Across three sessions this year, Author University hosted hundreds of guests to discuss insights on various parts of the author life. We’ll be back with more live sessions in the new year—but if you’re unfamiliar with Author U seminars or missed any of the live sessions this year, we’re looking back at our 2024 panels with some key tips and takeaways to get you started!
1.Media Training: Tips for Better Communication and Interviews
Barbara Fillon, VP Director of Media at PRH, is a phenom when it comes to training authors to hone their media skills. Returning to Author U after her very popular “How to Pitch” session, she brings us some case studies on how to master a media interview.
Key Tip: When you have an anecdote or example to share that will make a great impression with an audience, don’t wait to be asked about it. It’s great when an interviewer gives you the perfect opening, but that may not come and you won’t want to miss your chance. Look for places in conversation where you can make a smooth segue.
2.Social Media: Mastering Short-Form Video Content Creation
Across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, there has been a massive push to create bite-sized video content in order to succeed in promoting yourself online. But these new formulas can be tricky to figure out, especially from a technical standpoint. Social media manager and strategist Payton Mitchell and Richard Wylde, Associate Director of Creative Media Strategy & Distribution for Penguin Random House, chat about techniques for navigating that landscape.
Key Tip: Since making videos can be time-consuming, it’s okay to post yours on more than one platform. Just be conscious of what content is relevant to each audience. For example, if a video you made refers to a meme popular only on TikTok, it’s best not to post it on Instagram Reels, where people might not get the reference.
3.Leveraging Canva to Improve Your Online Presence
If you keep any presence online to share updates about your titles and your career with potential readers, Canva is a great tool to know. Zehra Kayi, Senior Brand Strategist for Author Development, and Heather Brown, Associate Director of Marketing & Operations at the PRH Speakers Bureau, give a tutorial on how authors can leverage the free version for various needs.
Key Tip: Canva comes with free templates for all kinds of formats, from Instagram posts to printable bookmarks!
4.Build Your Community: How to Start/Grow Your Author Newsletter
Author newsletters are an excellent way to connect with your most dedicated readers, but starting one can be tricky. We sat down with authors and newsletter experts Valerie Kaur, Elise Loehnen, and Nicola Yoon to get their perspective on how best to use newsletters to build community with your audience.
Key Tip: Since your most dedicated followers will likely be your subscribers, you may want to think about how to keep the content of your newsletter more exclusive. Newsletters are great vehicles for storytelling, so they’re also a great place to talk about your writing process, your influences, and fun anecdotes from your author career.
5.Build Your Community: Level Up Your LinkedIn Presence
LinkedIn can be a sleeper hit in the author community. Often remembered as the “business app,” it can be an unsuspected place for authors of all genres to find connections with potential readers and fellow writers. Author Elaine Lin Hering gives her insights on how she made the platform work for her, and in-house professional Erin Madison gives an in-depth rundown of the platform’s features and where an author’s energy may best be spent.
Key Tip: Engagement is the way! Let your followers know what your area of expertise is and use your posts as a place to commune, answer questions, and solidify connections.
6.Everything You Need to Know About School and Library Marketing
Calling all children’s and educational authors! If you’ve ever wondered what PRH is doing to help get your books into schools and libraries or what you as an author can do to connect with these institutions in your area, you’ll want to give this one a listen.
Key Tip: If you are in contact with a college professor or high school teacher, they can request free examination copies of your books here.
7.Craft Your Career: How to Keep Momentum Up After Your Launch
Whether you have experienced multiple book releases or just recently debuted, the question remains of what to do after your title’s initial launch. In October, we sat down with author experts Brad Meltzer, Angela Montoya, and Hampton Sides to pick their brains about how they help keep the momentum of their books months and even years after the initial publicity and marketing push. We walked away with some great tips on how to do so on- and offline.
Key Tip: Outreach can make all the difference. Connecting with book clubs, academia, and readers at conventions can introduce your books to new, engaged, and interested audiences.