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.Tue, 29 Sep 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.com/writing/writing-jobs/w/the-business-of-being-a-writer/8523/how-the-author-learning-center-can-support-and-enhance-your-author-journeyWed, 16 Sep 2026 19:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:02b66bc9-1076-46d6-af52-6819411368d8Sheila MannaWriting 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 reviews 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 shows 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. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../How-the-ALC-Can-Support-You_5F00_Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtheAuthorLearningCenterCanSupportandEnhanceYourAuthorJourney.mp4 About the Presenter: Over the last ten years, Sheila has transferred her many years of product management and marketing communications 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.fictionNonfictionRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-the-author-learning-center-help-me-reach-my-writing-and-publishing-goals?CommentId=7807aa93-c065-40eb-a93a-1e2ada3c8a94Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:54:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:7807aa93-c065-40eb-a93a-1e2ada3c8a94AnonymousI appreciate how this article focuses on the reader instead of simply providing generic information. The writer has explained each important point clearly and included useful details where necessary. I liked the simple language and organized structure, which make the post easy to follow. The practical perspective was especially interesting. Overall, this article provides a helpful overview and can be a good starting point for further research. ganga club downloadhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-the-author-learning-center-help-me-reach-my-writing-and-publishing-goals?CommentId=8cdaab8d-a264-4302-bd7b-0ceeb5474781Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:53:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:8cdaab8d-a264-4302-bd7b-0ceeb5474781AnonymousI came across this article while searching for some information and found the overall explanation quite helpful. The writer has done a good job of keeping the content simple while still covering the important points. I liked the logical order of the sections because it makes the information easier to understand. The practical details also add value to the article. Overall, it is a useful read for anyone who wants a basic understanding of this topic. Tiranga Game Loginhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/i-have-had-a-severe-hiatus-from-my-writing-schedule-because-of-a-crisis-in-my-life-what-are-some-best-practices-to-get-back-on-track-and-get-my-mind-back-into-the-game?CommentId=7d1e3905-2999-4701-bd68-47f4398e8290Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:15:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:7d1e3905-2999-4701-bd68-47f4398e8290AnonymousIndiVillage helps AI teams scale data annotation, model validation, content operations, and workflow automation with structured QA, secure delivery, and domain-trained teams.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/i-m-interested-in-writing-a-romance-novel-what-are-some-things-i-should-consider-to-ensure-my-story-appeals-to-readers-of-this-genreWed, 09 Sep 2026 17:45:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:96fe0422-dc93-4668-a709-39fb92bde6a0Author Learning CenterQuestion: I’m interested in writing a romance novel. What are some things I should consider to ensure my story appeals to readers of this genre? Answer: The romance genre of books continues to be one of the most popular adult fiction categories. Circana Bookscan reported that U.S. print romance sales reached nearly 44 million units in 2025 , up 3.9% from the previous year, making it one of the fastest-growing areas of adult fiction. Within the romance genre, the romantasy and contemporary sports romance subgenres experienced triple-digit growth in 2025, with blockbuster authors like Rebecca Yarros ( Fourth Wing ), Sarah J. Maas ( A Court of Thorns and Roses ), and Elle Kennedy ( The Deal ) producing massive sales volume. Romance readers tend to be avid consumers, due in part to the rise of BookTok and social-media book recommendation trends. Readers can discover a favorite romance trope such as fake dating and immediately look for another book offering this particular plot line. In addition, the genre lends itself well to ongoing series, popular tropes, niche subgenres, recurring authors, wide eBook distribution, and rapid consumption by readers. Understanding the Romance Genre and Subgenres At its core, a romance story is about the development of a romantic relationship and the emotional journey of the characters involved. The plot typically includes the anticipation of falling in love, the tension between two compelling characters, the emotional highs and lows, and, ultimately, the two characters finding their way to one another. To be considered a romance, the relationship must be central to the story and not just a subplot. In addition, readers expect a “happily ever after” (HEA) or “happily for now” (HFN) ending, both of which can provide a satisfying conclusion. Per IngramSpark, there are seven subgenres driving romance reader demand : Contemporary: Takes place in the modern world and often focuses on recognizable relationships, careers, families, friendships, and everyday challenges. Romantasy: Places the love story within a magical or fantastical world where political conflicts, quests, magical systems, mythical creatures, or royal intrigue