Alexa's Publishing Chat

In this episode, we discuss:

• Maximizing Book Sales Globally: opportunities in the international markets for expanding book sales and reaching a wider audience.
• Finding the Perfect Literary Translator: what you should look for in a translator to make sure that your investment has better chances to pay off
• what the main features of a literary translation contract in most European countries are when it comes to copyrights.
• The impact of machine translation on book publishing and how it can affect the authenticity of your translated work.
• Boost Translated Book Marketing: Explore effective marketing strategies tailored specifically for promoting translated books to a diverse audience.
• Understand Legal Aspects of Translation: Gain insights into the legal considerations and implications of international book translations to navigate potential challenges and protect your work.
  
  

Isabella Nanni graduated in Foreign Languages and Literature in Bologna, Italy, in 1994 and is listed as Expert Interpreter and Translator at the local Chamber of Commerce. In 2019 she won the "Bottega deiTraduttori" (The Translators Workshop) literary translation contest. She is a native Italian speaker and her language pairs are English to Italian, Spanish to Italian and German to Italian. She has worked for major international companies as well as publishers and specializes in literary translations and marketing materials. Literary translations and scouting comprise books in the following categories: Romance, Young Adult, Children, Crime fiction, Comic and Graphic Novels, Non Fiction and History. Her translations of Jess Michaels’,  Tess Thompson's and Crystal Kaswell's books made it to the top 10 best-selling kindle romances on Amazon Italy. Isabella is Top Reviewer on Netgalley since 2016 and is an active member in several online literary groups, both in her home-country as well as internationally. She is in contact with several book bloggers and is a passionate marketer of the books she translates.

Learn more here: https://doublefacetraduzioni.altervista.org/
https://www.instagram.com/doubleface.traduzioni/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Isabella-Nanni/author/B0CC5PDVWR

UNCOVER YOUR POWERFUL STORY

Overview: Karen shares everything you need to know if you want to write a book, which includes when you should do it, common mistakes to avoid, and some strategies and hacks to help you get started on your book right away.

In this episode, Alexa and Karen talk about:

• Why is there a fear of putting your voice out into the world?
• Crafting Powerful Stories: Discover the art of storytelling in nonfiction writing and captivate your readers with compelling narratives.
• Full-Service Writing Solutions: Explore a range of comprehensive writing services to support and enhance your nonfiction author journey.
• Who am I Writing For? (Ideal Reader): Uncover effective strategies to identify and connect with your target audience in the nonfiction genre.
• Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes: Learn to steer clear of pitfalls and errors commonly made by nonfiction authors, ensuring a smoother writing process.
• Success tips and when you should write a book
  
  A #1 International Bestselling author, Karen Rowe is the owner of Front Rowe Seat, a full service writing firm. She is a nonfiction expert who, for the past fifteen years has specialized in working with first-time authors and entrepreneurs to uncover their own unique and powerful story. Karen has a special fondness for memoir, self-help, business and leadership books. Helping authors create an instant connection with themselves and with their marketplace, she has worked on over 140 books to date! A transplant from the Great White North, Karen lives in Tampa, FL with her husband, and two rescue cats. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, yoga, riding her bike and going to the beach.
  
  Learn more here:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarenrowe/
  
  Website: https://www.karenrowe.com
  
  Book writing course: http://bookwritingmaster.com

In this episode, we discuss:

• The importance of finding a missionally aligned publisher (in TCP's case: feminist and queer with a commitment to BIPOC writers)
• how to find mission-aligned publishers who share your values and support your vision as an author.
• Angela's story of why she created Tehom Center Publishing to fill a lack in the industry
• the importance of intersectional feminism in the publishing industry and how it can shape the future of literature.
• effective marketing strategies for books on social justice causes 
• creative strategies for launching books that align with your values and reach a wider audience.
• how to empower BIPOC queer feminist authors through inclusive and supportive publishing practices.
• The role of publishing in social justice and activism
• How writing/telling the stories of revolutionary women and nonbinary kindred can change the world
• Angela's free Feminist Editing Guide: https://mailchi.mp/0e9a4144e769/feminist-editing
  
  Dr. Angela Yarber is an award-winning author of eight books and the founder of Tehom Center Publishing, an imprint publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. In addition to traditional, independent publishing at no cost to authors, Tehom Center Publishing also offers 1:1 and group coaching aimed at empowering authors in their book writing, book marketing, and authorpreneurship. Dr. Yarber holds a Ph.D. in Art and Religion from UC Berkeley and her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, HuffPo, Ms Magazine, The Independent, and the television show Tiny House Nation.  For more, please visit www.tehomcenter.org

Alexa and Sharissa talked about the following key points:

• Sharissa's project to fund women's writing projects: Project Seed Money
• Project Seed Money provides a monthly grant funding female authors at $1,500.00 a month to be used for writing expenses
• How women are still underrepresented in the publishing industry,  her reason for starting this program
• How to amplify female voices
• the expenses of self-publishing and strategies to obtain financial support for your writing journey as a woman author.
• how to bring your story to life in a compelling way
• tips for successfully writing a memoir
• crowdfunding as a tool for funding your book publishing journey and connecting with your audience.
• techniques for building a dedicated and engaged audience for your memoir, paving the way for successful book promotion and sales.
  
