My advice to novice authors is to get an agent first. Many publishers aren’t taking on authors without one. So finding a good agent is the first hurdle. An agent will be interested in a manuscript that is creative and different, yet still commercial. They will be interested in an author who is marketable and has the ability to be a brand. So novice authors need to cover off both the creative and the commercial aspects of being a published author.
What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you?
Through trial and error, I’ve discovered that the book marketing methods that suit me the best are the online ones – virtual book tours, blogs, podcasts, article writing, online radio and video clips. Not only do these methods suit my more introverted nature, they offer an incredible potential to link with readers who might never have the opportunity to hear about my work because they don’t live in the same town - or even in the same country.
As an author, I think it’s really important that you find out what works for you. And that will take time. It’ll also cost money so expect to invest – and expect to make mistakes along the way.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
One piece of advice Julia gave me which was invaluable, was not to edit my writing while I was typing it. She suggested getting the words down on paper first, let them settle for a day and then go back and edit them. She also made a very interesting point about the link between the writer and “the work.” She said that more often than not, what we write about is either a reflection of what we’ve been through or what we’re going through. That’s why Gulp! is very personal to me, because it reflects the process I went through to face my fears about my breast cancer scare and use this crisis as that catalyst to fulfill my childhood dream of being a writer.
Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?
You can learn more about “Gulp!” or any of my other self-improvement titles at www.gulptime.com. Plus, for a limited time only, I’m running a One Big Gulp! campaign for people who are ready to take the bull by the horns and make a commitment to turning a dream into a reality. People can sign up for free, and they’ll receive the downloadable One Big Gulp! Kit which includes a free 20 page eWorkbook, daily motivational emails for 30 days, regular podcasts and the chance to win some prizes. More about that at www.gulptime.com.
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