Brain Burps About Books
BBAB 246: Time to Celebrate Picture Book Month!

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #246

Time to Celebrate Picture Book Month!

An Interview with Dianne de Las Casas

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

If you liked this episode, please review it on iTunes by doing this:

1. Open the show's page in iTunes store here.
2. Click on the "View in iTunes" button under the logo.
3. You will see the list of episodes. Scroll past them to "Customer Reviews" and "Write a Review" is right under that.

Thank you.

This week my guest is Dianne de Las Casas
Dianne and I talk about
  • How Picture Book Month got started.
  • Our own picture book memories.
  • How picture books promote literacy.
  • Elizabeth O. Dulemba's Picture Book Month Calendar.
  • Marcie Colleen's curriculum guides for Picture Book Month.
  • How to work picture books in to school curriculum.
  • Free downloads available for Picture Book Month.
  • Following #PictureBookMonth on Twitter.
  • How picture books led Christmas sales last year.
  • This month's Picture Book Month Champions• Sudipta Bardan-Quallen
    • David Biedrzycki
    • Paulette Bogan
    • Mike Curato
    • Matthew Gollub
    • Julie Gribble
    • Julie Hedlund
    • Carter Higgins
    • Molly Idle
    • Joe Kulka
    • Jennifer Gray Olson
    • Kathryn Otoshi
    • Anne Marie Pace
    • Rukhsana Khan
    • Robin Newman
    • Penny Parker Klostermann
    • Eric Litwin
    • Loren Long
    • Deb Lund
    • LeUyen Pham
    • Matt Phelan
    • Stephen Shaskan
    • Trisha Speed Shaskan
    • TJ Shay
    • Whitney Stewart
    • Holly Stone-Barker
    • Mo Willems
    • Natasha Wing
    • Matthew Winner
    • Paula Yoo
Direct download: 246-Picture_Book_Month.mp3
Category:Children's Book Publishing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 245 Stuff That Gets In the Way of Writing

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #245

Stuff That Gets in the Way of Writing

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

  • Learn to write and earn college credit with a home study course from our sponsor Institute for Children's Literature. Take the free aptitude test HERE.
  • The Physics of Fantasy writing, a free word count chart and more in this week's newsletter from Jan Fields at the Institute for Children's Literature. Don't miss this great resource. Sign up HERE.
This week we're talking about stuff that gets in the way of writing
  • Everyone has distractions:
    • Kids (of all ages!)
    • Moving
    • Tech issues
    • Illness - you or someone you love
  • How can you find time to spend on your writing?
  • How can you develop muscle memory for your writing muscles?
  • What is Faker Syndrome and can you overcome it?
Direct download: 245-Stuff_that_gets_in_the_way_of_writing.mp3
Category:The Craft of Writing -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT

BBAB 244 - How to Get Author School Visits

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #244

How to Get Author School Visits

Tips for getting author visits & what to do when you get there

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

If you liked this episode, please review it on iTunes by doing this:

1. Open the show's page in iTunes store here.
2. Click on the "View in iTunes" button under the logo.
3. You will see the list of episodes. Scroll past them to "Customer Reviews" and "Write a Review" is right under that.

Thank you.

Enter the Institute for Writer's PreK Writing Contest! There will be $1300 in prizes awarded and you could win. For all the details visit www.instituteforwriters.com/prekcontest or text PREKCONTEST to 33444. Submit your manuscript before October 31st for a chance to win.

Do you like the podcast? Want your questions answered on air? Want to make suggestions on future episodes? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group HERE.

Still time to get in to my next live class where I can show you how to build your audience and I personally critique and offer advice how to improve your website, newsletter and freebies. Want more details? Sign up at  getyourfirst1000followers.com.

Direct download: 244-Author_School_Visit_Tutorial.mp3
Category:Appearances -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #243

12 Things To Do After a Conference

Announcements
  • Enter the Institute for Writer's PreK Writing Contest! There will be $1300 in prizes awarded and you could win. For all the details visit www.instituteforwriters.com/prekcontest or text PREKCONTEST to 33444. Submit your manuscript before October 31st for a chance to win.
  • Did you miss the amazing Picture Book Summit? Sign up to find out about our upcoming events at www.picturebooksummit.com.
This week we're talking about what to do after a conference
  • What should you do right after you get home?
  • What do you do with all the "stuff" you've collected at the conference?
  • Where should you keep with all those notes you've taken?
  • How can social media help you after the event?
  • What's the best way to keep in touch with your favorite speakers?
  • To give feedback or not to give feedback? That is the question.
  • How should you follow up with the contacts you made?
  • What's nudgemail?
  • How can you share what you've learned?

 

 

 

Direct download: 243-What_To_Do_After_a_Conference.mp3
Category:Business of Children's Publishing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 242 : Picture Book Summit

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #242

Picture Book Summit

An Interview with Julie Hedlund

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

This week's guest is Julie Hedlund!

Julie Hedlund is an award-winning children's book author, founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, blogger, and a regular speaker at SCBWI and other industry events.

Her picture book, A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS, Little Bahalia Publishing, 2013, first published as an interactive storybook app, was the recipient of the 2014 Independent Book Publisher's Association Benjamin Franklin Digital Gold Award. Her storybook app, A SHIVER OF SHARKS, Little Bahalia Publishing, 2013, was a 2014 Digital Book Award winner. Her latest book, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, is available on Amazon.

Julie is a monthly contributor on author/illustrator Katie Davis' Brain Burps About Books children's literature podcast, a PAL member of SCBWI, and a contributing editor on the subject of 21st Century Publishing for Children's Book Insider.

Julie & I talk about
  • Where the idea for Picture Book Summit came from.
  • What is a Master Mind group and how ours got started.
  • Advantages of going to an online event vs. an in-person conference.
  • What happens if you miss one of our online sessions.
  • The agents and editors we interviewed for Picture Book Summit.
  • The landscape of publishing in the 21st century.
  • How many spots are left in Picture Book Summit.
  • How to give us feedback on Picture Book Summit at www.speakpipe.com/katiedavis.
  • Our amazing project manager Kristin Ammerman.
  • The PJ party!
Direct download: 242-PictureBookSummit.mp3
Category:Children's Book Publishing -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

BBAB 241 : What’s So Great About the 500 Word Picture Book?

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #241

What’s So Great About the 500 Word Picture Book?

An Interview with Laura Backes

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

  • I'm hosting a FREE webinar to give you a sneak peek of Get Your First 1,000 Followers! You can ask me anything you want and I'll be doing LIVE website critiques. Pick the time that works best for you:
Listener Questions

Tune in to hear the answer to these burning writer questions and fears:

  • How do I reach my target audience of 12-16 year olds?
  • How do I start my platform when I'm not photogenic and I write under a pseudonym?
  • I'm afraid of not having time to keep up with everything.
  • It's hard to start when I put everyone else's needs before my own.
  • Plus, a shout-out to my newest listener, Jackie!
This week's guest is Laura Backes!

