Parisian Phoenix Publishing

Among other meetings and commitments, I have attended three local book-related events in the last ten days and today, I will provide a round-up of the advice I heard. Anyone can apply this advice to their business, and perhaps more importantly, in this uber-connected age, anyone can become a product.

This is the second of three posts where I will summarize the events. You can head to parisianphoenixpublishing.substack.com and read the whole thing right now.

EVENT TWO: WRITING, READING & RETAILING SYMPOSIUM

HOST: COUNCIL FOR RETAIL & SALES, DESALES UNIVERSITY

April 19, 2024

WHY TO ATTEND: Accessible, easy parking, very well organized and well-paced. This event squeezed several days of material into about five hours. The $30 price tag included a very nice lunch. Information packed, not intimidating. The GPS can never quite find buildings at DeSales University but the campus is pleasant.

More on the Council here.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The event kicked off in the main room with a conversation between Daniel Roebuck and Dan Lauria. They discussed their acting careers and how the in-person aspect of the business has changed.
• The council offered several tabletop sessions and attendees could pick two: “Using Social Media to Leverage Yourself,” “Ideation Creation,” “In-Store Promotions/Author Signings,” “Finding a Publisher,” “So you want to Compose?” “Navigating the Publishing Landscape” and “Writing Textbooks.” And they really were focused around tables.
• Lunch featured a Zoom talk with Shelley Dennis, a writer on The Connors, the spin-off of the sit-com, Roseanne. It was fascinating to spend time with a television writer and learn the inner workings of the writers room.
• After lunch, the hosts introduced us to an author panel of Maria Rodale, former CEO of Rodale Press, Vicki Mayk, former journalist at The Morning Call; and one of my favorite people, “serial killer lady” Katherine Ramsland.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• “Call every friend you know.” Especially when fundraising or creating buzz for a project. (One of the Dans)
• Be consistent and persistent with social media.
• There is often no formula for what marketing works.
• Know where your audience hangs out. Understanding demographics will help you find what social media app or advertising opportunity will work for you.
• Network and cultivate connections, and this includes talking to local bookstores.
• LIVE. The stories that come out of living make you a better writer. (Shelley Dennis)
• Take advantage of every opportunity. Prove yourself. (Katherine Ramsland)
• Cultivate the discipline to write on demand. (Vicki Mayk)
• Advertising corrupts content in publishing. (Maria Rodale)