter of training your body to learn how to write standing up. I’m just curious if anybody can write standing up.
➡️ The portable lap desk I bought is a great investment, and I love that I can use it anywhere, even by the pool. But I will admit, I still find it harder to write while standing up vs. edit while standing up. It could be a matter of training my body to write while on my feet.
For Mother’s Day, my husband gave me a wonderful gift: a four-night staycation at a Marriott hotel. This is my third personal writer’s retreat, and I swear by them for helping me focus and complete my manuscripts. During this staycation, I finished revisions on “The Serpent Woman” and am now working on “Twilight of the Serpent,” the third book in the series. I’m excited to try more writing while standing up.
➡️ To my surprise, using a stand-up desk helped me focus better on simpler revisions and formatting tasks.
➡️ I recently completed revisions for my publisher on “The Serpent Woman,” the second book in my series. I was thrilled that the editor didn’t request heavy revisions, allowing me to keep the darker vigilante justice elements intact without having to water them down or take them out. Working with Oliver-Heber has been fantastic—they truly support my vision for the series.
➡️ By the way, I noticed that when I was finishing revising “The Serpent Woman,” I was able to do those revisions using the stand up desk functionality of my new lap desk. It seems easier doing other things like graphic design or content creation for social media and some left brain editing while standing up.
➡️ Now that I’m going to be tackling writing my third book, “Twilight of the Serpent,” I’ve noticed that I can’t do a lot of heavy writing while standing up. I prefer to write sitting down, but I am going to try to train myself. It might be a matter of training your body to learn how to write standing up. I’m just curious if anybody can write standing up.
➡️ The portable lap desk I bought is a great investment, and I love that I can use it anywhere, even by the pool. But I will admit, I still find it harder to write while standing up vs. edit while standing up. It could be a matter of training my body to write while on my feet.
For Mother’s Day, my husband gave me a wonderful gift: a four-night staycation at a Marriott hotel. This is my third personal writer’s retreat, and I swear by them for helping me focus and complete my manuscripts. During this staycation, I finished revisions on “The Serpent Woman” and am now working on “Twilight of the Serpent,” the third book in the series. I’m excited to try more writing while standing up.
June 21, 2024
Honoring Black Authors Beyond #Juneteenth
This past Wednesday was June 19th, a time to reflect on its historical significance. The year 1865 marked the freeing of the last enslaved African American in Galveston, Texas, a significant moment that led to the celebration of Juneteenth. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
Despite being in the 21st century, it's disheartening to see that stories and authors from BIPOC communities are still facing significant underrepresentation and lack of opportunities for publication, especially from the major publishing houses by the Big 5.
Here is a collection of compelling and influential literature written by black authors that have left a lasting impact on me.
1. "Beloved” by Toni Morrison (Fiction)
A haunting and powerful novel that explores the traumatic legacy of slavery through the story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by her past.
2. “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin (Essays)
A seminal work consisting of two essays that discuss the central role of race in American history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
3. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston (Fiction)
This classic novel follows the life and journey of Janie Crawford as she navigates love, independence, and identity in the early 20th-century South.
4. “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Memoir/Essay)
A deeply personal letter from Coates to his son, offering a powerful reflection on what it means to be Black in America today.
5. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (Fiction)
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of Celie, an African American woman in the South who overcomes tremendous personal and social adversity.
6. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou (Autobiography)
An autobiographical account of Angelou’s early years, dealing with themes of identity, racism, and resilience.
7. “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fiction)
A compelling novel that examines race, identity, and immigration through the story of a Nigerian woman who moves to the United States.
8. “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (Fiction)
A groundbreaking novel that delves into the social invisibility of African Americans and the search for personal identity.
9. “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi (Fiction)
A multi-generational epic that traces the parallel paths of two half-sisters and their descendants, from the Gold Coast of Africa to the plantations of America.
10. “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead (Fiction)
An imaginative and powerful reimagining of the historical Underground Railroad as a literal railroad, exploring the horrors of slavery and the quest for freedom.
Honoring Black and BIPOC authors should be an everyday practice, not limited to a single day each year. Let's strive for more diverse voices to be published and ensure that more BIPOC individuals are hired as decision-makers within the publishing industry.
Despite being in the 21st century, it's disheartening to see that stories and authors from BIPOC communities are still facing significant underrepresentation and lack of opportunities for publication, especially from the major publishing houses by the Big 5.
Here is a collection of compelling and influential literature written by black authors that have left a lasting impact on me.
1. "Beloved” by Toni Morrison (Fiction)
A haunting and powerful novel that explores the traumatic legacy of slavery through the story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by her past.
2. “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin (Essays)
A seminal work consisting of two essays that discuss the central role of race in American history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
3. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston (Fiction)
This classic novel follows the life and journey of Janie Crawford as she navigates love, independence, and identity in the early 20th-century South.
4. “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Memoir/Essay)
A deeply personal letter from Coates to his son, offering a powerful reflection on what it means to be Black in America today.
5. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (Fiction)
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of Celie, an African American woman in the South who overcomes tremendous personal and social adversity.
6. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou (Autobiography)
An autobiographical account of Angelou’s early years, dealing with themes of identity, racism, and resilience.
7. “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fiction)
A compelling novel that examines race, identity, and immigration through the story of a Nigerian woman who moves to the United States.
8. “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (Fiction)
A groundbreaking novel that delves into the social invisibility of African Americans and the search for personal identity.
9. “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi (Fiction)
A multi-generational epic that traces the parallel paths of two half-sisters and their descendants, from the Gold Coast of Africa to the plantations of America.
10. “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead (Fiction)
An imaginative and powerful reimagining of the historical Underground Railroad as a literal railroad, exploring the horrors of slavery and the quest for freedom.
Honoring Black and BIPOC authors should be an everyday practice, not limited to a single day each year. Let's strive for more diverse voices to be published and ensure that more BIPOC individuals are hired as decision-makers within the publishing industry.
June 18, 2024
Breaking Through: My Journey to Getting Published
Our dreams are often pieces of us that have been a part of our lives for a long time. Some lucky people reach their goals so quickly that they make it look easy. Others spend years chasing their vision. I’ve been writing since second grade. I carried a notebook and pen everywhere I went. I had spent my whole life creating stories, and perhaps part of that was due to trying to escape a turbulent childhood.
Being a published author has been one of my lifelong dreams. There were days, months, and years when it felt as though everyone else around me was landing an agent and a book deal so swiftly that I found myself asking if there was something wrong with me. But there was nothing wrong with me. That’s why the voice of doubt that plagues us with impostor syndrome can be so detrimental. If we listen to that negative voice, we start to feel like failures when we haven’t reached our goal in the time that we expect.
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to other authors who have reached the finish line faster. Having had an agent for five years and then amicably parting ways after almost half a decade with no book deal—it certainly felt like I had failed. Something kicked me into overdrive the moment I was no longer agented. I found myself even more motivated to not give up on my dream of publication. I signed up for Publisher’s Marketplace, revised my queries for the outstanding manuscripts that I had, and then started researching not just agents but publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Then, just three months after parting ways with my literary agent, I landed my own book deal and not just one. I ended up getting a three-book contract through a small press.
No, it wasn’t with the Big 5. No, I no longer had the “repped by” bragging rights. No, it wasn’t through an agent. No, I didn’t get an advance. But, it was through a legit small press—not a vanity press. The publisher and I are on texting terms. They call me directly and speak to me. There is healthy dialogue and communication between us. If I have questions, they are but a text message away. This was a huge change and improvement from the experience I had walked away from, having had a not-so-good experience with my prior representation.
This industry has a popular saying you’ve probably heard countless times: “Having no agent is far better than having a bad one.” And this saying couldn’t be more accurate. There’s a sense of entitlement and even high school cliquish behavior when you’re in the “repped by”club. Suddenly, you almost look and even feel better than other writers. But the truth is representation, or the lack thereof doesn’t determine a writer’s capabilities.
My publisher informed me that my last pre-order count was up to 133. They said this was very good for a debut author and told me they were very proud of me. It is nice for a change to hear an industry professional show kindness and use uplifting words, especially in an industry where we often hear just the opposite. We are in a field where we are almost always rejected, our work torn apart, our writing scrutinized on a line-by-line level, and our manuscripts dissected on a developmental level. So, it’s nice and even rare to hear someone say something nice to you and mean it.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Titles do not make who we are. Titles do not make us better writers. Titles such as “repped by” and inserting a fancy agent’s name don’t make someone’s story better than a writer who doesn’t have an agent. I’ll never forget the conversation I had with the small press publisher when they offered me my three-book contract. They said that I could continue to wait around for another agent, continue to wait around for a Big 5 contract, or I could accept their three-book offer. I said, “F*ck waiting around!” I could be waiting around for months and maybe even years to get another agent and then wait around more months and possibly years being on submission with no guarantee of a book contract. After having an agent for five years and walking away with zero book contracts, even being on sub with 4 of my manuscripts and facing 150 publisher rejections—I said yes to the small press deal and couldn’t be happier.
We are all on our own path and journey. Mega book deals are nice, but they do not guarantee the quality of the story and writing. Each writer’s journey is unique, marked by personal triumphs, challenges, and the relentless pursuit of their craft. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of big contracts and prestigious representation. However, true success lies in the authenticity of our work and the passion we pour into every word. Remember, it’s not the title or the size of the deal that defines us; it’s the stories we tell and the impact they have on our readers. So, embrace your journey, celebrate your milestones, and never lose sight of why you started writing in the first place.
Your path is yours alone, and it’s leading you exactly where you need to be.
Being a published author has been one of my lifelong dreams. There were days, months, and years when it felt as though everyone else around me was landing an agent and a book deal so swiftly that I found myself asking if there was something wrong with me. But there was nothing wrong with me. That’s why the voice of doubt that plagues us with impostor syndrome can be so detrimental. If we listen to that negative voice, we start to feel like failures when we haven’t reached our goal in the time that we expect.
