2019 Blogging Changes

Happy New Year!

Wow -- I can hardly believe it's been nine years since I launched this blog! It's crazy to think that I began as a 16-year-old who simply wanted to share her writing passion with other writers. {Check out my first-ever post!} It's been so fun to record my journey on this blog -- in both the writing and the publishing world. I've made amazing connections these past several years and have enjoyed helping you reach for your dreams as well! 

Unfortunately, due to time limitations, I need to cut back on my blogging schedule for this year. I will now post only once every other Wednesday. I am also launching a new column through AlmostAnAuthor.com titled "Becoming an Author", so several of the posts I share on here will be linked to my column posts. 

If time allows, I may post more often -- but for now this is how my blogging schedule will work. However, feel free to scroll through my archives and check out previous posts! 

Also, if you're interested in following my author journey then I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter! You can do so at this link. You can also check out my schedule for this year on my website at this link. 

I have also officially launched editing/mentoring services as well. If you're a writer who is looking for affordable rates, feel free to check out my services at this link. 

This isn't a goodbye, of course -- I simply wanted to "warn" you of the upcoming blog changes in 2019. =) I look forward to continuing to accompany you along your writing journey! In the meantime, feel free to let me know if you have any specific blog topic requests or questions you would like for me to answer in a post. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

How Can an Aspiring Author Build a Platform That Impresses an Agent or Publisher?

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It's not an easy feat for aspiring authors to sign with a literary agent these days. The competition is tough. Slush piles are high. And when a writer receives a rejection, it doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad writer. So how can you, an aspiring author, catch the attention of an agent or publisher?

For those of you who aren't aware, I've been working with Hartline Literary Agency as an intern for the past six months. It's been enlightening to see this side of the industry, to say the least. As I've helped Cyle Young weave through his slush pile, I've discovered more and more as to why, exactly, it's difficult for aspiring authors -- even the talented and experienced writers -- to land a literary agent. 

Agents receive floods of queries. This isn't just an excuse they give when they respond to your query six months after your submission. It's the hard truth. And unfortunately, responding to this flood of submissions is not an agent's primary job. 

When they do snatch an opportunity to comb through their submissions, they have to be strict about who they sign with -- otherwise, they'd take on hundreds of authors who share the same publishing dream as you do.  

So how can you, an aspiring author, separate yourself from the crowd? What are agents searching for these days?

As much as agents love to discover new talent, they won't sign with a client unless they believe the project has potential to sell to publishers. With that in mind, let's reframe the question: What is it that publishers look for when they receive a proposal?

Great writing + Intruiging premise + Strong platform

Of course, publishers only take on projects that they believe will sell in today's current marketplace. So if you can send them a project that fits the above criteria, then your chances of publication will increase.


Acquisition editors are becoming more strict about platform. In the past, only the non-fiction writers were expected to have a strong audience; now, the fiction writers are expected to have an established one as well. Yes, even before their book is published. 

What is a platform, exactly?

A platform is the total number of people you can reach when your book is published. It's your audience, your readership. The combined number of your followers online. Your "tribe". Potential customers of your book.  

I've even heard that some acquisition editors will choose a big platform over good writing. Why? Because, ultimately, it’s the number that will sell the book. Publishers have to stay in business. It makes sense that they wouldn't want to take on a project unless they know the book could sell well.  

In other words -- that book you've spent countless hours working on? If you hope it'll see the light of day, it's wise to devote just as much work into building a platform that will impress an agent or publisher.

Here are 5 ways this can be accomplished:

1. Blog consistently

If you post 1 - 3 times per week, blogging can expand reach to your target audience. Your blog is your cyber home, and it can become the area in which you discuss topics related to your writing, spark conversation, and interact with followers. Think of your blog as a virtual coffee shop you can go to and interact with your readers. 

Your blog is also an online portfolio of your writing. It can help you discover your brand -- which will, in return, expand your platform. Not only that, but if you do post consistently, you'll prove to prospective agents that you can write quality content on deadline.


But simply creating a blog and writing an occasional post isn't going to help. You must go into blogging with the specific intention to build your readership. If you'd like more advice on how to do that, check out my series on blogging -- Part 1 and Part 2.

2. Remain active {and interactive} on social media

Blogging is a passion of mine. I enjoy the process of sharing information and inspiration, then receiving instant publication and conversation with readers. 

Social media, on the other hand, took a bit longer to get accustomed to. As an introvert, I don’t have that natural tendency to spark random conversations or publicly display my life for others. However, social media is a powerful tool that allows writers to network with others in the industry and target core readership -- both of which can contribute to platform. 


You can use social media as a way to connect with readers. Your posts can inspire, entertain, inform, reflect, and educate. No, you don't necessarily have to use it to grant strangers an "inside peek" into your personal life -- but keep in mind that readers do enjoy learning about the person behind the books. It makes authors come across as more approachable. (John Greene is an excellent example on how to build a tribe on social media by remaining your genuine, authentic self.)


If you need more help on how to use social media to your advantage, I recommend Edie Melson's blog, The Write Conversation, as well as her book, Connections.

3. Discover and develop your brand

A brand is the reputation you create for yourself. It’s the image, essence, and impression that comes to your readers' minds when they hear your name. A brand combines an author's genre, personality, and unique characteristics in a way that sets them apart from other authors. 


At the same time, your brand can offer something of value to your readership, which is why it aids in building platform and selling books. If you can communicate your brand effectively through your online presence, then your readers will know what to expect every time they purchase one of your books.  