Laura Backes has been publishing Children's Book Insider, The Children's Writing Monthly for 25 years. Along with its companion membership site, The Children's Writing Knowledge Base (www.CBIClubhouse.com). CBI is the largest source of information for aspiring and published children's book writers in the world. Along with her husband Jon Bard, Laura has co-created numerous instructional webinars, videos, courses and books for writers, and is a frequent speaker at writing conferences.

Laura & I talk about
  • Picture Book Summit - There are a few spots left. Register at www.picturebooksummit.com.
  • How she became an editor.
  • What it's like to write a rejection letter.
  • Why she prefers being an editor to being an agent.
  • How to not be a "hack" in your writing.
  • Innate talent vs. Developed talent.
  • Why age is an advantage in your writing.
  • What's the deal with 500 word picture books?
  • How picture book readers are more sophisticated today than in the past.
  • The best way to write a great book.
  • How you can join us at the Picture Book Summit PJ Party!
Direct download: 241-What_s_So_Great_About_the_500_Word_Picture_Book.mp3
Category:Children's Book Publishing -- posted at: 11:59am EDT

BBAB 240 : Followers + Fear = Super Bad

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #240

Followers + Fear = Super Bad

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

  • Thanks, everyone, who signed up for my free training for Get Your First 1,000 Followers! You’re not too late if you want to – just go to GetYourFirst1000Followers.com
This week's guest is YOU!

Tune in to hear the answer to these burning writer questions and fears:

  • How do I sustain a website?
  • What do I have to offer on an on-going basis?
  • Where will I find the time to write AND sustain a platform (in addition to my full time job)?
  • Given my easily distracted life, what if my writing is actually crappy?
  • My biggest fear is my books will never find their readers.
  • I am terrified of social media.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Direct download: 240-Followers__Fear__Super_Bad.mp3
Category:The Craft of Writing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 239 : Idea Generator for Your YA Novel

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #239

Idea Generator for Your YA Novel

An Interview with Anne Collier

Announcements

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon called Writing for Children (if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this). Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writingforchildren.com to learn more.

  • Not sure how to get started with your marketing? Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall for those who want that intro to business for writers. Learn how to use an email list, best practices for social media, taking of advantage of video, and how to monetize your website! Click HERE to check it out.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions about their interviews? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them (the week the episode airs)! Click HERE to join.
  • It's not too late to join Picture Book Summit! Click HERE to register for the October 3rd online event with Peter Brown, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Mac Barnett.
  • Check out Craig Valentine at www.craigvalentine.com for six tips for speaking. Invaluable for school visits!
  • Tell me what you want! What would like to hear on the podcast? What can I do for you? Leave me a message at www.speakpipe.com/KatieDavis.
This week's guest is Anne Collier!

Editor of NetFamilyNews.org and founder and president of Net Family News, Inc., Anne is a writer and youth advocate who has worked in the news media since 1980. With SafeKids.com‘s Larry Magid, she co-founded and, until March 2015, co-directed ConnectSafely.org, a Web-based resource for parents, educators, and everybody interested in the impact of the fixed and mobile social Web on youth and vice versa.

Anne has served on three national task forces on youth and Internet safety, including as co-chair of the Obama administration’s Online Safety & Technology Working Group, which delivered its report to Congress, “Youth Safety on a Living Internet,” in June 2010, and the Harvard Berkman Center’s national Internet Safety Technical Task Force of 2008. Most recently she served on the Aspen Institute Task Force for Learning & the Internet of 2013-’14.

Ann and I talk about

  • How Net Family News can help with ideas for your young adult novel.
  • Kindness Wins by Galit Breen.
  • What does sexting have to do with teen pregnancy?
  • Casel.org.
  • What constitutes cyberbullying?
  • Why she founded www.icanhelpline.org.
  • Follow I Can Help on Twitter: https://twitter.com/icanhelp
  • Hot button issues.
  • How the internet changed education.
  • SEL – Social Emotional Learning.
Direct download: 239-Idea_Generator_for_Your_YA_Novel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #238

Dave Sanderson: Beyond the Miracle on the Hudson

An Interview with a Hero

Announcements
  • Not sure how to get started with your marketing? Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall for those who want that intro to business for writers. Learn how to use an email list, best practices for social media, taking of advantage of video, and how to monetize your website! Click HERE to check it out.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions about their interviews? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them (the week the episode airs)! Click HERE to join.
  • Last chance to take advantage of the Early Bird offer for Picture Book Summit! Price goes up $100 on August 16th. Click HERE to register for the October 3rd online event with Peter Brown, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Mac Barnett.
This week's guest is Dave Sanderson!

This week's guest is Dave Sanderson. Dave is an inspirational survivor, speaker and author. His thoughts on leadership have made him a nationally sought-out speaker.

When US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson,” ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others, risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane.

Despite the hazards to himself, Sanderson thought only of helping others, and emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. In this stirring presentation, Sanderson shares the story of Flight 1549, revealing the inner strength it took to make it through the day, and how teamwork, leadership, and state management can help overcome any obstacle.

Dave and I talk about

  • Many people who get on a plane are at least a little worried that something will happen. What you need to do, from a survivor?
  • Brace for Impact: Miracle on the Hudson Survivors Share Their Stories of Near Death and Hope for New Life.
  • His first hand account of his experience aboard US Airways Flight 1549, aka the Miracle on the Hudson.
  • What lessons he learned from the Miracle on the Hudson?
  • How do you take a potentially tragic experience and turn it into an opportunity to survive and thrive?
  • What is PTSG? How does it differ from PTSD?
  • The new Miracle on the Hudson documentary produced and directed by Rick Ortiz coming out in January 2016.
  • What are the 12 Pillars of Resourcefulness?
Direct download: Dave_Sanderson__Beyond_the_Miracle_on_the_Hudson.mp3
Category:The Writing Life -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 237 : How Much Do You Edit Out?

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #237

How Much Do You Edit Out?

An Interview with Author Lisa Schroeder

Announcements
  • Not sure how to get started with your marketing? Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall for those who want that intro to business for writers. Learn how to use an email list, best practices for social media, taking of advantage of video, and how to monetize your website! Click HERE to check it out.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions about their interviews? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them (the week the episode airs)! Click HERE to join.
  • One week left for the Picture Book Summit Early Bird offer! Price goes up on August 16th. Click HERE to register for the October 3rd online event with Peter Brown, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Mac Barnett.
This week's guest is Lisa Schroeder!

This week's guest is Lisa Schroeder. Lisa Schroeder is the author of over a dozen books for kids and teens, including the YA novels I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME and ALL WE HAVE IS NOW and the middle grade novels IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES and MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS. She loves tea and cookies, flowers, family hikes, books and movies that make her laugh and cry, and sunshine. Living in Oregon, she doesn't get nearly enough sunshine, but the hikes are amazing. You can visit her online at www.lisaschroederbooks.com or on twitter at @lisa_schroeder.

