Catch That Book Radio

Dear Author,

Welcome to the start of a newsletter and radio show designed for you!

The BookClubbin’ Brassière (BB) - an exclusive newsletter for authors who want to know how to build author platforms through book clubs.

Look beyond the outreach by bookclubbers and the Q&A sessions. Extract what you need to know from the book clubs while you are speaking with them. Get to know them a little before the call. Start to build a bridge of loyal consumers after the call. Learn this and more when you follow us here on Tumblr.

What is that word (or phrase) that describes you when you’re new to something? Is it debut, newbie, first-timer, or ‘wet behind the ears’? Whatever it is rest assured that it’s all part of your initiation on the journey to becoming an author. So, how long is the initiation period? Well, it starts at least half way through the writing process. Why half way? Because that is when the onset of guilt occurs at frequent intervals for not having finished the manuscript. The good news is that the initiation ends at the point where you are able to reach a measurable audience with your second book or beyond that brings your happiness - one step beyond satisfaction. When you have reached happiness, you have reached your expectations.

Did you catch that? That’s right, I skipped over the probable success of your first book. You have to look at your first book like a pilot sitcom. It may garner interest. Then again, it may not even turn a head, let alone a page. During a pilot, the audience is looking for some type of familiarity. They are asking -who are these new actors or actresses? The same concept applies to your book. Who are these new characters? Can I picture them? Can I relate to their issues and their way of thinking? Typically at the onset of a finished first book, you’ll get a pile of hard knock lessons from agents, family, friends, and hopefully a few book reviewers whether consumer or editorial. But you are missing one important group and that is book clubs.

If you make the time and dialogue with book clubs, you can begin to gather market research and a tighter framework for your author platform. Most of the time when you hear about market research in publishing there is often a swift reference to nonfiction. However, market research can be done for fiction writing through book clubs. If you did not do the market research before you wrote the book, then you’re sure to do it after it is published. So, why not change your approach? I am going to show you how to develop market research from a simple book club meeting.

What can a book club tell you about your book? What have you learned that you did not translate into market research? What did you fail to ask during the book club meeting? What action step have you given to the book club in order to stay connected after the meeting? Where should you focus - online clubs or local?

Book clubs can tell you whether or not your characters are well developed and whether or not your setting provided any significance to the story. They can tell you what you’re demographics are if you ask the right questions, listen to what was memorable, and apply consumerism and take action. I will teach you how to do that through this newsletter.

Follow BB on Tumblr for the newsletter. Think OUT Loud with me and other authors on BlogTalkRadio. Let’s get started on building your book club platform. For those that want to know what’s going on with the name - well, ladies know that there is no better, more important support than that of a bra and well for the gentlemen, now is the time to make an attempt to understand the gender that dominates the book club segment. I will leave no man behind.