I don’t know how I got to Esther Newton’s blog, but once I did, I spent a good bit of time browsing her posts and enjoying her take on the publishing world. When she launched The Siege, I wanted to share her story with all of you.
Briefly, Esther is a tutor for a British distance learning college. A lot of her students ask to read her work, which is why she decided to put them all together in a book of stories. Despite awards she’s won, she chose self-publishing because short story collections “don’t sell particularly well” (her words). To her surprise, the feedback has been great so far. As I read through her thoughts, here are questions that I just had to get answered:
- How do you market this, Esther? Do you require it in your class? Or use it as examples of a particular writing idea?
The idea behind bringing out the book was simply so my students could read my work. A number of them had asked to read some of my stories. A lot of my stories had won competitions or appeared in magazines you can no longer get hold of, so it wasn’t easy for my students to see my work. This got me thinking about bringing out a book of my competition-winning stories so anyone who wanted to read them could.
- How long did the stories take you to write?
As they’re all from different competitions, it varies but I find short stories come quite easily. Once I get an idea, it won’t rest until it’s written.
- Love the cover! How’d you come up with it?
My publisher asked me what I wanted. I opted for a cover based on the first story (a siege in a library). I wanted the cover to have that element of menace to draw readers to it so they were interested enough to want to know about the contents. The publisher came up with this cover and I loved it straight away.
- What has been your marketing plan for the book? Has anything worked better than anything else? For example, did blog hops work better than give-aways on Goodreads?
I didn’t have much of a marketing plan to begin with. As I mentioned, the idea was simply to get the book out there for my students to read. It first came out as an e-book and then people began to ask for a paperback, so I listened! People began to find out about it through my blog and then suggested I ought to spread the word as they really enjoyed the book. But that’s been easier said than done. I’ve found the hardest part is getting people to know it’s actually there! Once people know about it and read it, the feedback has been good.
I have had a lot of local publicity. Some retailers have taken the book and offered to try and sell it. A national magazine is also doing a spread about it and my path to publication, so that should really get it out there.
I know I also need to contact reviewers and offer free books. I’m very happy to do that; it’s just looking into it and finding out about the process, who to contact etc.
Blog hops have been a fantastic help (thank you Jacqui!) and I’ve been overwhelmed with fellow bloggers’ support.
- Is there any marketing scheme you’d recommend new authors avoid? And why? Or Why not?
I haven’t come across anything I’d do differently – so far!
Intrigued? Here’s the link to her book on Amazon US.
More interviews with rising authors:
A Chat with Rebecca Bradley About Her Exciting New Book
Katie O’Rourke’s Fascinating New Book
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of dozens of books on integrating tech into education, webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, adjunct professor of technology in education, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
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It’s encouraging to read about Esther’s path to publishing. And to know self publishing can work. Her book looks intriguing. I appreciate the interview and the way you champion the writer’s cause Jacqui.
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It is encouraging, isn’t it? I get energized just reading how others reach their goals. It motivates me.
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It was great reading about Esther. Short story collections and anthologies are great reads. I need to do more to get local support for my writing.
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How do short stories get local support? I’m having trouble making that connection, Medeia. Thanks!
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I read Esther’s book of short stories and can recommend it. Each story is a gem. Thanks, Jacquie, for the interesting interview.
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Thanks for the personal feedback, Kate. Good to share that.
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I’ve been a fan of Esther’s blog for quite a while myself, and I cannot recall whether it was me who visited her page first or the other way round. The word marketing is often associated with “Migraine” in my small head because it really is tough out there, although by the sound of it she is doing much better on the marketing front than me. It was a genuine pleasure to get a bit more information behind the name and to learn about her successes in getting her stuff published in Magazines. All power to her, and to you for being so supportive of her efforts
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Thanks, Peter. Really good to read your words and kind comments. Can’t remember who visited who’s page first either!
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Thanks, Peter. You just launched a new book. I’d be honored to host you. Just let me know!
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I have sent you an email, but it would be really brilliant if you “hosted” me. Can you email me. ( I presume you get my email with this comment.) Thank you again for the very appreciated offer 🙂
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Yes–got it, and I responded. This will be fun!
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It so great that you are helping promote authors and give your subscribers a glimpse into their writing/publishing processes. I’m enjoying the interviews.
Idea: If authors gave you a link to one of their short stories/chapters for your subscribers to read it might help market the books (your book too).
P.S. C.W. Spooner (Chuck) in the writing group has self published and is on Amazon, might be another interview?
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There’s so much energy and enthusiasm in new/young authors. I get invigorated just talking to them.
Ooh–I will ask Chuck this evening. That would be fun.
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Jacqui, this is a great interview – let’s us get a peek at a book that sounds intriguing. Especially interesting to learn how hard short story collections are to publicize, that self-pub may be the best way to go. Best to you, Esther, as you pursue the promotion of your book. Wishing you all success.
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I didn’t know that either–about short story collections.
I’m saving a slot for you, Shari, when your first book is ready. I can’t wait for readers to get to know you better.
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❤ – and I'm saving a slot for you, Jacqui. (When I get back to my own blog – hopefully soon.)
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Sharon. I also wish you every success 🙂
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Reblogged this on esthernewtonblog and commented:
Enormous thanks go to Jacqui for her fantastic interview questions and for allowing me to be a guest on ger blog 🙂
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🙂
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An enormous thank you to Jacqui. I really enjoyed the interview and the questions really made me think!
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You were fun to chat with Esther. I truly enjoy following your blog, too!
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Great interview. Getting the word out is always the hardest part, but once you have a few recommendations things start to take off. The magazine spread is a great opportunity 🙂 My curiosity is certainly piqued!
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Thank you for your kind words and for reading the interview 🙂
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My pleasure 😀
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That marketing bit is so important. I collect novel ideas. Someday…
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Someday soon now 😉
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The cover grabbed my attention immediately. Fun and fab interview, Jacqui. Great to meet you, Esther.
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Great to meet you and to read your feedback 🙂
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You are welcome. ❤
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It does, doesn’t it? I had to stare at it until I saw the books and then I got chills.
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Thank you Jacqui, much enjoyed reading this and kudos to Esther! I love the cover too .. Have saved this to check further later.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment, Susan. Glad you like the cover 🙂
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Thanks, Susan. So many talented authors out there. I’m thrilled to share Esther.
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Yes, the cover is unusally good and Esther plainly has both feet on the ground.
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Thank you for the comment, Rod. It’s good to know how well the cover is being received. Hopefully it’ll pique readers’ interest.
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I was excited to get to know Esther a little better. She’s going places!
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bravo – well done!!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Mihrank
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