Future Book Trends: Who Really Knows?

 

 

Every year at around this time I come out with my predictions of where book trends will take the book publishing world into the future. I would not go out on a limb about anything for 2024. It could be a wild year.

Likely, it will be a successful year for the book world. Olympics, elections, wars, and major court case decisions will leave people scrambling for books to either escape these things or to educate themselves on them. Will AI cause more commotion? Probably. But remember the bitcoin-NFT-blockchain craze of a year or two ago? That shit is dead.

I have never checked back to see if predictions became reality — and no one has ever contacted me to either applaud or disprove these annual prognostications. For the upcoming year, I will admit that I don’t really know what will happen.

Past performance is not always indicative of future performance. In fact, it seems like if anything is a truism, it is that what worked for you today, likely will not tomorrow. Everything is in fluctuation, being tinkered with, and in invention mode. We are on not just dealing with evolutionary cycles, but revolutionary moments.

Did we expect Covid-19 to devastate the United States, in 2020? Or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in 2022? Or Hamas executing the biggest and most brutal one day attack on Jews since the Holocaust, in 2023? Of course not.

So, what will happen that we never saw coming in 2024?

The book industry has had many game-changing and defining moments in the last 15 years. E-book devices launched. Borders closing. Audiobook streaming invented. The rise of Penguin Random House. Amazon’s self-publishing and online book retail growth spurt to dominance. The list goes on. Lawsuits over copyrights, free speech debates, book bans, publishing mergers, and all kinds of stuff keeps popping up, helping to reform, if not revolutionize the writing-publishing-retailing landscape of America.

I remember when desktop publishing got launched in the 1980s, which led to an explosion of newsletters being created, more books getting written, and more efficient ways to design book layout and covers.

Then came the Internet in the 1990s, from email to websites, how we communicated, created, and conducted business was revolutionized.

In the 2000s, we got cell phones and then smart phones, walking around with computers in our pockets. Social media and blogging were born. And cost-effective small press runs saw self-publishing burst onto the scene.

The 2010s saw accelerated growth in all of these areas and the advent of new tools that went from novelty to optional to mandatory almost overnight. Economists were declaring the book industry to be dead. But it is as lively as ever.

The book industry is way different now from the end of the last millennia. There is an explosion in the number of books published, the formats they are produced in, how they are researched and written, the speed in which they go back to press and get delivered, the way they are sold, the methods used to market them, and the economics of the book world.

What will 2024 bring? More changes. More book sales. More predictions.

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

Big Tech Warns Writers Of Forbidden Words

 

 

A recent New York Post article said that Microsoft Word, in addition to spellcheck and grammar correction technology, now has a new tool to PC-correct writers — even when nothing is wrong with a particular word.

Once the dictators co-opt language and demand uniform thinking, we are doomed. Dictators are no longer just national leaders. They are major corporations, big tech, the news media, and any of our institutions or influential authorities. Who the hell is Microsoft to tell us which words to use, and by connection, which ideas to express or which views are deemed acceptable to share?

Words have specific meanings, regardless of how a word originated.  For each word uttered, it is done so with context. There is intention. And there is interpretation. Don’t judge a word so harshly; judge the intension behind its use, instead.

Here is an example. If a woman says of her female friend: “Oh, I love Claudia. That bitch has my back,” you would likely be fine with that, provided it was not said in church or in front of little kids. But if a guy yells at a woman for some perceived wrongdoing: “Get out of my way, you stupid, fuckin’ bitch,” you would say it was not so nice to say that, although depending on what happened before that verbal flare up, you may even say that you can’t blame him. In any event, bitch is in the dictionary and people know what they are saying when they use it. No need to ban the word. Just use it appropriately.

If there is a legitimate reason to say curse words, like asshole and fuck, we don’t need some censor telling us we are wrong. If there is a relevant need to say slurs, like spic or kike, then say the words. If there is a reason to say retarded or Indian or master, let the words flow unimpeded.

You may even ask what is the big deal about changing our words? Maybe people don’t mean to be insensitive and are happy to be told what to say and think? This tool can save them embarrassment. Maybe. Or, you can just think for yourself and hopefully know what is offensive and what isn’t.

Otherwise, you stop thinking and give into Microsoft’s demands to cease calling the guy who brings you mail the “postman” — or saying the big bedroom that you sleep in is the “master” bedroom. Yes, postman and master are on the naughty list now, banned to the scrap heaps of time as if you maliciously called someone the N-word. Even the word “insane” is frowned upon by Microsoft’s word-nanny system.

There seem to be no limits as to how far the woke extremists will go to corrupt and bastardize our language. Too many changes to be implemented in too quick of a time span is not only not necessary, but detrimental to how people communicate with one another.

Folks, plenty of writers, comedians, pundits, historians, and so many others cannot function effectively when they can’t access words that are in the dictionary, and that until now, were used for hundreds of years, without intended offense or even a perceived one.