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to other authors who have reached the finish line faster. Having had an agent for five years and then amicably parting ways after almost half a decade with no book deal—it certainly felt like I had failed. Something kicked me into overdrive the moment I was no longer agented. I found myself even more motivated to not give up on my dream of publication. I signed up for Publisher’s Marketplace, revised my queries for the outstanding manuscripts that I had, and then started researching not just agents but publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Then, just three months after parting ways with my literary agent, I landed my own book deal and not just one. I ended up getting a three-book contract through a small press.
No, it wasn’t with the Big 5. No, I no longer had the “repped by” bragging rights. No, it wasn’t through an agent. No, I didn’t get an advance. But, it was through a legit small press—not a vanity press. The publisher and I are on texting terms. They call me directly and speak to me. There is healthy dialogue and communication between us. If I have questions, they are but a text message away. This was a huge change and improvement from the experience I had walked away from, having had a not-so-good experience with my prior representation.
This industry has a popular saying you’ve probably heard countless times: “Having no agent is far better than having a bad one.” And this saying couldn’t be more accurate. There’s a sense of entitlement and even high school cliquish behavior when you’re in the “repped by”club. Suddenly, you almost look and even feel better than other writers. But the truth is representation, or the lack thereof doesn’t determine a writer’s capabilities.
My publisher informed me that my last pre-order count was up to 133. They said this was very good for a debut author and told me they were very proud of me. It is nice for a change to hear an industry professional show kindness and use uplifting words, especially in an industry where we often hear just the opposite. We are in a field where we are almost always rejected, our work torn apart, our writing scrutinized on a line-by-line level, and our manuscripts dissected on a developmental level. So, it’s nice and even rare to hear someone say something nice to you and mean it.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Titles do not make who we are. Titles do not make us better writers. Titles such as “repped by” and inserting a fancy agent’s name don’t make someone’s story better than a writer who doesn’t have an agent. I’ll never forget the conversation I had with the small press publisher when they offered me my three-book contract. They said that I could continue to wait around for another agent, continue to wait around for a Big 5 contract, or I could accept their three-book offer. I said, “F*ck waiting around!” I could be waiting around for months and maybe even years to get another agent and then wait around more months and possibly years being on submission with no guarantee of a book contract. After having an agent for five years and walking away with zero book contracts, even being on sub with 4 of my manuscripts and facing 150 publisher rejections—I said yes to the small press deal and couldn’t be happier.
We are all on our own path and journey. Mega book deals are nice, but they do not guarantee the quality of the story and writing. Each writer’s journey is unique, marked by personal triumphs, challenges, and the relentless pursuit of their craft. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of big contracts and prestigious representation. However, true success lies in the authenticity of our work and the passion we pour into every word. Remember, it’s not the title or the size of the deal that defines us; it’s the stories we tell and the impact they have on our readers. So, embrace your journey, celebrate your milestones, and never lose sight of why you started writing in the first place.
Your path is yours alone, and it’s leading you exactly where you need to be.
June 8, 2024
Breaking Through: My Journey to Getting Published
Our dreams are often pieces of us that have been a part of our lives for a long time. Some lucky people reach their goals so quickly that they make it look easy. Others spend years chasing their vision. I’ve been writing since second grade. I carried a notebook and pen everywhere I went. I […]
June 5, 2024
Beyond Bill and Jill: Celebrating Ethnic Names in BIPOC Stories
I've noticed a growing desire to hear more BIPOC stories, and I've written about it here before. However, one thing people might not understand is that if authors write about specific cultures unfamiliar to others, they might inadvertently make insensitive remarks.
For example, one of my books is a Korean-themed psychological thriller. It's a standalone, not part of the recently acquired three-book series. Growing up, I called my aunt 'Imo,' which might sound unusual to some, but 'Imo' (pronounced E-E-MOE) means 'Aunt' in Korean. I intentionally included this name in my book to reflect authentic cultural details.
Some people might comment on that name because it sounds funny or unnatural to American ears. But that's because it's not their culture. When we're talking about BIPOC characters in Sci-Fi or Fantasy, using unusual names is perfectly fine. However, when we feature underrepresented and marginalized communities in real-life scenarios, it is crucial to approach naming conventions with sensitivity and respect for their cultural authenticity. We must allow people to use culturally specific names without shaming them or expecting every name to conform to familiar standards like 'Bill' or 'Jill.'
This might seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people might poke fun at a name or post something on social media criticizing an author for using a naming convention associated with the culture in their book. They don't intend to mock, but that's how it comes across.
My first name is Sonyo with an 'O' at the end, not 'Sonya.' It is not Spanish. It's a Korean name because I'm half-Korean. As a biracial author, I'm also half-Puerto Rican. Many people mistakenly think I'm male when they don't see me and only see my name on paper, as the 'O' at the end sounds masculine.
If we want more BIPOC characters, then we should be willing to accept their unique BIPOC names that aren't whitewashed or watered down to sound non-BIPOC.