Lisa and I talk about

  • How much to edit when you’re asked?
  • Do authors ever feel like they’re “doing it right?”
  • How much Lisa knew before she started writing.
  • The trick to stop worrying and stop feeling guilty!
  • When you should write in verse and when to skip it.
  • ALL WE HAVE IS NOW.
  • Lisa Schroeder on Instagram (she uses the Word swag app)
Direct download: How_Much_Do_You_Edit_Out.mp3
Category:The Craft of Writing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Listener Mailbag: Part 2

Announcements
  • I have a listener Exclusive for you! Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall for those who want that intro to business for writers. Grab your spot before July 31st and get $50 off with code PODCAST50. Just for my podcast peeps! Click HERE to check it out.
  • Want to hear your question on a future episode of Brain Burps About Books? Ask your question at www.speakpipe.com/KatieDavis.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions about their interviews? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them (the week the episode airs)! Click HERE to join.
  • Picture Book Summit is coming October 3rd! Are you writing picture books? If so, this conference can really help you, and you can attend in your PJs: Picture Book Summit is a LIVE one day online picture book writing conference! Featuring such folks as Peter Brown, Mac Barnett, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Laura Backes, Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Hedlund, and me. It takes place on October 3rd and it’s going to ROCK. No travel hassles!The organizers are Institute of Children's Literature, Children's Book Insider,12x12 Picture Book Challenge, and Just Write For Kids. Also, a portion of all proceeds will go to benefit We Need Diverse Books. Early Bird registration is going on now (hundreds of people have registered and spots are filling fast). Reserve your spot at this online event to hear our fabulous keynote speakers, as listed above (Peter Brown, Andrea Pinkney, and Mac Barnett). Plus, we'll have sessions with agents, editors and more. You can find all the details at www.picturebooksummit.com.
  • This week I'm answering more questions from the good ole' mailbag!

    Tune in to hear the answer to these burning writer questions:

    • What are Twitter lists and what can I use them for?
    • There are SO many things to do – build a website, start an email list, be active on social media. I’m overwhelmed and suffering from “analysis paralysis”. What should I do?
    • If you could do this again from scratch....what is one marketing move you would do again and what one marketing move would you not do again.
    • What is the best way to market your book when you are on a shoestring budget?
    • As someone who doesn't crave the spotlight, I wonder how to get over that dislike of the limelight and peddling my own wares. Are there effective ways for wallflowers to promote their books too?

    Resources mentioned in this episode

Direct download: Listener_Mailbag_Part_2.mp3
Category:Social Media and Children's Publishing -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #235

Turn Your Kindle Fails Into a Kindle Sale

An interview with Kindle Expert Dave Chesson

Announcements
  • Get this listener exclusive! Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall for those who want that intro to business for writers. Grab your spot before July 31st and get $50 off with code PODCAST50. Just for my podcast peeps! Click HERE to check it out.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions about their interviews? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them (the week the episode airs)! Click HERE to join.
This week's guest is Dave Chesson!

This week's guest is Dave Chesson. Dave's a best selling author and lead editor at kindlepreneur.com. He focuses on advanced online marketing tactics for authors and self publishers. While in the Navy, Dave spent his nights working on his other business: book marketing and online marketing.  He started by creating niche websites, and earning advertisement and affiliate commissions.  After spending years practicing and learning Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as more of an obsession than a hobby, he quickly expanded his website arsenal to 27 different sites, all of which are used for different online purposes and endeavors. But it wasn’t until Dave discovered self-publishing on Amazon that he kicked it into the next gear. Between his SEO knowledge & website development experience with Kindle Direct Publishing, Dave will help you turn your Kindle fails into Kindle sales!

Dave and I talk about

  • Why authors hate “keywords."
  • How SEO can work for you.
  • Thinking of Google as the only search engine. (HINT: Don't!)
  • How to find your best keywords.
  • When should you do your keyword research.
  • Dave's in-depth article on finding keywords. Read it HERE.
  • Our one month experiment with How To Promote Your Children's Book.
  • How to dovetail your current ebooks into sales of future books.
  • His awesome widget, below. You can embed it on your own site by doing a search for "Kindle" in plugins in your Wordpress site.
  • Find Dave at http://Kindlepreneur.com.
  • See Dave Keynote at the Traffic Generation All Stars Virtual Summit!
Direct download: Turn_Your_Kindle_Fails_Into_Kindle_Sales.mp3
Category:eBooks -- posted at: 1:00pm EDT

BBAB 234: Listener Mailbag

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #234

Listener Mailbag

Announcements
  • Listener Exclusive! Get Your First 1000 Followers is my new LIVE class coming this Fall. Reserve your spot before July 31st and get $50 off with code PODCAST50. Just for my peeps!
  • Want to hear your question on a future episode of Brain Burps About Books? Ask your question at www.speakpipe.com/KatieDavis.
  • Do you enjoy our Brain Burps About Books guests? Do you have questions for them? Come join the Brain Burps About Books Facebook Group and interact with them! Click HERE to join.
  • Picture Book Summit is coming October 3rd! Early Bird registration is going on now. Reserve your spot at this online event to hear our fabulous keynote speakers, Peter Brown, Andrea Pinkney, and Mac Barnett. Plus, we'll have sessions with agents and editors. You can find all the details at www.picturebooksummit.com.
This week I'm answering questions from the ol' mailbag

Tune in to hear the answer to these burning writer questions:

  • How do you balance a "just do it" attitude with thoughtful planning in your platform & products?
  • What should I do to focus my marketing on social media to attract readers in my genre?
  • What is one tip you would give to someone just starting out?

Resources mentioned in this episode

Direct download: 234.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 233 - Video on the Biz Chix Podcast

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #233

Video on the Biz Chix Podcast

The Biz Chix interviews me!

Announcements
  • Listener Exclusive! Get Your First 1000 Followers in my new live class coming this Fall. My listeners get an exclusive discount of $50. Click HERE and use code PODCAST50. Good thru July 31st.
  • Meet our podcast guests in our the Brain Burps About Book Podcast Group: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup. Come get your questions answered!
  • Picture Book Summit is coming October 3rd! The Early Bird registration is now open. Come spend the day online with Peter Brown, Andrea Pinkney and Mac Barnett. Check out the video below and then go HERE for all the details. You don't want to miss this!

This week I'm a guest on the Biz Chix Podcast with Natalie Eckdahl!

As a busy Mom of three and co-Founder of ScheduleMAX.com, Natalie Eckdahl is trying to juggle a million things and is on a quest for the holy grail of “Work/Life Balance”.  On her Biz Chix Podcast, Natalie interviews amazing women entrepreneurs, and a few cool dudes, five days a week. Each entrepreneur shares work/life balance and productivity tips as well as their journey. She interviews amazing guests who run international brands and still balance all that life throws at them. Natalie gets them to spill all their secrets of how to get it done.

