About
Welcome to The Creative Penn!
In this short video I give you a guided tour of the site and explain a bit about my story, or you can read more below the video.
This site is for people interested in writing, publishing of all kinds and internet marketing/promotion for their books (in print/ebook or audio format). My aim is to make this the #1 place to come for information if this is your area of interest online.
I’m an author too and I share my own journey as well as seeking out fantastic people to interview. You can find some of the top posts and information on the resource page.
On the site, you will find:
- Regular blog posts on all aspects of writing, publishing and book promotion. You can subscribe now by email or RSS so you know when I have posted a new article. See below in the right hand sidebar for posts in different categories, or use the Search box to find articles on the topic you are interested in.
- Podcast audio interviews with authors and people in the publishing or marketing industry. Podcasts are just audios over the internet. You can subscribe in iTunes or just download the individual episodes from this page. The audios are approx 30 mins long and I post them at least every 2 weeks. There’s currently over 60 hours of free audio available.
- Free “Author 2.0 Blueprint” : a 52 page ebook with all kinds of help with writing, publishing and book marketing. I know it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start, so the Blueprint will walk you through the model I have used.
- 90% of the information on this site is free but sometimes you may want more guided information. In the store, you will find multimedia courses to help you with aspects of writing, publishing and book marketing. I also have 1:1 consulting if you want targeted information.
You can also email me with questions at joanna@TheCreativePenn.com or leave a comment on the site.
Who is Joanna Penn?
I’m an author, internet entrepreneur and international speaker based in London, England although I lived in Australia and New Zealand for 11 years. I spent 13 years as a business IT consultant in large corporates across the globe before becoming a fulltime author-entrepreneur in September 2011.
I always dreamed of writing my own books, and spent many years thinking about it before I actually took the plunge.
I self published my first non-fiction book
As I become more confident in my writing, I decided to revisit my dream of writing fiction. I joined National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2009. 20,000 words later, I had a nugget of an idea that blossomed into my first novel.
In Feb 2011, I self-published my first thriller novel ‘Pentecost‘, available on Amazon and other online retailers. I blogged the journey and you can read all about the experience here.
By that point, I was hooked on writing fiction and the second novel in the ARKANE series, Prophecy was released in January 2012, debuting above Lee Child in the Action-Adventure list. I started a new site for my fiction fans, JFPenn.com and I continue to share the journey of being a writer on this site.
Exodus, ARKANE #3 was published at the end of 2012, and I also released Career Change, a non-fiction book about how to change your life and your job, using the lessons I have learned myself.
My novels have now sold over 55,000 copies, becoming bestsellers in the Thriller and Action Adventure categories. Although I will continue to self-publish, I signed with a literary agent in July 2012 in order to pursue a traditional publishing deal for my some of my mainstream novels as I believe in a hybrid model of publishing, where authors are empowered with options.
You can connect with me at these sites:
Check out my pics on Pinterest
If you’re interested in thrillers, you might want to check out my author site: JFPenn.com : Ancient Mystery, Modern Thrill
Joanna Penn
You can also email me: joanna@TheCreativePenn.com
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Found your site in my google reader … not sure how it got there … may have bee n via Absolutely*Kate, but who knows?
Thanks for the wealth of info and tips on self publishing. I have just finished a labour of love (35000 words) and am considering whether to self publish or to attempt the more traditional route. The latter oddly seems more daunting to me as I am fairly internet savvy.
What’s interesting to me is the psychology around this decision. It feels to me that the traditional route offers earlier “validation” than self-publication. What I mean is, to answer the question “Is my book any good?”, the traditional route would seem to offer a quicker answer than self-publication.
Robert aka Mulled Vine
Incredibly helpful material and very inspirational! Also, congratulations on your 1-year anniversary. In your quiz I suggested a question about agents and wanted to clarify: is there a possible role for an internet agent – similar to what you’ve been doing advising aspiring authors but more active on the publicity side? For example, I write about archetypes in daily life (among other things) on my blog, which can be accessed from my website myth.me.uk but which blogspot have not made easy to find! Maybe you could set up a Penn Friends Group which we could all network through. The benefits to you are obviously concerned with well-deserved publicity for your site, and you can probably see other opportunities too…..