For example, one of my books is a Korean-themed psychological thriller. It's a standalone, not part of the recently acquired three-book series. Growing up, I called my aunt 'Imo,' which might sound unusual to some, but 'Imo' (pronounced E-E-MOE) means 'Aunt' in Korean. I intentionally included this name in my book to reflect authentic cultural details.
Some people might comment on that name because it sounds funny or unnatural to American ears. But that's because it's not their culture. When we're talking about BIPOC characters in Sci-Fi or Fantasy, using unusual names is perfectly fine. However, when we feature underrepresented and marginalized communities in real-life scenarios, it is crucial to approach naming conventions with sensitivity and respect for their cultural authenticity. We must allow people to use culturally specific names without shaming them or expecting every name to conform to familiar standards like 'Bill' or 'Jill.'
This might seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people might poke fun at a name or post something on social media criticizing an author for using a naming convention associated with the culture in their book. They don't intend to mock, but that's how it comes across.
My first name is Sonyo with an 'O' at the end, not 'Sonya.' It is not Spanish. It's a Korean name because I'm half-Korean. As a biracial author, I'm also half-Puerto Rican. Many people mistakenly think I'm male when they don't see me and only see my name on paper, as the 'O' at the end sounds masculine.
If we want more BIPOC characters, then we should be willing to accept their unique BIPOC names that aren't whitewashed or watered down to sound non-BIPOC.
May 23, 2024
Indie, Self-Pub, Trad? Why We Should Respect Everyone's Publishing Choices.
I've seen this debate a lot in the publishing world. For some reason, there's this mentality: if a writer self-published or decided to query a small press taking unsolicited submissions, they "gave up."
Publishing your books through a small press is not giving up. It is getting started where you are at with the opportunity presented to you. This debate seems to coincide between the "agented vs. unagented." For the "agented," even those querying tend to get roped into heated discussions with the indie world.
Having been on both sides, here's what I think.
• I was agented for 5 years, and after 5 years, I did not land a book deal with 4 of my books. 2 of my books that were duology were supposed to "die on sub." I did not give up on them, and just 3 months after parting ways with my agent, I landed my own book deal through a legit small press - no, not a vanity press. It was a 3 book deal I could not pass up.
• However, if authors want to query, people should also not shame them for making that decision. Even if a querying writer gets over 100 rejections and still wants to keep trying, that's their decision. Just because they do not want to self-publish or go the indie route doesn't mean they should be looked down upon.
• On the same note, indie authors shouldn't be looked down upon either. Just because some writers decided to query indie publishers taking unsolicited manuscripts from un-agented writers, it doesn't mean they somehow "gave up" on their career or "took the easy route."
• There is nothing easy about self-publishing or indie publishing. Traditional published authors do carry some bragging rights when they can throw big-name "published by" or "repped by" in their bio. But none of this is easy, no matter what avenue.
• At the end of the day, we should respect each other's decisions no matter what they are. There is so much contention even about the Amazon vs. anti-Amazon feud. There's contention between digital-first published books and those that push more toward physical copies. Just because someone goes digital doesn't mean the book is not a book. I know that sounds stupid, but some are even anti-audio and don't consider reading if you listen to an audiobook. A book is a book, whether it's in audio or digital-only format, and not just a hard copy.
• However, we choose to publish, which is a personal choice. It depends on many factors, not just how many times we've been rejected. I know one author who got several agents to request her full at a writing conference. She hired me to edit her book. Instead of going with those agents, she decided to self-publish. She did not want to get an agent, go through months or potential years of being on submission, etc. She wanted full control, and there was nothing wrong with that choice.
If you're querying, I champion you. Don't give up. My 3-book series is with a small press, and they told me I can still query books outside of that series. Nonetheless, since I've been working on marketing and writing my 3rd novel in the series - I don't feel in a rush to get an agent. So, I'm taking my time. Regardless, publishing is a very personal choice. We should respect each other's decisions. Whether we query for years. Whether we query and then self-publish. Whether we had an agent or went the indie-pub/small-press pub route. Whether we are anti-Amazon or KU-published authors.
It's all hard. None of it is easy. All we can do is respect each other's decisions and support each other without animosity, meanness, or snark. This industry is hard enough no matter what path we choose. Writing and revising our books takes a lot of time and effort. Editors are expensive, and so is marketing our books. But kindness? It costs us nothing. Kindness is free, and we should be kinder and more respectful toward one another.
In an industry as challenging as ours, embracing kindness not only uplifts others but also fortifies our own journey toward success.
Publishing your books through a small press is not giving up. It is getting started where you are at with the opportunity presented to you. This debate seems to coincide between the "agented vs. unagented." For the "agented," even those querying tend to get roped into heated discussions with the indie world.
Having been on both sides, here's what I think.
• I was agented for 5 years, and after 5 years, I did not land a book deal with 4 of my books. 2 of my books that were duology were supposed to "die on sub." I did not give up on them, and just 3 months after parting ways with my agent, I landed my own book deal through a legit small press - no, not a vanity press. It was a 3 book deal I could not pass up.
