Get Your Book Seen and Sold

I invite your to press play to hear how Julie Vick built her publication guide and how writing articles for other outlets can introduce your work (and your book) to entirely new readers. ~ClaudineHumor writer Julie Vick joins the podcast to share her detailed “guide to publications” to pitch essays, articles, and stories. The interview includes details on how authors can use them to reach new book readers. You can find Julie’s writing at her substack titled, Humor Me. Her pitching guide is a fabulous tool for authors to get started. If you sign up for her substack as a paid subscriber, you will have access to this fabulous tool.In my first interview with Julie we talked about TikTok as a book promotion tool. I mentioned that I would be taking advantage of Julie’s publication pitching guide. I downloaded the pitching guide few months ago and I am loving it. I pride myself on providing reasonably priced resources to help you promote your book - Julie’s guide is one of those resources. Have a listen to the interview for more tips on pitching and a learn about a second tool that Julie provides to paid subscribers - examples of pitches that landed.Julie is an author as well as a freelance writer. You can buy her book, Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?, at the link.Links mentioned in the podcast:Julie’s previous podcast hit: Get Your Book Seen And Sold: TikTok for book promotion WhoPaysWriters.comJulie’s Website Julie’s SubstackJulie’s Book: Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?) Julie’s Substack Post: BookTok You Don’t StopClaudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please share it because it helps to spread the word to other authors. Each author’s story is motivation to keep writing!Upgrade Your Subscription to this newsletter to receive access to more Tangible Resources to manage your book promotion (see below for examples)! I add more resources every year.Three Subscription Choices:* Monthly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) for just $7.50/mth.* Yearly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) $40/yr.* Get Your Book Fan Subscriber - (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) PLUS: you get a paperback copy of our award-winning Get Your Book Seen and Sold AND access to all of the above for $50/yr. (ps. the paper costs $14.99 so you are making out big-time!)If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share posts with them to help with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

In this podcast episode, I hijack an interview. Sharon Wegner of Penn Writers interviewed Kate Brenton and me for an upcoming course that we teach titled, Sit & Write:Begin. Sharon was a student in the last iteration of the class that we taught in October. At that time, she already had a book publishing contract. She wanted to learn about book marketing to help promote her upcoming book. Since then her book, Gene-ius has indeed published, is available on Amazon for sale, and won an honorable mention from the Southern California Book Festival!In the podcast episode, Sharon shares how our teachings inspired successful book marketing for her book including the fact that her “elevator pitch” (an exercise we do in the four week zoom class) is highlighted on her bookmarks. Kate and I answer Sharon’s questions about the Sit & Write: Begin class which is now open for sign-ups and starts Wed night, March 4th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST for four weeks: March 4th, March 11, March 18 and March 25. More information and registration can be found at the Penn Writer’s course page at the link. The cost is $100 non-member, $95 member, an absolute steal. We then ask Sharon all about the release of her new medical thriller, Gene-uis, how it came to be, how the class gave her the confidence to promote it and what she is up to next. Sharon is an inspiration to all aspiring authors and Kate and I hope to share what we know to help YOU have a great success story, too!Links Mentioned in the Podcast and More…Penn Writer’s course page for Sit & Write: BeginGene-ius by Sharon Wegner, on sale to day at AmazonThe Southern California Book FestivalKate Brenton’s website with additional course offerings for writersClaudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please share it because it helps to spread the word to other authors. Each author’s story is motivation to keep writing!Upgrade Your Subscription to this newsletter to receive access to Tangible Resources to manage your book promotion (see below for examples)! I add more resources every year.Three Subscription Choices:* Monthly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) for just $5/mth.* Yearly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) at a discounted price $4.08/mth or $49/yr.