https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/en-USTelligent Community 10https://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/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8501/murder-mystery-parties-inspired-this-novelMon, 03 Aug 2026 13:06:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:60ca5483-2f30-4892-9174-0a542aca52f6Nafissa Thompson-SpiresAuthor of The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford , Nafissa Thompson-Spires explains how murder mysteries inspired her writing. For more on this award-winning author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Nafissa-Thompson-Spires/2125430166 . www.youtube.com/watchMystery – Thriller – SuspensefictionTeen and Young Adultvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/7990/the-truth-behind-the-inspiring-wwii-novel-the-paris-library?CommentId=561b7d56-7a96-49d8-a4ee-e72daf55675fFri, 10 Jul 2026 09:13:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:561b7d56-7a96-49d8-a4ee-e72daf55675fUnknownI completely agree with your point. Working with different people teaches you something new every day. We've experienced the same at SafeRoute Flooring , where every flooring project comes with unique customer preferences and expectations. Taking the time to listen and understand each client's needs always leads to better results and stronger relationshipshttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/8493/how-authors-can-compete-with-distracting-content-and-shortening-attention-spansFri, 03 Jul 2026 14:01:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c9f362b3-6409-470b-a5d7-eeb9445f49f8Alessandra BastagliThe amount of content and noise competing for our attention continues to grow as our attention spans continue to shrink. This means authors are competing even more with things like episodic television shows and distracting social media. For books to stand out against the noise, Alessandra Bastagli of One Signal Publishers encourages authors to have a clear understanding of their target audience, how to reach them, and how to address their needs. Books must serve the community, further the conversation, and provide answers. Otherwise, she says, they will disappear due to the vast number of books being published each year. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowAuthorsCanCompetewithDistractingContentandShorteningAttentionSpans.mp4HistoryBiographies & MemoirSelf-HelpPolitics & Social SciencesNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/outlining-your-story/7967/telling-highly-personal-stories-for-highly-powerful-impactThu, 02 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:85f12af0-4659-44ea-80c2-5c897151f7d0Allie PleiterPeople respond to stories. Compelling stories of real life experiences impact audiences and readers in ways no other words can. You may want to write a book about an important episode of your life. You may want your fiction to reflect your own experiences. After all, everyone says “write what you know,” right? Yes...and no. It’s important to be wise about how you use personal experiences. The impact can be enormous, but so can the risk. Join bestselling fiction and non-fiction author Allie Pleiter for a lesson in how to best use highly personal stories in your writing. Get your pen and paper or download the handout, there are some writing exercises! Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4578.Telling-Highly-Personal-Stories-ALC_5F00_Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TellingHighlyPersonalStoriesforHighlyPowerfulImpact26.mp4 About the Presenter: Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 70 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.9 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/brainstorming/4735/the-writing-process---getting-started---video?CommentId=3e6b4cdd-958c-4d42-bfda-f3a51d37e1ecMon, 16 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:3e6b4cdd-958c-4d42-bfda-f3a51d37e1ecAuthor Learning CenterHi Rhonda, we have a whole section of the ALC website that is dedicated to nonfiction writing - just click on this link: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/nonfiction/https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/brainstorming/4735/the-writing-process---getting-started---video?CommentId=c7035966-2eb8-4cce-b5fb-2aab9300690aSun, 15 Mar 2026 17:02:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c7035966-2eb8-4cce-b5fb-2aab9300690aRhonda AriasIm writing nonfiction. I didn't see a "getting started" video for that, but this video is still helpful. I can put a short story from a real-life person in each chapter to illustrate it's point THANKS!https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8470/you-need-to-read-in-order-to-writeMon, 23 Feb 2026 14:05:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:cc4e27f2-805c-430d-be26-de4e47703c44Marisa MeltzerWhat's the number one quality to have in order to be a good writer? According to Marisa Meltzer, author of IT GIRL, you have to read...a lot! For more on this bestselling author and journalist visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Marisa-Meltzer/186642301 