• However, if authors want to query, people should also not shame them for making that decision. Even if a querying writer gets over 100 rejections and still wants to keep trying, that's their decision. Just because they do not want to self-publish or go the indie route doesn't mean they should be looked down upon.
• On the same note, indie authors shouldn't be looked down upon either. Just because some writers decided to query indie publishers taking unsolicited manuscripts from un-agented writers, it doesn't mean they somehow "gave up" on their career or "took the easy route."
• There is nothing easy about self-publishing or indie publishing. Traditional published authors do carry some bragging rights when they can throw big-name "published by" or "repped by" in their bio. But none of this is easy, no matter what avenue.
• At the end of the day, we should respect each other's decisions no matter what they are. There is so much contention even about the Amazon vs. anti-Amazon feud. There's contention between digital-first published books and those that push more toward physical copies. Just because someone goes digital doesn't mean the book is not a book. I know that sounds stupid, but some are even anti-audio and don't consider reading if you listen to an audiobook. A book is a book, whether it's in audio or digital-only format, and not just a hard copy.
• However, we choose to publish, which is a personal choice. It depends on many factors, not just how many times we've been rejected. I know one author who got several agents to request her full at a writing conference. She hired me to edit her book. Instead of going with those agents, she decided to self-publish. She did not want to get an agent, go through months or potential years of being on submission, etc. She wanted full control, and there was nothing wrong with that choice.
If you're querying, I champion you. Don't give up. My 3-book series is with a small press, and they told me I can still query books outside of that series. Nonetheless, since I've been working on marketing and writing my 3rd novel in the series - I don't feel in a rush to get an agent. So, I'm taking my time. Regardless, publishing is a very personal choice. We should respect each other's decisions. Whether we query for years. Whether we query and then self-publish. Whether we had an agent or went the indie-pub/small-press pub route. Whether we are anti-Amazon or KU-published authors.
It's all hard. None of it is easy. All we can do is respect each other's decisions and support each other without animosity, meanness, or snark. This industry is hard enough no matter what path we choose. Writing and revising our books takes a lot of time and effort. Editors are expensive, and so is marketing our books. But kindness? It costs us nothing. Kindness is free, and we should be kinder and more respectful toward one another.
In an industry as challenging as ours, embracing kindness not only uplifts others but also fortifies our own journey toward success.
May 20, 2024
Building Your Author Brand: Selecting Which Social Media Platform To Be On
Social media can be a juggle, so I wanted to do a #ShamelessSelfpromoMonday for every author out there. We could all use moral and virtual support.
I’m on every platform and even for a legit social media professional, it’s a lot of work. In addition to my master’s in TV, Radio, and Film, I also have 22 certifications in marketing, branding, creative strategy, and social media. I have a certification on every platform. It does help me with my day job as a content and marketing strategist. So, the one social I’ve been avoiding recently has been YouTube. Yes, I have created a parenting channel and a YouTube channel for kids’ reading with my daughter, who is an avid reader.
But I was apprehensive because TikTok is just easier and my fav. I really didn't want to go down the YouTube road one for my series. However, I finally caved in, and I decided to start a YouTube channel for my author profile for a few reasons.
• There’s still a lot of uncertainty around TikTok. If it gets shut down, it will be an avenue to execute marketing videos using YouTube shorts. As a marketing and social media professional, TikTok was outperforming YouTube, which is why they came up with shorts. I wouldn’t be surprised if Google and Facebook were behind this push to ban TikTok in an effort to monopolize content creators and the social media marketing space.
• I always advise companies and individuals looking to use social media to build their brand that they should do what they can. In other words, focus on the channels that will benefit your brand the most and what is within your budget and bandwidth. For example, for authors who have written a non-fiction motivational book geared toward business and leadership success, a self-help book like that would do well via LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn is not a good place to market fiction books unless you’re an industry leader who gives advice to authors.
• Testing certain platforms can indicate how to best utilize your social media marketing time and budget. After A/B testing Facebook ads for my pre-order, I was extremely disappointed with the results. Mind you, as a social media and marketing professional, I helped my last company sell for $110 million, and it was due to my successful content strategy. I know that many companies I have helped manage in terms of paid and organic campaigns sometimes spend at least $100k or more per month on FB ads.
• For an individual, you can still try to run ads on a much smaller scale, but you should be monitoring your ROI. However, I got really annoyed at FB and the results for the average author trying to promote their book. It forced me to turn to Google Ads, encouraging users to upload product marketing videos on YouTube. Because I use CapCut Pro on my phone, the natural progression was to use CapCut for my desktop. CapCut-created videos are perfect for repurposing on YouTube shorts.
• I don’t know whether or not Google Ads will positively affect sales. I’ve also started running Pinterest ads. What people don’t know is that Pinterest has been one of the #1 platforms (at one time, not sure if they kept their top spot) where people buy the most. Like legit shopping cart sales. The reason for this is their straightforward, easy-to-use, clickable images. They don’t make users jump through hoops just to access a link the way Instagram does.