provide obstacles. Billionaire and Wealth: Presents a clear power struggle between a character with financial means and one with ordinary means, set in a glamorous or luxurious environment. Suspense: Combines romance with mystery or crime where the characters may have to solve a case, escape a threat, or survive a dangerous situation while simultaneously falling in love. Historical: Transports the love story to a specific historical period where social expectations, laws, class structures, gender roles, and historical events create obstacles. Paranormal: Incorporates supernatural elements such as vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, or other supernatural beings, with a world beyond ordinary reality. LGBTQ+: In addition to a central romance, these stories contain themes around identity, belonging, and acceptance, and offer diversity. Other popular subgenres or niches of romance include inspirational , comedy, medical, and young adult, with many stories blending multiple subgenres or niches. The Key Elements of a Great Romance Story As stated, a romantic relationship must be the major plot line of the story for a book to be considered a part of the romance genre. To further engage readers, a great romance story must also include: A Popular Trope: As with most fiction genres, there are common tropes in romance which are recurring devices, themes, or character archetypes that readers have come to expect and can easily recognize. It’s important to understand the plot lines that resonate with readers of romance while avoiding writing a stale or cliché story. Here are ten common romance tropes that readers of the genre enjoy: 1. Enemies to lovers: Two characters start with mutual dislike or outright hostility before falling in love. 2. Friends to lovers: A platonic friendship slowly shifts into romantic feelings. 3. Fake relationship: Two people pretend to date for an outside reason and catch real feelings. 4. Forced proximity: Characters get trapped or locked together, which forces them to confront their chemistry. 5. Grumpy and sunshine: One cynical, moody character pairs up with an optimistic, bright counterpart. 6. Second chance: Former partners reunite years later to fix past mistakes and try again. 7. Opposites attract: Two very different personalities find a surprising balance. 8. Forbidden love: Social rules, family feuds, or external stakes make a relationship dangerous or taboo. 9. Marriage of convenience: A formal or fake marriage creates instant domestic tension. 10. Protector/bodyguard: One character uses specialized skills to keep the other safe. Compelling Main Characters: Attraction and chemistry alone are not enough to sustain a novel-length romantic relationship. It must be clear why these two people are attracted to each other and, more importantly, why they belong together. Each character should have distinct personalities, desires, fears, back stories, and flaws, that make them relatable and believable . Readers need to like and care about your romantic leads both individually and as a couple in order to be invested in their relationship. Clear Conflict and Stakes: Every great story needs conflict to keep readers engaged, and in romance stories, it’s most effective to introduce both external and internal conflicts. Common external conflicts include family opposition to the relationship, geographical distance, and rivalry. Common internal conflicts include fear of abandonment, issues with trust, or insecurities. No matter the conflict, there must be obstacles that are challenging the relationship , and each character must have something to lose if the relationship doesn’t work out. These stakes are what drive readers to turn the pages, keeping them emotionally invested in the story and outcome. Romantic Tension and Character Growth: Romance stories often include an initial meeting, growing attraction, increasing intimacy, significant complications, a separation or apparent setback, and then a final decision to commit. Romantic tension comes from delaying the fulfillment of the relationship while showing the characters are slowly moving closer to commitment. The romantic tension can be increased through meaningful conversations, lingering glances, jealousy, shared experiences, arguments, and moments of vulnerability. This emotional arc with ups and downs forces the characters to react, make choices, and grow before being able to commit. This evolution is a natural result of what is learned through the progression of the relationship. Your main characters may become more confident, learn to communicate better, or confront their relationship fears. A Satisfying Ending: The ending of a romance story is especially important because readers have certain expectations, and to satisfy these readers your main characters must end up together in some capacity. A “happily ever after” (HEA) ending concludes with the couple choosing a lasting future together. This can mean marriage, an engagement, moving in together, or other clear commitment. A “happily for now” (HFN) ending resolves the romantic conflict but leaves more uncertainty about the future of the couple. They may decide to pursue a relationship without a permanent commitment or may simply begin their life together. Readers of traditional romance novels often expect an HEA ending. If your story ends with the couple separating or questioning their relationship, it is not a true romance and may fit better into women's fiction or speculative fiction. Wondering what to be careful to avoid with your romance story? We recommend watching romance author Donna Hatch’s recorded webinar on “21 Deadly Sins of Writing