Get Your Book Seen and Sold

If Instagram has ever made you feel like you’re shouting into the void, you’re not alone.

Before her debut YA novel, See Dot Smile, hits shelves (this October), Meg Oolders was already asking the question most authors avoid: How can I reach my book buyers?

What changed next wasn’t luck—it was clarity.

And it completely reshaped how she shows up online.

In this podcast episode, I ask Meg about the process of bringing See Dot Smile to publication, including its brand new cover, editing issues, as well as her whole-hearted, reel-creating deep dive into Instagram. Her heart-felt endeavor to learn the tech behind Instagram reels will resonate. Her reels are truly entertaining. Social media magic occurs when an author’s skills combine with her genuine interests on social media.

In the podcast you will hear about:

Empress Editions publishers

WattPad

Talk Fiction Podcast

Meg Oolder’s Website

Meg’s Instagram @MegOolders

Too Much Social Substack by Nicola Washington

“Meg’s journey isn’t finished—it’s unfolding.When her book launches this October, we’ll check back in to see what’s working, what changed, and what every author can learn from what comes next.”

If you’re an author trying to figure out how to actually reach your readers—not just post and hope—this episode will give you a clearer path forward.

And if you’ve been stuck in the “this isn’t working” phase on Instagram, Meg’s shift might be the one that unlocks it for you.

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I invite you 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. ~Claudine

Humor 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.com

Julie’s Website

Julie’s Substack

Julie’s Book: Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?)

Julie’s Substack Post: BookTok You Don’t Stop

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Want to turn insights like these into action?

The challenge isn’t finding advice—it’s knowing how to apply it.

Upgrade your subscription to access my Author Book Marketing Starter Kit—where I break down strategies like the ones you just read into clear, usable steps you can apply to your own book.

✔ Translate expert advice into a real plan✔ Use templates to implement faster✔ Build your own repeatable promotion system✔ Stop consuming—and start executing

👇 Get started here:

Know a writer who needs this?Share this post and help them take the next step toward getting their book seen.

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: Begin

Gene-ius by Sharon Wegner, on sale to day at Amazon

The Southern California Book Festival

Kate Brenton’s website with additional course offerings for writers

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Want to turn insights like these into action?

The challenge isn’t finding advice—it’s knowing how to apply it.

Upgrade your subscription to access my Author Book Marketing Starter Kit—where I break down strategies like the ones you just read into clear, usable steps you can apply to your own book.

✔ Translate expert advice into a real plan✔ Use templates to implement faster✔ Build your own repeatable promotion system✔ Stop consuming—and start executing

👇 Get started here:

Know a writer who needs this?Share this post and help them take the next step toward getting their book seen.

Introducing… The Story Graph App

In 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 Books

For 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 Mitton

Holly Mitton, publicist, offers a free consulting call for authors.

Contact her: Little Bird Boston Website | email: [email protected] | Instagram: @hollylittlebirdbostonpr

Holly’s Book Recommendations:

The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye

The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza

Women Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolan-Hoeksema

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Claudine Book Mentions:

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell

Too Old For This by Samantha Downing

The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George

note: affiliate links are mine, thanks for your support

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Holly Also Mentions: Goodreads and F/B: The Peloton Mom’s Book Club

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Want to turn insights like these into action?

The challenge isn’t finding advice—it’s knowing how to apply it.

Upgrade your subscription to access my Author Book Marketing Starter Kit—where I break down strategies like the ones you just read into clear, usable steps you can apply to your own book.

✔ Translate expert advice into a real plan✔ Use templates to implement faster✔ Build your own repeatable promotion system✔ Stop consuming—and start executing

👇 Get started here:

Know a writer who needs this?Share this post and help them take the next step toward getting their book seen.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:

Covenant House

Soul Survivor Ink Organization

Clover Tattoo in Lancaster, PA - @Clovertattoopa (Instagram)

Geraldine Donaher Website with more information

Gerri’s first novel, Still (a Claudine favorite)

Sign Up For Gerri’s Substack Newsletter: The Writer’s Flashlight

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Want to turn insights like these into action?

Upgrade your subscription to access my Author Book Marketing Starter Kit—where I break strategies like these into clear, usable steps you can apply right away.

✔ Turn advice into a real plan✔ Implement faster with templates✔ Build your own repeatable system

👇 Get started here:

Know a writer who needs this?Share this post and help them take the next step toward getting their book seen.

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 Enter. One Wins. 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?

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Want to turn insights like these into action?

Upgrade your subscription to access my Author Book Marketing Starter Kit—where I break strategies like these into clear, usable steps you can apply right away.

✔ Turn advice into a real plan✔ Implement faster with templates✔ Build your own repeatable system

👇 Get started here:

Know a writer who needs this?Share this post and help them take the next step toward getting their book seen.

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.com

Jane’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.

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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.

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 college

Penelope invited listeners to email her directly with questions at [email protected].

Thanks for listening as always.

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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.

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 completed

and 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.org

Alliance of Independent Authors

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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.

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 website

Sharon’s Substack - The Profitable Author - a business that you love

[email protected] - 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 business

Sharon’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 satisfaction

Why “Done is better than Perfect”

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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.