• After years of being on IG, I finally reached 10k and used their “link sticker.” However, even now, IG only allows users to link via a story. To me, that’s just dumb. In a nutshell, many small businesses use Pinterest because they get sales from that platform. Time will tell if my Pinterest and Google ads are working. But I can tell you that my FB paid ads didn’t do much.
• I managed to compile a list of influencers by doing an influencer outreach campaign, which seemed to work a lot better. I’m technically considered one (I guess.) I’ve had tons of random products email me asking me to work with them on various platforms. But since modeling kitchen appliances has nothing to do with my author profiles and personal branding across my author/reader advice channels - I’d declined all collaboration offers.
• While I have amassed more than 90k followers (legit/real) across all my channels combined, that doesn’t mean my books will suddenly skyrocket on the Amazon charts. In other words, don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a lot of followers and you’re a struggling author. Just because people have followers, it doesn’t mean those followers will all commit to buying pre-orders or physical copies when they come out. It doesn’t mean that close to 100k people will suddenly read my book on KU. Followers are totally different than conversions. Even people with lots of followers still have to bust their asses to get sales - trust me on this. Like I said, I’ve seen people with hardly any social followers become best sellers.
• This is why I inform all businesses I work with via marketing strategies to diversify their social media. I don’t expect to get a ton of subscribers on YouTube. But like they say, in the world of finance, it’s essential to diversify your investment to make your money grow. Likewise, it’s necessary to diversify your social media. We don’t know if TikTok will be shut down, and I’ve learned that FB ads aren’t that helpful.
Here’s my newbie YouTube channel, which I’m primarily using for trailers and shorts. Feel free to share your link. I’m a huge fan and supporter of all authors. Regardless of where or how you published your book - please share your link below. If you have other social channels, a Goodreads author page, books, blogs, or anything else you want to share, please do.
Hope everyone has a good week ahead!
I’m on every platform and even for a legit social media professional, it’s a lot of work. In addition to my master’s in TV, Radio, and Film, I also have 22 certifications in marketing, branding, creative strategy, and social media. I have a certification on every platform. It does help me with my day job as a content and marketing strategist. So, the one social I’ve been avoiding recently has been YouTube. Yes, I have created a parenting channel and a YouTube channel for kids’ reading with my daughter, who is an avid reader.
But I was apprehensive because TikTok is just easier and my fav. I really didn't want to go down the YouTube road one for my series. However, I finally caved in, and I decided to start a YouTube channel for my author profile for a few reasons.
• There’s still a lot of uncertainty around TikTok. If it gets shut down, it will be an avenue to execute marketing videos using YouTube shorts. As a marketing and social media professional, TikTok was outperforming YouTube, which is why they came up with shorts. I wouldn’t be surprised if Google and Facebook were behind this push to ban TikTok in an effort to monopolize content creators and the social media marketing space.
• I always advise companies and individuals looking to use social media to build their brand that they should do what they can. In other words, focus on the channels that will benefit your brand the most and what is within your budget and bandwidth. For example, for authors who have written a non-fiction motivational book geared toward business and leadership success, a self-help book like that would do well via LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn is not a good place to market fiction books unless you’re an industry leader who gives advice to authors.
• Testing certain platforms can indicate how to best utilize your social media marketing time and budget. After A/B testing Facebook ads for my pre-order, I was extremely disappointed with the results. Mind you, as a social media and marketing professional, I helped my last company sell for $110 million, and it was due to my successful content strategy. I know that many companies I have helped manage in terms of paid and organic campaigns sometimes spend at least $100k or more per month on FB ads.
• For an individual, you can still try to run ads on a much smaller scale, but you should be monitoring your ROI. However, I got really annoyed at FB and the results for the average author trying to promote their book. It forced me to turn to Google Ads, encouraging users to upload product marketing videos on YouTube. Because I use CapCut Pro on my phone, the natural progression was to use CapCut for my desktop. CapCut-created videos are perfect for repurposing on YouTube shorts.
• I don’t know whether or not Google Ads will positively affect sales. I’ve also started running Pinterest ads. What people don’t know is that Pinterest has been one of the #1 platforms (at one time, not sure if they kept their top spot) where people buy the most. Like legit shopping cart sales. The reason for this is their straightforward, easy-to-use, clickable images. They don’t make users jump through hoops just to access a link the way Instagram does.
• After years of being on IG, I finally reached 10k and used their “link sticker.” However, even now, IG only allows users to link via a story. To me, that’s just dumb. In a nutshell, many small businesses use Pinterest because they get sales from that platform. Time will tell if my Pinterest and Google ads are working. But I can tell you that my FB paid ads didn’t do much.
• I managed to compile a list of influencers by doing an influencer outreach campaign, which seemed to work a lot better. I’m technically considered one (I guess.) I’ve had tons of random products email me asking me to work with them on various platforms. But since modeling kitchen appliances has nothing to do with my author profiles and personal branding across my author/reader advice channels - I’d declined all collaboration offers.