Natalie and I talk about
  • My childhood.
  • Why I like to help people.
  • How to work through the tough stuff.
  • Dirty Dishes.
  • How I became a children's book writer and illustrator.
  • Amazon FBA.
  • Using video in your online platform.
  • How I got so techy.
  • How you can make more money but you can't make more time.
  • Using YouTube and how you can customize your channel.
  • KatieDavis.TV
Direct download: Video_on_the_Biz_Chix_Podcast.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 12:09pm EDT

BBAB 232: Making a Living as a Writer

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #232

Making a Living as a Writer

An Interview with Laura Purdie Salas

Announcements
  • Picture Book Summit is coming October 3rd! The Early Bird registration is now open! Text 33444 and enter the code PBSKATIE to get on the early bird list or go HERE to sign up. You don't want to miss this!
  • Meet our podcast guests in our the Brain Burps About Book Podcast Group: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup. Come get your questions answered!

This Week's Guest is Laura Purdie Salas!

This week’s guest is Laura Purdie Salas. Laura Purdie Salas is the author of more than 100 books for kids and teens, including BOOKSPEAK! POEMS ABOUT BOOKS (Minnesota Book Award, NCTE Notable, Bank Street Best Books, Eureka! Gold Medal, and more), STAMPEDE! POEMS TO CELEBRATE THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL (Finalist, Minnesota Book Award), and A LEAF CAN BE... (Bank Street Best Books, IRA Teachers' Choice, NCTE Notable Children's Book, Riverby Award for Nature Books for Young Readers, and more). She loves to introduce kids to poetry and help them find poems they can relate to, no matter what their age, mood, and personality. She has also written numerous nonfiction books. See more about Laura and her work at www.laurasalas.com.

Laura and I talk about
Direct download: Making_a_Living_as_a_Writer.mp3
Category:The Writing Life -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

BBAB 231: A New Storytelling Form Brings History to Life

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #231

A New Storytelling Form Brings History to Life

An Interview with Author Entrepreneur Sarah Towle

Announcements
  • Picture Book Summit will be October 3rd! Text 33444 and enter the code PBSKATIE to get on the early bird list or go HERE to sign up. You don't want to miss this!
  • Meet our podcast guests in our the Brain Burps About Book Podcast Group: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup. Come get your questions answered!
Appearances
This Week's Guest is Sarah Towle!

This week’s guest is Sarah Towle. In 2009, Sarah Towle realized that the "book" she was writing was not yet destined for print, but would make a series of killer interactive apps. From that moment, she began building Time Traveler Tours, a start-up developer and publisher of mobile StoryApp iTineraries targeting educational tourism. More recently, with the introduction of digital authoring tools, Sarah also founded Time Traveler Tales, an imprint dedicated to publishing story-based interactive histories for tablet devices for the school and library markets.

Sarah and I talk about
  • Educational Tourism for Teens: In the Footsteps of Giants.
  • The making of the David.
  • Time Travelers Tours and Tales – her new digital imprint.
  • Author Mary Hoffman and her Stravaganza series and Amazing Grace.
  • What happens when your idea is 5-10 years ahead of the industry.
  • Why her first app will never be a financial success even though it was critical success.
  • Who created the app Beware Madame la Guillotine, A Revolutionary Tour of Paris.
  • Being an iBook author.
  • What a UX designer is and why you need one if you are designing an app.
  • How she created Madame la Guillotine to be used in the classroom.
  • Why a Kickstarter campaign isn't just about raising money.
  • How you can submit your idea for the next Time Travelers Tours & Tales story.
  • How you can find her Kickstarter campaign and be a part of history!

BBAB 230: How to Beat Your Competitors in a Google Search

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #230

How to Beat Your Competitors in a Google Search

An Interview with Lindsey Anderson

Announcements
Appearances
This Week's Guest is Lindsey Anderson!

This week’s guest is Lindsey Anderson. Lindsey is a web strategy expert working with small business owners to help them grow their businesses. She is the founder and CEO of two companies; Web Impakt, a successful web development company, and Lindsey’s Web, an online resource for small business owners to learn about ranking on search engines, newsletters, analytics, social media, pay-per-click ads, websites, blogging, and the list goes on. She knows how to utilize web technologies to help small business owners achieve their dreams.

Lindsey and I talk about
  • Why www.webimpakt.com is spelled with a "k".
  • What free resources you can find at www.lindseysweb.com.
  • The benefits of working from home.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
  • How content is king!
  • Why you should write three blog posts per week.
  • How important it is for your site to be mobile friendly.
  • Responsive web design.
  • How to beat your competitors in a Google search.
  • How to get a free website review from Lindsey.
  • Where to sign up for her Facebook Marketing Webinar.

BBAB 229: Writers, Do You Have a Financial Mentor?

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #229

Writers, Do You Have a Financial Mentor?

An Interview with Todd Tresidder

Announcements
  • Find out the First Five Ways to Build Your Author Platform and be the first to get notified when the How to Create Your Author Platform course opens again. CLICK HERE to get started.
  • Join the fun in the Brain Burps About Book Podcast Group: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup. I'll be offering extras, and sharing resources to help you grow and learn best practices.
  • Why should you as a writer learn about video? Not only to market your books, but because reciprocity rocks: to help with charities near and dear to your heart. I was able to help my local Neighbor to Neighbor charity with this video, below.
Appearances
This Week's Guest is Todd Tresidder!

This week’s guest is Todd Tresidder. Todd Tresidder is a financial coach at FinancialMentor.com. His unconventional take on worn financial topics has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Smart Money magazine, Yahoo Finance, and more. He’s authored 5 financial education books including How Much Money Do I Need To Retire?, Variable Annuity Pros and Cons, and the 4% Rule and Safe Withdrawal Rates In Retirement.

Todd and I talk about
  • Why every writer needs a platform - whether you are self-published or traditionally published.
  • How books build relationships and relationships build businesses.
  • Why you have to market your books.
  • How writing the book is only a third of your job as an author.
  • Building equity.
  • How to compound your equity as a writer.
  • Your books being your art.
  • Expected Value Bets.
  • How investing isn’t gambling.
  • Roderick Russell, the Renaissance Man behind RemarkablyHuman.com.
  • EventualMillionaire.com.
  • How Todd and Pat Flynn help each other out.
Direct download: Writers_Do_You_Have_a_Financial_Mentor.mp3
Category:eBooks -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 228: How to Speak at Teacher Conferences

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #228

How to Speak at Teacher Conferences

An Interview with Teresa Funke

Announcements
  • Find out the First Five Ways to Build Your Author Platform and be on the first to be notified when How to Create Your Author Platform opens again.  CLICK HERE to get started.
  • Join the fun in the Brain Burps About Book Podcast Group: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup. I'll be offering extras, and sharing resources to help you grow and learn best practices.
Contributors
Appearances
  • Join me! I'm speaking at Podcast Boston on June 13th.
  • I'm teaching Yale this summer on June 7th. (Yes, THAT Yale!) More information to come.
This Week's Guest is Teresa Funke!

