https://www.authorlearningcenter.comAuthor and communications coach Steve Piacente will share tips and exercises for pitching your book to various decision-makers.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:aafc52da-aec1-4810-acba-51897a28e395Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Join author and communications coach Steve Piacente for 60 minutes of practical tips, quick exercises and a little fun as we tackle one of the biggest challenges authors face: how to talk about your book so people actually want to hear more. In “One Book, Five Audiences,” we’ll take the same book and learn how to pitch it differently to readers, agents and publishers, booksellers and libraries, podcast and media hosts, and event organizers. You’ll see what each audience cares about, what makes them tune out, and how a small change in your message can make a big difference. You’ll leave with a stronger way to talk about your book and five different ways to put that message to work. Same book. Five audiences. Five reasons to care. About the Presenter: Steve Piacente is a longtime journalist, communications coach, and storyteller who helps smart people sound clear, confident, and human when the spotlight’s on. He spent years as a reporter and editor covering high-stakes stories, then built a second career training executives, scientists, and authors to handle live audiences, tough questions, and unscripted moments without sounding stiff or salesy. As Training Director at the Communication Center in Washington, D.C., Steve works with thought leaders, subject-matter experts and others who know their material but struggle to make it land out loud. His approach is practical, direct, and grounded in real-world speaking situations like readings, panels, interviews, podcasts, and virtual events. He believes audiences don’t want more information - they want to be led somewhere interesting. Steve is also the author of three self-published novels, including Pretender, described by Kirkus Reviews as “haunting in today’s political environment.” To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAuthor and publisher L.E. Perez will go hands on with actually creating a simple author website through discussion and demos.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:4f3a62a3-6ec6-4b24-8e01-ad1098dd3faaAuthor Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. As a follow-up to the webinar "Websites for Authors: A Necessary Evil," author and publisher L.E. Perez will go hands on with actually creating a simple author website using what is freely available to do so. She will identify the main things that need to be on your website along with what can help you along the way. This session will be partly live and partly PowerPoint presentation to actually demonstrate to you how easily a basic author website can be created. (If you haven't already reviewed the recorded webinar " Websites for Authors: A Necessary Evil ," we encourage you to view it before attending this webinar) About the Presenter: Laura Perez is an author/publisher with Palmas Publishing and Manra Moon Press . She spent fifteen years working in Corrections and Victim Services while privately working on several novels. In 2010, she was given the opportunity to pursue two passions in life, writing and martial arts. She is a 4th-degree black belt who loves to write fight scenes and act them out for realism. She has published ten full-length novels and multiple short stories, has spearheaded several thriller anthologies with a group of Indie Authors called 'The Thrill of the Hunt' and 'The Thrill of the Heart'. In addition, LE is a Freelance Writing/Publishing Consultant for Macmillan and hosts the Legion of Writers Podcast. To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAward-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman, will review the five plot elements with specific examples and tips for plotting.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:23eca669-43e2-4878-bf49-955d91a1e946Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. In fiction, plot is defined as the series of events (action) that make up a story. Most plots follow a structure known as Freytag’s triangle, which has five basic elements: • Exposition/Introduction • Inciting Incident • Rising Action • Climax • Denouement/Conclusion In this webinar with award-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman, we will look at each one of these five plot elements in more detail with specific examples of each. In addition, we will explore basic outlining techniques that will help you develop a plot and narrative for your novel or story that will keep the reader turning the pages. About the Presenter: Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes and teaches. Her debut novel, Blood of a Stone (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including A Brand New Word in the End Drops Out, Ghost Parachute, Tiferet Journal, Milk Candy Review, American Writers’ Review, The Sunlight Press , and Coming Up Short , among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada.You can learn more about Jeanne at her website: www.jeannelyetgassman.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeanneLyetGassman . To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comPete Nikolai of HarperCollins Christian Publishing will review a 7-step process to make your nonfiction book vision a reality.