Hi Abigail, I appreciated this article, which, thankfully, appeared on my feed this morning because I’m an aspiring author and have only been on Substack for three days. I was talking with someone just a few days ago about just how much “likability” has factored into my book purchasing decisions this past year. I’m now buying books, not because they’re on the NYT bestseller list, or a celebrity or influencer book club recommendation, but because I like what I know about the author because of what they share on social media. The last seven books I’ve bought were by writers I friended through Threads. I’m certain if I needed an agent, I’d be checking out what their social media reveals. You have a lovely presence and way of sharing helpful information and I think you were right to start establishing your own brand. I’m glad I found you and I look forward to following you.
I really needed this push! And love “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to have something worth saying; you just have to be the person who notices the thing everyone else walked past.” I don’t know if what I notice is anything worth saying, but I’m going to try speaking it anyway!
As an author-in-progress, I’m loving your posts so much! Question if you have the time: I started Substack this year (officially) and I’ve grown a tiny bookstagram account. I started these to promote my books someday when I publish down the road, but they aren’t making me any money in the present. Can you make money off of Substack and bookstagram before you publish books?
Thank you so much! If you're asking from a legal sense, publishers have no problem with you making money off Substack/bookstagram before trying for a book deal (or even after). If you're asking for tips on how to do that... so sorry, I'm not your girl! But there are some great Substack creators out there who give tips on monetizing content.
The detail that pitching influencers all day made you ask "why can't that be me" is such an honest starting point, most people frame it as passion first. Now that you're a couple years in, does being visibly online change how authors or journalists respond to your pitches, or has it stayed pretty separate from the day job?
Great question! Most of the time, it stays quite separate from my day job. Every once in a while, a journalist will recognize my name from my newsletter, and when that happens, all the merrier! Anything to help them remember who I am and what kind of products I represent. Though, I will say it is odd having other book publicists pitch ME now...
Making a living from writing alone is the dream... but if all I ever get from sharing the thoughts in my head is free books (or perfume, or a plane ticket, or baby swag, or whatever else ties into what I write about) and some internet friends, I am content. Thanks for your many nuggets of wisdom, organized neatly in bite-sized portions.
All great advice! But also let’s not discount the creativity involved in PR. Sometimes it feels like we’re not “the creatives” but we are, too. Writing press releases and an interesting pitch gives me the same feeling I got as a journalist in my past career. (And when no one responds I get the same feeling I got when an article got poor clicks, haha.) I think we all as an industry need to give each other more credit.🙂
Absolutely! I meant to say that I miss creative writing as a specific practice, not creativity in general. I love how much free rein we have to chase fun ideas in PR.
Very much agree about not having to be the smartest person in the room to have something worth sharing. I would also add this… it’s often worth sharing what you’re trying to learn yourself. You don’t have to feel like you have all the answers to write about something. You just have to be honestly looking for answers or searching for clarity. And often times writing about something at that stage of the process will help both you and others.
Aw I absolutely loved this! I’m also a Gen Z book publicist in her early career and I definitely relate to the personal brand struggle. It’d be amazing to brainstorm together if you want! That’s why I also started a podcast and invite people more experienced in book publishing!
Such a great reminder, and you do such a fun job documenting your journey while learning on the job! Keep up the great writing, Abigail. (Plus - I remember those first few posts:)
Thank you. I met you when you did an interview with Sally Ekus the not so secret agent. I really appreciate the inclusiveness of the publishing ‘indie’ authors and professionals.
Great advice — if you wait until you feel ready, you'll never do it. Sometimes you just have to figure it out as you go! And, who knows, maybe the mistakes along the way make for a great Substack post ;)
This is a good push. I've been meaning to start up a newsletter for some time and I keep putting it off. With my second sci-fi novel coming out in October (in the same series), I really shouldn't be waiting on it. I think part of my "brand" issues is that when people ask me what I write, I reply with my usual answer, I write science fiction, fantasy and horror. True, sometimes they cross over each other, but I fear that's three separate brands I'm trying to sell at the same time. My novels are sci-fi right now (though I am also trying to find a publisher for my fantasy trilogy). In the meantime, most of my short stories are horror (all three genres have made it into various anthologies and publications (and podcasts) over the last three years. I love to write all three, but I fear that keeps me from creating my brand.
It's definitely tricky trying to juggle multiple brand pillars or content pillars at the same time, but it can be done! There is definitely a crossover audience between those three genres, and the best you can do is try to target them as best you can, see what resonates, pivot, and try some more. You'll never regret starting too soon, only starting too late!
Hi Abigail, I appreciated this article, which, thankfully, appeared on my feed this morning because I’m an aspiring author and have only been on Substack for three days. I was talking with someone just a few days ago about just how much “likability” has factored into my book purchasing decisions this past year. I’m now buying books, not because they’re on the NYT bestseller list, or a celebrity or influencer book club recommendation, but because I like what I know about the author because of what they share on social media. The last seven books I’ve bought were by writers I friended through Threads. I’m certain if I needed an agent, I’d be checking out what their social media reveals. You have a lovely presence and way of sharing helpful information and I think you were right to start establishing your own brand. I’m glad I found you and I look forward to following you.