• While I have amassed more than 90k followers (legit/real) across all my channels combined, that doesn’t mean my books will suddenly skyrocket on the Amazon charts. In other words, don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a lot of followers and you’re a struggling author. Just because people have followers, it doesn’t mean those followers will all commit to buying pre-orders or physical copies when they come out. It doesn’t mean that close to 100k people will suddenly read my book on KU. Followers are totally different than conversions. Even people with lots of followers still have to bust their asses to get sales - trust me on this. Like I said, I’ve seen people with hardly any social followers become best sellers.
• This is why I inform all businesses I work with via marketing strategies to diversify their social media. I don’t expect to get a ton of subscribers on YouTube. But like they say, in the world of finance, it’s essential to diversify your investment to make your money grow. Likewise, it’s necessary to diversify your social media. We don’t know if TikTok will be shut down, and I’ve learned that FB ads aren’t that helpful.
Here’s my newbie YouTube channel, which I’m primarily using for trailers and shorts. Feel free to share your link. I’m a huge fan and supporter of all authors. Regardless of where or how you published your book - please share your link below. If you have other social channels, a Goodreads author page, books, blogs, or anything else you want to share, please do.
Hope everyone has a good week ahead!
May 10, 2024
Changing Your Writing Scenery
Do you have a writing office or favorite place to write in your house but still feel stuck at times? Sometimes, writer’s block isn't so much creative stoppage as it is location stagnation.
I've noticed this doesn't always happen, but I get this cabin fever feeling. It was significantly worse during the pandemic. But even now, I've noticed that my body and mind crave a scene change.
If you're noticing a dip in productivity, here are some ways to change things up.
• Affordable Option: Take your laptop to a park and let your kids play while you work. It's also nice to go to the beach solo. These are great outdoor options, but you can always default to your favorite coffee shop.
• Premium Plan: This option can cost some money, but it can be worth it. Taking a staycation at a local hotel away from the kids while a loved one or partner watches them—is the best gift to yourself. I've done this, and I got so much writing done.
Whether you go the inexpensive route or invest a little cash to boost your writer’s productivity, taking your #WIP mobile and changing your scenery can make a positive difference and potentially help you regain momentum on your story.
I've noticed this doesn't always happen, but I get this cabin fever feeling. It was significantly worse during the pandemic. But even now, I've noticed that my body and mind crave a scene change.
If you're noticing a dip in productivity, here are some ways to change things up.
• Affordable Option: Take your laptop to a park and let your kids play while you work. It's also nice to go to the beach solo. These are great outdoor options, but you can always default to your favorite coffee shop.
• Premium Plan: This option can cost some money, but it can be worth it. Taking a staycation at a local hotel away from the kids while a loved one or partner watches them—is the best gift to yourself. I've done this, and I got so much writing done.
Whether you go the inexpensive route or invest a little cash to boost your writer’s productivity, taking your #WIP mobile and changing your scenery can make a positive difference and potentially help you regain momentum on your story.
May 7, 2024
Managing Your Marketing & Drafting Time
As authors, it's essential to not only understand the significance of marketing and promoting our work, but how long it takes. Obviously, it's necessary step to put ourselves out there and gain recognition. However, it's crucial to maintain work-life balance. This week I definitely learned this lesson. That while we're engaged in PR, influencer outreach, and marketing, our focus should also be on writing our next project.
Here are some tips that have helped me.
• Set aside a week to focus on marketing your book. You might also be able to schedule writing time, but I have found that it can be hard to do both in one day. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything all at once.
• Now that your marketing has started to get going, meaning you've sent your work to book influencers and Arc readers, you can spend the next week working on your #WIP. Drafting is a lot easier when you're not distracted by emails, DMs, organizing book launch social media campaigns, etc.
• Working with a third-party PR or marketing firm can help, too. But make sure that they're vetted and that they don't cost your firstborn. Yes, some of these marketing firms charge hard-working writers an astonishing amount. Do your research. It's wise to pair up with a book marketing company with a money-back guarantee policy.
• Take some time out for yourself. Don't get discouraged and stalk Amazon Author Central and the sales/rating report. Checking it daily can make you feel discouraged because it can fluctuate day to day. FYI—Amazon claims it refreshes the rating every hour, but for a more accurate reading, it can take 24-48 hours after people have purchased it to show up in their system, and then you'll see an uptick at that point. But you will not see the sale immediately.
• Kindle books can often be on pre-order first, and physical copies can come later. You can pre-order, but ARC reviewers cannot post an early review on Amazon until the book is available. They can, however, post their review on BookBub or Goodreads. Don't forget to let those book reviewers promote your book on their Instagram. It can be a great way to get the word out.
• TikTok is also a great place, but some BookTok folks might be less receptive to doing a video unless they really know you. TikTok can also be cliquish. On the other hand, Instagram is more accessible to some influencers because it's mostly image-based.
