Author Nation Live 2024
Programming
Marketing
In today’s rapidly changing literary market, effective marketing is crucial. These sessions aim to equip you with the tools to effectively promote your work and connect with your audience.
*Titles are tentative and subject to change.
Other Domains
The Art of Trope Marketing
Track: All
In this session, attendees will learn a simple three-step process to deconstruct tropes, leverage copywriting effectively, identify tropes in their existing work, strategically incorporate TikTok-worthy scenes into their novels, and master the craft of tropes.
Sacha Black
Invited speaker
she/her
Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition-winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker, and casual rule breaker.
She writes craft books for authors and spicy sapphic fantasy romances as Ruby Roe. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.
Understanding the Consumer Journey
Track: All
In this session, discover how understanding the consumer journey—from identifying needs to post-purchase behavior—can shape brand perception, product positioning, and loyalty.
Celeste Barclay
Invited speaker
she/her
Celeste Barclay published her first book on April 15th, 2018. Since then, she’s written 60 and published 57. Celeste holds degrees in International Affairs (BA), Teaching Secondary Social Science (MAT), and Political Management (MPS). She uses all three degrees daily, not only in her writing but also as an authorpreneur. Celeste writes steamy Historical Romance as Celeste Barclay and steamy Contemporary Mafia Romance as Sabine Barclay. Her interests lie heavily in Consumer Behavior and understanding customer motivation, perception, and brand loyalty and affinity.
Behind the Text: SMS Marketing to Readers
Track: Emerging Storytellers, Inquisitive Voyagers
This workshop will cover how authors can leverage SMS marketing to retain readers and grow their fan base. Attendees will learn practical strategies to convert casual readers into loyal superfans, keep their audience engaged, incentivize purchases, and foster enduring relationships.
Dana Claire
Invited speaker
Meet Dana Claire, a seasoned marketing and sales professional with a remarkable track record in direct sales. Beyond her marketing prowess, she is also an acclaimed and award-winning young adult hybrid author with ten published books and one series optioned for TV.
Drawing from her own enriching author journey, Dana offers a distinctive perspective that combines her in-depth knowledge of the literary realm and her expertise in the marketing industry. Her genuine passion for author education drives her mission to support fellow writers in building their own literary empires. This led her to create The INKfluence, an innovative marketing agency dedicated to serving authors.
At INKfluence, their primary focus is on empowering authors by equipping them with valuable insights and essential skills needed to thrive in the constantly evolving landscape of publishing. Their comprehensive range of services includes special edition book design and production, promotional products, crowdfunding project management, and e-commerce website design services. With a commitment to fostering success for authors, The INKfluence aims to be the go-to resource for writers looking to make a significant impact in the publishing world.
The Orienteering Approach to Finding Your 1000 True Fans
Track: Emerging Storytellers, Inquisitive Voyagers
Join Johnny B. Truant and Joe Solari as they dissect Johnny’s ‘orienteering retention system.’ Crafted to transform his reacquired books into a mini-empire, this system offers insights from marketing legend André Chaperon.
Johnny B. Truant
Invited speaker
he/him
Johnny B. Truant is part of the “old guard” in the publishing business and has seen SO many changes. After spending years pitching literary agents in actual letters, he found digital self publishing, began DIY’ing it, and soon co-created one of the OG info sources in the indie world—The Self Publishing Podcast—with Sean Platt and David Wright. With those same partners, Johnny hosted the Smarter Artist Summit for four years and wrote the indie cornerstone book “Write, Publish, Repeat.”
Johnny juggled “being a writer” with “teaching authors” for a decade, then retired from the latter to only do the former. These days, he takes a slow, deliberate, craftsmanlike approach to publishing that he pretentiously calls “being an artisan author.” Taking a cue from Kevin Kelly’s famous “1000 True Fans” philosophy, Johnny is now far more interested in cultivating a small group of devoted readers than playing specifically to algorithms ... though that happens as a halo effect, too.
Johnny’s best accolade is that he wrote the Fat Vampire series, the TV/film rights to which were acquired by NBC/Universal a few years ago. The result was a TV show on Hulu and the SyFy network called “Reginald the Vampire,” starring Jacob Batalon (“Ned Leeds” in the Spider-Man movies.) Two seasons have been produced, and they’ve all got their fingers crossed for a third.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
Pattern Recognition by William Gibson or Dune by Frank Herbert. (I know that's two. I hate choosing only one of anything.)