We don’t need to change our language or talk in codes or PC-speak. Just be respectful, sincere, accurate, and intentional in what you say. How you say something is of great importance. 

Context and setting  — and common sense — should dictate your actions. Nothing else.

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

Should A Writer Divorce Their Spouse?

 

It may sound like a preposterous question, one that surely needs context, and that would most assuredly need a case-by-case response. But the heart of the question is important and needs to be universally asked of all writers: Should you leave your spouse?

So, why would I suggest that such a deeply personal question be asked of all writers?

Because many writers may lack understanding and appreciation from their spouse, which in turn, could further shape how one proceeds with their writing career. If a spouse can’t be helpful, at least don’t be detrimental to your writing career!

Does your spouse act in a way, or say things, that inspire you, free you up to write, and indicate an understanding of your world?

Is your spouse a needy, critical, and uninspiring dream-killer?

Does your spouse encourage, even praise, and champion your writings?

Does your spouse give you what you need — time or money or space — to allow you to pursue your craft, unimpeded by their needs and wants?

Will your spouse give you the sexual release that you may need in order to handle stress or inspire a break through? Will this person service your needs, even sublimating their own in order to fully satisfy you?

A spouse is not just a bang buddy nor a friend, but rather, a complete package who wears many hats and goes to great lengths to make another happy. Spouses are uniquely special and vital to our happiness and ability to succeed.

Writers are married to their minds, living more in a fantasy state than in reality. We create dreams and dream of creating. Can a spouse even be our muse? Maybe.

You should decide if your spouse helps or hinders your writing career. If you see too many negatives or weak spots, see what can be fixed or ignored, otherwise strongly consider giving the pink slip to your partner.

Your writing is way too important to get derailed by the person you share your bed with. It won’t be easy. Maybe she screws your brains out. Maybe he makes you laugh like no one else. Doesn’t matter. Hot bodies or big bank accounts won’t be enough to sustain a writer’s marriage. That spouse must truly be your support, your advocate, and your partner when it comes to your writing.

Look, it is not easy to admit nor confront. But if your spouse isn’t helping you to be a better writer — or stands in the way of your pursuits — just leave. Never mind all that you like about them. Just walk away.

Ok, maybe I wouldn’t make a good marriage counselor. But I know that if writing is important to you, that should trump anything else that your spouse brings to the table.

 

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

Do Authors Need To Be Slapped?

People pay me for advice, resources, and guidance. They want to succeed at marketing their books. But sometimes, what they really need — and appreciate — is when I turn into a book publicity dominatrix. Let’s face it, some writers deserve to be thrown a good smack.

Ok, this need not manifest itself into a physical form, but some writers at least need a verbal tongue-lashing on occasion. They want to be told the ugly truth or at least need to properly get taken to task, and scolded for their crippling inertia, stupid choices, poor efforts, lazy ways, and failed ideas. They need to stop being weak.

I often feel like a therapist to my clients. The book genres may vary from one person to another, and the author names change, but all authors have confronted one or more of the same problems, and have likely reacted to them in the same failed way.

They need to be verbally spanked. I say this out of love.

I just want to beat the stupid out of them. They have one challenge: to overcome themselves. That is it. Get the hell out of your way!

Blame no one, ask nobody for permission to succeed, and stop making lame excuses, dumb choices, and half-assed steps.

I am tired of seeing too many talented writers with good books just utterly fail at marketing their books. It is nothing personal, and I can see why this happens, but I would love to just smack them across the face. The sting of my hand hitting their faces would serve as a reminder to them of what not to do; and for me, it would be cathartic.

Hmmm, do I have anger issues? Nah, I am a gentle guy. I know there is no reason to glorify violence. Other steps need to occur, so that writers can get out of their malaise and assert themselves to take ownership of their writing career.

First, I would try to encourage them. Give them hope. Inspire and motivate them to try — and try again.

Second, I would implore them to seek help — from a coach or even a psychotherapist.

Third, I would strategically show them what to do, how to do it efficiently, and give them resources to achieve.

Fourth, I would try to rationalize with them. Give them support, and encouragement. Provide the facts of their shortfalls with strategies to overcome challenges.

But, when all of that leads to failure, without them even making an attempt to help themselves, I give them what they really need: tough love.

We all need a moment of reckoning, to sober up about where we are at, how we got there, and to identify what needs to be done to right this ship.

Some authors absolutely need a wake-up call, to know they have hit rock bottom and fell off the wagon.

You can’t be gentle, polite, or insincere about it. Go hard at them. They must acknowledge they are not where they need, want, or deserve to be, that they are underachieving, that they must atone for themselves.

Authors need some tough love. Maybe even a wake-up smack upside the head.

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

Do We Have A Free Speech Code That Respects Academic Freedom?