* Founding Subscriber - (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) PLUS: you get a paperback copy of our award-winning Get Your Book Seen and Sold AND access to all of the above for $55/yr. (ps. the paper costs $14.99 so you are making out big-time!)If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share posts with them to help with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Introducing… The Story Graph AppIn this podcast interview with book publicist, Holly Mitton, owner of Little Bird Boston, we introduce The Story Graph App as a resource and future promotion opportunity for authors as well as a cool app for book lovers. With The Story Graph App, readers track their books read and their reading progress from month to month and year to year. Enjoy the conversation on how Holly uses The Story Graph and why she loves it. The Story Graph is the New Goodreads. It is fairly new and in a nice phase where it is simply fun for readers to use - a place where avid readers keep track of their books, rate books, and measure in graph form their reading accomplishments by day, month and year.How Can The Story Graph App Help Authors To Promote Their BooksFor authors, it the perfect time to start using the The Story Graph App. Not only can you track your own reading which is fun in and of itself, you’ll also be a user when The Story Graph begins to offer author publicity opportunities. (that these opportunities will come about eventually is my educated guess) In the meantime, have fun tracking your own reading and use the app as a resource to learn about the reading patterns of others - what genres are the most popular, what are readers likes and dislikes, what new book covers look like by genre, etc.Two Oft-Asked Book Publicist Questions Answered**Bonus: Holly answers two burning questions in the podcast:* What is the right time for an author to hire a publicist?* How Can a Publicist Help An Author To Reach Their Book Buyers?Find Holly MittonHolly Mitton, publicist, offers a free consulting call for authors.Contact her: Little Bird Boston Website | email: holly@littlebirdboston.com | Instagram: @hollylittlebirdbostonprHolly’s Book Recommendations:The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn SkyeThe First Witch of Boston by Andrea CatalanoFinding Grace by Loretta RothschildCulpability by Bruce HolsingerThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabEveryone Is Lying to You by Jo PiazzaWomen Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolan-HoeksemaMaybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori GottliebClaudine Book Mentions:Hamnet by Maggie O’FarrellAfter You’d Gone by Maggie O’FarrellToo Old For This by Samantha DowningThe Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret Georgenote: affiliate links are mine, thanks for your support~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Holly Also Mentions: Goodreads and F/B: The Peloton Mom’s Book Club ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please share it because it helps to spread the word to other authors. Each author’s story is motivation to keep writing!Upgrade Your Subscription to this newsletter to receive access to Tangible Resources to manage your book promotion (see below for examples)! I add more resources every year.Three Subscription Choices:* Monthly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) for just $5/mth.* Yearly subscriber - You have access to (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) at a discounted price $4.08/mth or $49/yr.* Founding Subscriber - (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system) PLUS: you get a paperback copy of our award-winning Get Your Book Seen and Sold AND access to all of the above for $55/yr. (ps. the paper costs $14.99 so you are making out big-time!)If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the post to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Mouth Shut Head Down is a new, young adult novel that released today. It is already sporting a #1 New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Alternative Family Fiction on Amazon! That ranking is not surprising considering the time and attention the author Geraldine Donaher has given the subject matter - child sex trafficking and coercive control. The subject is heavy and uncomfortable but it is reality and the more we know about it as parents and citizens the better chance we have of saving our 12 to 15 year olds from it. Our children need to know that if they are in a coercive control (sex trafficked) relationship, that there is hope - that they have agency and autonomy.Geraldine Donaher researched the subject of sex trafficking for six years before she attempted to a write this non-salacious, ya story about it. If kids read it and recognize it, that can learn how to stay away from it or get out of it, that they are not alone! Mouth Shut Head Down tells the story of two girls, Allee and Tanaya, who live in Philadelphia. Through their story, Donaher illustrates how coercive control can happen, what it looks like, what the warning signs are and how kids can use their agency and autonomy to get out. This is not a guess at what goes on in our very own American neighborhoods, it’s a very real, very frightening reality that society as a whole is finally learning about.***For the writers writing about sensitive material, Gerri discusses her use of sensitivity readers***Geraldine invites listeners/readers who are interested to join her at her book launch at Immaculata University this Sat, Jan 31st from 2:00 to 5:00. Please email Gerri at gerridonaher@gmail.com for more information and to reserve a seat. ***Call to Action *** Also, if you would like to see Mouth Shut Head Down in your child’s school library, send a note to Geraldine’s Publisher at Parisian Phoenix Publishing - a popular demand push will get it there! Angel Ackerman at angel@parisianphoenix.com.Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:Covenant HouseSoul Survivor Ink Organization Clover Tattoo in Lancaster, PA - @Clovertattoopa (Instagram)Geraldine Donaher Website with more informationGerri’s first novel, Still (a Claudine favorite)Sign Up For Gerri’s Substack Newsletter: The Writer’s Flashlight~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox! Check out the goodies that you receive with a paid subscription (book marketing plan, book marketing map and much more..)*** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s podcast episode, I replay an interview that I recorded over the phone with best-selling author and actress Isabel Gillies back in 2020. Gillies had come out with her fourth book, a non-fiction book titled Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World – A Wise and Inspiring Manifesto for Authentic Living and True Comfort. In the phone interview (forgive the less than perfect quality), Isabel harkens back to the reason that she was compelled to write the book. When you’re looking for inspiration for your next project think of this interview and the ways that your everyday life can lead you to your next great book idea.More Isabel Gillies Tidbits and Book Advice for Authors* Isabel Gillies wrote two unputdownable memoirs about the collapse of her first marriage. One titled Happens Every Day and one titled A Year And Six Seconds. I was riveted by both books and reached out to her for an interview. Isabel responded to my email and even though she had no clue who I was she agreed to an interview. The lesson here is … ask! Shots on Goal, right? You have to take a shot to score.* Isabel played Kathy Stabler, the wife of Elliot Stabler on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. She recently had a return appearance on the show that you can see here.* Isabel also wrote a young adult titled Starry Night and continues to write.* In the interview, we chat about Isabel’s book Cozy. I reached out to Isabel’s publisher for a galley of the book, a pre-publication copy of the book for media and reviewers and loved the book. The publisher also agreed to send me out a copy of the hardcover version of the book when it released. The cover on the final copy of the book is absolutely gorgeous. I believe Isabel’s friend designed it for her. It sits on my coffee table to this day. (See Pic Above). Below is a picture of the galley. * Fun fact. I was reminded of Isabel Gillies recently after reading The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, one of the books that I featured on my Substack post titled, Seven Books: Which One Will Win? At the end of The Golden Couple, which I loved, the authors published an interview where they were asked their favorite books. Sarah Pekkanen shared It Happens Every Day as one of her favorites and I was reminded of my interview with its author, Isabel Gillies. Thanks to Isabel Gillies for the interview!Finally, what do you find cozy? Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode. Please share it or leave a review, it helps to spread the word to other authors. Upgrade Your Subscription to receive access to Tangible Resources to help you promote your books!Check out the resources that you receive with a paid subscription to this Substack. (book marketing plan, book marketing map, book marketing folder system). Plus, as a founding member you will get the pdf downloads AND a paperback copy of my book, Get Your Book Seen And Sold, written with publisher, Julie Murkette!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the post to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest today is the publishing and writing Firebrand Jane Friedman! Jane Friedman has spent 25+ years working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, now in its second edition, is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. Publishers Weekly said that it is “destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers.’’Jane served as the editor of every writer’s “magazine bible,” Writers Digest. Her influence and insight earned her the Publishing Commentator of the Year Award from Digital Book World in 2023, and her expertise is regularly featured in major media outlets.Jane writes two popular newsletters for authors and publishing industry professionals - we talk about them in the interview - The Bottom Line and Electric Speed where she provides nuanced market intelligence and useful tools to thousands of authors and industry professionals. The newsletter was awarded Media Outlet of the Year in 2020.You can find Jane at her website JaneFriedman.comJane’s upcoming class on September 25th at 1:00 PM is Effective Book Marketing For Any Author class with Writers Digest University In this podcast interview, Jane shares/mentions:* not oft-cited ways to get published: small press, university press, etc. (‘keep your options open, know your options)* The AWP - Association of Writers & Writing Programs - the largest gathering of writers in the country * Reframing the business side of writing for authors to make is more imaginative - this was actually mind-blowing to me!* ‘Literary Citizenship’ what it means and how it can bolster book promotion efforts - this is also a great idea and so simple I wish I had thought of it!* Booktok? Yea or Nay or Maybe* Why Book Promotion is a Long-Game* Jan Yager is the name of the author I mention whose book, When Friendship Hurts: How to Deal with Friends Who Betray, Abandon, or Wound You got new life by the publisher years after its original release.