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May Newsletter: Book Marketing During COVID-19
well-spring noun: an original and bountiful source
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This month, on The Wellspring, we talk to Australian-based author Monique Gliozzi on the inspiration behind her three psychological thrillers, Foresight, Hunted and Vestige. Gliozzi works as a psychologist in Perth, Australia and also flies planes as a hobby. Read about her publishing journey and whether a global virus outbreak may weave itself into a future storyline.
Many of the biggest publishing awards announced the winners and finalists this month. This includes several of our authors who have won major accolades - congratulations!
We are continuing our series on how our Tellwell authors are adapting their book marketing tactics in light of COVID-19. Read how Jennifer Chapin, Charlene Doak-Gebauer, Markus Matthews and Monique Gliozzi are marketing their books now and what advice they have for other authors.
Meet marketing consultant Chelsea Rutherford and read about the biggest mistake authors often make when it comes to book marketing. Chelsea has killer taste in music so read until the end to see her book and music recommendations! |
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Author Monique Gliozzi on how her work as psychologist inspired storylines for her fast-paced thrillers
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Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Dublin, Ireland, and due to my father’s position in the diplomatic service, I travelled the world while growing up. This allowed me to learn different languages and enjoy an array of cultures, while attending a variety of schools. I used to write short stories as a youngster but never thought I’d write or become an author. My time is devoted to medicine, but I also have a passion for aviation and work as a senior flight instructor on weekends. Somewhere between this and a busy family life, I find time for writing. I would describe myself as quite physically active, enjoying playing sports and exercising on a regular basis.
You work as a psychiatrist in Perth, Australia and only recently began writing and publishing your work. What rekindled your passion for writing? My father started writing after retiring from duty. He asked me to read some of his work and provide feedback on ideas, plots, storyline and characters. He writes in Italian and published five books in Italy. This process awakened my interest for literature and thus took me down an unknown but worthy and creative path.
What inspired you to write, Foresight, Hunted and Vestige?
I found that my interest for fast-paced suspenseful stories inspired me to start writing my first two books. Vestige was inspired by my own ghostly encounter in an old section of the hospital that I work in.
How has your work as a psychiatrist influenced your stories?
Having a medical background and an interest in forensic sciences and psychiatry, helps me make my storylines credible (despite these being completely fictional) by having a better understanding of human behaviour. This allows me to shape the characters and their motivations easily.
Have you had more time to write now, or less, during the coronavirus outbreak?
The current pandemic has kept me busy as a therapist, but due to social distancing I’ve not been doing any flying. The latter has given me a little bit of extra time to write short stories, which I share with my writers’ group.
Read more about Monique and her three books in our blog.
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Congratulations to our authors whose books have won major literary awards!
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On Loving by Lili Naghdi
Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Best Adult Fiction E-Book
eLit Book Awards Silver Romance
In 1972, Dr. Rose Hemmings has just finished her general surgery residency when a haunted stranger is shot in front of her in a New York City bar, and their lives become forever intertwined. And when, having been given the blessing of her adoptive father on his deathbed, Rose travels to prerevolutionary Iran to discover the past her American family kept secret from her, she finds a true Pandora's box.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Independent Publishing Book Awards is the longest-running and one of the largest book awards open exclusively for independent authors.
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Ibn Al Bitar’s Voyagesby Aly Brisha
Independent Publisher Book Awards Bronze
Best Regional E-Book -Fiction
Aly Brisha is an Egyptian novelist and journalist living in Dubai. His second book, Ibn Al Bitar's Voyages, is a tale of two men, centuries apart, who both possess a level of religious and social tolerance that seems to have gone obsolete.
Daniel Abdel Razak is a world-renowned Egyptian 21st archaeologist and one of the world’s leading experts on demotic writing. Despite his pedigree, Faith intervenes when ancient manuscripts dating back to the 13th century are discovered during the Arab spring. They are written and narrated by an otherwise forgotten mysterious historical figure by the name of ‘Ibn Al Bitar.’
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Rivalry Exposed: Why People Hate You By Paul Valiant
Eric Hoffer E-Book Non-Fiction Finalist
This book explores the complexity of rivalry and the conflict which it creates in interaction with others. By reading this book, insight will be gained into the problematic situations which occur in relationships. The information gleaned will empower one to seek inner courage to challenge those who create the conflict.⠀⠀⠀⠀
Since its inception, the Hoffer has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses. .
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Lucky-Child : The SecretBy Chelinay Gates
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist
Adventure/Action and Regional categories
Answering her dying great grandmother's call, Lucy is lured into the dark red heart of Australia's Great Sandy Desert. Indigenous mother tongues, Mangala and Wajarri exquisitely mimic the landscapes and evoke a feeling of timelessness that transports Lucy and the all-female search party into a dreamtime world where she learns to respect the lore, country and herself.