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8451/memoir-magic-mining-your-journals-to-craft-gripping-memoir?CommentId=5066577a-3b4e-4a9c-985c-2f8d5ca87987Sun, 14 Sep 2025 15:28:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:5066577a-3b4e-4a9c-985c-2f8d5ca87987T. Diane NguyenThank You very much for all the advice Julie McGue and the ALC host...https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8451/memoir-magic-mining-your-journals-to-craft-gripping-memoirWed, 10 Sep 2025 20:07:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:ef96f0e1-d579-4b70-8129-eac125bb6425Julie Ryan McGueJournaling gives us a private space to vent, reflect, speculate, problem-solve, record memories, and heal. But it also holds the raw material of powerful storytelling. In this recorded webinar with award-winning memoirist Julie Ryan McGue, you’ll discover how to use your journals as a springboard for memoir writing. You'll explore how to: • Breathe life into memories with vivid sensory details and authentic dialogue • Identify recurring themes, emotional arcs, and pivotal turning points • Unearth tension, conflict, and transformation hidden in everyday entries • Shape scattered thoughts and timelines into a compelling memoir structure By the end of the session, you’ll have a practical roadmap for transforming journal pages into a cohesive, emotionally resonant narrative—one that speaks to readers and honors your voice. Here are the two handouts referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../McGue_2D00_ALC_2D00_Journals-to-Memoir.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../McGue_2D00_ALC_2D00_Journal-to-Memoir-Themes.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../MemoirMagicMiningYourJournalstoCraftGrippingMemoir.mp4 About the Presenter: Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. Her first memoir, "Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging" (She Writes Press), released in May 2021, won multiple awards. Her work has appeared in Writers Digest, Story Circle Network Journal, Brevity Nonfiction Blog, Imprint News, Adoption.com, Adopting.com, Lifetime Adoption Adoptive Families Blog, Adoption & Beyond, and Severance Magazine. Her personal essays have appeared in several anthologies, including "Real Women Write: Seeing Through Her Eyes" (Story Circle Network), "Real Women Write: The Power of Friendship" (Story Circle Network) and "Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis" (She Writes Press). Her collection of essays, "Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship" (Muse Literary) released in November 2023. She writes a bi-weekly blog and monthly column (The Beacher Newspapers), in which she explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. Her third book, "Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood" (She Writes Press) released February 4, 2025. Julie splits her time between northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida.Christian Books and BiblesSelf-HelpNonfictionSubscriberReligion and SpiritualityRecorded WebinarBiographies and MemoirsReligious and Inspirationalhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/7874/audience-development-for-indie-authors-and-publishersWed, 16 Jul 2025 20:41:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:bf6abf0b-93c1-4d62-9599-376fb085a646Beth Kallman WernerAs much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing advisor Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience: • Research your genre and define layers of readers for your book • Identify bloggers and reviewers who are reaching your intended audience • Select successful/role model authors and imprints as gateway influencers • Plan social media content, print/online ads, text teasers, video trailers, etc. • Schedule networking and outreach efforts for pre/during/post-launch, to foster effective engagement and build momentum • Determine ongoing connection channels: social media, blog, Substacks, website, newsletter, Wattpad, Goodreads, Bookmory, Book2Look, serial releases, etc. • Create subscription/member/follower/Patreon perks and rewards: first notice new releases, special discounts, giveaways, events, exclusive content unlocked for VIP, etc. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Audience-Development25.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers25.mp4 About the Presenter: Author Connections (AC) has been serving a global roster of author and publisher clients since 2010. AC is devoted to editing and marketing excellent content for discerning readers. As former Director of Marketing & Sales for Kirkus Reviews, Beth worked with major houses and indie authors on book reviews and title campaigns for any size budget. Since launching Author Connections, Beth has worked on more than two hundred titles in fiction and nonfiction, adult and children’s books; many earning multiple marketplace awards and accolades. Beth is Advisor to the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA), a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and Author Connections has earned the coveted Seal of Excellence from the Association of Independent Authors (AiA). Beth’s own book, "Travels of an Independent Woman", is scheduled for September 2026.