In recent years, different movements and protests have ensnared college campuses, from #Me Too and Black Lives Matter, to LGBTQ rights and the Israel-Hamas War. What do we do about free speech, book bans, censorship, and the cancel culture? Are their limitations to wokeness, especially on campuses? 

 

The Academic Freedom Alliance (www.AcademicFreedom.org) recently released a statement about how campus activities need to unfold so as to not alienate people trying to get an education while not suppressing free speech merely because the voicing of some views are unpopular with many. It discusses the rights and responsibilities of students and professors, both in and out of the classroom, and both on or off campus. 

 

Can we find a way to peacefully protest, to challenge beliefs, and to speak our minds while not hurting others, threatening them, resorting to fighting words, or disturbing the main purpose of a school - to safely get an education and earn a degree?

 

It seems things are getting to be more confrontational and more biased when it comes to campus politics and events. It seems everyone is triggered these days and few schools seem to have a handle on things.

 

A lot of campus debate involves hateful or threatening speech. People simply don’t feel safe or valued on campus. They just want to learn in peace, free of indoctrination or persecution by people who are ignorant and unaware. Campuses are no longer locations of learning and free expression; they are hate-centers grooming weak minds that aren’t really qualified to be at the school they attend. This is what happens when schools are filled with quota hires and merit=less student admissions. 

 

Here’s what the Academic Freedom Alliance said in regards to campus protests and activism at schools: 

 

“Separate from the merits of any particular controversy, there are several well-established

principles that should guide universities in responding to individual controversies.

Universities should reaffirm and recommit themselves to principles that help preserve

American institutions of higher education as vibrant homes of free inquiry.

Professors must enjoy the liberty to discuss and even promote controversial ideas and to

present controversial materials to students in their classes.

 

“Professors have an obligation, however, not to take advantage of their captive audience of students by introducing ideas or materials that are not germane to the subject matter of their class. Likewise, professors have a responsibility not to exploit their privileged position to attempt to indoctrinate students or to subject them to political or ideological litmus tests or pressures in their classroom assignments. Nor do professors have a right to compromise the education of their students by conducting their classes in a manner designed simply to advance their favored political causes. Universities must resist calls to censor what is taught in classrooms, but they must also ensure that classes are used for proper educational purposes.

 

“Professors, like other members of the campus community, should enjoy the freedom to

speak and act as citizens. When speaking in public in their personal capacity, professors

may give voice to controversial and even extreme political and social opinions that others

might find offensive or disturbing. When professors at American universities speak in

public in a manner that is lawful under the First Amendment, universities should stand

behind their right to express such views.

 

“Universities should insist that professors, as well as other members of the campus community, adhere to content-neutral regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of public speech on campus, but universities must strive to apply those rules in an even-handed and consistent manner regardless of the substantive views of those expressing themselves. Universities should refrain from punishing members of the faculty simply because some think their private political

speech is intemperate, uncivil, dishonest, or disrespectful. Professors should be judged

and held accountable for their professional speech and conduct, not for their political

views.

 

“Professors have no more right than other members of the campus community to disrupt

the proper functioning of the university and its activities, and professors, like other

members of the campus community, have a right to conduct their activities without

improper disruption by others. Universities must take steps to ensure that campus

protests do not interfere with the conduct of classes or hinder academic and educational

activities on campus.

 

“Members of the campus community have the right to engage in vigorous political debate

and even to articulate extreme political views, but they have no right to try to intimidate

or menace other members of the community, violate university policies or state and

federal laws, or interfere with the education or lawful activities of other members of the

campus community. Any violations of university policies should be expeditiously

investigated and university rules protecting the integrity of its mission should be

stringently enforced.

 

“Violations of the law, irrespective of their motivation, should be referred to appropriate law enforcement agencies. Any member of the campus community who chooses to violate laws or the universities own rules and policies should expect to be held accountable for the full consequences of their actions. The university should enforce its policies guaranteeing that the campus serves as a genuine educational and scholarly institution. It is the responsibility of university leaders to ensure that the teaching and research missions of their institutions are not sacrificed on the altar of politics.

 

“The university should serve as a neutral and peaceful forum for robust political and social

debate. Universities will be distrusted and ultimately weakened if they are perceived to

be inconsistent in their adherence to their own stated principles, understood to be

willing to sacrifice their own scholarly mission to political causes, or thought unwilling to

secure the physical safety of their community members and the integrity of their

operations.

 

“Today American universities are being tested. It is essential that they pass the test by

rededicating themselves to their core scholarly missions and acting consistently and in

good faith on the principles that preserve free inquiry and open debate.”

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

Authors: Tell Me Why?

 

 

Why your book?

Why you as the author?

Why now? 

All writers must be ready to answer these three questions --succinctly, emphatically, and powerfully. Otherwise, no one will care to buy it, read it, interview you about it, review it, or post it on social media about you. 

