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This week we explored publishing using six author builds:
The Prolific Pulp Writer taught us to hit publish and move on
The Quality Craftsperson invited us to lean into distribution channels
The Multimedia Storyteller helped us explore distribution beyond plain text
The Marketing Maestro wants us to build confidence to market our writing
The Niche Dominator showed us how to find a segment of readers to serve
The International Rights Maximizer explored our intellectual property possibilities
If you want to learn more about these builds, you can find them on my Indie Author Builds chart. But wait, there’s more! This week I’ve also set up a “meal plan” so you can track the exercises, use your daily meals as a trigger to work on this week’s exercises, or just laugh at my bizarre ideas. It’s my brain—I can’t control what it does. This might be a feature going forward, or it might be too much work to sustain each week. We shall see.
Project Meal Plan: Week 44 Author Builds
Monday, August 12, 2024
🟡 Choosing Your Author Archetype
Exercise #302 Navigating the Indie Publishing Landscape
Strategy: Ever feel like you're lost in the vast ocean of indie publishing options? It's time to chart your course! Just as RPG characters have different builds, indie authors can optimize their skills and resources for maximum impact. But here's the twist: unlike a game, there's no single "best build" in publishing. Your perfect strategy depends on your unique strengths, goals, and vision. This exercise will guide you through the process of identifying your ideal author archetype, helping you focus your efforts where they'll have the greatest impact. Ready to level up your publishing game?
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
🟡 The Pulp Writer's Pivot
Exercise #303 Mastering the Art of the Quick Transition
Strategy: What if you were a conveyor belt of creativity, churning out stories faster than readers can devour them? That's the Prolific Pulp Writer's secret sauce! But how do you shift gears so quickly, leaping from "The End" of one story to "Chapter One" of the next? It's all about momentum, my friend. By training your brain to pivot swiftly between projects, you'll keep your creative juices flowing and your publication schedule buzzing. This exercise will help you develop the mental agility to celebrate finishing a project, hit that publish button, and dive headfirst into your next adventure—all in one seamless motion. Ready to become a master of the lightning-fast transition?
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
🟡 Charting Your Distribution Constellation
Exercise #304 Mapping the Path from Manuscript to Reader
Strategy: As a Quality Craftsperson, you've poured your heart and soul into your manuscript, polishing every word to perfection. But what good is a masterpiece if it doesn't reach its audience? Distribution is the bridge between your literary gem and your readers' hands. It's not just about uploading to Amazon and calling it a day. The publishing landscape is vast and varied, with each channel offering unique opportunities to showcase your work. By mapping out a comprehensive distribution strategy, you can ensure your book finds its way to the right shelves, screens, and ears. Ready to navigate the complex web of book distribution and chart a course for your literary stardom?
Thursday, August 15, 2024
🟡 The Story Delivery Buffet
Exercise #305 Crafting a Multi-Format Fulfillment Strategy
Strategy: In the age of digital media, your story isn't just words on a page—it's an experience waiting to unfold across multiple platforms. As a Multimedia Storyteller, you have the power to transform your narrative into a buffet of formats, each offering a unique way for your audience to consume and interact with your creation. But with great power comes great logistical challenges! How do you ensure your story reaches its audience in all its varied forms? It's time to think beyond the "publish" button and craft a fulfillment strategy as diverse and dynamic as your storytelling. Ready to turn your single story into a multi-course feast for the senses?
Friday, August 16, 2024
🟡 The Perfect Pitch Workout
Exercise #306 Flexing Your Story-Selling Muscles
Strategy: Picture this: you're in an elevator with your dream agent, or face-to-face with a potential reader at a book signing. The clock is ticking, and you have mere moments to spark interest in your literary masterpiece. Can you distill the essence of your story into a compelling pitch that leaves them craving more? Mastering the art of the pitch isn't just about selling books—it's about connecting with your audience and igniting their imagination. By practicing your pitch in various scenarios, you'll not only boost your confidence but also gain deeper insights into what makes your story truly special. Remember, it’s never too early to start selling your story.
Saturday, August 17, 2024
🟡 Niche Safari
Exercise #307 Exploring the Ecosystem of Your Ideal Readers
Strategy: Imagine the book market as a vast savannah, teeming with diverse reader species. As a Niche Dominator, your goal isn't to appeal to every creature out there—it's to become the apex predator in your own unique ecosystem. But how do you find that perfect watering hole where your ideal readers gather? It's time to embark on a niche safari, observing the habits, preferences, and secret languages of your target audience. By the end of this expedition, you'll have a field guide to your literary ecosystem, ready to stake your claim in the perfect corner of the publishing wilderness. Grab your binoculars and let's start finding your niche!
Sunday, August 18, 2024
🟡 The IP Expansion Blueprint
Exercise #308 Unleashing Your Story's Global Potential
Strategy: Imagine your story concept as a seed. Most authors are content to grow a single tree, but you? You're cultivating an entire forest. Your tale isn't just a book—it's a universe of possibilities, waiting to be explored across languages, mediums, and cultures. As an International Rights Maximizer, your mission is to see the potential in every plot point, every character, every setting. It's time to break free from the confines of a single narrative and envision a world where your story transcends boundaries, spawning adaptations, merchandise, and experiences limited only by your imagination. Ready to transform your intellectual property into a global phenomenon?
Our next weekly theme will focus on books as a unit of discourse.