4. Focus on your readers

Going back to the example of John Greene: Another reason he has such a supportive tribe is because of the relationship he's formed with his fans. He didn't become a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author simply by posting on his social media accounts and blog, My book releases in two days! Pre-order your copy now! Instead, he first focused on building a relationship with his readers. And it's because of that relationship that readers flock to buy his books as soon as they're available for pre-order.


We can accomplish the same through our social media accounts and blog as well. Rather than using our online presence as a means to post "commercials" of our products, we can instead use it as a way to connect with our target audience. Offer something of value to them in every post. Learn who they are. Cater to them, and make them feel special.


Why do fans love Taylor Swift? Not just because of her music, but because she establishes friendships with her fans. And of course they'll want to buy an album from one of their best friends! Never once have I seen her begging these fans to buy her album.


As you're discovering your brand, ask yourself: What is it that readers will get out of my products? Why will they want to return to my blog and interact with me on social media?

5. Generate a mailing list

Your readers might miss an occasional blog or social media post from you. But if they sign up for your mailing list, then that post can be delivered straight to their inbox.


This can be a powerful tool, but only if it's treated with respect. If you abuse your mailing list, then the frequent email blasts you send will come across as spam, and your readers will most likely unsubscribe.


When you set up your mailing list, use the same principles mentioned above. Ask yourself, what will my readers get in return? Why will they want to sign up? Is it because they'll receive an instant short story or coffee recipe? Is it because they're interested in hearing about the frequent YA book sales that you could include in your newsletter?


Treat your mailing list subscribers as if they're apart of your special club. Cater your email blasts and newsletters toward them, and watch as the size of your dedicated readership increases.   

SUMMARY: 



Building a platform that impresses an agent or publisher probably won't come quick or easy. But if you keep at it, it can turn into a snowball effect: The bigger it grows, the more people you'll reach -- and the bigger it'll grow, etc.



Eventually, you might feel as though you're taking away from your book-writing hours. But if you can balance time management well, then the hours and effort you devote into building a platform will pay off. 


In fact, it may be the very reason why a literary agent selects your query out of their pile of submissions.



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How Can an Aspiring Author Build a Platform That Impresses an Agent or Publisher? http://bit.ly/1YviHtP #pubtips @TessaEmilyHall

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Do you enjoy the challenge of building a platform? Or would you prefer to devote time into writing instead? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Creating & Maintaining a Blog to Build a Readership: Part 2

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In the previous post, we discussed how writers can build a blog readership by establishing a brand, deciding on a topic, and having a clear target audience in mind. But how is a blog maintained once its created? Here are 5 strategies I’ve found to be the most helpful... {Continue Reading}

How to Create & Maintain a Blog to Build a Readership: Part 1

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Is it necessary for aspiring authors to create a blog? And how can it be done in a way that builds a readership for your future books? 


I answer these questions and more on today's post at AlmostAnAuthor.com. Click here for the post!

Should Aspiring Authors Build a Platform Before Publication?

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What do you think: Does building a platform help or hurt a writing career? Do you enjoy blogging, or do you consider it to be a waste of time?

I'm over at AlmostAnAuthor.com today discussing the importance of building an online readership -- even before you book is complete. Click here to stop by and join the conversation!

Thursday's Thought: Blog Tours or Book Signings?

In this day in age, blog tours are becoming more popular than book signings/book tours—especially for the authors who may not be well-known. Blog tours are a great way to build buzz about your book, and an author is able to hold one without ever leaving the comfort of his/her own home. 

However, there is no way to tell which one generates more sales. I personally love to attend  a book signing, even if I have never heard of the author before. From an author's perspective, being able to meet readers and sign their books can be far more personable than a blog tour. On the other hand, blog tours can be just as exciting, and are generally able to spread more word about your book than a book signing.

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What are your thoughts about blog tours vs. book signings, and which do you prefer? 

PS: I am currently planning the blog tour for my debut YA Christian fiction novel, Purple Moon. If you would like to be apart of this blog tour, please send me an email at christiswrite (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

Thursday's Thought: Should Every Writer Own a Blog?

This month marks the third year anniversary for the launch of my blog. I personally have really enjoyed owning a blog—having a place to post devotions, writing tips, book reviews, etc.—as well as meeting all of you guys. Before my blog days, I didn't really have an outlet to share with others the things that God has shown me, neither was I able to discuss writing with anyone without boring them to death. I have noticed that blogging consistently can be great practice for writing, and it is also a great way to share and publish your work. One advantage that aspiring authors can gain through blogging is building a readership. I have met several new authors through blogging, and I know that it will be a great tool for promoting my debut novel when it releases this spring. 

However, many authors—as well as aspiring authors—do not own a blog for several reasons. One, they may not have time. This is understandable, especially since blogging can be quite time-consuming and often just becomes procrastination-practice rather than writing-practice. Some authors do not see any use in owning a blog and do not believe that their books' sales would increase if they did own one. This can be true, especially since the majority of an author's readers do not come through blogs but rather through word-of-mouth or by reading reviews online. You can always gain a readership through social media outlets as well, such as Twitter and Facebook. Many authors—including best-selling authors—are doing just fine selling their novels without having to own a blog. Although I personally believe that writers should own a blog and that it can help bring buzz to your books, it may just not be for every writer.

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What do you think? Should every aspiring author own a blog? What are some advantages you've gained through owning a blog as a writer?