 

This week’s guest is Teresa Funke. Teresa embodies the modern artist/entrepreneur. She is the owner of Teresa Funke & Company and Victory House Press and the award-winning author of six novels for adults and children based on true stories from WWII. She is also a nationwide speaker offering keynotes and presentations and a popular writer’s coach and creativity coach.

Visit Teresa's You Tube channel to watch her popular writing videos or to check out her playlist, "Great Ideas Giveaway," in which Teresa shares business ideas for artists and creatives that they can take and use in their own models.

Teresa and I talk about
  • Teresa's YouTube channel and she uses it go in depth teaching writing techniques.
  • Coaching writers.
  • Great Idea Giveaways.
  • Dancing in Combat Boots.
  • Kids skipping recess to hear Teresa talk.
  • Her multicultural series for kids: Home Front Heroes
  • The No-No Boys about Japanese Internment camps in WWII.
  • V for Victory – Story of a Mexican American boy in WWII.
  • Wave Me Goodbye - Jewish girl and an orphaned English boy become friends in WWII.
  • Back matter included in Non-fiction makes it easier for teachers to use.
  • Hired a retired teacher to develop lesson plans and curriculum guides
  • Speaking at teacher conferences.
  • Do you pay to attend the conference you want to speak at?
  • How she was at the beginning of the self-publishing trend.
  • Getting books in museum gift shops.
  • Book covers and how to design them.
  • Teresa's Burst of Brillance for a Creative Life.
Direct download: How_to_Speak_at_Teacher_Conferences.mp3
Category:Business of Children's Publishing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 227: Defining Magical Realism

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #227

Defining Magical Realism

An Interview with Laura Ruby

Announcements
Appearances
  • I'm speaking at Podcast Boston on June 13th.
  • I'm teaching Yale this summer. (Yes, THAT Yale!) Date to be determined - I'll let you know as soon as I know!
This Week's Guest is Laura Ruby!

This week’s guest is Laura Ruby. Laura is one of my BFF's and she also writes fiction for adults, teens and children. She is the author of the newly-released YA novel BONE GAP*, as well as the Edgar-nominated children's mystery LILY'S GHOSTS, the ALA Quick Pick for teens GOOD GIRLS (2006), a collection of interconnected short stories about blended families for adults, I'M NOT JULIA ROBERTS (2007), and the forthcoming middle-grade trilogy YORK. She is on the faculty of Hamline University's Masters in Writing for Children Program. She makes her home in the Chicago area.

Laura and I talk about
  • We talk about bees and their relationship to gender issues.
  • Animals: magical and otherwise.
  • The way we see the people we love.
  • How Laura names her characters.
  • How many words do you need for a novel?
  • How does Laura edit?
  • What is magical realism and what is Laura Ruby’s definition of it?
  • Helen Oyeyemi, author of Boy, Snow, Bird: A Novel
  • Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

* I did receive a free advanced copy of BONE GAP and I am happy to call Laura Ruby my friend.

Direct download: Defining_Magical_Realism.mp3
Category:The Craft of Writing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 226: Create Your Author Platform Month Closes with Illustrator Sandy Williams

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #226

Create Your Author Platform Month Closes with Illustrator Sandy Williams

Illustrators Need Platforms, Too!

I am grateful for
  • Tim McCanna and his awesome jingle. The original one, but also the new one he created and edited for me.
  • Kellie Johnston, for the lovely thank you note she wrote to me on how I changed her career in three minutes!
  • The peeps who have been showing up to my hangouts. Do you have any idea how awks it is to talk to your iMac, alone in your office? No one responding? But if you know there are viewers, especially ones who are entering questions, well, that’s something to be grateful for!
  • The peeps who’ve been thanking me for my free training.
  • My new students. Not only am I grateful, I’m impressed. You’ve taken a leap of faith in your own career. Nicely done.
Announcements
  • We have a brand spankin' new Facebook group just for YOU, my peeps! Let's take the podcast topics one step further and get down to the nitty gritty. Join here: www.katiedavis.com/podcastgroup
  • Free training is only available until Sunday, May 3rd! New Flash Training included: www.katiedavis.com/freetraining
  • The tables were turned. I was a guest on the Biz Chix Podcast! Check it out HERE.
  • I'm teaching a picture book workshop at Yale this June! Join me during Session 2 HERE.
This Week's Guest is Sandy Williams!

This week’s guest is Sandy Williams. Sandy is an illustrator and was one of my Crank It Up Implementation students this winter. She specializes in natural science illustration and design. Sandy also teaches courses in learning to paint with gouache, the medium she uses most for her illustration and design work.

Sandy and I talk about 
  • How creating a platform has helped her sell her book.
  • How creating a platform has helped her create an email list.
  • How Sandy went from flailing to goal setting.
  • As a non-techy, how she’s creating her platform using video.
  • What would happen if past-Sandy met present-Sandy!

BBAB 225: Fifty Shades of Greatness

Fifty Shades of Greatness

A Conversation About Creating the Life You’ve Been Yearning For with Paula Jean Burns

Announcements
  • Where should you start building your platform? Let me show you with my FREE video training. Hurry! It's only available until May 3rd! Text 33444 and enter the code KATIED to get signed up for my free training!
This Week's Guest is Paula Jean Burns!

This week’s guest is Paula Jean Burns. Recognized for her leadership as a highly skilled Project Team Manager within the Information Technology field, Paula Jean delivers powerful strategies to her clients leading them to attain significance and purpose which she describes as  “Living Life All In." After 25 years of leading high profile teams and projects for a leading health care system, Paula Jean’s world was rocked when she experienced 2 major life events within the same year causing Paula Jean to pause and declare:  “So, this is it?  There must be more to life!” Paula Jean responded by taking her life off “auto-pilot” and regaining control as the driver of her life.  It was in taking this bold move that led Paula Jean to discover her life’s true work, reconnect to her passion and for the first time to live her life All IN!

Paula Jean and I talk about
  • Intuitive Mindful Leadership.
  • Living All In.
  • Fifty Shades of Greatness.
  • What does “bespoke” mean.
  • How to create the life you’ve been yearning for.
  • What she thought of my beta test!
  • How my platform tips helped her even though she's not exclusively a writer.
  • Making these platform principles applicable to everyone.
  • Learning lessons backwards!
  • The benefits of narrowing down your audience.
  • How to be specific and authentic at the same time.
Direct download: Fifty_Shades_of_Greatness_1.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 224 : Why Would a Performer Need To Build a Platform?
Announcements
  • Where should you start building your platform? Let me show with my FREE video training. Hurry! It's only available until May 3rd! Text 33444 and enter the code KATIED to get signed up for my free training!
  • Great listener question from Vicky in today's podcast: "How soon should someone wait after they start their blog to write their first book?" Do you have a question you'd like me answer on the podcast? Click here: www.speakpipe.com/KatieDavis
This Week's Guest is Jackie Reynolds!