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:dbf3c04f-59a5-44ca-88df-ae0953c281e3Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Have you started writing a nonfiction book that you are struggling to finish? Do you have an idea for a book but don’t know how to get started? Now you can start and finish your book sooner rather than later following the 7-step process that forms the foundation for the way many books are written. This webinar with Pete Nikolai of HarperCollins Christian Publishing will provide abundant practical advice and clarify the steps to take. You’ll learn how to: • Identify your motivation • Find the time to write • Create your book proposal • Develop your writing plan • And, write your first draft Along the way, you will determine when you could finish your book based on your personal writing output and the time you have available to write. You will discover how to transform your dreams into your vision and how to establish the goals and action steps needed to make your vision a reality. Writing a book is similar to taking a journey. Having a plan and putting in the necessary time gets you from where you are to where you want to be. This “7 Secrets to Finish Your Nonfiction Book Sooner Rather than Later” webinar will take you step-by-step through the process of developing your plan and following through to write your book. If you’re ready to finish your book and to begin to see the impact it has in the lives of others, then register and take the steps to make it happen! About the Presenter: Pete Nikolai is the Director of Publishing Services for HarperCollins Christian Publishing where he has helped thousands of authors write and publish their books. He has over 30 years of experience in book publishing in roles ranging from sales to division management. He helps manage WestBow Press, the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAuthor and communications coach Steve Piacente will share tips and exercises for pitching your book to various decision-makers.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:73284f44-e79c-4c8c-a6e0-e56faded5303Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Don't worry, we'll be repeating this webinar, you can register HERE . Join author and communications coach Steve Piacente for 60 minutes of practical tips, quick exercises and a little fun as we tackle one of the biggest challenges authors face: how to talk about your book so people actually want to hear more. In “One Book, Five Audiences,” we’ll take the same book and learn how to pitch it differently to readers, agents and publishers, booksellers and libraries, podcast and media hosts, and event organizers. You’ll see what each audience cares about, what makes them tune out, and how a small change in your message can make a big difference. You’ll leave with a stronger way to talk about your book and five different ways to put that message to work. Same book. Five audiences. Five reasons to care. About the Presenter: Steve Piacente is a longtime journalist, communications coach, and storyteller who helps smart people sound clear, confident, and human when the spotlight’s on. He spent years as a reporter and editor covering high-stakes stories, then built a second career training executives, scientists, and authors to handle live audiences, tough questions, and unscripted moments without sounding stiff or salesy. As Training Director at the Communication Center in Washington, D.C., Steve works with thought leaders, subject-matter experts and others who know their material but struggle to make it land out loud. His approach is practical, direct, and grounded in real-world speaking situations like readings, panels, interviews, podcasts, and virtual events. He believes audiences don’t want more information - they want to be led somewhere interesting. Steve is also the author of three self-published novels, including Pretender, described by Kirkus Reviews as “haunting in today’s political environment.” To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAuthor Education Specialist Sheila Manna will review the information, advice, resources, community, & tools available on the ALCWed, 16 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:dfd7a0e1-a930-478d-a471-132fda0e4c65Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Writing a great book and getting it into the hands of readers can be a long, challenging journey. The writing process itself can be lonely and daunting, the editing stage can be discouraging, and with so many options for publishing, distribution, and marketing, it’s easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. The Author Learning Center (ALC) understands these unique challenges and wants you to know you are not alone at any point in your journey. Our one-of-kind community is designed to educate, motivate, and support you as you follow your path to becoming a published author and successful authorpreneur! In this webinar session, Author Education Specialist Sheila Manna will review the comprehensive collection of information, advice, resources, community, and tools available on the ALC website, all developed to help you reach your writing and publishing goals. Through live demonstrations and examples, she will show how to take advantage of everything the ALC has to