How To Get Emails Into Inboxes (And Avoid The Spam Folder)
Track: All
This session will cover key aspects of email deliverability, including bulk sender requirements, essential metrics, optimal frequency, image-to-text ratios, and the importance of double opt-ins in meeting spam rate requirements.
Onboarding With Emails (For Direct Sellers Only)
Track: Emerging Storytellers, Inquisitive Voyagers
This session will explore strategies for developing effective email onboarding sequences. Attendees will learn to meet legal requirements for onboarding emails, create automated sequences tailored to buyer engagement, guide readers through series via email, and evaluate platforms like Shopify and Klaviyo against traditional email service providers.
Holly Darling
Invited speaker
she/her
Holly Darling is a romance novelist and email marketing consultant for authors. She has self-published 11 novels and helped over 200 authors build email strategies to sell more books and cultivate loyal fan bases. Holly specializes in creating automations that allow authors to nurture their readers without lifting a finger.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
Outlander
Get Your Author Website Working For You
Track: All
This session will teach attendees how to increase website traffic through emerging website trends, selling direct with platforms like Wix and Bookvault, enhancing design elements, mastering SEO strategies, and effective promotion tactics.
Stuart Grant
Invited speaker
he/him
With a background in teaching and radio, Stuart Grant is fortunate enough to have been working in the wonderful world of publishing for over a decade as part of the team at the Self Publishing Formula (Learn Self Publishing).
More recently, as the highest-rated Website designer on Reedsy, Stuart has grown his own web design agency for authors, the Digital Authors Toolkit.
Stuart has written two of the greatest books ever; unfortunately, they remain on his hard drive. He scratches the publishing itch by helping authors create and control their own space on the Internet by building them a world-class Author Website.
Stuart fills his days with building author websites, walking his crazy dog, looking after his precious daughter, and being a dad and husband!
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
A book I read when I was a lad from the library about two children who lived in a hidden city underground. But I have no idea of the title! Failing that probably Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
Engage, Connect, Thrive: Elevate Your Author Presence on Facebook
Track: Pre-Published Explorers, Emerging Storytellers
This workshop will equip attendees with actionable strategies for crafting an engaging and dynamic Facebook presence to maximize their page’s impact and connect with readers on a whole new level.
Mandie Stevens
Invited speaker
Mandie Stevens is a powerhouse Social Media & Ad Expert with Finding Your Indie, where she excels at helping authors enhance their social media presence and craft compelling marketing strategies. With over a decade of experience in the book industry since 2008, Mandie brings invaluable insights and practical advice to authors. Writing under multiple pen names, she understands the nuances of author branding and promotion. Mandie is also the coordinator for Author Nation's RAVE author/reader event, where she orchestrates engaging experiences for both readers and writers.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith
Marketing for Middle Grade
Track: Pre-Published Explorers, Emerging Storytellers
This session will cover how to market middle grade book so parents will buy it, kids will read it, and both will come back for the next one.
Melisa Torres
Invited speaker
she/her
Melisa Torres is the author of the Perfect Balance Gymnastics series. She has been writing and independently publishing books since 2016. To date, Melisa has published 19 products: two picture books, three workbooks, four children’s chapter books, seven middle-grade books, and three collections. Her business model consists of direct sales, Ingram, Draft to Digital, and Amazon. Writing is Melisa’s full-time occupation, which she runs like a small family business. Her strengths include branding and connecting to her readers.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Working With Bookstores and Libraries
Track: Emerging Storytellers, Inquisitive Voyagers
This session will explore strategies for indie authors to move beyond online listings and get their books stocked at in-person events, bookstores, and libraries. Attendees will learn how to attract and appeal to curators, booksellers, and libraries, using real-life success stories and adaptable strategies to elevate their presence in the competitive literary market.
Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Invited speaker
he/him
Mark Lefebvre has been involved in the book industry since 1992, the same year his first short story was published. He is the author of more than 40 books, both traditionally published and indie-published, that include urban fantasy, horror, and true ghost stories, as well as books for writers. Mark self-published his first book in 2004. Over the past thirty years, his roles have included President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations for Rakuten Kobo (where he created Kobo Writing Life), and Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
Different Seasons by Stephen King
Using Speaking and Teaching to Sell Your Books
Track: Emerging Storytellers, Inquisitive Voyagers
This session will offer strategies for authors to use speaking and teaching engagements to promote their books and expand their platforms, covering everything from preparing engaging workshops to finding opportunities.
