You have toiled over edits and re-writes, scrapped chapters altogether, and maybe even tossed a finished manuscript a time or two just to get to this point. But, the book is done. It is great. And you need to let everybody know about it.
I don't mean just your family and friends. I don't mean only the folks who always buy your daughter's girl scout cookies or junior's little league team jerseys, either. In these uncertain times, people are looking for inspiration and solutions and fresh perspectives. Your book might be everything they are seeking. So, where do you start? I have interviewed over 100 authors and creative types who have successfully promoted themselves and their works. The Writer's Block, for many, was a great launching pad to their careers! Check out a few of our alums: Dianne de Las Casas Kerry G. Johnson
Interviews serve many purposes. They afford you a way to tell people who you are, what you do, what you think, how to connect with you, and where to find your product or service. These are all critical components of your platform or brand. If people want to know more about you, an easy way is to do an interview and provide the link on your website, blog, or as part of your media kit.
Why do some posts get more hits than others?
My experience with the interviewees I have worked with up to this point tells me that (1) they have a good product, and (2) they promote it with social media presence and tools that they USE actively (website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, email lists, etc.).
What are some other ways that I can build and expand my platform?
Hone your craft. Increase your involvement in online groups and social media. Make it easier for people to find you on the web. Be a guest blogger. Participate in forums. Start a blog and post at least once a week consistently. Focus on sharing information as opposed to just selling your latest creation. Building a platform is a marathon, not a sprint.
Are there any sites I can visit to learn more?
Here are a few that I have found especially helpful:
So, who are the top 10 interviews on The Writer's Block?
As of April 19, 2012, 9:56 am, here are the most popular posts! These talented people offer great advice and share intriguing stories about their journeys through the literary and creative worlds. Read one. Read them all. Share with a friend. Leave a comment. My hope is that you will learn something new, make a connection, and be inspired to keep reaching for your aspirations, no matter how big or small.
Feel free to browse the archives for more interviews, articles, guest bloggers, book reviews, and artwork. Who would you like to see interviewed on The Writer's Block? Maybe you would like toshare your work? Perhaps you would like to be a guest blogger? Would you like your children's book reviewed?
Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...
I encourage you all to take a few minutes to read their interviews and even leave a comment. I think that you will be inspired. I think that you may learn something new. I think that you will broaden your perspective. Hopefully, you will be forever changed for the better as I have.
Many thanks to The Writer's Block contributors! I salute you all.
Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...
NEW! Watch the trailer for Dianne's latest release, Dinosaur Mardi Gras !
1) Describe your journey as an author/writer.
I
began my career as a professional storyteller in 1996. I was a
volunteer storyteller at my local library, doing Saturday story times.
The librarian told me that I had talent as a storyteller and should
pursue it s a career. I listened to her and began marketing myself as a
storyteller!
As a teller of tales, I do extensive school visits, seeing thousands
of kids a year. Since I was in second grade, I have always wanted to be
a children's book author. I believe my work as a storyteller helped
prepare me for my career as a children's book author. I honed my
storytelling skills in front of a live audience, which then helped me to
translate that into my signature "Tell Along Tales" for the printed
page. By performing in front of kids, I learned how to make them laugh
and how to engage them. Kids are honest and through their reactions at
live performances, I learned how to adjust and tailor my stories for
their listening ears. This, in turn, helped me to translate those oral
tales into books.
2) Do you specialize in any particular genre(s)?
Currently,
I specialize in picture books. Many of my books are folktale
retellings. I also write professional development books for librarians
and educators. Those books have storytelling as the foundation, using
different oral traditions to connect across the curriculum. I have 18
published books with more on the way. I am working on several middle
grade novels as well.
3) What was your first published work?
Not
counting the literary magazine in high school or my college newspaper,
my first book, Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts, came out in
2005.
4) Tell us about your most current project.
My latest book is Dinosaur Mardi Gras. Since I live in New
Orleans, I wanted to celebrate the Mardi Gras culture. What coud be
better than dinosaurs and Mardi Gras together?! It's a fun parade of
dinosaurs with T-Rex, the King of Canivores, as the star of the party.
