Hope you’re all staying cool this summer! Catch up on recordings from the latest Author U session and some Author News articles on topics affecting authors right now.
Navigating the Current Landscape
Write to Resist: How Authors Can Push Back Against Book Bans
In this recent Author U session, Penguin Random House experts Rosie Stewart, Senior Manager of Public Policy, and Anne Bono, Vice President of Consumer Engagement, discuss the history of censorship in the United States, what we have accomplished thus far in the fight for free expression, and what actionable things you as an author can do (right now!) to join the fight against book bans.
Staying Safe Online
Social Media: Protecting Your Digital Presence
Megan Tripp, Associate Director of Social Media at Penguin Random House, shares a presentation featuring best practices for several social media platforms and how to protect yourself online in these spaces. You can find resources from Megan’s deck here.
Protecting Your Identity Online
Doxxing and online harassment incidents are on the rise, but there are a lot of great methods to protect yourself ahead of time and take action in the event of an emergency.
Another great way to protect yourself online is to make sure you know the difference between a secure site and a fraudulent one. This resource is a refresher on how to spot a website that could compromise your personal information.
Social Media Tips
Craft Your Career: Choosing the Right Platform for You
We at Author Development often recommend setting healthy boundaries with your socials. If you’ve ever wondered how to do that, author and mental health educator Minaa B. has you covered. In this Author University session, she shares why she’s stepped back from certain platforms and leaned in to others, and how that has helped her career as an author and creator.
On Newsletters
Newsletters are becoming an increasingly popular method for authors to connect with readers, and the landscape for them is quickly evolving. If you’re new to newsletters and curious about starting one, this resource is a great place to begin. If you’re well into your journey, but would like to expand your audience, check out this one.
Are Any of These Up-and-Coming Platforms Right for You?
In Author U Q&A’s we’ve gotten a lot of questions about some of the new platforms currently rising to the surface. In this article, we cover Mastodon, BlueSky, Lemon8, and Substack to give you an idea of what opportunities an author might find on each.
Promoting Without Social Media
Craft Your Career: How to Keep Up Momentum After Your Launch
Authors Brad Meltzer, Angela Montoya, and Hampton Sides talk about showing up through book conventions, speaking on podcasts, and other organic ways of forming real connections with readers.
How to Write a Successful Launch Day Email
One of the best ways to promote your book outside the social media sphere is to connect with your closest network through a launch day email.