#31: Write Unforgettable Characters: Developing A Character’s Persona

Hey There bookcreators, welcome back to episode # 37 of the book creator podcast! I was working on a couple of client books projects that will launch in this fall and I noticed that there have been some MAJOR updates to the Library PCN, or Preassigned Control Number, website! So today I wanted to fill you in on all the changes to help you figure out to get your title the the appropriate cataloging information that it needs for self publishing, or if you have your own indie  publishing label. Alright book creators, let’s get down to book creating business. 

Learn all about the NEW DIY Picture Book Academy-- created based on listener feedback! Hope you enjoy it! Check out the details on https://www.thepicturebookacademy.com!

I had a great question come through from one of our listeners! Shout out to Dr. Edna for the inspiration of this episode! She wanted to know what writers can do to be more helpful to their illustrators and what the writer-illustrator process and contract looks like. So today we are going to talk about just that! Be sure to check out the DIY picture book academy on ThePictureBookAcademy.com!

As summer approaches, events start popping up all over the place, family and friends seem to come out of the winter woodwork and want to do more-- it can be tough to maintain our momentum with our creative goals! Life moves by quickly especially when you have a lot of things splitting your focus like work, your family, friends, maintaining your house, grocery shopping… you know all the stiff that seems to be a time-vampire to our day! We all have things tugging at us!  So today we are going to talk about how to be able to spend time where we need to and enjoy life while continuing to pursue our passions and actually have productive work time when we sit down to get things done!  Grab your free worksheets on TheBookCreatorPodcast.com

I NEED to talk to you about something that I honestly don’t know why it isn’t a focused theme taught in high school, college or really anywhere for that matter! And this is the art of Creative Prospecting. Creative Prospecting is the ability to partner with the ‘other half’ to your creative whole. So for example, let’s say you make birthday cakes, the prospect would be the person who is in the market for a birthday cake! The act of prospecting is how to find that person so that we can do business and turn that passion into a profit! This week we are going to investigate creative prospecting. Grab your free worksheets on TheBookCreatorPodcast.com

Whether you are an author an illustrator or both, it usually means that you are of the personality type where you genuinely enjoy some quality YOU time working on your next creation. I am with you! But it is also super important that we involve ourselves with the market and publishing community so that we can stay on top of our game and also make connections in the field. This week we are going to talk about how to get involved in the publishing world everywhere from clubs, to guilds, to societies, challenges, conferences, writers and illustrators groups and more. Grab your free worksheet onTheBookCreatorPodcast.com

When it comes to books, we are designing a story that works just for our character. If we could easily remove our character and replace her with someone else, then it is a good indication that we probably need to rework our character a bit to make sure her purpose exists within the story telling. How do we make sure we have a detailed and complicated character? We spend time to create a Persona.  Grab your free worksheet onTheBookCreatorPodcast.com #selfpublishedauthor #authorillustrator #getpublished #authorvisit #selfpublishing #childrensbooks #scbwi #nanowrimo #authorschallenge2019 #futureauthor

I am just getting back from an awesome author visit and thought that this would be the perfect time to answer some of the top questions that you all send over about author visits!  Author visits are a big deal. When you come out with your book, one major service that you can offer (and that people will ask you to do) is to come speak about your work.  Today I am going to answer your questions all about author presentations and visits so that you can get out there, spread your message, and start making an income doing what you LOVE!

I know a lot of you want to know more about the self publishing route to see if it’s right for you or could fit somewhere in your long term publishing strategy! So today, I wanted to give you a high level overview of all of the stuff I wish someone would have told me ahead of time in a a 10 minute dose about what would be in-store for you if you decide to take your manuscript out in the world on your own and pursue self publishing! 

How do we manage a combination of life, a day job perhaps, maybe kids, and yet continue to stay motivated to pursue our creative calling? We ALL could use some help finding that drive sometimes-- especially on days when we are tired and the weather may not be so delightful! This week we are going to talk about how to staying motivated as creative individuals. Alright book creators, let’s get down to book creating business.