offer, write the best version of your book, and find success in today's competitive book marketplace. About the Presenter: Over the last nine years, Sheila has transferred her many years of product management and marketing communication experiences to the publishing industry, where she focuses on helping authors write and edit their books, find a publishing path that works for them, and successfully build a readership through effective marketing strategies. As the Author Education Specialist for the ALC, Sheila develops and manages all of the website’s content and tools including webinar events, special programs, educational resources, and community engagement, while providing author support and guidance as needed. To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAuthor and publisher L.E. Perez will go hands on with actually creating a simple author website through discussion and demos.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:0828f573-355e-477f-9cd7-82b2dc4ca6f7Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Don't worry, we'll be repeating this webinar, you can register HERE . As a follow-up to the webinar "Websites for Authors: A Necessary Evil," author and publisher L.E. Perez will go hands on with actually creating a simple author website using what is freely available to do so. She will identify the main things that need to be on your website along with what can help you along the way. This session will be partly live and partly PowerPoint presentation to actually demonstrate to you how easily a basic author website can be created. (If you haven't already reviewed the recorded webinar " Websites for Authors: A Necessary Evil ," we encourage you to view it before attending this webinar) About the Presenter: Laura Perez is an author/publisher with Palmas Publishing and Manra Moon Press . She spent fifteen years working in Corrections and Victim Services while privately working on several novels. In 2010, she was given the opportunity to pursue two passions in life, writing and martial arts. She is a 4th-degree black belt who loves to write fight scenes and act them out for realism. She has published ten full-length novels and multiple short stories, has spearheaded several thriller anthologies with a group of Indie Authors called 'The Thrill of the Hunt' and 'The Thrill of the Heart'. In addition, LE is a Freelance Writing/Publishing Consultant for Macmillan and hosts the Legion of Writers Podcast. To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comAward-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman, will review the five plot elements with specific examples and tips for plotting.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:1810eda1-948d-4ff0-b956-f53bd1c103faAuthor Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Don't worry, we'll be repeating this webinar, you can register HERE . In fiction, plot is defined as the series of events (action) that make up a story. Most plots follow a structure known as Freytag’s triangle, which has five basic elements: • Exposition/Introduction • Inciting Incident • Rising Action • Climax • Denouement/Conclusion In this webinar with award-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman, we will look at each one of these five plot elements in more detail with specific examples of each. In addition, we will explore basic outlining techniques that will help you develop a plot and narrative for your novel or story that will keep the reader turning the pages. About the Presenter: Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes and teaches. Her debut novel, Blood of a Stone (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including A Brand New Word in the End Drops Out, Ghost Parachute, Tiferet Journal, Milk Candy Review, American Writers’ Review, The Sunlight Press , and Coming Up Short , among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada. You can learn more about Jeanne at her website: www.jeannelyetgassman.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeanneLyetGassman . To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.comPete Nikolai of HarperCollins Christian Publishing will review a 7-step process to make your nonfiction book vision a reality.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:9cf95f6b-e0a3-4010-8550-ee477b4a24f5Author Learning CenterAll webinar start times are listed in US Eastern Time. To see what the start time means for your location, CLICK HERE. Don't worry, we'll be repeating this webinar, you can register HERE . Have you started writing a nonfiction book that you are struggling to finish? Do you have an idea for a book but don’t know how to get started? Now you can start and finish your book sooner rather than later following the 7-step process that forms the foundation for the way many books are written. This webinar with Pete Nikolai of HarperCollins Christian Publishing will provide abundant practical advice and clarify the steps to take. You’ll learn how to: • Identify your motivation • Find the time to write • Create your book proposal • Develop your writing plan • And, write your first draft Along the way, you will determine when you could finish your book based on your personal writing output and the time you have available to write. You will discover how to transform your dreams into your vision and how to establish the goals and