Friday book marketing content suggestion: what books are closest to your desk today? Are you reading them now, are they inspiration, are they craft related?
Showing readers your 'behind the scenes' can be simple, and is an effective way to build connections. #Authorsky
In good news, nearly all of the Philadelphia libraries (PA) will reopen Saturday hours: www.phillyvoice.com/free-library...
Book marketing tip of the day: give yourself enough time.
Just because your edits and cover will be done by a certain date doesn't mean the best time to publish is right after that. Do you have a marketing plan in place? Do you have the time to follow that plan before your pub date? #AuthorSky
Come join
The Bluemoose Birthday Bash at Leeds Central Library on June 13th.
Part of The Leeds Literature Festival.
Sharon Duggal, Simon Crump & Rob Potts will be chatting about their books.
And I'll be nattering about 20 years as an Indy publisher.
www.ticketsource.com/leedslibrary...
Having a lovely break in Scotland with family while daughter is off school, and I'm now looking ahead to my April and May freelance book marketing projects. I still have a few slots, so do get in touch, here, through my website, or through Reedsy if you'd like help reaching new readers! #Authorsky
Monday morning means catching up on my Reedsy inbox! I'll be closing for requests later this week while my kids are on their school break, and re-open in late April. (My direct inbox is always open.)
Just to be very clear, I am very open to working on LGBTQ+ books of all kinds. Bring me your sapphic romcoms, your m/m sports books, your queer space romps, and your poly high fantasy - I would love to help you get these books to more readers 🏳️🌈 #QueerLit
Had a lovely author strategy call this week where we discussed promoting a debut with eyes firmly on a career of writing: first book in a series, multiple other books planned in the world, etc. Exactly the sort of romance books I love to find, and it was a pleasure to help strategise.
Working from my favourite independent cafe this morning while little one is at nursery. Client projects, then editing another chapter of my own story before it goes to the proofreader next week. #FreelanceLife #BookMarketing #ParentJuggle
Sure, using trial videos will indeed grow your following. But that's just not realistic for most authors.
The best way to market your book on socials is to find a platform you enjoy using, and a posting schedule that works *for you*, based around your own availability and interests. #Authorsky
I see lots of indie authors asking questions about timelines for marketing activity. When should you send ARCs? When should you start a newsletter? When do you start promoting on socials?
To answer these questions (& *why*) I've put together a timeline, packed with tips:
ICYMI: Independent publisher Dead Ink Books has rebranded to mark its 10th anniversary, with a new logo, website and visual identity 👇 #BookSky
Ooh, what’s the queer romcom?
Here’s my next weekend read: The Love Plot by Samantha Young. Grumpy vet, sunshine character actor, he hires her as a fake girlfriend so his rich family stop pestering him.
What’s next on your tbr pile?
#BookSky #WeekendReads #Romancelandia
It is one of my favourite things when I find a new-to-me author I love and they have lots of books out already for me to glom through. I'm racing through authorchelseacurto.bsky.social's DC Stars series at the moment. #Romancelandia
Ah, the weekend. Where I try to fit in some relaxing time around also parenting two children, catching up on jobs I was too exhausted for in the week, and still replying to Reedsy requests within 48 hours to meet their best practice guidelines #FreelanceLife
The majority of authors who ask me for help need to start by fixing either their cover or their book description; a lot of the time it's both. If you've done the editorial work on the inside, could you get some friends or family who read a lot to look at your cover and blurb? #BookMarketing
Zimbabwean writer Andrew Chatora has founded a new independent literary publisher, Friesian Publishing, championing fiction and memoir “distinguished by clarity of voice” 👇 #BookSky
My marketing advice to self-publishing authors with a limited budget is always to invest in a cover. Covers are the first thing that most people see: you need it to look polished.
#BookMarketing #SelfPublishingTips
I'm quite in love with this cover 😍 Who is the designer?
Would you like to join our 2026 committee? We would love to have you!
We have a new Events Officer position opening up, for those who would like to develop valuable skills and connect with fellow professionals in the publishing industry.
Apply via this link by January 15th!
lnkd.in/es-P2SHH
Looking ahead, I have two spaces left in January for fully-personalised book marketing plans. Pop me a message or reach out to ailsa@ailsastuart.com to book. in your spot! #AuthorSky #BookMarketing
I looked at the teen girls sweaters because I was jealous of my kids’ cute options! Got one from Next via Vinted
We had an incredible evening on Tuesday at our event: Launching BookBindr – an exciting new way of collaborating in publishing, brought to you by Byte The Book & Bookswarm 📚 We loved seeing our community come together and network!
Here’s a few of our fave event photos 📸
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 230:
Be honest. Write what you care about. Give of yourself. If you try to hold back, you'll fail to connect with your readers. (And yes, it feels scary, being vulnerable. Do it anyway.)
If you’re going to cold-email someone wanting them to buy a service, maybe give it more than 24 hours before you follow up?
Dropped my toddler off at nursery this morning and there were Christmas songs playing in the room. I don’t know if the staff will still be enthusiastic about it come December 19th when term ends
I invite people to imagine how many times I mis-spelled ‘serendipitous’ during the writing of this book.