Wealth of information! Here are some of my takeaways: -Build a mailing list -Not traditional vs indie, but which option is best for the current project given the writer's goals -Give it time before you expect to be profitable ( min. 2 years for most businesses) -Most authors need 4-6 books that have been out for 4-6 months -Be generous with your readers -Have conversations with readers -Promote your books with your other books -Change the prices up and down to attract new readers -Find ways to expand one-on-one conversations with readers out to new readers (e.g. "here's a gift for your friend"!) -Best-spent time online may be a blog with regular posts about you and your work with a mailing list signup *I'm sure I missed some 😁
I was about to click this off, but the video kept getting better. Thank you for the info and the interview, Joanna. I ended up being inspired with some good nuggets, although I had to be patient! Now, let's sell a million books like CJ.
What an enthusiastic person CJ is! I love the mentality that writing is about the readers; isn't that why everyone should be doing it? People with that attitude won’t make sock puppet accounts or plagiarise other writer’s works or any of the other bad author shenanigans that have been happening lately.
No magic wand guys, just keep writing the best possible books. After you publish the first one, start the next one, and the next one, and the next one...If you write books with your audience in mind, they will find you and they will KEEP BUYING from you. And, big tip, collect their emails so you can let them know of any new releases you have etc
It's amazing that on Amazon the reviews for her books ( as well as other authors ) have a myriad of good and bad reviews. From 5 stars to 1 star, just goes to show that no matter the writer, if they're hot or not, famous or not, the reviews are going to be up and down. This is a problem that a lot of writers have when dealing with reviews, they aren't prepared to read a bad review.
probably the best video on tips for writers, I'd recommend it to ANYONE wanting to learn how to make it in the business. Ps: Joanna, your interviews are addictive. Great choice of authors. Thank you! x
Very, very good advice from CJ Lyons. Still some of the bestselling authors don't start building an email like like Gillian Flynn or Sara Waters don't build any email list. I wonder, in what format does CJ Lyons send her book copies? A mobi or pdf format?
I am very happy to read that you are an introvert who succeeded. Happy to hear that you are not a social media person and used emails instead. Happy to hear you say to write your heart and let other things follow. I enjoyed this real and honest broadcast.
Not every writer will sell a million books. I have been writing fiction for about 2 years now, and have 16 books listed on Amazon. I make a few bucks every month - nothing to brag about mind you - but there is so much advice floating around on how you can increase your sales that it's hard to believe some of the advice floating around. My best sellers to date are "The Hacienda" and 'The Doll Witch Murders, by TB Riggs. However, people are way too busy these days to leave a review. Take it from me, it is not easy out there as a self published author. The competition is fierce!
Thank you CJ and Joanna! I’m about to launch my first book and you girls have really helped to inspire and guide me. It’s scary but now a little less scary. Bless you both!
I have a book on amazon which i dnt think sold a copy, I'm in the Caribbean and I don't know how it works in terms of how far up the list my book is on but i'd love to get some help from you thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I am a published Indie author. Except I have been struggling to get my book out there. I am currently working on getting another book out. Much of what you said CJ made sense to me. I made notes and I'm looking forward to visiting your website for writers. :)
Hi Joan, I am the self published author of only one novel, The Dandelion. Which chronicles a woman’s journey from anguish to exhilaration, written as a letter from a wife to her cheating husband. I don’t have another novel ready to go, but want to promote the one I do have. So many people online talk about writing series, but didn’t Harper Lee and JK Rowling do well with their initial book?
Of course, you can promote the one book you do have - lots of authors do. You can use the same principles - check out www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/ for ideas
I appreciate all that you ladies are teaching but new writers need to build desire to do it, and they need writing education. You can sit all you want and write but lack of education will make endless revision...etc and waste your time and energy. I have a steady writing success and awards, including a Puschart nomination. The poem wasn't even hard to write because I am well educated in the craft of writing. I am a writing genuis but I made myself one by getting education repeating the lessons and daily writing. I teach writing on my channel.
Informative interview. I don't understand, though, how CJ can know that she has made 10x as much self-pubbing her first novel after it was dropped by the trad. publisher. 10x the advance, I get; but, she/we will never know if it could have been The Help (Stockett) for 2004 (13 million sold + movie rights). I do enjoy CJ's candor. She speaks humbly and precisely. Fantastic attitude. Thanks, JP and CJL.
Kathryn Stockett, Karen Russell, Gillian Flynn, and even one time self-pubbed, E.L.James (and I'm only naming a few of the newly minted female author multimillionaires, and all within the last 2-3 years, here) would disagree with you, Michael.
Tons of news, lots of good information, but the best two items for me, the key: write well, in order to do that, then urge to write a lot and keep on writing; the other item is about that the market is changing so much. C J Lyons talks market substance, because she knows the market, it's not common to get to see a successful writer spreading around market substance, for one reason or another.
