Weekend Thread: Book Therapy
Your chance to ask me anything about book publishing.
Confidantes,
Welcome to Book Therapy Friday.
Before we begin, a reminder that I’m starting a Publishing Confidential Cohort! It’s $350 for a virtual six-week course that covers the publishing process, marketing, and publicity. It also includes a 45-minute consultation with me (usually $375 on its own). Learn more about the course here. The application is here. There are only a few spots left. Please note that the classes are best taken live on the dates listed in the course Google document. It is open to all genres. If you are self-published, be patient. I will create a cohort for self-published authors in the new year because the material will differ. If you have a hybrid publisher, the current cohort will meet your needs. Each class will be recorded and sent to the authors the day after the live class.
The Main Event:
BOOK THERAPY:
This community is for paid subscribers, and the goal is to create a safe space where you can ask questions about the publishing industry/process, book publicity, and marketing. It’s also a space where you can share what you’re worried about in book publishing.
Please post your questions in the comments, and I will answer them throughout the day & weekend.
PLEASE READ THE RULES:
-If you are asking a question about YOUR book, please tell me a little bit about it, or my response will be, “It depends on the book…”
-I cannot answer questions via email. Please post your questions in the comments. You'll need to be a paid subscriber to do that.
-I can only provide ADVICE when I respond to specific questions, not definitive answers.
-This is a forum where questions are asked. It is not a forum to write lengthy commentary about your book or the publishing industry (or political beliefs, etc.). If you reply to someone’s question, do so in a helpful way.
-Be respectful to me and others. Everyone’s experience is different. Be kind. Unkind comments will not be tolerated.
-If I don’t know the answer, I will tell you and try to provide a resource where you might find it.
-Please don’t use the comments to self-promote. That’s not what this thread is about.
-There’s no such thing as a stupid question. We don’t know what we don’t know!
-Please be patient. I’ll pop in and out to answer you.
-The more context you provide, the better response I can give you.
-Please allow me the weekend to answer your questions. The deadline to post a question is Sunday night. After that, you’ll have to wait until the next edition of Book Therapy.
Please limit your questions to one comment so I can keep track of them and be fair to others who have questions.
-I have the least experience in YA and kid’s books, so I don’t feel comfortable advising that territory.
-This is a community effort so others may chime in with their own knowledge.
Ready? Go!
-Kathleen
I literally just subscribed to a year of your content. I love your write ups. They are so informative! As an author with a boutique publisher and having just released a new book, I see that I am now basically a small business owner, with my book my product. I see that I need to get people to my website where they can buy my book. What are the three best ways to get people to my website? Is blogging still relevant for that? If so, I’ll start one. If not, what would be a better way?
Hi Kathleen, my debut novel “Soft Launch” is coming out February 1 from Little A, Amazon Publishing. I sold it without an agent but just signed with Park Fine & Brower, which has been tremendously helpful leading up to the launch!! I wanted to see if you have any advice on getting the book into smaller bookstores across the country. I have been mailing early copies to different booksellers. I know the publisher’s sales team will do some of this, but I’m a huge believer in a personal touch and wanted your opinion! I live in Los Angeles and am from nyc and it’s very important that the book is sold in ancillary markets. Thank you!