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox! Check out the goodies that you receive with a paid subscription (book marketing plan & book marketing map). Plus, with a founding member subscription you get the downloads AND a paperback copy of my book, Get Your Book Seen and Sold, written with publisher, Julie Murkette!*** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Since 2008, Penelope Trunk’s blog (substack, too) has been my go-to place when I needed a reality check on most any subject. Reading her posts gave/give me power in all areas: writing, career, motherhood, marriage, child rearing - I could go on. Penelope agreed to be interviewed on a wide range of subjects and I am thrilled to share it with you, Writers! Buckle Up! Lots of Honesty and Laughs! Penelope Trunk is an entrepreneur, start-up expert, author, columnist/essayist & expert blogger, teacher, life coach, homeschooling expert & a passionate mom. She specializes in many things, especially career choices for all ages, teaching the writing process and personal coaching - one of her stand-out skills is writing about controversial subjects with complete abandon that are personal, thought-provoking, honest, and real.You can find Penelope’s writing and consulting offerings at her websites:PenelopeTrunk.com And her Substack (Penelopetrunk.substack.com)Penelope Trunk is an OG in the online writing space - call it blogging, article posting, newsletter, whatever - Penelope was there at the beginning, sharing in the career and writing advice space but also, and sometimes more prominently, in the personal sharing space. She invited readers into her life and offered her unfettered and sometimes controversial opinions on everything that she encountered in her life while she raised her two boys and juggled her career which included creating (and selling) four Start-ups. One of Penelope’s finest qualities is her unbridled enthusiasm, research prowess and her unbridled, raw honesty. She always gets me thinking.In this podcast, Penelope and I talk about everything from empty nesting to the writing process to book marketing to motherhood to womanhood.Penelope has a book deal for her second book (with HarperCollins) and we hope she will return to discuss her new book at Pub Time!Here are some specific topics and links when mentioned in the podcast:** The One Thing Every Author Can Do To Promote A Book (that I bet you never heard before)** Penelope’s book proposal prowess** Blueprint For A Woman’s Life ** Research and your reader’s ability to “take it in”** How Penelope deals with cranky reader comments ** What is “enmeshment” as it relates to parenting?** “the endless lesson of what is love”** the truth about motherhood and why women are shamed into having big careers** Penelope’s lesson from being there on 9/11** How your brain changes when your kids go off to collegePenelope invited listeners to email her directly with questions at penelope@penelopetrunk.com.Thanks for listening as always.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox! Check out the goodies that you receive with a paid subscription (book marketing plan & book marketing map). Plus, with a founding member subscription you get the downloads AND a paperback copy of my book, Get Your Book Seen and Sold, written with publisher, Julie Murkette!*** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Matty Dalrymple is a true advocate for writers who want to fulfill their dreams of publishing and selling their books. Matty writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author Podcast host and on her award-winning website, TheIndyAuthor. Matty is also a fiction writer - it’s how she got started in the business and what she continues to do today. You can find details of her fiction books at her author website: mattydalrymple.com. Here are just a few of her titles: the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including CLOSE THESE EYES.In this podcast episode, we focus on Matty’s help for authors. Her new book, written with co-author Mark Leslie Lefebvre, focuses on podcast guest expert advice and is titled: The Podcast Guest Playbook: Turning Conversations into Connections and Community. In Podcast Guest Playbook, Matty shares her best advice and downloadable playbook for planning, pitching and promoting every appearance with her co-author Mark Leslie Lefebvre. Mark is a fellow podcaster at Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing. In this podcast interview, we chat about:* How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest* How to prepare for an interview once you secure it* How to help your host make a great interview that reaches listeners* How to promote the interview once completedand much, much more…Matty also consults with authors one-on-one with her pod pro author coaching in addition to her program, chart your course. Contact her if you would like to connect with her expertise and wisdom. Matty mentioned great websites/organizations that offer help for writers:self-publishingadvice.orgAlliance of Independent Authors ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox, Authors! Check out the goodies that you get with a paid subscription (resource downloads) or a founding member subscription (copy of my book, Get Your Book Seen and Sold)!*** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Can Writers create a business they love? Sharon Woodhouse, author and consultant, believes that they can! In this podcast interview, Sharon offers advice and ideas from her many years in the publishing and book marketing industry to help authors - yes, sell books - but also create a long-term business that they love AND that turns a profit.Sharon’s new book: The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books is a fabulous tool for authors to learn how to market their book AND build a business that is profitable and long-lasting. We chat about her book specifically: how it helps, how to use it, why it works, and some specific ideas that have worked for Sharon and/or clients over the years and could work for you!Get ready to get motivated, authors!Here are just some of the sites that are mentioned in the podcast:ConspireCreative.com - Sharon’s websiteSharon’s Substack - The Profitable Author - a business that you loveSharon@conspirecreative.com - Sharon offers a free 30 minute chat with authors - send her an email to request the link to schedule a chat with her.More Great Stuff In The Podcast Episode That Sharon Shares For Authors:Sharon has a site dedicated to her new book: (1) a dedicated site is a great idea to highlight your own book (2) it’s full of information about how you can use the book to its fullest potential for you!What’s an author business template and how it might pertain to your author businessSharon’s 5 things strategy for book promotion Sharon isn’t just teaching book promotion, she is doing it herself and documents her outreach on her substack! Why “finding the thing in the thing” brings author satisfactionWhy “Done is better than Perfect”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claudine stuff:Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox, Authors! Check out the goodies that you get with a paid subscription (downloads) or a founding member subscription (copy of my book, Get Your Book Seen and Sold)!*** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Keith Kopka is the recipient of the 2019 Tampa Review Prize for his debut collection of poems, Count Four (University of Tampa Press, 2020). His poetry and criticism have recently appeared in publications such as Best New Poets and mid-American Review among many others.Keith is also the author of the critical text, Asking a Shadow to Dance: An Introduction to the Practice of Poetry (GRL 2018) and the recipient of the International Award for Excellence from the Books, Publishing & Libraries Research Network. Currently, he directs the low-res MFA Program at Holy Family University in Philadelphia. He spent many years touring the country in punk and hardcore bands.In the interview, Keith shares the behind the scenes look at book marketing and book publishing of poetry through his personal experience - experience that he brought directly into his poetry.Keith shares:* The place poetry award programs play in poetry publishing and marketing* His successful book review outreach for his book “Count Four”* Why MFA programs are important for writers* How publishing in other places: literary magazines, et al is a great help to market your books* Two site resources for writers: Duotrope and Submittable~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** sign up to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox and check out the goodies with a paid subscription or founding member subscription!If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Joe Walter’s started his book review website, Independent Book Review, in 2018 after his extensive experience in publishing unearthed a need - a need for speed - no, I mean a need for Indy authors to get honest book reviews. His popular book review service has helped countless authors and readers as well. You see, his site is for readers, too, a community to help readers to learn about great books to read. Now, he helps even more with his new book, The Truth About Book Reviews: An Insiders Guide to Getting and Using Reviews to Grow Your Readership. It is available NOW for pre-order and launches officially on July 10th. Enjoy this interview where I ask everything from Joe’s tips on gathering book reviews to how he applies his creativity on writing his novel to creativity in book marketing. Joe is an example of the experts that I love to feature on the Get Your Book Seen and Sold Podcast - people who care about authors and provide reasonably priced solutions for them to give their books the best chance to be seen and sold. I thoroughly enjoyed his new book, The Truth About Book Reviews, gave it a rave review, and feel that it is the perfect resource to help authors with one of the most important aspects of successful book publishing - gathering book reviews, blurbs and endorsements.Here are just some of the advice authors will find in the book: * Sample book review request pitches, sample blurbs* What to NEVER put in a book review pitch email subject line * The three different kinds of book reviews* Example of spreadsheet to keep track of pitches and results of your outreach* Where to place your precious blurbs and reviews on your book’s Amazon pageHere is part of my blurb for what I am sure will be a best-selling resource for writers!The Truth About Book Reviews is available for pre-sale today - launch date, July 10th!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!