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is a literary awards program that recognizes and honors authors and publishers of exceptional independently published books in 70 different categories. |
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Three Bunny Sisters By Raveena, Diya and Amisha Duggal
Mom’s Choice Award Winner
Three Bunny Sisters get ready to help the world! Join Meghan, Sophia and Sparkle as they learn about the joy of working together and helping others. Will they raise enough money to reach their goal? Let's find out!
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. |
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How Tellwell authors are marketing their books during the coronavirus pandemic
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Jennifer Chapin
The Poet & The Angel
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How were you planning to promote and market your book before the Covid crisis?
I had been approved by Indigo for a signing on April 18th in Victoria and had ordered my promo materials for that. I also had a reading set up at the Vancouver Public Library on April 19th and an event set up with the Victoria Public Library in May as I was accepted as an emerging author with them. All of these events have been cancelled. After many months of building online interest, the book was finally starting to take off; however, all of the events mentioned above are still available to me, when life resumes once more.
What are you doing now?
Still in the thinking stages of what to do next, but plan to set up my own YouTube channel to do readings and talks to post online, through my website and Facebook author page. I am also planning to set up a series of podcasts. Finally, I am building a community of authors around me whereby we read and review each other's books and post them on Amazon by way of support.
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Charlene E. Doak-GebauerThe Internet: Are children in charge?: Theory of Digital Supervision
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How were you planning to promote and market your book before the Covid crisis?
I was planning on having TV interviews (and did), radio/podcast interviews (and did), advertise on social media (and did with 1,552,967 reaches), send newswires out (and did to Canada, the United States and Europe to date). The response with the newswires: offers to produce and host a radio show and to be interviewed in San Diego California with a reputable broadcaster, both of which cost money, so I declined.
What are you doing now?
At this time, I am planning on another news release and am having a show recorded tomorrow (March 27, 2020) for online viewing. At this time, it is a health crisis but we cannot forget the safety of our children online, which is another health crisis. People participating are members of my Anti Internet Child Exploitation Team (AICET), discussing policing for online safety at this time, my Theory of Digital Supervision and what parents can do to protect children from having an escalated health crisis following the pandemic, and a speaker about hope – we can do this and get through it. The health crisis will be the consequences of children being too independent on a daily basis using digital devices and and the Internet.
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Markus MatthewsA Personal Bounty, A Bounty of Evil and A Bounty With Strings
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How were you planning to promote and market your book before the Covid crisis?
Besides Amazon and Social Media advertising, I was looking to attend conventions and do some local booking signings..
What are you doing now?
Now it’s just Amazon and social media advertising. I have reduced the price on the Kindle version of a Bounty with Strings from $5.99 CDN to $2.99 CDN to give people something fun to read during this crisis.
Read the rest of the article in our blog to see what advice Jennifer, Charlene and Markus have for authors adapting their marketing strategies in light of Covid.
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Tellwell marketing consultant Chelsea Rutherford on the biggest mistake authors make when it comes to marketing their book
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1. Tell us about your role at Tellwell.
As a book marketing consultant, I work with authors to show them how they can connect with their audience through various marketing activities. It’s my goal to give authors a better understanding of all the tools they have at their disposal when it comes to marketing their book, and teach them how to effectively use those tools.
2. What does a typical day or week look like?
A typical day includes a mix of meetings and consultations, writing marketing strategies, designing websites, creating social media graphics and promotional materials, and pitching to bloggers, media outlets or bookstores. I love that my work week always contains a mix of writing, strategizing, phone calls with unique authors, and creative work.
3. What did you do beforehand?
I was the marketing manager for a California based start-up. I worked remotely from Victoria with a lean-team based in Ottawa, Oakland, and Los Angeles. We all came together to launch our company in early 2017. What a whirlwind that was! I wouldn’t trade that time for anything though. Not only did I hone my time management and communication skills, and learn just how adaptable I really can be, but I was also able to experiment with all kinds of marketing activities. My responsibilities included social media management, blogging, B2B and B2C email marketing, media outreach, partnership marketing with California event planners, as well as managing and executing brand awareness campaigns, mostly through influencer marketing on Instagram.
4. How would you describe your personality? What inspires you?
I thrive when I’m able to socialize with others – friends, family, even strangers at events or concerts. I love getting into good conversations with people. Learning through sharing ideas with others charges me up like nothing else. With events and social gatherings on hold though, I’ve been turning to other sources of inspiration. I consume books, blogs and podcasts on the regular, but my consumption rate has increased tenfold since social distancing came into effect. I’m still getting outside and spending time near the ocean or on a remote trail – there’s nothing like nature to keep me feeling whole.
5. What do you enjoy most about working with authors?
I love hearing why authors wrote their book, why they want to share this particular message with the world. Starting with why is a driving force behind just about everything I do when it comes to business and marketing – thank you, Simon Sinek.
Understanding an author’s why helps me better understand who we’re trying to reach, which determines my recommendations and strategies for how to connect with them.
Learn more about Chelsea and hear her music and book recommendations on our blog. |
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*This is only a small sample of the many books Tellwell publishes monthly. Congratulations to all of our authors whose books have gone out to distribution this month!
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