There are 18 named dinosaurs in the book, chomping and stomping their
way through the streets of New Orleans. Between now and Mardi Gras
(February 21), I have lots of book store launch parties scheduled.
I am also the founder of Picture Book Month, an international
literacy initiative that went viral around the world. This upcoming
November, Picture Book Month will feature amazing picture book authors
and illustrators from around the world. The website is http://www.picturebookmonth.com
5)When did you publish your first book? Describe that process.
My
first children's book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, a spicy retelling of
"The Gingerbread Man," was published by Pelican Publishing Company in
New Orleans in 2009. It is in its third printing. The book first went
under contract in 2003. After a couple of illustrators had trouble
finalizing the look of The Cajun Cornbread Boy, and the devastation of
Hurricane Katrina, the contract was cancelled. I really believed in the
book and when the publisher bounced back from Katrina, I approached them
again. The Cajun Cornbread Boy went back under contract and was finally
published. Marita Gentry is the illustrator and I love how the book
came out. The book almost died but because of my faith and persistence,
The Cajun Cornbread Boy is now running across bookshelves everywhere. I
now have 8 children's picture books with Pelican Publishing Company.
6) How are your books illustrated? Do you get to select the illustrator?
I
work with a couple of different illustrators: Marita Gentry and Holly
Stone-Barker. Normally, the publisher selects the illustrator but, in my
case, they asked me if I knew anyone. Both Marita and Holly are
professional artists and the publisher loved their work so I was
fortunate to be able to work with women whose work I admired.
7) What is a professional storyteller? How did you become one?
Simply
put, a professional storyteller is someone who gets paid to tell
stories. As I said above, my storytelling career began as a volunteer
storyteller at my local library. That blossomed into a full-time career
that eventually led me to my career as a children's book author. It all
works together. I even wrote a book about how to become a professional
storyteller! It's called The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your
Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage. It's 30 chapters and
nearly 400 pages on the business of storytelling. It's a great book for
anyone who wants to make a living doing presentations for young people.
8) How do you promote your work? What strategies have been the most successful?
I
have a comprehensive website with a blog. I send out a monthly email
newsletter to over 14,000 subscribers. I also use a variety of social
networks to spread the word, most notably Facebook, Twitter, and
Google+. I just started using Pinterest. Social networking really allows
people to get to know each other and make great connections. It can be
very time-consuming but I believe it's worth the effort when you build
your platform as an author. I reach thousands of people through my
social networking efforts and that word of mouth helps to spread
information about my books and my platform of literacy. Facebook and
Twitter have been really successful in helping me reach new audiences.
When Picture Book Month went viral, it was even featured on Life Lift,
the Oprah Blog.
9) What advice would you give to budding writers?
Marketing
and social networking are vital to your career as a writer. Even before
you are published, it's a good idea to establish your platform. Be
organized and manage your time. Deadlines are your lifelines to success.
Carve out time to write every day. After all, without words, you can't
be a writer.
10) What is your definition of success as a writer?
Success
as a writer is writing about something you are passionate about and
finding an audience who is just as passionate as you are about your
subject. After all, writers write because they have a message. Messages
are meant to be shared.
Ignore the critics, embrace the praise, and above all, be kind to yourself.
Author Bio Touring internationally, award-winning author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas sizzles on stage with “traditional folklore gone fun!” and “revved-up storytelling.” Audiences don’t just listen – they sing, clap, dance, chant, and roar with laughter. De Las Casas adapts traditional folklore, adding fun audience participation, song, and of course, humor. A dramatic storyteller, she does not stay still! Through the use of character voices, creative movement, and animated facial expressions and gestures, she creates a world of fantasy and enchantment. Childhood travels around the world contributed to shaping her future as a storyteller. De Las Casas lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, Spain and traveled across Europe and the United States. A proud Filipina-American, she now resides in the New Orleans area. Her varied cultural experiences nourished her imagination, and she continues to draw on that knowledge, adding depth and richness to her tales. A champion for literacy, she is founder of the international initiative, Picture Book Month, which was featured in Life Lift, The Oprah Blog.
Contact Dianne de Las Casas Award-Winning Author & Storyteller Founder of Picture Book Month
The Story Connection P.O. Box 2656 Harvey, LA 70059
