Hello, marketeers!
It’s always an exciting time when new book babies enter the world! This very week, there has been one such book that is an absolute bundle of ‘pickly’ joy, and I spoke to its author about it over on the Just Write For Kids Australia blog (which you can find here).
And now, I’ve made her do it again with another interview especially for our Substack peeps. ‘The Owl’ is going to market with the legendary Amelia McInerney, discussing her author brand and how she promotes herself and ALL her books, including the newest babe; Neil, the (Boring) Amazing Sea Cucumber!!! :)
“… it’s easy for me to stay ‘on brand’ – my brand is who I am!”
Amelia, hi! Great to have you here!
Your books, including Bad Crab, The Book Chook, Who Fed Zed?, Mary Had a Little Lamb: What REALLY Happened, My Bird, Bertie, and your very latest picture book, Neil, the Boring Amazing Sea Cucumber, amongst other stories, all have one main factor in common – humour! (Who doesn’t love a good laugh, right!)
Are you personally a humorous person? Prove it!
Yikes! Well, I tend to see the funny side of things, and I like having a slightly off-beat sense of humour, but I’m quite serious a lot of the time. Humour writers and comedians are not the same beast. While they both have thoughts they find amusing, the humour writer might not say them out loud— because they’re often more introverted, or it takes a longer time for that funny line/connection to come to them and by then the conversation has moved on. Or, because they’re often alone!
Oh my gosh! So true! :)
Can you share around five words that describe your author brand?
Funny, clever, playful, quirky, exuberant.
What do you love about writing funny books, and will this ever change?
That it’s fun! I love writing interesting characters and their funny interactions with each other (or the reader.) I don’t think that will ever change. I like the feeling I get from making books like this for kids and the ‘big people’ in their lives; I hope they enjoy them together and that reading them is a positive experience.
Do you manage your own website and social media? Do you feel the need to constantly uphold your ‘humorous’ self on these platforms, or do you showcase a mix of yourself? (I mean, how many personalities do you have?!)
I manage my own website and social media. I take an organic approach to everything (otherwise it would be very hard work and also, what would be the point?!) so it’s easy for me to stay ‘on brand’ – my brand is who I am! That’s the beauty of writing authentically. I know what you mean about the personalities though, but it’s rather that I only share the facets of myself that are related to my writing life, or my brand. So I don’t at all feel that just because my books are all funny, all of my posts need to be. And because I write for young kids, I sometimes post funny stuff about my own young kids, or parenting, because I feel that that falls under the umbrella of who I am as a writer as well as being part of my authentic life.
Great answer! :)
What do you find is the most popular or successful kind of content you put out on the socials?
I think people like seeing a new author’s writing wins – like sharing that a new contract was signed, or a cover reveal, or launch photos, etc. Positive stuff about a new book is the best, I think. And I think photos of the author always helps the popularity of a post – but I feel there’s the need to look ‘Insta-worthy’ for that, but then you can come off as vain, so I don’t post that often! Oh, I forgot about puppy spam in the previous question! I’m guilt of that, and it’s probably the least popular of my posts, because I guess it’s not really on brand (although it sure is an authentic part of my life)… you’ve brought some clarity to my mind with this question! (That I should cut back on my Georgie boy’s cute doggo posts.) I’ll try. No promises. I really should just write a book about a dog…
We’d love that! And nothing wrong with puppy spam!
What marketing and publicity strategies do you have in store for your new title, Neil, the Boring Amazing Sea Cucumber?
The wonderful team at Affirm had a fabulous, animated trailer made, which was narrated by Melbourne comedian, Bob Franklin – it’s on Youtube and social media as well as my website and Booktopia’s website too. Lucinda (Gifford) and I have shared insights and bits and pieces on the book’s development on our own social media channels (I’m on Instagram and Facebook) and we’ve done some podcasts (a Words and Nerds takeover together, and I did a Reading with a Chance of Tacos podcast episode too). What else… radio: ABC Canberra’s Drive segment chat for me, and I’m doing some school visits in Canberra and Sydney to help Neil connect with kids as soon as the book is released. And hopefully there will be lots of good reviews!
And on top of the puppy spam you can now do pickle spam!
How do you go about marketing your older titles (or is it a case of ‘been there, done that’)?
I have them on my website, with ‘buy’ links, and include them on my order forms for my school visits and events. Maybe I’ll share a good review or award shortlisting that might arise, just low-key things like that.
Ok – we need your BIGGEST, BESTEST marketing tip for aspiring and emerging authors looking to make a ‘name’ for themselves … please?
Just write! Don’t bother investing time or energy into a ‘social media presence’ or anything beyond a simple website (you just need a website for a publisher or agent to land on: one to two pages with a design suitable to your brand (if you know what that is already!) a short bio, and a home-snapped headshot will do) - until you have a book about to come out. You’ll have two or three years after signing a contract until it comes out. Publishers don’t care about your socials accounts, unless you have an enormous following. Just use social media to learn, and to authentically connect with others in the same boat as you. And just write!
Very practical advice. Thank you.
Thanks for letting me pick your brain, Amelia! You’re a sea cucumber, I mean, sea star, I mean, super star! 😊
About Amelia McInerney
Internationally published children’s author Amelia McInerney lives in Canberra, where she spends most of her time writing kids' books, staring out the window thinking about kids' books, and occasionally just plain staring out the window. When she's not writing, thinking or staring, Amelia enjoys yoga and snorkelling, although not at the same time. It was, in fact, Amelia’s singular focus whilst snorkelling that inspired her latest picture book, Neil, the Amazing Sea Cucumber. Having fallen in love with unlikely star of this book, Amelia would never eat a sea cucumber… but she does still have a penchant for pickles.
Website: www.ameliamcinerney.com
Instagram: amelia_mcinerney_
Facebook: Amelia McInerney (Books)
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Romi x