action steps needed to make your vision a reality. Writing a book is similar to taking a journey. Having a plan and putting in the necessary time gets you from where you are to where you want to be. This “7 Secrets to Finish Your Nonfiction Book Sooner Rather than Later” webinar will take you step-by-step through the process of developing your plan and following through to write your book. If you’re ready to finish your book and to begin to see the impact it has in the lives of others, then register and take the steps to make it happen! About the Presenter: Pete Nikolai is the Director of Publishing Services for HarperCollins Christian Publishing where he has helped thousands of authors write and publish their books. He has over 30 years of experience in book publishing in roles ranging from sales to division management. He helps manage WestBow Press, the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. To see all of our upcoming live webinar events, CLICK HERE .LiveWebinarshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/brainstorming/7119/cake-bake-shop-s-gwendolyn-rogers-on-the-inspiration-and-recipes-for-her-cookbook?CommentId=0681a2de-2332-411c-b9fa-62cfcf031fd2Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:27:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:0681a2de-2332-411c-b9fa-62cfcf031fd2hohabicWhat I find fascinating about Gwendolyn Rogers and her cookbook is the idea that baking can be shaped by memories, inspiration, and a strong sense of presentation. While exploring the broader world of celebratory desserts, I came across https://sociallifemagazine.com/the-archive/why-boutique-dessert-studios-are-becoming-part-of-modern-luxury-entertaining/ , which offers an interesting perspective on how boutique dessert studios are becoming part of contemporary entertaining. A great cake is rarely just a collection of ingredients; the choice of flavors, decoration, texture, and finishing details can communicate a particular mood or occasion. Cookbooks that share the thinking behind recipes are especially appealing because they give readers more than instructions—they provide a glimpse into the creative process. I enjoy the way classic baking techniques can be combined with unexpected flavor pairings or refined decoration to create something recognizable yet distinctive. This approach also encourages home bakers to experiment instead of treating recipes as unchangeable formulas. For me, the most inspiring part of cake making is the freedom to adapt an idea, test different combinations, and eventually develop a style of your own. That balance between technique and imagination is what makes baking such an engaging craft.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/ending-a-story/8512/boffo-beginnings-fab-finalesThu, 27 Aug 2026 11:37:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c5a992ea-8cde-47a4-b5fb-75ce9c3eda68Laurie Schnebly CampbellHow can you make sure your book will draw readers in from the very first paragraph, through the next several pages, continuing into further chapters until they realize they’ve been reading so fast and so deep they can’t put this story down? How can you leave them, after reaching The End, so wonderfully satisfied with the book they just finished that they’re already vowing to read whatever else you’ve written and are going to write next? That’s what this class with award-winning author Laurie Schnebly Campbell is about. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Beginnings_5F00_Finales_5F00_Schnebly-ALC-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../BoffoBeginningsandFabFinales.mp4 About the Presenter: Laurie is an award-winning author of over 50 titles. After winning Romantic Times “Best Special Edition of the Year” over Nora Roberts, Laurie Schnebly Campbell discovered she loved teaching every bit as much as writing...if not more. Since then she’s taught in-person and online workshops for writers from six continents and keeps a special section of her bookshelves for novels developed in her classes. And, her nonfiction work includes “Believable Characters: Creating With Enneagrams”.fictionBiographies & MemoirScience Fiction and FantasySubscriberRecorded Webinarromance & eroticaHistorical Fictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/public-relations/w/publicity-campaigns/8507/how-media-outreach-is-tailored-for-children-s-books-and-channelsWed, 26 Aug 2026 15:28:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:4354a69b-31f5-4bea-bfb8-8530192def81Maryam AhmadAs an Associate Publicist at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Maryam Ahmad researches media outlets and creates pitch angles for the books that she supports. Part of her role is brainstorming and tailoring her pitches based on the themes or messages contained in a book, and determining which media outlets are a good fit. She will often pitch a book to both general media outlets and to content-specific or niche outlets. She also works closely with the in-house marketing team to reach out to the vast network of kid-focused social media influencers. Many of the influencers in these channels have blogs or podcasts where they share book reviews or help create awareness for books. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowMediaOutreachisTailoredforChildrensBooksandChannels.mp4fictionNonfictionTeen & Young AdultvideoChildren's Bookshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/public-relations/w/publicity-campaigns/8508/how-pitch-angles-and-community-can-help-debut-authors-garner-media-attentionWed, 26 Aug 2026 15:27:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:493d21cd-2929-4f42-9814-b270beebdcd0Maryam AhmadIt can be challenging for debut authors to create awareness for their work or find media opportunities. When working with debut authors, Maryam Ahmad, Associate Publicist at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, brainstorms publicity campaign strategies including book pitch angles that are newsworthy or that align with cultural movements. She also encourages her authors to build a platform and start reaching readers through a dedicated author website and consistent social media content. In addition, Ahmad puts a lot of emphasis on community engagement. She recommends authors connect with local libraries for readings, local book clubs for talks, and local bookstores for signings. She says being involved with your local community consistently can build a buzz that expands to other markets. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowPitchAnglesandCommunityCanHelpDebutAuthorsGarnerMediaAttention.mp4fictionNonfictionTeen & Young AdultvideoChildren's Bookshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/traditional-publishing/w/advantages-disadvantages/8504/the-role-of-an-associate-publicist-at-simon-schuster-children-s-publishingWed, 26 Aug 2026 15:26:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:367fde16-48af-4f4c-8151-9c3e23cff98aMaryam AhmadAs an Associate Publicist at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Maryam Ahmad works with authors on various publicity campaigns, while also supporting managers and other team members with their publicity campaigns. Her role Includes pitching books to media outlets, coordinating bookstore events and signings, planning school visits, securing book tour stops, creating book launch events, and more. To an outsider, it might look like the role is tasked with only media outreach and event planning, but behind the scenes she and her team are also creating seasonal catalogs, sending out early book copies for reviews, and building detailed itineraries for on-the-road book tours or festivals. Her goal as an Associate Publicist is to create a smooth experience for authors. In addition, Ahmad shares her early experiences as a Publicity Assistant, supporting publicity campaigns and learning the ropes. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheRoleofanAssociatePublicistatSimonSchusterChildrensPublishing.mp4fictionNonfictionTeen & Young AdultvideoChildren's Bookshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/children-s-books/w/age-groups/8503/age-group-classifications-for-children-s-booksWed, 26 Aug 2026 15:25:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:f6d037c8-8df6-4176-88b0-9cc0d7d0f665Maryam AhmadMany new authors misunderstand how children's books are grouped and classified by the publishing industry. Maryam Ahmad, Associate Publicist at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, explains there are four main categories: board books, picture books, middle-grade, and young adult. Board books, she says, are for ages 0-3, and picture books are for kindergartners up to third graders. The middle-grade and young adult categories may have some age overlap, depending on the content and focus. Per Ahmad, children's books are typically classified during the editing process when the content is reviewed and the reading level is determined. Even if a book is labeled as 13+ or young adult in the editing process, it may get additional classifications if it can also be read by upper middle-grade readers, for example. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AgeGroupClassificationsforChildrensBooks.mp4Children’s BooksfictionTeens & Young AdultsNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/webinars/c/e/2369Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b13acb63-a799-4ae9-964e-db28f7568f18Author Learning CenterTest audio and screen sharinghttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/what-is-threads-and-is-it-a-platform-i-should-consider-as-a-part-of-my-social-media-and-book-marketing-strategiesTue, 25 Aug 2026 20:49:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c2e9b619-0086-40da-a58b-da743c857910Author Learning CenterQuestion: What is Threads, and is it a platform I should consider as a part of my social media and book marketing strategies? Answer: Online communications and efforts such as social media can give authors access to a much larger pool of potential readers from around the world, greatly broadening their book marketing strategies and reach. With a strong digital presence potential readers can discover your work, follow you if they like what they see, and ultimately become super fans. You can also forge connections with fellow writers, publishers, agents, and industry influencers, leading to new opportunities. Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn can be effective social tools for authors depending on their genre, posting frequency, and content quality. Threads is a newer, text-focused platform from Meta —owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—that gives users a place to share ideas, discuss topics, engage with other users, and experience genuine interaction. In January of 2026, Threads surpassed X in daily mobile users with 141 million active users on a daily basis . While X focuses more on real-time news, live events, and public discourse, Threads provides a less intense lifestyle- and community-focused space. How to Start Using Threads When using Threads for the first time, Meta allows users to sign up through either their Instagram account or Facebook account information. In some regions like the European Union, users can create a standalone account, separate from Instagram and Facebook, but in the U.S. users must have an existing Instagram or Facebook account. New users can access Threads through the downloaded application on a mobile device. When signing up using an existing Instagram or Facebook account , users can select “Import,” which automatically pulls profile information from the existing account. In both instances, the user must have the Instagram or Facebook application installed on the same mobile device as the Threads application and must be actively logged into that account. Users can then set their desired privacy level by choosing either a public profile or a private profile, review the Meta terms and policies, and tap “Allow and Join Threads” to complete the registration. The primary difference between using an Instagram or Facebook account to sign up for Threads is how the algorithm recommends content in the user’s feed. If Instagram is used to sign up, it will pull from Instagram history; if Facebook is used, it will pull from Facebook interests. The Key Features of Threads Although Threads is part of Meta’s suite of social platforms, it has a feature set and personality of its own. The emphasis is less on creating highly polished visual content and more on sharing thoughts, observations, questions, opinions, and commentary. This focus makes it a natural fit for authors wanting to use their writing to communicate beyond their books. There are several features of the platform that can benefit authors including: Communities: Threads creates and manages public, interest-based spaces for casual conversations about shared passions like sports, TV shows, and books. These groups are called “Communities” and can be joined by Threads users , but new groups cannot be created by users. Specific to the “Book Threads” community, when users like a post within the space the traditional heart changes to a stack of books, and community members can use customizable sub-labels under their username to show their specific niche, such as their favorite book genre, or that they are an author. Within a Threads community, members can publish text, photos, and links to reach people who share that exact interest. Communities can be particularly useful for authors by finding and engaging with groups related to their book’s topics or themes, reading, specific genres, writing, and publishing. To find and join specific communities , users can type keywords in the search bar by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the Threads main page. Live Chats: Threads offers real-time, public group conversations called “live chats” that are hosted around a particular event or topic. Up to 150 active participants can post messages, photos, videos, and links, and hosts can use features such as polls and countdowns. There are two types of Threads users that can schedule and host live chats: Community Champions and select creators or media figures chosen by Meta. The platform automatically awards Community Champion badges to the most trusted, active users within specific interest groups. There are three primary metrics that determine eligibility: replies and comments, in-group following, and value-driven content. By actively engaging in discussions, building a relevant network, and consistently publishing high-quality content, authors can be awarded a Community Champion badge. In addition, authors can cohost a live chat by being invited by the primary host to help moderate. For authors, live chats can provide a great platform for virtual book launches, Q&A events, or live discussions with a panel of authors. Long-form Posts: Unlike X that limits post content to 280 characters for standard free users, Threads allows users to share up to 10,000 characters in a “text attachment” post, giving considerably more room for an essay, excerpt, commentary, or detailed explanation. Instead of cluttering a user's feed with a massive wall of words, long-form content appears as an expandable, styled snippet inside a clean gray box. Users can simply tap "Read more" to open a scrollable, full-length window to read the entire text. These long-form posts create an opportunity for authors to repurpose content they might traditionally publish on a blog or on LinkedIn. Authors can share entire chapters, prologues, or detailed character descriptions natively without forcing readers to click away to an external site. The dedicated editor provides built-in styling tools, allowing authors to use bold, italics, underlines, and strikethroughs to preserve the intended pacing, dialogue emphasis, and creative structure of their prose. Text attachments also allow authors to embed external links directly alongside their long-form text. You can seamlessly route highly engaged readers straight to a Substack newsletter, an