She said they pulled her first book because of "cover art?" That makes no sense at all. If the book is a good book, the cover art can easily be changed. I find that a very unbelievable story.
Thank you. Over 101 books and going strong on amazon, Kobo and Nook. Latest books are Doctor Benjamin Carson for President and Lady Gaga Biography-Brenda Winters
Introvert is one spectrum - people who get energy from being alone. That is not the same as shy. You sound like a shy introvert - whereas I am not shy, but I am an introvert - as is CJ Lyons.
We have the solution to get rid of waste plastics, trash, make a superior clean burning fuel and make money for the US.....the Book Ecalene(tm) by Gene R. Jackson
Wealth of information! Here are some of my takeaways:
-Build a mailing list
-Not traditional vs indie, but which option is best for the current project given the writer's goals
-Give it time before you expect to be profitable ( min. 2 years for most businesses)
-Most authors need 4-6 books that have been out for 4-6 months
-Be generous with your readers
-Have conversations with readers
-Promote your books with your other books
-Change the prices up and down to attract new readers
-Find ways to expand one-on-one conversations with readers out to new readers (e.g. "here's a gift for your friend"!)
-Best-spent time online may be a blog with regular posts about you and your work with a mailing list signup
*I'm sure I missed some 😁
Looks about right :) Most authors struggle with the aspect of the long-term game!
I was about to click this off, but the video kept getting better. Thank you for the info and the interview, Joanna. I ended up being inspired with some good nuggets, although I had to be patient! Now, let's sell a million books like CJ.
What an enthusiastic person CJ is! I love the mentality that writing is about the readers; isn't that why everyone should be doing it? People with that attitude won’t make sock puppet accounts or plagiarise other writer’s works or any of the other bad author shenanigans that have been happening lately.
No magic wand guys, just keep writing the best possible books. After you publish the first one, start the next one, and the next one, and the next one...If you write books with your audience in mind, they will find you and they will KEEP BUYING from you. And, big tip, collect their emails so you can let them know of any new releases you have etc
It's amazing that on Amazon the reviews for her books ( as well as other authors ) have a myriad of good and bad reviews. From 5 stars to 1 star, just goes to show that no matter the writer, if they're hot or not, famous or not, the reviews are going to be up and down. This is a problem that a lot of writers have when dealing with reviews, they aren't prepared to read a bad review.
Soon there will be no bad purchases and no waisted money eyy.
Variety of opinions is a problem? Communist!!!
I think that's a big part of Amanda Hocking's success - she had tons of books to release from her back catalogue
probably the best video on tips for writers, I'd recommend it to ANYONE wanting to learn how to make it in the business. Ps: Joanna, your interviews are addictive. Great choice of authors. Thank you! x
"I'm an ABC writer, Apply Butt to Chair" LOL
Very, very good advice from CJ Lyons. Still some of the bestselling authors don't start building an email like like Gillian Flynn or Sara Waters don't build any email list. I wonder, in what format does CJ Lyons send her book copies? A mobi or pdf format?
"Failing forward" I love it!!!
I am very happy to read that you are an introvert who succeeded. Happy to hear that you are not a social media person and used emails instead. Happy to hear you say to write your heart and let other things follow. I enjoyed this real and honest broadcast.
As a author of three published books your information was very useful.
Excellent interview and info. Thank you, Joanna Penn and CJ Lyons.
Not every writer will sell a million books. I have been writing fiction for about 2 years now, and have 16 books listed on Amazon. I make a few bucks every month - nothing to brag about mind you - but there is so much advice floating around on how you can increase your sales that it's hard to believe some of the advice floating around. My best sellers to date are "The Hacienda" and 'The Doll Witch Murders, by TB Riggs. However, people are way too busy these days to leave a review. Take it from me, it is not easy out there as a self published author. The competition is fierce!
Indeed. No one will find your books without marketing. So every author now needs to market as well as write.
41:00 "this is the best time to be a writer, or a reader." Such enthusiasm, and such insight. Plus, no techno-nerd stuff. All very practical.
Fantastic video full of helpful information from an enthusiastic and engaging writer! Thanks for sharing
This is really useful. I need the learning Im getting from this interview. Good stuff!
I love her ABC policy, it's also mine. So inspiring to see that she's just a real human being like myself.
Thank you CJ and Joanna! I’m about to launch my first book and you girls have really helped to inspire and guide me. It’s scary but now a little less scary. Bless you both!
It's fun scary :)
This is a great interview with two awesome people. Thank you for the honest insights to selling. Kora Sadler, The Writers Group
Glad you enjoyed it :)
It's about pleasing the READERS! Great advice.
I have a book on amazon which i dnt think sold a copy, I'm in the
Caribbean and I don't know how it works in terms of how far up the list
my book is on but i'd love to get some help from you thanks.
Just finishing my first book, this was very great information to have. Working on my second book as she suggested. Thanks
This video was excellent. Very informative and insightful from both ladies. Thanks so much for all your effort and good work!