It's important to acknowledge that both marketing and drafting require time and effort. As we embark on our publishing journey, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both tasks. However, with effective time management, a cup of coffee, and a commitment to self-care, we can find a balance that works for us.
Beyond managing our time, we also have to manage our expectations; otherwise, putting too much pressure on ourselves can be hard on our mental health.
Here are some tips that have helped me.
• Set aside a week to focus on marketing your book. You might also be able to schedule writing time, but I have found that it can be hard to do both in one day. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything all at once.
• Now that your marketing has started to get going, meaning you've sent your work to book influencers and Arc readers, you can spend the next week working on your #WIP. Drafting is a lot easier when you're not distracted by emails, DMs, organizing book launch social media campaigns, etc.
• Working with a third-party PR or marketing firm can help, too. But make sure that they're vetted and that they don't cost your firstborn. Yes, some of these marketing firms charge hard-working writers an astonishing amount. Do your research. It's wise to pair up with a book marketing company with a money-back guarantee policy.
• Take some time out for yourself. Don't get discouraged and stalk Amazon Author Central and the sales/rating report. Checking it daily can make you feel discouraged because it can fluctuate day to day. FYI—Amazon claims it refreshes the rating every hour, but for a more accurate reading, it can take 24-48 hours after people have purchased it to show up in their system, and then you'll see an uptick at that point. But you will not see the sale immediately.
• Kindle books can often be on pre-order first, and physical copies can come later. You can pre-order, but ARC reviewers cannot post an early review on Amazon until the book is available. They can, however, post their review on BookBub or Goodreads. Don't forget to let those book reviewers promote your book on their Instagram. It can be a great way to get the word out.
• TikTok is also a great place, but some BookTok folks might be less receptive to doing a video unless they really know you. TikTok can also be cliquish. On the other hand, Instagram is more accessible to some influencers because it's mostly image-based.
It's important to acknowledge that both marketing and drafting require time and effort. As we embark on our publishing journey, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both tasks. However, with effective time management, a cup of coffee, and a commitment to self-care, we can find a balance that works for us.
Beyond managing our time, we also have to manage our expectations; otherwise, putting too much pressure on ourselves can be hard on our mental health.
April 26, 2024
Writing is Writing
When we think about writing in the #writingcommunity, we often consider a successful day to mean cranking out a large word count on your #WIP. But a successful day can be any type of writing.
Did you write a blog, article, social media post, or marketing copy promoting your book and yourself? All of that counts. As a digital marketing, branding, and social media professional by day, I do a lot of writing, from marketing copy to developing social media content, copywriting, and image creation.
Remember, any writing you do is an opportunity to flex your storytelling muscles. And the best part? You can redistribute your content across your various channels, ensuring that nothing you create is ever wasted.
Authors, if you're on Goodreads, you can also repurpose longer content you write here or connect your blogs on Goodreads. I recently connected my personal blog and have been repurposing the long-form bloggish posts I've written here on X and adding them to my Goodreads author blog. This really helps us redistribute content. Because, let's face it, coming up with posts takes time, effort, and creative brain juice.
As a former ABC News Producer and a current B2B magazine writer, I've learned the value of diversifying our writing content. It's not just about understanding the importance of short, punchy text, but also about the challenge it presents. By practicing posting short social media copy, we can strengthen our elevator pitch for our stories and even improve them for future X pitch contests.
I'm excited to share my latest article, published in School Transportation News, a specialized B2B magazine serving the industry since September 1991. Over the past 33 years, the magazine has grown significantly, recently reaching an impressive milestone of one million unique visitors on its website—a notable achievement in the niche market.
Feel free to read my B2B article published on School Transportation News.
https://stnonline.com/special-reports...
Did you write a blog, article, social media post, or marketing copy promoting your book and yourself? All of that counts. As a digital marketing, branding, and social media professional by day, I do a lot of writing, from marketing copy to developing social media content, copywriting, and image creation.
Remember, any writing you do is an opportunity to flex your storytelling muscles. And the best part? You can redistribute your content across your various channels, ensuring that nothing you create is ever wasted.
Authors, if you're on Goodreads, you can also repurpose longer content you write here or connect your blogs on Goodreads. I recently connected my personal blog and have been repurposing the long-form bloggish posts I've written here on X and adding them to my Goodreads author blog. This really helps us redistribute content. Because, let's face it, coming up with posts takes time, effort, and creative brain juice.
As a former ABC News Producer and a current B2B magazine writer, I've learned the value of diversifying our writing content. It's not just about understanding the importance of short, punchy text, but also about the challenge it presents. By practicing posting short social media copy, we can strengthen our elevator pitch for our stories and even improve them for future X pitch contests.
I'm excited to share my latest article, published in School Transportation News, a specialized B2B magazine serving the industry since September 1991. Over the past 33 years, the magazine has grown significantly, recently reaching an impressive milestone of one million unique visitors on its website—a notable achievement in the niche market.
Feel free to read my B2B article published on School Transportation News.
https://stnonline.com/special-reports...