Hi Jane,
There will definitely be a changing role for agents and there are people online who can do publicity for you. It can be expensive though hence why I DIY.
I do have a group people can join and network with each other here http://www.facebook.com/TheCreativePenn
Thanks, Joanna
I have just publish a book and need advice to market it. Are you one of thoes who say that you could help but charge lot of money for your help and advice?
Hi Satya,
You left a number of comments on my blog, so I hope this information helps you.
For information on marketing, all free, you can read the articles listed here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/category/marketing-promotion/
and also listen to over 26 hours of free audios, many of which are on marketing here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/
You can also download the free Author 2.0 Blueprint here
http://www.author2zero.com
I give away most of my information and sell some courses – but I am not a ripoff artist as you suggest. All the best for your book,
Thanks, Joanna
How can i upload my book trailer video or link onto your site? thanks!
Are you selling anything, Ms. Penn? And if not, why? I mean why are you doing this? Just curious(ity killed th(we know the r(est))).
By the way, the Web address answers the question re. how I am.
Hi Matt, yes, I’m selling books! and have my first novel launching Feb 7th http://www.PentecostNovel.com
I also have some other online programs for sale – details here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/store/
I did start off blogging for marketing but now I love it, I love helping people and sharing my lessons learned. It’s addictive!
Here’s more from my 2 year anniversary
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/12/04/reflections-on-two-years-of-blogging/
I hope that answers your questions! Thanks, Joanna
–More specifically how I am today, and tomorrow perhaps, but certainly not yesterday.
Thank you for your generosity in posting such helpful info on your blog. It’s just great, I love the interview of you, your story has given me confidence.
I’m so glad the post helped you Wendy. I love the share the journey because we are all at different stages!
I stumbled onto your site and have been amazed. You offer an incredible amount of information, market research, and common sense.
Thanks for sharing your expertise with the newbies and lurkers!
Thanks Lisa – I’m glad you’re finding it all useful! I’ve blogged the journey, so do let me know any questions.
Hi JoAnna – Love your books. I am writing my first children’s book for 4-8 year olds. Any words of advise?
Leonard
Hi Leonard, I’m not a children’s writer myself, but I have interviewed a couple.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/12/08/writing-for-children-with-simon-cheshire/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/06/27/podcast-writing-books-for-children-with-fiona-ingram/
and there have also been some guest posts
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/09/01/the-accidental-author-lessons-learned-from-writing-a-children%e2%80%99s-book/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/09/27/childrens-book-tips/
I also recommend the blog
http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/
I hope that helps. Thanks, Joanna
Hi Joanna
Having written 27 novels, and having always been interested in book promotion, I thought I knew a thing or two about the topic. But your site is a revelation. Thanks very much, Ian
Thanks Ian – I appreciate that! I focus very much on internet marketing techniques so I’m sure you know more about traditional
and I have a way to go in writing to get to 27 novels – I am definitely going to get there though! Thanks.
I wish you all the best and hope you sell a million.
Just found you. I hope to learn a lot from your blog. I just published two picture books with Smashwords. Hopper and Where are Wini’s Feelers? Not sure where to go from here. A few suggestion from you would be greatly appreciated. Also ,just finished my first YA novel. In the process of major editing. Look forward to your words of encouragement.
Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com
Hi Sherry, Fantastic! congrats on publishing – I would suggest the next step is marketing if you haven’t started already. Check out this page for a rundown:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/
and if you like audios, check out the 60+ hours of free info here:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/
That will give you food for thought!
All the best with your books.
Hi. I’ve been visiting your website and listening to the podcasts for a couple of years now. In fact, I wrote to you a while back and you were so kind to help me figure out how to get the podcasts on my Zune. I listen to them when I go for walks. I used it for inspiration when I was writing my book, then information when I found a publisher.
But now that my book, Breaking the Code, is finally in print, I continue to frequent your site. Although a lot of what you talk about is self-publishing, it is quite relevant to authors of traditionally published books as well. As we all know, regardless of the money or attention that a publisher may do for a particular book, the best marketer is the author her/himself. And self-published authors like you are the pioneers. You are a wealth of information.
