by Stephen Campbell | Sep 8, 2015 | Podcasts
Robert Gregory Browne is the guest on this episode of The Author Biz podcast.
Robert Gregory Browne
What’s the secret to the success of your author business?
I’ve been asking a version of that question to many of my recent guests and I love the way the answer to that single question sets the direction of the show.
For today’s guest, screenwriter, turned traditionally published author, turned indie author, Robert Gregory Browne the answer was his unwillingness to give up. To keep persevering when success didn’t fall upon him immediately, the way we all hope it will.
Robert kept at it, taking 19 years to achieve his first real success as a screenwriter and reinventing himself a few times along the way.
Since becoming an indie author in 2012 Robert has either written or been involved in the writing of a dozen novels. He’s written his own books, he’s co-authored books, and he’s launched a fascinating new project, THE LINGER SERIES, which combines a story idea he had several years ago with an epiphany he had while binge-watching House of Cards on Netflix.
In this 53 minute episode, we get into the value of not giving up, Robert’s willingness to experiment and his thoughts on the craft of writing, which he’s expressed in his new book, CASTING THE BONES, An Indie Authors Guide to the Craft of Fiction.
Show Notes:
- Robert began writing when he was 16 and didn’t see his first success as a writer until age 35 when he sold a screenplay to Showtime.
- He sold his first novel at age 50 and credits never giving up as a chief reason for the success of his author business.
- Robert explains how and why he transitioned from traditional to indie publishing in 2012.
We discuss the LINGER Series - A fascinating experiment in trying to determine if the binge-watching habits people have developed through watching would transfer to reading.- We discuss CASTING THE BONES, Robert’s new book for authors.
- One of the points Robert makes in the book is that the best way to write is the way that works best for you.
- A discussion of the “show don’t tell” rule beginning authors try so hard to follow. Robert believes “show AND tell” is a better approach for many of us.
- The value of getting some distance from your work as a way of helping authors to determine if a book is ready to be published.
- The importance of making connections with other authors through conferences, events, and even social media.
- Robert shares his thoughts on the benefits and pitfalls of using Facebook as an author.
- Robert began using the “sign up and get a free e-book” technique that many authors are using to increase the size of their email list several months ago. He shares his experience using the technique.
- Robert shares his thoughts on what’s working now for authors and the value of publishing high-quality books and building your catalog.
Click here to listen to The Author Biz no. 56
Links
Robert’s website, www.robertgregorybrowne.com
Purchase CASTING THE BONES at Amazon
Purchase the LINGER series at Amazon
Braun Haus Media website
Robert’s Facebook page
Barry Eisler’s post on JA Konrath’s blog – Shocking WSJ Discovery: Higher Prices=Lower Volume!
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below.
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Thanks to Robert Gregory Brown for joining us this week.
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Creative Commons image by aatlas
by Stephen Campbell | May 18, 2015 | Podcasts
Author, editor, and writing teacher Jordan Rosenfeld is the guest in Episode 43 of The Author Biz.
What’s your biggest need as an author? It’s different for everyone, isn’t it. For you it might be more readers. For me, it’s finding enough writing time each day to make meaningful progress towards my goals.
But there’s something else we all need that’s easy to overlook.
Persistence. What some might call the ability to keep on keeping on.
Today’s guest, Jordan Rosenfeld, is the author of five books. She’s also an editor, a writing teacher, and a coach. Her most recent book is A WRITER’S GUIDE TO PERSISTENCE: How to Create a Lasting and Productive Writing Practice.
She’s also a big believer in treating your writing as a practice. In fact, she believes the more we treat our writing as a practice, the less likely we are to give into pressure, self-sabotage, and to taking bad advice. Which in turn allows us to persist as we build our author businesses.
In this 46 minute interview, we learn the value of persistence to authors, the importance of treating your writing as a practice, and more: (more…)
by Stephen Campbell | Apr 27, 2015 | Podcasts
Jennifer Fusco is the guest in this episode of The Author Biz.
When I say marketing, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?
Is it positive, or negative?
Jennifer Fusco
Most authors aren’t in love with marketing. For many it’s a chore. Something that has to be done, rather than something they enjoy. Writers want to write, not market. But marketing is something that must be done if an author wants her work to be found in today’s world.
My guest in this episode is Jennifer Fusco. She’s a marketing professional with over a decade of experience at one of the largest companies in the world. She’s also a romance writer, with her first book coming out this fall. But for our purposes today she’s the author of the newly released book, MARKET OR DIE - A Down and Dirty Guide to Marketing Your Book.
Jennifer says that “Marketing is about building relationships. And those relationships will generate demand for you and your work.” That’s it.
Jennifer has the unique ability to take the tried and true fundamentals of sound marketing strategy and translate them into something that’s understandable, and actionable for authors at every level.
We’re spending the entire 49 minutes of this interview talking about marketing for authors. Some highlights include: (more…)
by Stephen Campbell | Apr 20, 2015 | Podcasts
Award-winning author Heather Ashby is the guest on this episode of The Author biz.
Heather Ashby
What’s the single best thing anyone has ever told you about your books?
Well written? Brilliant? Just like (insert bestselling author name here), only better?
Today’s guest, Heather Ashby has heard all of that, and more. But she’s also heard that her military romance series is being used as a healing tool for the wives of soldiers with PTSD.
Heather’s parents both served in the military. She served in the Navy, her son served in the Army, and her husband is a retired naval engineer.
Her original goals for writing were primarily to craft entertaining stories, but beginning with her second book, a theme of healing developed in her books. And she’s allowed that theme to grow with each successive book.
But that’s just the start of the story. Heather has also partnered with the Fisher House Foundation, a charity that provides housing for military families at no cost while their wounded warrior loved ones are receiving treatment.
We dig into these topics and explain how this all ties into your author business during this 51-minute interview. Other highlights include: (more…)
by Stephen Campbell | Apr 6, 2015 | Podcasts
Author’s Assistant Kate Tilton is the guest on this episode of The Author Biz
Can you remember the last time you felt like you were caught up with the work surrounding your author business?
I know you’re busy.
You’re writing, revising and polishing one book while you’re planning the next.
Kate Tilton
You’re trying to carve out time to stay active on social media. Tracking deadlines for your cover designer, editors, and your formatter. And you’ve got to do something about getting your series into audio.
I know you don’t have time to sit down and listen to this, so you’ll listen while you’re walking, or running, or picking up the kids.
And you’ll be glad you did listen because today we’re talking about what can be the busy author’s best friend. The author assistant.
Kate Tilton has been an author assistant since she was 16. She tells you what she, and others in her growing field can do to help you spend more time on your highest value work.
Writing.
She explains how authors utilize assistants and what those assistants can do to simplify your busy life.
In this 48 minute episode, we’ll discuss the role of the author’s assistant and how finding the right one can help to fuel your career. (more…)