*** sign up to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox. If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Jump That Hurdle Authors! (Don’t miss the limited time deal for my eBook at the end of the post!)You are listening to the audio version of this post: I Hate It Too: Why Selling Yourself Sucks, Is So Hard.I include tips for asking and gathering endorsements (blurbs) for pre-publication review of your book. Gathering endorsements is a part of your book marketing plan, pre-publication. Getting over the horror of asking your friends and colleagues for endorsements is a huge hurdle. I hope this post gives you the strength to go for it. I mention Tally.so as a free tool to use to collect book blurbs/endorsements. It was a lifesaver for us. You create a form - not too hard - and then you upload your book’s pdf. Once created, you simply have to add the link from the Tally.so form your created to your endorsement pitch email to friends and family. They can download at their leisure and post blurbs/endorsements at their leisure, (hopefully by your deadline.) You then go to one place! tally.so collects all the info in a spreadsheet - an easy way to see all of your endorsements. Note: I am not an affiliate for Tally-so, I simply highly recommend it! Good luck and remember, you are not selling yourself, you are providing valuable information and/or entertainment to the readers who already desire your message!Go get ‘um!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks for listening to this podcast!Don’t forget to sign up to get every one of my Substack Post & Podcast episodes in your mailbox. There are paid subscription options (I truly appreciate your support) that comes with a fill-in-the-blank book marketing plan, founding members also get a free book. If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast with them.The Get Your Book Seen and Sold book (eBook, paperback & audiobook) by Me and Julie Murkette includes additional information on gathering endorsements and blurbs as well as publishing and getting started in book marketing the.. right.. way! Fun, easy graphs and explanations are included.**limited special ** Get Your Book Seen and Sold eBook is Now $.99. ** This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

You are listening to the audio version of this post- Book Promotion Strategy - Book Industry Reviews. You can find pics and links mentioned in the podcast at the link.Have you considering submitting your pre-publication book to book industry reviewers for review? You will love this quick, informative podcast episode that introduces you to book industry review outreach and how and why you should try it for your book.Book Industry Reviewers require your galley/book/ARC 4-6 months in advance of your book’s publication.Here is a picture Midwest Book Review’s review of Get Your Book Seen and Sold. See? It works!!!!Link to the reviewers who selected and reviewed Get Your Book Seen and Sold.Midwest Book ReviewCity Book ReviewREMINDER: Get Your Book Seen and Sold ( has a chapter and charts that details Book Industry Reviewers with links and submission requirements as of the book’s printing), Purchasing a copy of the book (eBook, paperback or audio) may be worth your precious time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks for listening to this podcast!Don’t forget to sign up to get every Substack Post & Podcast episode in your mailbox. There is a paid subscription option that comes with a fill-in-the-blank book marketing plan, founding members also get a free book. If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast with them.The Get Your Book Seen and Sold book (eBook, paperback & audiobook) by Me and Julie Murkette includes additional information on publishing and getting started in book marketing the.. right.. way! Fun, easy graphs and explanations to get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Book Covers ARE Book Marketing! (See below for the special discount for Get Your Book Seen and Sold listeners)Our Guest on this Podcast episode is Rob Williams, Owner and Creator of I Love My Cover. He is a talented, honest and reasonably-priced book cover designer. Rob and I chat about the process of professional book cover design and its importance for book marketing - book buyers DO indeed judge books by their covers!Learn about the book cover design process - what’s important to know to work with ANY book cover designer and also how Rob specifically works with authors to create the perfect book cover for your cherished book. * ebook & POD book covers are different dimensions - make sure they are correct for your publishing needs * When you hire a book designer, you need to make sure you own the cover image and can use that cover image for your advertising, media and website free of additional charge * What specific files you need to be sure you will get after the book cover is designed and finalized.Rob is offering a special discount to listeners of get your book seen and sold for 20% off his many packages. I encourage you to reach out to him for a simple conversation if you are interested in hiring a book cover designer. Rob has a contact block on his page that will reach him directly. Examples of Rob’s work below:20% discount for listeners of Get Your Book Seen and Sold with promo code WOLK30.Listener note: I’m not an affiliate for I Love My Book Cover - Rob is an honest, talented book cover designer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks for listening to this podcast!Don’t forget to sign up to get every Substack Post & Podcast episode in your mailbox. There is a paid subscription option that comes with a fill-in-the-blank book marketing plan, founding members also get a free book. If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast with them.The Get Your Book Seen and Sold book (eBook, paperback & audiobook) by Me and Julie Murkette includes additional information on publishing and getting started in book marketing the.. right.. way! Fun, easy graphs and explanations to get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