This week’s guest is Jackie Reynolds. Jackie finished up one of my Crank It Up with Katie coaching sessions. A multi-award winning performer, Jackie Reynolds, brings laughter to the Hudson Valley and beyond as Jackie the Magician, Bee Bee the Clown, Mrs. Santa Claus & the Fairy Godmother. Since 1992 her creative entertainment, quick wit and refreshing humor have delighted audiences at community events, company picnics, day care centers, libraries, schools,  senior centers and 1000’s of parties. Jackie has now added children's book author to her extensive resume.

Jackie and I talk about
  • Why Jackie wanted to build a platform online.
  • How building email changed her business.
  • Gaining control of your platform through an email list.
  • Props to Harold Underdown, Jackie’s editor for her two books.
  • Why she was told to take the wild animals out of her books
  • How Jackie published her books through Hillcrest media and Mill City Press.
  • Jackie’s direct results from having an email list.
  • Don’t miss our P.S.!
Direct download: Why_Would_a_Performer_Need_To_Build_a_Platform_.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 223: From Tech Phobic to Master Blogger

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #223

From Tech Phobic to Master Blogger

Platform Building with Author Vivian Kirkfield

Announcements
Contributors
This Week's Guest is Vivian Kirkfield!

This week’s guest is Vivian Kirkfield. Vivian is one of my exceptional students! She got her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and was a kindergarten teacher in New York City for many years. Then she decided to stay at home and raise her children. As a daycare provider, she was able to do that. The program of activities she put in place for those children became the basis for her award-winning parent-teacher resource, SHOW ME HOW!  BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING.

Vivian and I talk about
  • How Vivian started building her author platform.
  • Don’t miss the #giveaway on Vivian’s blog!
  • Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 membership.
  • Why writers need to build their platform and where to start.
  • Will Write for Cookies – her fabulous series.
  • How Vivian adds people to her email list.
  • How to get your free anti-bullying toolkit guide for kids.
Direct download: From_Tech_Phobic_to_Master_Blogger.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 222: Social Media Power Tips for Power Users

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #222

The Art of Social Media: Tips for Power Users

An Interview with Author, Speaker & Social Media Pro Peg Fitzpatrick, co-author with Guy Kawasaki

Announcements
  • Coming soon! Free training on how to market your books. Get on the notification list right HERE right now!
  • Listener Kim Trumbo asks a great question. Do you have a question about book marketing you'd like me answer on the podcast? Go to www.speakpipe.com/katiedavis and ask away!
This Week's Guest is Peg Fitzgerald!

This week’s guest is Peg Fitzpatrick. Peg is an author, a speaker and, social media marketing pro. Covering all the major social media platforms, she frequently hears “you’re everywhere!” She’s passionate about life, social media, and inspiring others to be their best. She co-authored The Art of Social Media with Guy Kawasaki.

Peg and I talk about
  • Easy ways to use Canva.
  • Rules about selling on your personal Facebook profile.
  • What you can do on your Facebook page.
  • The 20% rule of Facebook ads.
  • $5 a day ads.
  • Why should never buy Likes.
  • Should you sponsor your own content as an author?
  • Authors who are doing it right: Elizabeth Gilbert and Hugh Howey.
  • Why you need an author platform.
  • Who should your identity be online if you’re writing for different genres?
  • Hashtag strategy – Using Google plus for related hashtags
  • How to grow your list through social media.
  • How to check how you look to others…be anonymous.
  • Best way to put a post on G+
Direct download: Social_Media_Power_Tips_for_Power_Users.mp3
Category:Social Media and Children's Publishing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 221: When You Get Interest from Traditional Publishers But Say No Thanks

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #221

When You Get Interest from Traditional Publishers But Say No Thanks

An Interview with KeeKee’s Big Adventures Series Creator Shannon Jones

Announcements
  • Answer one questions and get my free marketing lessons!  Ask them here and get my Book Promo Planner and Checklist PLUS 21 Ways to Promote Yourself on Amazon as a special bonus.
  • I'd love to hear your reviews! You can review the podcast on iTunes here.
Contributors
This Week's Guest is Shannon Jones!

This week’s guest is Shannon Jones. For Shannon, her love of travel began at a young age. It opened her eyes and ears to the world. As a grownup, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband Paul and kitty KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born. After twenty years in the marketing field, Shannon is launched on her new adventures, following her passion for writing and excited to be helping kids in their quest for learning and discovery.

Shannon's first book KeeKee's Big Adventures in Paris, France won the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards Silver for Best First Children’s Book in April 2014 and Gold Mom’s Choice Award in Autumn 2013. KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy received a Gold Mom's Choice Award in April 2013.

Her third book, KeeKee's Big Adventures in Athens, Greece, landed October 2014 and just received a Gold Mom's Choice Award.

Shannon and I talk about
  • Why, even though Shannon got interest from traditional publishers, she decided to self-publish.
  • The unusual process through which she found a great illustrator.
  • Her editor is Lisa Pliscou.
  • Her printer, Phoenix Color.
  • The Bilingual pronunciation guide in her books.
  • Getting geography lessons from a cat.
  • The KeeKee Club.

BBAB 220: Kelly Light's Top Tips to Getting Traditionally Published

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #220

Kelly Light’s Top Tips to Getting Traditionally Published

An Interview with Kelly Light: How She Got Five Offers Before Ever Getting an Agent

Announcements
  • Want to hear about my Author Platform course when it comes out? Join here!
  • Just for listeners of the podcast! Get a $25 discount and a free success guide from Pubslush HERE.
Contributors
This Week's Guest is author-illustrator Kelly Light!

This week’s guest is Kelly Light. Author Illustrator, Kelly Light was born in 1970 off exit 149 of the Garden State Parkway. She grew up down the shore surrounded by giant roadside dinosaurs, cotton candy colors and skee ball sounds. Schooled on Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday Funny pages, she picked up a pencil and started drawing and never stopped.

Kelly and I talk about
  • The day Kelly got so many calls from editors she stopped answering the phone.
  • How she got five offers before she ever got an agent.
  • How Kelly got published.
  • What BEA was like for her being treated like a debutante.
  • Who is “the Willy Wonka of books?”
  • Kelly’s top tips to getting and being traditionally published.

BBAB 219: Avoid the Slush Pile with Pubslush

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #219

Avoid the Slush Pile with Pubslush

An Interview with Pubslush Vice President Amanda Barbara

Announcements
  • Free book marketing lessons here: www.katiedavis.com/vip
  • Just for listeners of the podcast! Get a $25 discount and a free success guide from Pubslush HERE: www.katiedavis.com/pubslush
Contributors
This Week's Guest is Pubslush Vice President Amanda Barbara!