Kerrie Flanagan
Invited speaker
she/her
Kerrie Flanagan is an accomplished author, writing consultant, instructor, and freelance writer with over twenty-five years of experience in the publishing industry. She has published hundreds of articles, is the author of The Writer's Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing, and is the creator of the online course Magazine Writing Blueprint. She has also published over twenty books, including three sci-fi/fantasy series co-authored under the pen name C.G. Harris.
Her expertise and passion for teaching writers have led her to present at writing conferences nationwide and teach continuing studies classes through Stanford University. When not writing, she can be found outside enjoying the beautiful Rocky Mountains with fly-fishing, camping, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Chronicles of Narnia
Harnessing the Power of Search Engines
Track: Inquisitive Voyagers
This session will cover one of the most powerful (and cost-effective) discoverability avenues open to authors—search engines. Attendees will learn how to position their books in the marketplace to leverage search engine visibility and drive sales.
Ricardo Fayet
Invited speaker
Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of two books on marketing for authors: How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market and Amazon Ads for Authors: Unlock Your Full Advertising Potential.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Wheel of Time
Leveraging Avatars in Book Marketing: A Guide to Understanding Your Ideal Reader
Track: All
This session will cover how authors can use audience avatars to optimize their ROI and generate more book sales. Attendees will learn to identify their ideal reader and the themes in their books that are most likely to compel those readers to buy them.
Laurence O'Bryan
Invited speaker
Laurence O’Bryan has over thirty years of experience in book and IT marketing and has been writing for over two decades. He has had three novels published by HarperCollins, and his work has been translated into eleven languages. One novel has been optioned twice for the screen and is awaiting a green light.
Additionally, he self-published two novels in his Puzzle series, A Dangerous Emperor series—set in the late Roman Empire, and another series titled Believe in Destiny—set in medieval Europe.
Laurence founded both a writer’s festival in Ireland to promote self-publishing there and BooksGoSocial, a service that helps authors all over the world with modern marketing. He has spoken at numerous festivals and writers’ conferences all across the US and Europe.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Lord of the Rings
Sell Loads of Books with TikTok
Track: All
Led by an author who went from a $0 debut to over $30,000 in gross sales within four months using TikTok, this session will explore leveraging TikTok to build an audience that buys books. Attendees will learn actionable goals for selling books on TikTok and practical strategies to achieve those key milestones.
Z.S. Diamanti
Invited speaker
he/him
Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his love for fun and fantastical stories. His short works have been published in magazines, literary journals, newspapers, and books.
He went to college for a very long time and has far too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and worked in ministry for over 10 years before pursuing creative endeavors full-time. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes, camping, and tabletop games.
You can get a FREE series of his stories at zsdiamanti.com and connect on social media @zsdiamanti.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Hobbit
Creating Accessible Website, Social Media, and Email Content
Track: All
This session will cover how authors can make their content accessible, ensuring that both current and potential audiences can engage without barriers. Attendees will learn key items they can implement immediately, including alternative text/image descriptions, accessible use of text in images, ensuring proper color contrast, creating transcripts and/or captions for multimedia, writing meaningful and clear link text, and presenting clear, easy-to-read content.
Jeff Adams
Invited speaker
he/him
Jeff Adams is an author of queer romance and queer young adult thrillers. In addition, he is the co-host of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast, which is for avid readers and passionate fans of queer romance fiction.
Jeff is also a digital accessibility expert. He combined his day job with his creative side to co-write Content for Everyone, which is for authors and other creatives to learn how to create accessible content for their websites, emails, and social media posts.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Beyond BookTube: Get the YouTube Algorithm on Your Marketing Team
Track: All
Led by an author whose YouTube channel has gotten her business featured in Black Enterprise, The Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, and The New York Times, this session will cover YouTube as a marketing tool for authors. Attendees will learn why YouTube is beneficial for growing their audience, the three key pieces of data to provide to get YouTube's algorithm working in their favor, and how to create YouTube videos to fit into their real life without it becoming a full-time job.
Stephanie Perry
Invited speaker
she/her
Stephanie Perry travels full-time as a digital nomad and always packs physical copies of books with her, even if she also has the digital version. Stephanie tells people that travel memoir is her favorite genre, but she's always looking for cozy mysteries on the shelves at Target.
Stephanie self-published her first book, Job Detox, in 2024.
If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
Beloved by Toni Morrison
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