In our second interview with book marketer Sharon Castlen, owner of Integrated Book Marketing, we discuss Book Distribution Options and Author Distractions.Listen to the first interview with Sharon (#1 downloaded episode to date!) below:Don't Miss It! Book Marketing Expert Answers Key Questions For Authors:Book Distribution, Ingram vs Ingram Spark, Book Marketer vs Book Publicist and more..In this second interview Sharon shares answers to:* Book Distribution CHOICES for where you are! ***PLUS***: book distributors that could be perfect for your book that you’ve never heard of!* Selling Books Directly to a Location (like a specialty store) ie. (Ask: “Where do you buy your books?”)* The answer to: Where do libraries buy their books? and Where do schools buy their books?* Can an author have several different distributors for their book(s)?* The difference between Ingram and Ingram Spark* Marketing offerings by IBPA- possibly part of your marketing plan* Money - How much a wholesaler (distributor) will take for each sale of your book (and who takes the rest) * Sharon’s “honor your strengths & outsource your weaknesses strategy***My Call To Action To You*** If you are serious about a marketing plan for a new book or want to refresh a book marketing plan for your exiting books, consider a call to Sharon. She offers a 15 minute consult (phone or Zoom) for free. I implore you to take advantage of her expertise!For this audience, Sharon has shared her email - please put “Claudine Wolk” in the subject line - so Sharon knows you are from this audience. Sharon’s email: Sharon@integratedbookmarketing.com or you can fill out the contact form on her website. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks for listening to this podcast!Sign up for a subscription to my Substack Posts / Podcasts. Try a monthly subscription for as low as $5/ a month or yearly subscriptions - a paid subscription comes with a fill in the blank book marketing plan. If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share it.Get Your Book Seen and Sold book (eBook and paperback) By Me and Julie Murkette includes additional information on book distribution, too - easy graphs and explanations to get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Holly Moore, owner of Red Ribbit Reads, is a graphic designer who helps authors to create graphics that they need to promote their books in all kinds of ways.Many authors try their hand at making their graphics themselves but if you are like me and graphic design is not in your wheelhouse, it’s great to have a resource you can hire who DOES know how to do it, is reasonably priced and can add creativity to them as well. * A+ Publisher graphics for your Amazon book page (learn what this is in the interview)* Logo* Banners* Promotional Postcards* Facebook Ad Graphics, Instagram Ad Graphic, BookBub Graphics* Media Kit Items* Slides for Presentations* BookmarksHolly created my new, fun substack/podcast graphics!Book marketing means leveraging your strengths with experts who better at some tasks than you are. Holly could be a trusted expert to help you with many book marketing items on your book marketing plans. You can see what Holly offers on her website. Consider the media kit (press kit) package that she offers as well. Holly is a self-published author of several books and has also begun to work as book cover and interior book designer. So exciting.Here are a few of Holly’s books that we mentioned in the podcast. You can find all of Holly’s books at the link.Little Moo’s ABC Animal Haiku Channel Islands SurpriseRocky Mountain Trek to the TundraYellowstone Magic in the Mist Would you like to get started with Holly or ask a few questions on how to work together?Holly encourages listeners to simply send an email to her if you think you can use her skills for the promotion of your book - you can reach Holly Moore at redribbitdesigns@gmail.com.***We also mention the resource of April Cox - Self-Publishing Made Simple - who offers start to finish help for self-publishing authors. April put us together and is an honest broker!***Here are the podcast links where we interviewed April Cox - great information on self-publishing and using Amazon Ads.Amazon Ads Explained By Expert For All Authors Publish By Independent Publisher by April CoxThanks for listening…Thinking of upgrading to a PAID subscription of Get Your Book Seen and Sold? I’m offering a free downloadable, fill in the black book marketing plan with paid subscriptions. Talk about control? You simply print it out and keep it by your side to fill out as you learn new great book marketing ideas! It’s time!If a subscription is not on your radar but your learned something today, no big wup, give me a nod for my work, buy me a coffee! ### This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