This week’s guest is Amanda Barbara. Pubslush was founded by mother and daughter entrepreneurs, Hellen and Amanda Barbara. Pubslush is a global pre-publication platform that offers crowdfunding and pre-order options for authors and publishers. Amanda and her mother were inspired to create a more democratic publishing process after learning about the struggles of authors like J.K. Rowling, whose bestselling series was rejected by the 12 publishers to which it was initially sent. So many great authors have been dismissed to the infamous "slush pile." The Pubslush name is derived from their mission to give authors the opportunity to get out of the slush pile, prove their talent and market viability, and successfully publish quality books.

Amanda and I talk about
  • What can Pubslush do for writers?
  • How Pubslush can be a launch pad for your writing career.
  • What do if you're looking for a spot to gain fans.
  • How your fans get an email when your book is ready.
  • Why Pubslush is not just another crowd funding platform.
  • How is it completely risk free for the authors?
  • How they monetize! (Great for writers!)
  • Finding your reader data.
  • Do writers need a contract?
Direct download: Avoid_the_Slush_Pile_with_Pubslush.mp3
Category:Business of Children's Publishing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

BBAB 218 : Reedsy | Connecting Publishing Professionals to Writers

BBAB 218: Reedsy | Connecting Publishing Professionals to Writers

An Interview with Reedsy Chief Operating Officer Richard Fayet

Announcements
  • The Write Life Writers Bundle goes live for 3 days only starting March 9th! You can get $1072 with of ebooks and courses for writers for only $99. Video Idiot Boot Camp, Learn Scrivener Fast and 7 other resources are inlcuded. Check it out here: www.katiedavis.com/bundle
  • Get your free marketing lessons at www.katiedavis.com/VIP.
Contributors
This Week's Guest is Reedsy Chief Operating Officer Richard Fayet!

 

This week’s guest is Richard Fayet. Richard is one of the co-founders of Reedsy, a curated marketplace designed to streamline self-publishing. On Reedsy, authors can connect with vetted, industry-experienced editors, designers, marketers and translators and work with them through in-built project management and collaboration tools, keeping all the workflow in one place.

Richard and I talk about
  • Getting tough with their Terms of Service.
  • How they get their curated professionals.
  • Their 10% fee.
  • What collaboration tools they offer.
  • What publication tools they have available.
  • Author profiles.

BBAB 217: Bundle Up! The Writers Bundle Will Heat Up Your Writing

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #217

Bundle Up! The Writers Bundle Will Heat Up Your Writing

An Interview with Alexis Grant of The Write Life

Announcements
  • When you sign up at katiedavis.com/bundle, you’ll be one of the first to hear when this great bundle for writers is available!
This Week's Guest is Alexis Grant!

This week’s guest is Alexis Grant. Alexis is an entrepreneurial writer and digital strategist, with a focus on careers and the workplace. All of her work falls under one umbrella: helping YOU create the life you want to live.

Alexis and I talk about
  • Why she created The Write Life and The Writer's Bundle.
  • How The Writer's Bundle can benefit YOU.
  • Who is part of The Writer's Bundle this year.
  • How you can be one of the first to get it!
Direct download: Bundle_Up_The_Writers_Bundle_will_Heat_Up_Your_Writing.mp3
Category:The Writing Life -- posted at: 9:07pm EDT

BBAB 216 : Going to Sea with Dr. Bob Ballard

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #216

Going to Sea with Dr. Bob Ballard

An Interview with Scholastic Author Karen Romano Young

Click to tweet about this week's episode

Announcements
  • Check out my new site!
  • Free book marketing lessons delivered straight to your inbox – go to my new site and you’ll see the sign up box on the right.
Contributors
This Week's Guest is Karen Romano Young!

This week’s guest is Karen Romano Young. She is an author, illustrator, science communicator, comic creator, and deep sea diver. Her work includes graphic novels and science articles, young adult and middle grade novels, and books about the ocean and animals.

Karen and I talk about

• How Karen got to dive to the bottom of the ocean in Alvin.
• Writing for NASA, Wood’s Hole, extreme outreach.
• Did you know the NY Times is written so a 12-year-old can read it?
• Going to sea with Dr. Bob Ballard.
• Hydro-thermal vents 40 years after Dr. Ballard discovered them.
Nautiluslive.org
• Mapping parts of the ocean with robot submarines.
• Hundred Percent.
• Sea Turtle Rescue.
• Doodlebug.


BBAB 215 : What Did the Fox Say?

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #215

What Does the Fox Say?

How Janet Fox Used Video to Get a Book Deal

Click here to get Katie's 21 Ways to Market and Promote Your Book Checklist & Worksheet Kit FREE.

Click to tweet about this week's episode
Announcements
  • I'm creating a new course! Get on the VIP list for How to Build Your Author Platform and get free marketing tips here: http://katiedavis.com/VIP

 Contributors

  • Julie Falatko reviews Goodnight Already by Jory John and illustrated by Benji Davies.
This Week's Guest is Janet Fox!

 

Janet Fox likes writing history, mystery, romance, and adventure novels... but mostly she likes writing for and about the child – the teen – she still is inside. She lives in Montana, surrounded by mountains and in the company of her husband and their rambunctious yellow lab.

Janet and I talk about
  • How she sold a book based a video she created! (Now, do you believe writers should be making videos?)
  • Her work in choosing speakers for book festivals.
  • How video informs who she chooses to invite.
Direct download: What_Did_the_Fox_Say.mp3
Category:Children's Book Publishing -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

BBAB 214: Is It Actually Better to Be Traditionally Published?

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #214

Is It Actually Better to Be Traditionally Published?

Announcements

This Week's Guest is Julia Suzuki!

This week’s guest is Julia Suzuki, author of the The Land of Dragor: Book 1: The Gift of Charms (Land of Dragor 1).

Julia and I talk about

• How did she get 63,000 followers on Twitter with only 1,300 tweets?
• How she controls her social media schedule.
• The start of her career and selling over 10,000 books
• How Julia got national press
• Is getting traditionally published the holy grail?


BBAB 213 : A Pinterest Rockstar Shares Her Secrets

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #213

A Pinterest Rockstar Shares Her Secrets

Announcements
  • Just a quick note to let you know that I’m starting a new podcast soon if I haven’t already started by the time you hear this. Want to know more? It’s going to be pretty awesome and very different from this show. Go to writeakidsbook.com/podcast to learn more.

  •  

    There's still time to join Crank It Up with Katie! It's a great opportunity to get coaching for your writer business in a small group format. Join HERE.
  • I’m inviting you to a party! Join the KidLit.TV Pinterest Party on January 29th at 9pm EST. Be sure to follow for the latest resources on KidLit and a chance to WIN! Comment, Like, Repin... it's like a visual Twitter Chat on Pinterest! Have you ever been to a Pinterest party? One for writers? One that will grow your followers? RSVP HERE.
  • Sign up for a FREE 15 minute Pinterest Session HERE!
  • Plus, receive $20 Off a Pinterest Consulting Session by click HERE.

This Week's Guest is Kim Vij!