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/working-with-a-co-author/8435/how-know-your-newlywed-came-to-beTue, 27 May 2025 18:14:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:2c0469f1-ddcf-456f-8d1c-e9b822a5b6e1Heather Taylor and Hillary NussbaumAuthors Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum discuss the creation of audio original Know Your Newlywed with executive producer Elena Armas. Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) star in this swoon-worthy, full-cast rom-com! When two super-fans of a beloved dating gameshow hear that it’s being rebooted, they decide to team up and fake a marriage to compete in the hilarious new audiobook. For more on these authors visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Know-Your-Newlywed/Heather-Taylor/9781797170657 . www.youtube.com/watchfictionvideoromance & eroticahttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/6304/exploring-writing-styles---article?CommentId=3165f31e-1c01-48c8-affb-88f493aec91dWed, 07 May 2025 12:09:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:3165f31e-1c01-48c8-affb-88f493aec91dKeith OgorekGlad you found this helpful. There are lots of other great resources on the ALC to help you on your author journey. Excited to see your published bookhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/6304/exploring-writing-styles---article?CommentId=c9ae830e-655a-4279-9e05-2b93eb59aae0Fri, 02 May 2025 12:02:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c9ae830e-655a-4279-9e05-2b93eb59aae0Carol HungerfordThank you for this excellent article explaining various .methods and rools for the emerging writer. I plan to use all of them as I begin my first non fiction Christian book. I write narrative and descriptive.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8432/lessons-from-robin-s-boss-stephen-kingMon, 28 Apr 2025 16:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:da1ede97-101d-4aeb-a448-c5e48bbb73a4Robin FurthRobin Furth, Stephen King's research assistant, shares what she's learned from working with the master storyteller. For more on Stephen King's library of work that Furth has collaborated on, visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Robin-Furth/20586501 . www.youtube.com/watchMystery – Thriller – Suspensefictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/7982/how-fiction-authors-can-go-beyond-genre-to-identify-their-target-audienceThu, 17 Apr 2025 12:35:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:17ee841e-cf47-4856-8c73-b432f851994aBeth Kallman WernerIdentifying your target reader can often be more challenging for fiction authors because your book's themes and messages might be a little more subtle than a nonfiction book. Book marketing advisor and Author Connections President Beth Kallman Werner recommends that fiction authors look beyond just their book's primary genre to understand who you are trying to reach. For example, if you've written a romance novel, is it a thriller romance, young adult romance, paranormal romance, or erotica? Each of these subgenres target very different audiences. For fiction authors, it's important to dig deeper into your characters' situations, plot, and writer voice when determining the type of reader you are targeting. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowFictionAuthorsCanGoBeyondGenre.mp4fictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/identifying-your-audience/7981/how-nonfiction-authors-can-use-the-four-ps-to-identify-their-target-audienceThu, 17 Apr 2025 12:05:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:a72d86d5-b9d2-4bfa-b356-5e19470f4ba0Beth Kallman WernerBecause nonfiction authors typically focus on a specific topic or area of expertise in their books, it helps to clarify the type of reader they are targeting. If you are struggling to identify and reach your target audience with your nonfiction book, marketing advisor and Author Connections President Beth Kallman Werner recommends going back to the "4 Ps" of product marketing - product, price, position, and promotion. Asking yourself questions like, "Who is my book for?" and "Why am I writing this book?" can help focus in on your target reader.. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowNonfictionAuthorsCanUsetheFourPs.mp4Nonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/researching-your-idea/8430/the-true-crime-story-that-inspired-this-novelMon, 14 Apr 2025 13:53:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:56ee9fe8-f8cd-4e8f-9b8a-0eafbaebba91Tova MirvisTova Mirvis shares the true crime case that inspired her novel We Would Never , a riveting literary page-turner that maps the extremes to which a family will go in order to protect their own. Tova Mirvis is the author of the memoir The Book of Separation as well as three previous novels: Visible City, The Outside World, and The Ladies Auxiliary , which was a national bestseller. Her essays have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Real Simple, and her fiction has been broadcast on NPR. For more on this author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Tova-Mirvis/218683383 . www.youtube.com/watchMystery – Thriller – SuspensefictionLiterary Fictionvideo