In this podcast episode - a publicist!!! - Holly Mitton, Little Bird Boston, shares her insight on what a publicist can do for an author to help them promote their book!You will get insight into what is possible with a publicist in book promotion and author branding. Holly specifically allows an a la carte menu of items based on the author’s need. She encourages authors who are interested in learning more to contact her directly for a chat!The burning question is answered - will my book sell if I don’t have a TikTok video?PLUS:* Build Your Brand: Holly suggests examples of ways to build your brand as an author well before publication of your book (if the timing works)* The difference between earned media and paid media* The things a publicist can do for you to help you promote your book* What is a media kit and how it used and connected with your other social media, ie. website* Why is a press release a special tool in your book promotion arsenal* Timing - A publicist can help in either scenario: published or not yet published book* The role of book influencers in promoting your book* The role of online book apps in promoting your book - Goodreads or StoryGraphThanks for listening…Thinking of upgrading to a paid subscription of Get Your Book Seen and Sold? I’m offering a free downloadable, fill in the black book marketing plan with paid subscriptions. Talk about control? You simply print it out and keep it by your side to fill out as you learn new great book marketing ideas! It’s time!If a subscription is not on your radar but your learned something today, no big wup, give me a nod for my work, buy me a coffee! ### This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

You are listening to the audio version of this post Your Book Cover, the Book Marketing Element You Don’t Want to Skip Plus: Reasonably Priced Resources, Part OneIn this post, I talked about:* The importance of Your Book Cover as a Marketing Tool* What you should look for in a book cover designer and the questions to ask* How to use a book cover in book marketing * One vendor, ILMC (I love my book cover) is offering a 20 % discount to listeners to this podcast. Use WOLK in the checkout for an 20 % discount* the Reedsy link with book cover designers is here…login is necessary.Remember to subscribe to my substack to get all my resource-filled, inspiring, and illuminating posts today. A paid, monthly subscription (just $5.00!) gets you a fill in the blank book marketing plan for YOUR book. With a paid, yearly, founding member subscription ($55/yr), you also get a paperback copy of my book with co-author Julie Murkette, Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide. ### This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

You are listening to the audio version of this post.In this podcast episode, I read the post where I highlight the use of Publisher Rocket, a product that helps authors to determine the categories and keywords (keyword phrases) for their books. The research can be applied in many places in your book marketing but first and foremost it is crucial in selecting keywords and categories to attach to your book on Amazon. Mr Chesson, the owner/creator of Publisher Rocket, consistently upgrades his product with the latest changes in the publishing/amazon world and continues to put together new offers for the product, many times bundled with time-saving videos. The price is therefore always changing but it also always reasonably priced. (ie. At this writing it is $199 w/ oodles of free videos and a lifetime access) You can check out the latest Publisher Rocket deal here. Again, this is software that you put on your desktop that offers real-time access to category and keyword info on Amazon that you can use to determine your own books’ categories and keywords. It’s a great feeling to have a little control over the marketing of your book. You can also check out Mr. Chessen’s website, Kindlepreneur, where he has countless articles, videos, advice for self-published authors.Thanks for listening…Thinking of upgrading to a paid subscription of Get Your Book Seen and Sold? At this recording, I’m offering a free downloadable, fill in the black book marketing plan with paid subscriptions. Talk about control? You simply print it out and keep it by your side to fill out as you learn new great book marketing ideas! It’s time!To give me a nod for my work, buy me a coffee!Unsplash Image by: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash ### This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe

Author Julie Vick, traditionally published her book, Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?) in 2021. She used BookTok (TicTok) as part of her book marketing plan to promote her book. In the interview, Julie shares what made sense for her as a first time-user of TikTok to promote her book. In the Podcast, We also chat about:*** Book Marketing Ideas to promote books - ie. ATTENTION: how to find your audience!*** Julie’s path to traditional book marketing (she pitched a non-fiction book proposal IDEA instead of a finished manuscript - LOVE THIS) Options, people!*** Julie’s offer through her Substack “Humor Me.” Through a paid subscription, Julie offers a publication pitching guide resource with publications accepting submissions - where to pitch, what editors are looking for. (I’ll be taking advantage of this offer!!)Links mentioned in the podcast:Julie’s WebsiteJulie’s SubstackJulie’s Book: Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?) Julie’s Substack Post: BookTok You Don’t StopListeners, Thank You!**** Do you dig this podcast episode? Upgrade to Paid for the full experience (I’m always offering different goodies to paid subscribers)**** If not ready to make that full subscription commitment, send me a nod by buying me a coffee!Thanks for reading Get Your Book Seen and Sold! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe