I'm generally pretty reticent about doing live online stuff. I pre-record the podcast and edit it so you get a smooth audio, and I get really nervous before anything live.
But my friend Mark Dawson encouraged me to do a Facebook Live video Q&A. He even said it would be fun.
So I tried it … and it was fun!
The video recording is below, with time stamps so you can fast-forward to the questions you're interested in. Or click here to watch on YouTube.
And I'll be doing it again this Sunday 3 July 3pm US Eastern / 8pm UK time.
Just come along to Facebook.com/TheCreativePenn at that time and I will be there, answering your live questions!
Time stamps for questions
2:20 – What is the most effective advertising for authors – Facebook, Google or Twitter?
5:32 – Will you be releasing the mindset audiobook at the same time and how are you recording it? Yes, and the details are here: www.thecreativepenn.com/mindset/
7:39 – Do you have a template to share from deconstructing a novel in detail?
9:34 – Lulu vs Createspace
10:44 – Is it best to start with a novel, a novella or a short story?
12:01 – What do you do daily for marketing?
14:40 – What are your thoughts on crowdfunding?
16:09 – How do you transition from non-fiction to fiction?
18:27 – When should you start an author platform?
20:34 – Is non-fiction essential for steady income from books early on?
21:13 – When should you get an editor? More on editors and a list here: www.TheCreativePenn.com/editors
22:19 – What setup do you use for walking dictation?
22:56 – Does YouTube help sell books?
23:47 – Series vs stand-alones
24:28 – If you're in Canada, should you get started with publishing on Kobo?
25:13 – How do I publish print books? Ingram Spark / Createspace / Lightning Source. Lots on publishing print books here.
26:50 – What size should the books be?
27:29 – Using images in books
29:45 – How do you get on Audible if you can't use ACX? Check out AuthorsRepublic.com
30:25 – Can you get hardback books on Createspace?
30:42 – How can I make sure my characters aren't boring?
30:51 – Tracking taxes for direct sales
32:54 – How do you find the time to write and market?
33:54 – Do you have stories you have never published?
34:37 – What about writer's block for fiction? Lots on writer's block here.
35:40 – When did I first publish?
36:45 – Have I ever done NaNoWriMo? More on NaNoWriMo here.
37:07 – Where can I get a book cover? My recommendations: www.TheCreativePenn.com/bookcoverdesign
37:23 – Are ebook sales decreasing? See this article.
39:04 – Why I don't use ISBNs
39:35 – What about publishing a personalized print book?
40:11 – Would I ever write to market?
41:01 – Any advice for couples working together?
42:25 – Should you wait to have a few books done before publishing?
43:58 – Should indies focus on one genre?
45:16 – When is it too late to start writing?
45:56 – What is the % split in my income between fiction and non-fiction? All the detail in this income breakdown post.
46:34 – Do I recommend any specific Scrivener training? Yes. www.TheCreativePenn.com/scrivener
46:50 – How does an unknown author reach out to bloggers and podcasters?
49:27 – What about outsourcing the writing of a book?
50:32 – How many times should I edit a book?
51:57 – Should you send print books to Amazon for them to sell?
52:18 – How has selling direct gone for you?
52:57 – How do you keep track of multiple plots in a novel?
53:56 – Is it important to sell an ebook as well as a print book? Yes. More on publishing ebooks here.
I hope you found this useful!
Come along to the next Facebook Live Q&A on Sunday 3 July at 3pm US Eastern / 8pm UK.
Just turn up at Facebook.com/TheCreativePenn and I'll be there! You can just type your questions as comments and I'll answer them live. I'll also be talking about what I did for my launch this week so you get some inside info 🙂
If you can't make it, no worries, I'll post the replay next week. If it's popular again, I'll make this a regular event. Please do let me know in the comments below if you enjoyed this more casual approach.
As I told you via email, Daniel and I loved the fun, casual vibe of your first-ever live Q&A on FB – and we learned a lot about your writing/marketing process as well. Although we might not be able to make it this Sunday – due to our annual July 4th family reunion – we would definitely join you for future sessions. Hope your book launch is going well!
Thanks Laura 🙂