Romance.” How Spicy Should My Romance Story Be? The amount of spice you include in your story depends on your target audience and the specific subgenre of romance you are writing. The key is to match reader expectations when choosing your “level of heat.” Inspirational and historical romance, for example, are typically clean and wholesome, with no swearing or explicit content. On the other end of the spectrum is erotic romance, where the intimacy is central to the plot and character growth. To avoid explicit scenes feeling gratuitous, the intimacy should move the plot forward or reveal something new about the characters. If the scene can be cut without impacting the plot or relationship, it probably isn’t needed. For many romance readers, the build-up ("slow burn") is often just as satisfying. We recommend looking at top-selling books in your specific romance subgenre to see what level of heat readers expect. Finding Success with a Romance Series Romance readers tend to be voracious, eagerly consuming every book from their favorite authors. When given the chance to continue following a couple’s romantic relationship or the budding romance of secondary characters introduced in the first book, they will quickly jump on board. Romance authors can benefit greatly from a series that brings readers into a world where the setting or cast makes the romance possibilities seem endless. This can include recurring families, friendships, workplaces, college campuses, or small-town communities. When writing a romance series, it’s important to keep in mind that each book must standalone and deliver on the promise of the romantic relationship having an optimistic ending. To increase reader anticipation for the next book, introduce unresolved threads naturally through new relationship challenges or through compelling secondary characters. The Importance of Branding and Platform for Romance Authors Branding is especially important for romance authors because readers often choose books based on the common tropes, emotional expectations, and influencer recommendations. A strong author brand tells readers what kind of romance they can expect , and includes consistent colors and fonts, cover designs, website design, writing style, and social media presence. In addition, romance authors with a memorable brand can go beyond the books with merchandise, immersive audio, and reader groups. There are three powerful ways for romance authors to expand their platform and connect with readers: Social media: Romance authors connect best with readers by building active communities on platforms where romance fans already spend time. This includes TikTok (BookTok) where authors can share short videos about their characters, tropes, writing process, or emotional reactions to your own plot twists. Visual content like aesthetic mood boards, teaser quotes, character art, and cover imagery can be shared on Instagram, and Facebook reader groups can be created for your fans to chat, share feedback, and build a tight-knit community. Social media is also the best place to find and secure influencer recommendations for romance books. Many of these influencers have a lot of clout , so getting your book reviewed or suggested by one or more of them can lead to a huge boost in awareness. Email marketing: Direct reader engagement through an email newsletter is a great way to keep the most loyal fans engaged and interested in what’s next. Authors can offer a lead magnet such as a free short story or prequel novella to entice readers to sign up for their email list. Sending regular emails with exclusive bonus scenes , cover reveals, personal updates, and book recommendations can be effective for building a group of dedicated readers that can later become a part of your advance review copy team (ARC) for future books. Live and in-person events: The most successful romance authors are active not only online, but at in-person events such as readings, signings, and book festivals . Live Q&As, book club appearances, and local pop-ups provide the opportunity to meet readers face-to-face and deepen the connection. By making these events memorable and meaningful, authors can build a loyal fan base long term. For even more great resources and networking, we encourage you to visit the Romance Writers of America . This nonprofit organization is focused on supporting both established and aspiring romance authors by offering career networking, education, and advocacy. RWA hosts a large yearly conference, awards programs, and regional chapters throughout the United States. Photo credit: bymuratdeniz from Getty Images GO BACK TO THE MAIN BLOG PAGEarticlefictionTeen & Young AdultRomance and Eroticahttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/8522/the-value-of-comp-titles-and-how-authors-can-use-themMon, 07 Sep 2026 13:02:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:efabefb7-f514-4362-aa71-2f65134462bdAnna HallA comp title (short for comparative or competitive title) is an existing book that shares a similar tone, genre, plot, or target audience with your book. When pulling a list of comp titles together, Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall suggests authors focus on current books that are finding success. They are often in the same genre as your book, but they don't have to be. Comp titles can benefit authors in many ways, she says, including identifying the profile of your target readers. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheValueofCompTitlesandHowAuthorsCanUseThem.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/8521/steps-authors-can-take-to-identify-and-understand-their-target-readersMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:59:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:822e7fae-0625-42b2-af3b-6b6f8337f41aAnna HallIdentifying their target readers can be a challenging step for authors, but is a critical part of the process and should be an ongoing effort. Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall recommends authors start with a hypothesis of who their target audience is, then test it and gather data from the testing, and finally, refine strategies as needed. She says authors instinctually know best whom their book is for. Maybe they have some comparative titles in mind, or specific music or TV shows that their target audience likes or that inspired the book. Where do these readers live online? Where do they hangout or have discussions? If your book is for sale on Amazon, Hall recommends accessing any buyer demographic information that is available through your Amazon Author Central account. Amazon also has a market basket where you can see what readers are buying alongside your book. As you gather the data, Hall encourages you to ask yourself: Is there anything surprising? A comp title I didn't think about? A demographic I wasn't expecting? In addition, Hall says reader reviews can be a great way to learn about your target audience, especially when readers compare your book to another. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../StepsAuthorsCanTaketoIdentifyandUnderstandTheirTargetReaders.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/8520/a-new-horror-subgenre-that-is-growing-in-popularityMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:57:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:d7f98d54-1a39-49fd-bb34-48fd999107c1Anna HallSimon & Schuster began tracking a newer subgenre of horror called "liminal spaces" in 2025. Liminal spaces are physical locations or emotional states of transition when individuals are in-between one place, time, or identity and the next. The subgenre started growing in popularity when some Tiktok posts went viral, and Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall saw very active Reddit threads and google search volume showing steady interest. Popularity has continued with the movie "Backrooms," she says, which is a typical liminal spaces horror story. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ANewHorrorSubgenrethatisGrowinginPopularity.mp4Mystery – Thriller – SuspensefictionTeen and Young AdultvideoHorrorhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/social-media/w/general/8519/the-type-of-online-content-that-can-engage-and-build-relationships-with-readersMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:54:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:812eca80-6a48-4327-92c9-392fcd1325ffAnna HallPer Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall, it's important authors think about social media engagement with readers not as transactional, but as building relationships. She encourages authors to bring readers along with you on your journey, getting them invested as early on as possible. To engage, authors can share their writing process, a day in the life, book updates, and more. Hall also recommends authors engage often and create interaction. Readers love supporting authors and their successes, she says, so facilitate conversations and express gratitude, including them in your exciting updates. In addition, Hall provides a word of caution when engaging online—preserve your boundaries. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheTypeofOnlineContentthatCanEngageandBuildRelationshipswithReaders.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/social-media/w/general/8518/how-authors-can-authentically-create-awareness-for-their-book-onlineMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:52:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:768644b7-dd58-451b-a703-85ecfabfc568Anna HallBuilding an online following can be a powerful discovery tool for authors, but books can also go viral without a big following, says Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall. Per Hall, word of mouth and grassroots marketing are two effective ways to create awareness for your book. This includes engaging through local events or book clubs. When it comes to an online presence, she recommends authors consider platforms like Reddit, Patreon, and Kickstarter if they make sense for your book and target audience. A popular feature on the Reddit platform is "Ask Me Anything," which is a live, text-based question-and-answer session where an author invites the community to ask them anything about their life, career, or expertise. In addition, many nonfiction authors and experts find success with Substack and Threads. Hall encourages authors to do what excites them most so that it feels authentic. The key to success on any platform, she says, is to ask yourself how you can show up authentically. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowAuthorsCanAuthenticallyCreateAwarenessforTheirBookOnline.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/marketing-plan/w/research/8517/how-to-evaluate-emerging-book-audiences-and-categoriesMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:59da5d4b-336d-4408-b562-92588e034de4Anna HallWhen evaluating emerging book audiences or trending categories and genres, Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall and her team look at signals from multiple data sources. Sales data can show growing categories, but it is often catching up to reader interest and demand. Her preferred sources include real time data points such as google search volume, social media enagement, and online community participation with Facebook groups and Reddit threads. Breakthrough for new trends is shown by people making recommendations or posting about certain topics. Hall and her team at Simon & Schuster rely on multiple data sources to tell the story, not just one angle. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtoEvaluateEmergingBookAudiencesandCategories.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/marketing-plan/w/building-a-fan-base/8516/the-increasing-interest-in-immersive-reading-experiencesMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:48:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:59f84d71-61d6-46fc-8d24-597b400bc986Anna HallA growing trend in publishing is reader interest in engaging with a book beyond the traditional reading experience. Per Simon & Schuster's Audience Insights Senior Manager Anna Hall, readers are showing up at in-person events expecting to have a more immersive experience. This can include sharing music playlists, fan artwork, or special book editions and treatments that expand the story from the page. Immersive reading experiences fully engage both visual and auditory senses. Hall encourages authors to bring a tactile experience to readers, especially at in-person events. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheIncreasingInterestinImmersiveReadingExperiences.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/marketing-plan/w/research/8515/how-audience-insights-can-inform-and-affect-publishing-decisions-and-strategiesMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:45:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:158fc621-bdbf-4af1-8961-d1564aaf53fcAnna HallIn her role as Senior Manager of Audience Insights at Simon & Schuster, Anna Hall provides important data and analyses that allow her colleagues in various departments to adopt the mindset of a reader. These reader and market insights can affect decisions around pricing, format, release strategies, and more. For example, with seasonal publishing, Hall and her team studied Halloween titles using Circana Bookscan sales data, and found that sales spiked as early as September. In addition, they looked at social media data and google search volume and found that reader interest in Halloween titles begins as early as July. This time period has now been termed "Summerween." Authors can use these same tools and analyses to inform and influence their own decision-making. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowAudienceInsightsCanInformandAffectPublishingDecisionsandStrategies.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/marketing-plan/w/research/8514/the-role-of-audience-insights-at-simon-schusterMon, 07 Sep 2026 12:31:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:377b3ed3-dfb3-4d1c-81e1-8981b4d63390Anna HallAs a part of the Audience Insights team at Simon & Schuster, Senior Manager Anna Hall supports all departments throughout the company. The team is often involved in all steps of the publishing process from acquisition to launch to backlist strategies. Their primary function is to provide data and insights so colleagues can make informed decisions about pricing, formats, release strategies, and more. The data can include regular reports, bookish social media trends, broader trends, reader survey findings, or custom research requests based on business needs. Specific requests might include Influencer research, identifying potential authors, analyzing audience demographics, or reviewing reader sentiment. The overarching purpose of collecting and analyzing this data, she says, is to connect books with the readers who will most like them. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheRoleofAudienceInsightsatSimonSchuster.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/traditional-publishing/w/advantages-disadvantages/8505/how-in-house-publicists-support-and-encourage-authorsTue, 01 Sep 2026 18:01:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b4f07d5b-08a1-40ba-93fd-4d44e6daa5e4Maryam AhmadFor Associate Publicist Maryam Ahmad, author care is a priority at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. She typically gets involved with a book once it has gone through the editing process and is close to being finalized. During this time, she creates a publicity campaign that includes pitching the book to media outlets, creating press materials, and submitting the book for relevant awards and festivals. The focus is on what is newsworthy about the book or how it is culturally relevant. In addition to her own outreach, Ahmad encourages her authors to reach out to their connections and network, as they may be able to leverage these relationships to start a conversation, or introduce their connections to her team. Media interviews are often an important part of book publicity campaigns, so Ahmad recommends authors prepare for these interviews by watching video interviews with other authors and practicing answers in advance when given the questions prior to the interview. She reminds authors that they know their books best, often working on them for years before she gets involved, and they should feel confident in their expertise. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowInHousePublicistsSupportandEncourageAuthors.mp4fictionNonfictionTeen & Young AdultvideoChildren's Bookshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/events/w/book-fairs/8506/the-importance-of-local-in-person-events-for-children-s-authorsTue, 01 Sep 2026 18:00:00 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.mp4fictionNonfictionTeen & Young AdultvideoChildren's Books