Kim Vij is a Pinterest Consultant, Educator, Blogger, Freelance Writer and Speaker. Using The Educators' Spin On It, she has created award winning boards on Pinterest with over 1.6 Million followers by focusing pins on Education and Parenting. She’s successfully partnered with leading children’s educational bloggers and brands to create powerful Pinterest boards for early childhood education. In the past three years she has discovered how to reach out to parents to encourage them to become their child’s first teacher by blogging and pinning resources and tips onto her Pinterest Boards. As a mom of 3, Kim enjoys sharing simple ways to make every day moments into learning opportunities.

Kim and I talk about

• What to name your author board. (Hint: Use Pinterest Name-author)
• How to pick a niche topic.
• How create a character building board.
• Naming your boards.
• What to use for board descriptions and how tabs connect.
• The educational aspects of Pinterest.
• How often should you change your board covers?
• Promoted pins – paying for pins to be promoted.
Picmonkey.com and Canva.com
• What is the maximum size image you can use?
• How to pin to secret boards and release later.
• Should you use Tailwind or Viraltag or Ahalogy?
• Can you change the name of your board?
• How to embed your boards on your site.
• The steps to a perfect pin.
• What should be in your pin description? Answer: Title for the blog post, plus one more sentence, about 100 characters total.
• What are the Pinterest don’ts?

Note to my podcast listeners

When I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR I thought, "Hey! I could do that, but with children's publishing as my focus!" That's how Brain Burps About Books got started. Writing is so solitary. I thought it would be a great way to get to talk to my friends and make new ones, plus I could help others learn. Maybe I'd learn some stuff myself, too. I've had the privilege of talking to the first three National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature, to librarians and New York Time's bestselling authors. I've interviewed to booksellers and publishers, writers, illustrators, app creators, and app distributors, and more! There is always something new on the horizon to learn and to share. So many listeners have asked how to support the show, and actually, now you can. I've installed a donate button to help defray the costs of producing the show. What do you learn or get out of Brain Burps every week? If it's worth donating a dollar, two dollars, five, or whatever you think the show is worth to you, it would help enormously. The show costs $20 a month to keep on the server, and that's only if there are four shorter episodes in a month. That number doesn't include other costs like my time to research and record, post, edit the intros and outros, web hosting, and equipment and software to do all this. I ended up loving podcasting. I love my listeners. My "Burpers!" This is my gig, I know. and like I said, it's an incredible experience for me. But if you've you've been helped, or just love it too, and you're able, here's your opportunity to help defray the costs. No matter what, thank you for being a Burper! http://katiedavis.com/donate

 


BBAB 212 : Why SkippyJon Jones Almost Skipped the Show

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #212

Why SkippyjonJones Almost Skipped the Show

Click to tweet about this week's episode
Announcements
  • Want to write 12 picture book drafts this year? Want encouragement in your writing journey? Check out 12 x 12 HERE. www.katiedavis.com/12
Contributors
  • Julie Hedlund helps us express gratitude.
Marketing Question of the Week
  • What should my platform look like? How do I do it without being pushy or tacky?
This Week's Guest is Judy Schachner!

Described by the New York Times as “…something like the James Joyce for the elementary school – set…”, Judy Schachner is the #1 NY Times Best Selling Author/Illustrator of over 23 books for children including Bits & Pieces, the Skippyjon Jones series, Yo Vikings, The Grannyman and Willy and May. She has won many awards including the first E. B. White Read Aloud Award.

Judy and I talk about
  • If SkippyJon Jones a kitten or a dog?
  • Should you use your “normal reading voice” or use accents when reading out loud?
  • the 10 year anniversary for SkippyJon Jones!
  • Judy’s creative process and tips on how you can help your own
  • Judy’s next big project
  • How you can become a picture book writer
Direct download: Why_SkippyJon_Jones_Almost_Skipped_the_Show.mp3
Category:The Craft of Writing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Why Peter Lerangis Was On Air Force One

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Announcements
  • For writers who want to know more about marketing your books. Any writer. Any books. Online, offline, self or traditionally published. Free Market and Promote Your Book Checklist and Worksheet for my writer peeps. You’ll also get a list of 108 top twitter hashtags for writers. As a bonus, I include 21 Ways to promote your book on Amazon. Click HERE.
  • The next Crank It Up session is starting on January 22 and there are only a few spots left. Don’t miss the early bird price! It ends January 15th. Start the new year off right by investing in yourself and click here: Crank It Up with Katie.
  • Build your platform and make money at the same time. How? Writing for Kidlit.tv! They’re looking for bloggers! Check out KidLit.TV here.
  • Renew yourself! Don’t miss the chance to renew yourself at Writers Renaissance … imagine writing in or all writers who are women: from April 12 - 17

BBAB 210 : My#1 marketing tool that’s helped me sell more books

 Go HERE to get my Market and Promote Your Book Checklist & Worksheet PLUS 21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Amazon!! http://katiedavis.com/21waystomarket

 

Brain Burps About Books Podcast #210

My #1 Marketing Tool That's Helped Me Sell More Books

Announcements
  • I’ve got something FREE to help you bump it up to the next level in the coming year! It’s a simple little planner. Click here: www.katiedavis.com/2015
  • The Early Bird price for Crank It Up with Katie expires January 7th. For only $97, you'll get four weeks of group coaching with me. We'll go over Social Media, Email Lists, Marketing Your Book and Yourself and Video & Tech. Only a few spots left. Start the new year off right by investing in yourself: www.coursesforwriters.com/crankitup
Contributors
This Week's Guest is YOU!

I recently did a survey asking you what questions you have about marketing your books. There were over 500 responses and today I will answer one question I think is most representative of what you want to know: What is the #1 tool that helped your sell more books?

 

Note to my podcast listeners

When I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR I thought, "Hey! I could do that, but with children's publishing as my focus!" That's how Brain Burps About Books got started. Writing is so solitary. I thought it would be a great way to get to talk to my friends and make new ones, plus I could help others learn. Maybe I'd learn some stuff myself, too. I've had the privilege of talking to the first three National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature, to librarians and New York Time's bestselling authors. I've interviewed to booksellers and publishers, writers, illustrators, app creators, and app distributors, and more! There is always something new on the horizon to learn and to share. So many listeners have asked how to support the show, and actually, now you can. I've installed a donate button to help defray the costs of producing the show. What do you learn or get out of Brain Burps every week? If it's worth donating a dollar, two dollars, five, or whatever you think the show is worth to you, it would help enormously. The show costs $20 a month to keep on the server, and that's only if there are four shorter episodes in a month. That number doesn't include other costs like my time to research and record, post, edit the intros and outros, web hosting, and equipment and software to do all this. I ended up loving podcasting. I love my listeners. My "Burpers!" This is my gig, I know. and like I said, it's an incredible experience for me. But if you've you've been helped, or just love it too, and you're able, here's your opportunity to help defray the costs. No matter what, thank you for being a Burper! http://katiedavis.com/donate

 

Direct download: My1_marketing_tool_thats_helped_me_sell_more_books.mp3
Category:Books and Video Marketing -- posted at: 3:00am EDT