Amazon Kindle pre-order page, or a personal website. Topic Tags: Instead of tagging content with traditional hashtags, Threads utilizes clean, hyper-focused “Topic Tags” to group relevant discussions and posts . These serve as organic tools for connecting users with niche audiences. For authors, this means finding and connecting with your target readers. Threads does limit users to one, clickable Topic Tag per post and when including a Topic Tag, it displays as a clickable phrase that users can select and be redirected to a dedicated feed. Threads allows users to pin up to ten of their favorite topics directly to their public profile. Meta's internal data has shown that posts containing tagged topics receive a higher volume of passive views on the algorithmic "For You" feed compared to untagged posts. By putting relevant genre, theme, or topic tags in their posts and profile, authors can increase their discoverability. Advertising: Threads features globally scaled advertising placements that run directly through the Meta Ads Manager dashboard . Because Threads is fully integrated into Meta’s existing ad ecosystem, users don’t need a separate account or special software. The process works similarly to launching standard Facebook and Instagram campaigns. Ads can be created using single images, carousels, or short vertical videos, with a website link as the final conversion destination. Unlike Instagram which requires high-budget imagery, Threads ads reward authentic, conversational text hooks and simple visuals. Authors can promote a new book, preorder campaign, website, author newsletter, lead magnet, or a book-related event. Some key benefits of Threads advertising include: Cross-Platform Audience Sync: Meta allows users to target Lookalike Audiences. For example, if an author has a custom email list of readers who bought their past books, Meta can analyze that list and deliver Threads ads directly to new users with identical reading habits. Lower Costs (CPMs): Because the platform-wide ad rollout is scaled to capture a market of over 500 million monthly active users, early ad costs run 30% to 40% lower than Instagram. Authors can launch highly efficient book launch campaigns on a tight budget. Direct Purchases via Carousels: Authors can utilize a carousel ad format to display the cover of their book on card one, a glowing review text attachment on card two, a sample page on card three, and a direct click-to-buy link to Amazon or another retailer on the final card. Authentic Copy Promotes Interaction: Threads users are sensitive to overly polished marketing and sales copy. It’s important the ad copy sounds conversational, authentic, and matches the tone of a typical post. In addition, prompting user interaction by asking questions in the copy can boost ad placement metrics. The Type of Content Authors Can Share on Threads Authors can use a wide variety of content formats on Threads to engage readers, tease upcoming books, and build their author brand. Because the platform's algorithm highly rewards conversation-starting hooks and active commentary, authors can mix text, rich media, and long-form tools to connect with the book community. Here are several examples of the type of content that can be shared: • Interactive Polls: Deploy quick polls to ask for feedback on plot turns, cover art variations, or book-niche opinions. • Ghost Posts: Share text-only thoughts or writing brainstorms that automatically archive and vanish after 24 hours. • Music & Media Carousels: Use multi-format posts combining aesthetic graphics or aesthetic book covers with audio mood tracks. • Instagram Story Cross-Sharing : Authors can seamlessly send a high-performing Threads post directly to their Instagram Stories with a few taps. • Participate in discussions with readers, authors, librarians, booksellers, educators, and others in your niche. • Find relevant communities and become a genuine contributor rather than using them primarily for promotion. • Share observations, questions, opinions, behind-the-scenes material , reading recommendations, writing advice, and excerpts: – A writing lesson you learned the hard way – A surprising part of the publishing process – Tips for overcoming writer's block – An interesting character-development technique – A common writing misconception – A behind-the-scenes look at your writing routine – A question you're wrestling with in your current manuscript For authors, the real value of the Threads platform is not acquiring a large number of followers; it is building relationships around books, ideas, and meaningful conversations. With consistent contributions to topics and discussions that matter to you and your target audience, Threads can become an effective pillar of your author platform and a place where readers discover not only your books, but the writer who put in the time and effort to share their passion, creativity, or expertise. Photo credit: Kenneth Cheung from Getty Images GO BACK TO THE MAIN BLOG PAGEarticlefictionNonfictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/marketing-plan/w/research/6326/the-3-phases-of-effective-book-marketingTue, 25 Aug 2026 20:12:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:e957601f-a72b-4b32-9697-74637f9b46b9Keith OgorekYou’ve done the hard work of writing. Now it’s time to market your title to potential readers. For many