What a helpful interview! Thank you both!
Thank you, this was a very helpful post!
I can't love this episode enough! Thank you so much for this info. ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I am a published Indie author. Except I have been struggling to get my book out there. I am currently working on getting another book out. Much of what you said CJ made sense to me. I made notes and I'm looking forward to visiting your website for writers. :)
The tips on getting more reviews was very helpful. excellent video.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you both for the guidance and information
Great tips. Take notes so, you too can be successful!
Hi Joan, I am the self published author of only one novel, The Dandelion. Which chronicles a woman’s journey from anguish to exhilaration, written as a letter from a wife to her cheating husband. I don’t have another novel ready to go, but want to promote the one I do have. So many people online talk about writing series, but didn’t Harper Lee and JK Rowling do well with their initial book?
Of course, you can promote the one book you do have - lots of authors do. You can use the same principles - check out www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/ for ideas
Thank you. Great interview!
What a GREAT Insightful Interview Joanna. Thank you
I appreciate all that you ladies are teaching but new writers need to build desire to do it, and they need writing education. You can sit all you want and write but lack of education will make endless revision...etc and waste your time and energy. I have a steady writing success and awards, including a Puschart nomination. The poem wasn't even hard to write because I am well educated in the craft of writing. I am a writing genuis but I made myself one by getting education repeating the lessons and daily writing. I teach writing on my channel.
Always love to see the shows Joanna
Informative interview. I don't understand, though, how CJ can know that she has made 10x as much self-pubbing her first novel after it was dropped by the trad. publisher. 10x the advance, I get; but, she/we will never know if it could have been The Help (Stockett) for 2004 (13 million sold + movie rights).
I do enjoy CJ's candor. She speaks humbly and precisely. Fantastic attitude. Thanks, JP and CJL.
Kathryn Stockett, Karen Russell, Gillian Flynn, and even one time self-pubbed, E.L.James (and I'm only naming a few of the newly minted female author multimillionaires, and all within the last 2-3 years, here) would disagree with you, Michael.
Love this! Very enlightening and interesting to watch. Thanks for all you do! :)
Tons of news, lots of good information, but the best two items for me, the key: write well, in order to do that, then urge to write a lot and keep on writing; the other item is about that the market is changing so much. C J Lyons talks market substance, because she knows the market, it's not common to get to see a successful writer spreading around market substance, for one reason or another.
Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom. Cool. I love it.
I don't believe that any book has been completely cancelled due to cover art. I've been in Publishing for 10 years.
They don't cancel books because of covers but that's the story she chose to tell and she's been repeating that story for years.
Yep, that made no sense, whatsoever. She's hiding the real reason, but I guess that's her prerogative.
Thanks Joanna brilliant tips to take on board.
Great advice, Joanna and CJ rock.
What do you mean your book got pull
Thanks for sharing your story
Joanna,
Great interview, I would love to contact and chat, as my wife & I are in the process of publishing our first books.
Oh my goodness this is good information
doesn't appear that norulejustwrite.com is still active
CJ is focusing on writing fiction - she is still active at cjlyons.net/
Pitty for Art that much good writing remain unknown only because of lack of marketing skills.
Or marketing funds.
Good stuff, my first novel Life and Times of Carlina La Salle and movie The Lost Interview of Carlina La Salle.
She said they pulled her first book because of "cover art?" That makes no sense at all. If the book is a good book, the cover art can easily be changed. I find that a very unbelievable story.
Gloria Jean Probably a conflict between the artist and the editor that was never solved
Gloria Jean I've actually heard a few writers talk about this happening. I know it's possible, but I don't understand how this could happen.
you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Books are the only thing we should "judge by its cover" :D
Thanks!! God Bless You for sharing!
Great Video - keep producing new content is the best advice!
Is it ethical to sell or purchase an e-mail list of readers to an author with a similar fan base?
Definitely not - and it's also against various laws - like CAN-SPAM and also GDPR. Go slow and attract your own readers :)
Thank you for your prompt and straight forward response
This was great, thanks so much. :-)
Great
Thanks
Thank you. Over 101 books and going strong on amazon, Kobo and Nook. Latest books are Doctor Benjamin Carson for President and Lady Gaga Biography-Brenda Winters
thank you...
great!!
i really like it
Did she just describe herself as an introvert? If this woman is an introvert, I will eat my hat. Alone. In my room. Because I'm an introvert.
Introvert is one spectrum - people who get energy from being alone.
That is not the same as shy.
You sound like a shy introvert - whereas I am not shy, but I am an introvert - as is CJ Lyons.
Will you video stream when you eat your hat?
We have the solution to get rid of waste plastics, trash, make a superior clean burning fuel and make money for the US.....the Book Ecalene(tm) by Gene R. Jackson
don't bob around so much. great interview.
Inside track.🤨
W
For the love of all things fluffy, she better straighten out that frame behind her head.
Thank you for all the great information!