Every book needs to exist for a reason. Is yours needed? Desired? Different or better than your competitors? Books, with a clear sense of why they exist, allow others to understand why they should care about them.  

Further, understanding why you are the ideal or best-qualified person to write the book that you did is also important. If people don’t value who you are and why you wrote it, they simply won’t care enough to read, buy, or act.  

Lastly, where’s the urgency or sense of timing as to why one should act now in regards of your book. Even for evergreen topics, there needs to be a sense of why others should pay attention today. Now. 

Behind anyone’s why is an origin story - how something came to be. But that story may not be as interesting as the one people would like to hear. We want to hear about an author that’s passionate and purpose-driven, who has a cause or belief to fight for, and who has a purpose.  

The why drives all things. 

You, as the author, need to know why you are doing what you are doing. Know why you are marketing it, why you wrote it, and why people should read it. Tell others why they should care! 

Do you have answers to any of these questions?  

Why not? 

Once you know why, tell everyone and act based off of it.  

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”

--Friedrich Nietzsche

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

Interview With Author Hafdis Hafsteins

  

1. What inspired you to write this book? Growing up I was bullied quite a bit and I always felt like I didn’t fit in. The animals on the farm I grew up on were always there for me. They never judged me or made fun of me, so I’ve always felt more comfortable around animals than people. I wanted to write a book that had the message of teasing or bullying not being a nice thing to do and of course I had to include animals. So that’s where the inspiration came for The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour.  

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? The book is about Blaze, a colourful chameleon whose loves to tease the other animals. One day when he wakes up, his colours have disappeared. He then needs to learn not to bully others and ask for forgiveness and be kind to get his colours back. I wrote this book with children’ who are starting to learn how to read. So ages 4-6 or so. The vocabulary is simple and the illustrations vibrant and I think it’s a fun book for children to read with their parents.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope readers learn that teasing and bullying is not a nice thing to do. I also hope readers will gain more knowledge and love for animals, all animals.  

4. How did you decide on your books title and cover design? The title was quite easy to decide on. It highlights what the plot is, a chameleon which loses its colour. I did all the illustrations, including the cover and I wanted the cover design to reflect the title. That’s why I illustrated Blaze, the chameleon, in black and white looking at his colourful reflection in the water.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers - other than run!? Believe in yourself! I think that’s one of the most important things to do as a writer. You have to believe in your talent, your story and that will help you to not give up. The next thing is not giving up, no matter what. Even if you get lots of No’s, you just need one Yes.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see — and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I’ve noticed self-publishing becoming a larger part of the industry. Also Ebooks and Audiobooks are getting more and more popular than printed books. Some people find this a negative thing, but I think it’s a positive in a way that many people who wouldn’t read at all of they only had access to print books are reading books through these mediums. I think in the future there will be more self-publishing and hybrid publishing rather than traditional publishing. Whether that’s a positive or negative I’m not sure of yet. AI is also something to consider. I feel like I’m always reading about more and more people using AI to write whole books for them to make “easy” money on Amazon. This I’m afraid might make it harder for self-published authors to market themselves and stand out from the bad AI books out there.  

7. Were the experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Definitely. My experience with bullying came in handy when writing about it. I wanted the message to come across, but in a way that was relatable to children. I think the fact that I used to work at a Kindergarten helped as well.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I would describe my writing style as descriptive narration. My English teachers used to criticise me for over describe things and that’s something I’ve had to work on. Back in my school years, I would write long and vivid descriptions and my teachers would tell me to rain in my Tolkien side. I thought it was a compliment, but I’ve learned that Tolkien’s style doesn’t really fit in with contemporary writing and readers today would like the books to be more on-point. I think that’s one of the reasons my first book is a children’s book, because it’s hard to get too descriptive when writing picture books.  

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? The writing and illustrating of the book were the easy part. The challenge was to find a publisher. I had thought of self-publishing, but it’s hard to do that in Iceland. We don’t have access to Ingram Spark and other self-publishing sites. I started with publishers back home, and got 5 rejections. They all loved the plot and illustrations, but said the competition in the children’s book market in Iceland was too stiff, and they only looked at known authors. So, I decided to look for publishers in the UK and I was lucky enough to get a Yes from them.  

10. If people can buy or read a book this week or month, why should it be yours? I think everyone could benefit from reading a book that is about forgiveness and kindness. The message of being kind to your neighbour and that kindness will be repaid. The world is full of negative things right now and reading a colourful book with animals and an inspiring message wouldn’t be such a bad thing.  

About The Author: Hafdis Hafsteins is born in Iceland, where she grew up on a farm, which made her fascinated with animals. This love for animals led her to become a veterinary assistant. In her first book, The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour, Hafdis combines her passion for children’s literature and love for animals. For more information, see:  https://hafdishafsteins.com/

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.