Hi Jenifer, I’m so glad this article resonated! Welcome to Substack.
Jennifer, that’s really interesting, how your book buying has shifted.
I really needed this push! And love “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to have something worth saying; you just have to be the person who notices the thing everyone else walked past.” I don’t know if what I notice is anything worth saying, but I’m going to try speaking it anyway!
Absolutely!! You’ve got this.
There are some days when I still don't feel qualified! It's all about getting comfortable being front-facing.
It’s like exposure therapy! Maybe one day it will feel super natural…
Seeing the essential thing others missed is absolutely a form of intelligence, it’s just not measured by any of our tests.
As an author-in-progress, I’m loving your posts so much! Question if you have the time: I started Substack this year (officially) and I’ve grown a tiny bookstagram account. I started these to promote my books someday when I publish down the road, but they aren’t making me any money in the present. Can you make money off of Substack and bookstagram before you publish books?
Thank you so much! If you're asking from a legal sense, publishers have no problem with you making money off Substack/bookstagram before trying for a book deal (or even after). If you're asking for tips on how to do that... so sorry, I'm not your girl! But there are some great Substack creators out there who give tips on monetizing content.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! ☺️🫶🏻 Good to know!! Thanks so much 🩵
Thanks for the honest and inspiring article - I really like your Substack!
Thanks, Tim!
The detail that pitching influencers all day made you ask "why can't that be me" is such an honest starting point, most people frame it as passion first. Now that you're a couple years in, does being visibly online change how authors or journalists respond to your pitches, or has it stayed pretty separate from the day job?
Great question! Most of the time, it stays quite separate from my day job. Every once in a while, a journalist will recognize my name from my newsletter, and when that happens, all the merrier! Anything to help them remember who I am and what kind of products I represent. Though, I will say it is odd having other book publicists pitch ME now...
Making a living from writing alone is the dream... but if all I ever get from sharing the thoughts in my head is free books (or perfume, or a plane ticket, or baby swag, or whatever else ties into what I write about) and some internet friends, I am content. Thanks for your many nuggets of wisdom, organized neatly in bite-sized portions.
Free books are pretty amazing... Thank you for reading ☺️
All great advice! But also let’s not discount the creativity involved in PR. Sometimes it feels like we’re not “the creatives” but we are, too. Writing press releases and an interesting pitch gives me the same feeling I got as a journalist in my past career. (And when no one responds I get the same feeling I got when an article got poor clicks, haha.) I think we all as an industry need to give each other more credit.🙂
Absolutely! I meant to say that I miss creative writing as a specific practice, not creativity in general. I love how much free rein we have to chase fun ideas in PR.
I totally got what you meant!
Very much agree about not having to be the smartest person in the room to have something worth sharing. I would also add this… it’s often worth sharing what you’re trying to learn yourself. You don’t have to feel like you have all the answers to write about something. You just have to be honestly looking for answers or searching for clarity. And often times writing about something at that stage of the process will help both you and others.
This is a great addition!
Aw I absolutely loved this! I’m also a Gen Z book publicist in her early career and I definitely relate to the personal brand struggle. It’d be amazing to brainstorm together if you want! That’s why I also started a podcast and invite people more experienced in book publishing!
Hey, that's great, so nice to meet you, Marta!
Such a great reminder, and you do such a fun job documenting your journey while learning on the job! Keep up the great writing, Abigail. (Plus - I remember those first few posts:)
You've truly been here since the beginning!! Thanks so much, Jen
Thank you. I met you when you did an interview with Sally Ekus the not so secret agent. I really appreciate the inclusiveness of the publishing ‘indie’ authors and professionals.
That's great! Sally's newsletter is the best. Thanks so much for being here!
Great advice — if you wait until you feel ready, you'll never do it. Sometimes you just have to figure it out as you go! And, who knows, maybe the mistakes along the way make for a great Substack post ;)
Truer words were never spoken. Honestly, now I'm wondering whether I could write a post on all my career mistakes so far and what they've taught me...
10/10 would read and share
Love this, Abigail. A really great, practical, and fun read—as I LOVE creativity origin stories. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed this one
This is a good push. I've been meaning to start up a newsletter for some time and I keep putting it off. With my second sci-fi novel coming out in October (in the same series), I really shouldn't be waiting on it. I think part of my "brand" issues is that when people ask me what I write, I reply with my usual answer, I write science fiction, fantasy and horror. True, sometimes they cross over each other, but I fear that's three separate brands I'm trying to sell at the same time. My novels are sci-fi right now (though I am also trying to find a publisher for my fantasy trilogy). In the meantime, most of my short stories are horror (all three genres have made it into various anthologies and publications (and podcasts) over the last three years. I love to write all three, but I fear that keeps me from creating my brand.
It's definitely tricky trying to juggle multiple brand pillars or content pillars at the same time, but it can be done! There is definitely a crossover audience between those three genres, and the best you can do is try to target them as best you can, see what resonates, pivot, and try some more. You'll never regret starting too soon, only starting too late!
As I’m already in my early sixties, I know not to put off things I want to happen :) Thanks for the words of encouragement.