Book PR and Marketing Questions Answered Part XVII: Superpowers, Goals, Bestselling

This is a brief post because there is so much to think about, and I want to hear what you’re leaning into. Here’s what’s been happening in my marketing mind for the last few weeks.

What’s your superpower?

Last fall, when I was working with the brilliant and lovely writer Anne Gudger, author of the memoir The Fifth Chamber, she told me that grief is her superpower. This statement struck me. How? I’ve read that this is a common question in job interviews to ease the tension that interviews bring and to assess a candidate’s strengths. Makes sense. Anne wrote about the death of her first husband while pregnant with her first child for numerous publications. She won writing contests. She sold her memoir to a publisher. She started a podcast and Facebook community to help others openly discuss their loss and their grief. You might argue that having a superpower is easier if you’re in the thought leadership as a non-fiction author. I think that’s nonsense. I bet you have a superpower. I can almost guarantee it.

Are your goals reasonable?

During a Zoom meeting with a potential new client, I asked her what her goals were for her novel. Her response came quickly and confidently: “I worked incredibly hard on this and am so proud. I’m not looking to hit a bestseller list. I’m looking to reach the readers of my genre (police procedurals) and have them want to read the next book.”

I really like her.

Adults like stickers too. 

From Lee Stein’s Substack Attention Economy (may be behind a paywall – totally worth the subscription fee): “I wish authors would stop wishing for that magic bullet (like an Oprah book club sticker on their hardcover) and really get curious about who their specific audience is, where they’re spending time and attention, and then actually connect with them.”

After you read the article on daytime TV, read Stein’s article on the Midlist Pyramid Theory. She asks, “Is your goal right now to build a network? Or to grow an audience?”

I only have eyes for you. 

From Kate McKean’s Agents and Books Substack (may be behind a paywall – totally worth the subscription fee) on Why the Bestseller List Should Not Be Your Goal: “…if your sights are only on the list, you’re going to miss a lot of other markers of success and you’re probably going to be disappointed.”

Answer any and all of the following below:

• What’s your superpower?
• Where do you get your book recommendations?
• Are you ready to talk about your goals?
• Daytime TV, do you watch?

Ann Marie Nieves

Ann-Marie Nieves (she/her) is the founder of Get Red PR, and an award-winning communicator with experience across a broad range of industries in both the business-to-consumer and business-to-business sectors. She has experience within all communications platforms including public relations, advertising, marketing, copywriting, website development, community relations, and social media.

www.areyoured.com/