Martin Crosbie

Date: November 16, 2016

Name: YVR Authors – Author spotlight of Janet Walmsley and Martin Crosbie

Presenters: Janet Walmsley and Martin Crosbie

Many authors are looking for positive exposures, both online and offline. Moreover, successful authors are building their brand through more eBook publishing and more personal interaction. YVR Authors Meetup invites Janet Walmsley, the author of “The Autistic Author and Animator”, and Martin Crosbie, the author of “How I Sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon’s Kindle”, to discuss their experience on their publishing journey. In this presentation, Janet Walmsley will share her tactics and strategies on book signing and book stores invitations. Martin Crosbie will share his methods and process on successful eBook publishing. Authors who are looking for directions on marketing will benefit from this presentation.

Interview Janet Walmsley

Janet Walmsley is a professional actor and singer. Her experience, including theatre, film and commercials, helped her achieved the nomination of best supporting actress in the 6^th Annual Indie Series Awards. She also worked in marketing for over 14 years. Moreover, Walmsley and her daughter, Jenny, published the book “The Autistic Author and Animator” to share her daughter’s life journey with Autism and how she overcomes the obstacles.

The passion of turning her daughter’s life story into a book is an uncreditable journey for Walmsley. When Jenny was in grade 10, she had the talent of writing great story. Jenny had a strong passion for animation from the start. When she was accepted in Vancouver Film School, a rare event gave her the opportunity to publish her life journey of autism. They decided to take the chance and face obstacles.

“I trust you, you trust me, you will publish and everything will follow through”

Walmsley believes her book provides enlightenment for her readers. The book helps them to see the hope in the dark tunnel and breakdown the barriers. Walmsley emphasizes the book is not a “how to” book; in fact, it is about raising the awareness of autism. It is a book that shine about autism. She wants to let autism families to know there is hope. She also wants to prove specialists were wrong.

The whole publishing process made their relationship stronger. Jenny also publishes her own books; moreover, both of their books go hand in hand.

The first book signing took place in Kelowna because it was the place that made special for Jenny. Walmsley spoke to the person in charge in the store by sharing the story. The person was inspired and gave her the business card. She followed up by providing photos, headshots, bios and synopsis. Later, Walmsley provided newspaper, interview, radio, links, and podcasts. Walmsley suggests authors to gather as much media as possible.

During the book signing, Walmsley first communicated to the manager. Walmsley believes in create connection and create connection starts with speaking up. She provided two big eye appealing posters, many copies of her media exposures, and personal gifts, such as personalized bookmarks. The key to make book signing successful is to engage with audience. Walmsley did not sit in the table; instead, she moved around and engage with the store customers. The store loved her strategy because it created a good atmosphere.

Walmsley believes when authors sit in the table, they are limited to customers who walk by the table. Authors need to approach other entrances to create exposures. Walmsley will have books and flyers with them to promote. She will give out small piece of synopsis of her book. Authors can bring someone with them to help the table while they engage with customers.

Walmsley suggests authors to place a gift card draw in the middle of the table. The gift card must be from the store. This will help promote the store and give back to the store. When authors built a good connection with one store, the message will share to other stores. This allows authors to create relationship with others. It is important to create a bond with the store and customers.

“It is what you create that brought you there”

“It is how you are in each spot”

Most stores use cosigning methods. It is important to keep track of who brought the books. Walmsley encourages authors to stay overtime because it shows respect and this gesture will help them connect to the next store.

“Story is not written until the author writes it”

Interview Martin Crosbie

Martin Crosbie is the author of “How I Sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon’s Kindle”. He is a contributor at Indies Unlimited. Martin Crosbie also published “My Temporary Life”, “My Name Is Hardly”, and “Lies I Never Told”. He achieved #1 on Amazon ranking and #7 Indie Readers best Sellers in 2012. In addition, he made top 30 Amazon’s Hot New Releases in 2013. The latest book Crosbie published is “The Dead List”.

Crosbie shares a quote to the audience:

“Always pay it forward and never forget to pay it back. It is how you got there and it defines where you are going”.

When Crosbie started his first book publishing, he needed help. He was fortunate to receive help from competitors. With the effort of rebrand and reconnect, he managed to reach his goal.

Crosbie believes there is 4 essential components: content preparation, product presentation, marketing and balance.

The content requires beta readers. Beta readers are unknown group that are volunteered to provide suggestions. Authors should approach to editors after the changes made from beta readers. Crosbie recommends authors to hire professional editors or editors by referrals.

“More beta readers you have, less editors you need”

The next part is the proofreaders. They are basically beta readers. After the changes, they will take the revised version to editors again. Lastly, authors will hire formatters for professional book formatting.

The process Crosbie suggests to authors is product, beta readers, editors, proofreaders, editors, formatters, and final product.

The product presentation includes cover design, synopsis, keywords, categories and pricing. Authors can use cover creators to help them pick a popular cover. A professional cover costs around $200 from cover designers. It is better to hire cover designers because cover designers can help authors create the right visual. There is professional synopsis writer who will help authors write appealing synopsis. For keywords, authors need to choose the specific category, which widen the readers group. For categories, Amazon allows 2 categories per book. Crosbie suggests authors to pick one that is popular and the second one a winnable. The average royalty for eBooks that charge $2.99 to $9.99 is 70%, and for book is only 35%.

Crosbie suggests authors to check out the competitors. It is important not to over or under price. When authors find the sweet spot, they can only lower the price during a promotion. They will need to return to original retail price once the promotion is over.

Authors should take advantage of Amazon KDP. This includes Kindle owners lending library, free promotions from Kindle unlimited, and Kindle countdown. Social networking also plays an important role too.

For the marketing section, Crosbie suggests authors to utilize Amazon’s tools, such as Goodreads. There are many free promotion tools, such as Free Kindle books and Tips, Bookbub, Ereader news today, and Kindle countdown deals. Crosbie encourages authors to give away books for free for 1-3 days. They will be surprised that giving away will help them move the book to popularity chart. Others include BookPebble, Book Raid, Manybooks, Buck books, and Goodriter.

Authors can also access podcasts, blogging, submit articles, BRAG, and box set to connect with media. Instafreebie is also a great resource for creating mailing list. Authors can upload, set number of copies, generate a link and allows readers to opt-in. Lastly, Kindle Scout is also a great way to help authors move to Amazon imprints.

Balance is important. Crosbie wants authors to remember they are writers. They should focus their energy on writing and less on non-writing activities. Since most authors are self-publishing, Crosbie suggests 50/50 balance.