So, thank you for providing just what I needed at every turn in this journey. I appreciate the time and energy you spend encouraging others! And I wish you every dream fulfilled and every goal claimed. My best to you! Karen Fisher-Alaniz
Thanks Karen, I do think that a lot of the information is relevant for traditionally published authors too. I guess I just don’t talk much about that as I have only gone the indie route. I hope at some point to be the hybrid model, we’ll see
I’m glad that you’ve found the site helpful anyway! Thanks, Joanna
Hi Joanna,
I’ve just come across your site – truly excellent and professional , in both design and content. I have a feeling I’ll be back on a regular basis to learn a few lessons. My crime novel TOO SMART TO DIE I self-published last year (ebook on amazon – print on Lulu) and my second – a thriller SARCOPHAGUS is days away from publication. I wish I’d come across your site this time last year when I started my journey – would have saved me much heartache and hand wringing!
As Arnie would say…’I'll be back…’
Wishing you every success,
Tom
Thanks so much for the kind words Tom. I actually started the site in order to help people when they start out & try to save them time, money & heartache… I’m glad you made it here eventually… although it sounds like you’re doing really well already. I like the sound of Sarcophagus – sounds just up my street as a reader – so do email me about it. I’m currently writing Exodus which also features Egyptian pharaohs and indeed a murder featuring a sarcophagus in the first chapter
Joanna,
Thank you for the great webinar! A question. I’m scheduled for two signings (3/31 and 4/14) for my traditionally published novel. My book always looks a bit lonely at the table. And buyers may not always want to commit to buying a novel. Is there a way that I could publish two or three of my fairytales quickly, each in a separate booklet format? Basically, I’m asking you to point me in the right direction or say, don’t — can’t be done in the time allowed, in a way that will produce a professiona product.
Thank you!
Maria
Hi Maria, You can self-publish quickly using Createspace.com or Lulu.com or Blurb.com or by using a local printer to do a small print run. But as you say, it won’t be very professional unless you get a designer and they need booking in advance generally. I’m also not sure the publisher would be too happy about this
but you could ask them.
All the best with the signing.
Joanna, thank you for the quick response, good wishes, and sound advice (hadn’t thought about how the publisher would look at this, for one thing)!
:0)
Maria
You should be commended for sharing so much valuable information so consistently.
And while I am positive you’ve won a lot of awards, I went ahead an nominated you for this little one. “The Versatile Blogger Award.” No big deal, I know, but I thought you should know.
Regards, B
Thanks so much Bill, I appreciate your kind words and any nomination is appreciated
Hello Joanna.
I have a Treatment prepared and was wondering if you might be interested in looking it over. Please let me know at your discretion. Thanks.
Ty Wong
Hi Ty, I think you need an editor as I don’t do this kind of thing. Here’s a list of recommendations:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/editors/
All the best with your book.
Hi Joanne,
You were kind enough to ask for an email about my latest novel SARCOPHAGUS. Here’s the blurb. If anyone’s watching/going to the Euros footie and would like to know a bit about Ukraine/Kiev – and enjoy a fast thriller…give it a go. (Sarcophagus equals stone coffin…well. maybe…)
Mystery & Crime
Description: ‘A taut,pacy thriller’. Bomb disposal expert Greg Stevens’ past returns to haunt him when he is blackmailed into investigating powerful Mafioso oligarch Bogdan Katchenko in Kiev, Ukraine. Greg nearly died twenty years earlier in Ulster – now he faces not only danger to his own and his family’s lives – but a threat to millions from a 9/11 PLUS terrorist attack. ‘Menacing’. In Kiev, he teams up with US Homeland Security agent Sean O’Neill – an ex journalist friend from his army days. In a world of bluff and counter-bluff Greg and O’Neill must work together to fight corrupt political and business interests, while battling tensions from their own conflicting agendas. What comes first? Your country; or you and your family’s lives? A thriller about torn loyalties, betrayal and political corruption – and a man and woman’s search for love. Available in print (Lulu.com) and e-book format (amazon). Published by TJB BOOKS. http://www.tombrysonwriter.co.uk
Thanks Jo – just started reading your books. Regards, Tom
Thanks Tom – I have downloaded a sample. All the best with it.
Great to have found your site and connect with you. Makes the whole writing business feel much less lonesome. Congratulations on your achievements and your proactive and independent approach to getting your books out there – I know how hard it is and do so admire you. Very best wishes. x
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