  

Sharissa Bradley is the co-owner of Project Seed Money, helping to fund women's writing dreams. While running her publishing house 5 Two Press, she learned the hard way how much it costs to publish books. In order to help fellow creatives she started Project Seed Money with her partner Wendy to help offset the costs involved with writing and to help get funding into underrepresented communities.

Learn more here: www.projectseedmoney.com
www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKNeFjrn7AboZk19jeTg2g

In this episode, Derek and Alexa discuss:

• how Derek went from being a broke valet parker to a bestselling author, selling over 100,000 books using mostly free and low-cost marketing strategies (he got into personal development and started writing fitness blogs, which eventually led him to publish a book.)
• Why you shouldn't give up after a launch that isn't successful.  (first book didn’t do well, but he kept learning about marketing until his third book became a big hit, making $6,000 in 11 days!)
• Derek focused on learning marketing strategies, and his book consistently hit #1 in competitive categories. 
• the importance of book reviews for authors, especially when launching a new book  (aim for 10 to 20 reviews early on to help with promotion)
• Build your email list! This is key to anyone serious about selling more books!
• Strategies for Reviews: ask for genuine feedback from readers and use methods like viral giveaways to build an email list. From there, authors can engage with readers and ask for reviews.
• Hollywood Pitch Formula: Derek shares a strategy called the Hollywood Pitch Formula, which helps your book stand out. It’s all about combining two concepts to create a memorable hook (e.g., "Die Hard on a bus" for the movie Speed).
• How to engage reviewers: To find reviewers, he suggests reaching out to people who already review books in your genre and giving them a clear and engaging pitch.
• Follow-Up with Readers: To encourage readers to leave reviews, Derek recommends using surveys. This approach allows authors to get feedback and, potentially, a review with minimal effort on the reader’s part. He emphasizes following up in a non-pushy way, asking questions like, "How are you enjoying the book?" before asking for a review.
• Final Thought: Getting positive reviews can be a great motivator for authors to push harder in their marketing efforts.
  
  

Derek Doepker went from being a broke valet parker to a bestselling author who's sold over 100,000 books sold using mostly free and low-cost marketing strategies. Now he shares these strategies with entrepreneurs to turn their knowledge into a bestselling book.

Learn more here: https://bestsellersecrets.com

Two book marketing experts, Alexa Bigwarfe of Write|Publish|Sell & the Women in Publishing Summit and Keri-Rae Barnum of New Shelves Book, dish out book marketing advice and trends for authors.

• We discuss why authors hate marketing and how to make it fun.
• Best tips for growing your audience.
• Why finding new readers is critical to your success.
• And more.
  
  

Also, learn about the book marketing conference in Charlotte, NC.

Get your ticket here! https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/charlotte

About Keri-Rae Barnum:

Keri-Rae Barnum is the owner and CEO of New Shelves Books. One of the most sought-after book marketing experts in the U.S., Keri has personally created and managed over 3,000 successful book sales campaigns, several of which led to USA Today Best Sellers. www.NewShelves.com

In this episode, Alexa and Joni discuss (among other things!):

• Joni's Writing Center in Vermont, and how she started that
• The ways we writers get in our own way... and how to move past them
• The importance of being inspired when you're writing
• How to deal with feedback and the power of positive feedback
• Dealing with self-sabotage and negative self-talk
• Joni's book for writers: Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier (Amazon aff link)
• Joni's new book: Party Like It's 2044: Finding the Funny in Life and Death (Amazon aff link) - finding the funny in life

Joni B. Cole is the author of seven books, including two popular writing guides: Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier (listed as a “Best Books for Writers” by Poets & Writers magazine); and Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive ("I can't imagine a better guide to writing's rewards and perils than this fine book,” American Book Review). Her second collection of personal essays, Party Like It’s 2044: Finding the Funny in Life and Death, published from the University of New Mexico Press this September, 2023. Joni teaches writing online and in person at her own writer’s center in White River Junction, Vermont, and at a diversity of academic and nonprofit programs. She is a contributor to The Writer magazine, and hosts the podcast “Author, Can I Ask You?”

Learn more here: www.jonibcole.com
www.thewriterscenterwrj.com

What happens when a company reaches out and tells you: you have to stop using the name you're using for your brand, podcast, website, courses, business, or other items?

Well, if they have a trademark to back them up, you can either go through a fight, or you can choose to rebrand.

Option 3 - if you can prove you were using the brand/name/logo prior to their use, you might have a chance at canceling their trademark.

In this episode, Alexa discusses: 

• how this happened to her - Alexa received a demand to cease using the PublishHer name for the podcast, because it is too similar to another company. 
• Alexa's lawyer's response and suggested response
• Why you should consider trademarking your brand and what you can do to protect your own business and brand (recommend seeking advice from a trademark lawyer) - Do you need a Trademark? A trademark typically protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/trademark-process#step2
• Resource: The USPTO allows you to search Trademark's - no need to hire a lawyer to see if something already exists. Search HERE

The PublishHer podcast is being rebranded as Alexa's Publishing Chat. We hope you'll continue to follow and support.

Amy Goldmacher will guide you through what agents and publishers look for in the components of a proposal, how to write proposal sections effectively, and how the proposal will help you write your book and achieve your publication goals.

Amy Goldmacher's journey into the world of writing and publishing began with a deep-rooted passion for sharing stories and ideas. Her initial role as an academic publisher ignited her desire to become an editor, leading her to take on the challenge of a sales representative position. It was during this time that her experience in anthropology became intertwined with her professional aspirations, ultimately culminating in the co-authoring of an academic textbook. Amy's decision to pursue graduate studies in anthropology coincided with the publication of the textbook's second edition, marking a significant turning point. Harnessing her expertise, Amy ventured into the realm of book coaching, guiding aspiring nonfiction authors through the intricate process of crafting book proposals. Amy's unique blend of professional experience and academic insight forms the foundation of her approach, offering aspiring authors invaluable support as they navigate the complexities of the publishing industry.

Amy Goldmacher is a traditionally published nonfiction author and Author Accelerator-certified nonfiction book coach. She has coached writers from book ideas to polished, pitch-ready proposals and manuscripts that get book deals. You can find her work on JaneFriedman.com, The Brevity Blog, Pipeline Media Group, and The New York Times, among others. 

Key Takeaways:

•  learn how the elements of a book proposal attract agent and publisher interest
• clarify your book idea so you can write it
• learn how the proposal is actually the scaffolding of the book you want to write
• take steps to start your publication journey

Learn more:
Amy can be found on social media at @solidgoldmacher
https://www.amygoldmacher.com/
https://www.amygoldmacher.com/podcast  https://www.npr.org/2024/04/08/1243433868/authors-scramble-after-the-main-distributor-for-small-publishers-suddenly-closed  

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Mastering the Art of Podcasting: Unlocking Proven Strategies for Authors and Creators to Amplify Their Reach and Impact.
• Captivating Audiences: Unveiling the Power of Podcast Tours for Successful Book Launches.
• Crafting Compelling Speaking Topics: Empowering Authors to Command Attention and Inspire Action Through Engaging Presentations.
• Embodying Authenticity: Harnessing the Influence of Podcast Guest Presence to Forge Meaningful Connections with Listeners.
• The Power of Storytelling: Building Lasting Relationships and Cultivating Loyalty through Author-Centric Podcasts.

Michelle Glogovac, aka THE Podcast Matchmaker™, is an award-winning podcast publicist and host of the My Simplified Life podcast. She matches her clients with the perfect podcast hosts and teaches them how to share their story, vision, and expertise in ways that generate new business opportunities. Michelle speaks on a variety of topics, including PR, entrepreneurship, and life lessons and has interviewed and worked with Emmy Award winners, international bestselling authors, advocates and activists, and many other individuals. She is the founder and CEO of The MLG Collective®, a podcast public relations agency.

You can learn more about Michelle Glogavac here:
https://themlgcollective.com
https://michelleglogovac.com
https://instagram.com/michelleglogovac

• Visit the MLG Collective website to access free pitching tips and tips on how to be a great podcast guest under the Free Resources section.
• Check out Michelle Glogovac's personal website, MichelleGlogovac.com, to learn more about her services and access additional resources.
• Purchase the book How to Get on Podcasts by Michelle Glogovac, available on various platforms including Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Books-A-Million.
• Connect with Michelle Glogovac on social media platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to stay updated on her latest insights and offerings.
• Attend the Women in Publishing Summit workshop hosted by Michelle Glogovac to learn about creating a podcast book tour and maximizing the promotional potential of podcast appearances.