authors, marketing is a mystery and creates some unique challenges. Unlock that mystery by joining us for this webinar session where ALC President Keith Ogorek presents the three phases of an effective book marketing campaign. You will learn the crucial questions to ask as you build your marketing plan and craft an action plan to help you connect with potential readers. In this session, Keith will cover the following topics and more: • Developing an audience profile • Creating the right title and subtitle, which is one of the first marketing decisions you’ll make • Using social media and mailing lists to cultivate a reader base • Planning events to celebrate the publication of your book • Plus, other important elements of an integrated book marketing campaign Here is a link to the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7673.ALC-Handout_5F00_3-Phases-of-Marketing_5F00_Ogorek.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../The3PhasesofEffectiveBookMarketing2026.mp4 About the Presenter: As an industry thought leader, Keith has helped drive a number of significant innovations in the self-publishing industry and is featured in the book, 'Innovation--How Innovators Think, Act and Change Our World'. He has helped launch and operate supported self-publishing imprints for traditional publishers and Fuzeframe, which identifies and options self-published books for development in Hollywood. Keith has authored several books and has written a number of helpful white papers including ‘The POEM Method of Book Marketing’, the '4 Paths to Publishing' and 'Three Phases of an Effective Book Marketing Campaign'. You will also find him speaking at leading industry events such as Singapore Writer’s Festival, California Creative Writers Conference, LatinX Storytellers Conference, Archway New York Writer’s Workshop, and Hay House Book Writers Boot Camp just to name a few. In addition, he is a regular webinar presenter for The Author Learning Center.fictionNonfictionRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/events/w/book-fairs/8506/the-importance-of-local-in-person-events-for-children-s-authorsThu, 20 Aug 2026 20:55:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:ac2e8526-24e6-4f0f-91bf-690bcb1a7f08Maryam AhmadMaryam Ahmad, Associate Publicist at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, encourages authors to focus locally when it comes to in-person events. People enjoy bringing their children to events where they can meet authors face-to-face, which builds community engagement. Her experience has shown that local events such as book signings and festivals produce better sales results because people want to support their local authors. Ahmad explains that authors are more likely to get a return on their event investments if they start locally. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofLocalInPersonEventsforChildrensAuthors2.mp4https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/public-relations/w/press-kits/7965/creating-professional-author-one-sheets-and-biosThu, 20 Aug 2026 11:55:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:7c703097-2a7e-4c87-8f31-0ccd2ef2e0f2Lindsey GobelOne of the most essential tools for marketing your book is a one-sheet (also known as a sell-sheet). It exemplifies professionalism and gives a potential publisher, agent, or member of the media a polished summary of what you and your book are all about, in just a few seconds – which is sometimes all you have! In this webinar, publicist and communications professional Lindsey Gobel reviews how to easily create a one-sheet, as well as another essential marketing tool – your author bio. She discusses the key elements of each, and how to assemble a dynamic version of both on your own, to give you the edge over your competition. She provides easy-to-follow, systematic instructions to confidently and professionally create these crucial marketing pieces, as well as where to find additional help and resources when needed. Here are the handouts referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7455.ALC-Author-One-Sheets-Handout_5F00_GOBEL.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../0285.ALC-OneSheet-Example.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../1588.Press-Release-Template-ALC.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../0876.Reeves_5F00_Press-Release-Example-ALC.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7827.Foote_5F00_Press-Release-Example-ALC.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingProfessionalAuthorOneSheetsandBios2026.mp4 About the Presenter: Lindsey Gobel is a freelance publicist and communications professional with over 15 years of experience. She creates and manages publicity campaigns for clients in multiple industries, as well as works on a consulting basis with various firms to assist with branding and marketing strategies, creative concepts and business plans. Gobel’s services have been contracted to ghostwrite books for two professional athletes, which have been published and are sold at national retail chains. She recently wrote a Tedx Talk that was performed in September of 2018. Her work has been featured in numerous print publications, as well as national media outlets such as ESPN, FOX News, The Today Show and Wake Up with Al .fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinar