BrianGardnerBooks

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

Spotted on the shelf at my local Barnes and Noble 🧐

#WritingCommunity

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@katesylvanwrite Glad he's okay! And yes, RIP your bank account lol. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog and she's the reason I'm not retired...

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@CollingsMaccrae That's interesting, I've been asked the first one a bunch. I never have an answer because I'm not really a goals guy

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

A lot of folks have probably asked what your goal is as a writer. Here's a better question: what's your strategy? If you haven't given that serious thought I encourage you to do so

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

One of the bigger myths floating around the Author X is if you get published your work is done, now you just sit back and let your publisher make you famous

I know many published authors and the reality is far different from what I've been told. Most published authors I've spoken to are in the exact same position I am, the only difference being they split sales with their publisher

I'm not discouraging trad publishing, go for it and I wish you the best. But please don't look at it as some Panacea that will turn you into a best-selling author overnight. One way or another you're going to have to put a lot of legwork in and even if you're published, you're likely going to have to be your best marketer

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

Walking is the most underutilized/ underrated/ underappreciated form of exercise both physically and mentally.

Want to lose weight? Walk. Want to clear your head? Walk. Want to come up with some cool ideas for your WIP? Walk. Hell, I've made good friends with people in my neighborhood for walking. You see someone everyday, you say hi everyday, next thing you know you're chatting and maybe you have something in common

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

Authors who do live events: are you near Iowa? If so, would you like to take a table from me? (I signed up but can't make it).

If so DM me and I'll give you details. No charge, I just want an author to get the table rather than the company getting paid double for the space

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

And for the record Jessica may have already been doing this a long time. I don't know her well. But even if this is her first stop, she gets it and she's going to be successful

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

Jessica is on her way to building something big. If you sell a thousand books in a year you have hit the top 10% of authors worldwide.

You have three options for getting there: get discovered by a major publisher and have them push the hell out of you, post Non-Stop on social media and hope the algorithm makes you famous, or bring your books directly to readers and be relentless about it.

If you succeed with any of the first two I think that's incredible and I'm genuinely happy for you. But option three is your best bet

Awesome job Jessica. Keep it up I hope to see you at future events

[Jessica Barberi @jessica_barberi]

Yesterday was incredible. I was a proud vendor at the Dragon on the Lake Fine Art Fair - and I sold 26 books. I completely sold out of my combo book. Sold out of DROO hard covers, I even found an effective pitch for Legacy of Blood. On top of ALL that I managed 20 more names for my mailing list, covered the booth fee plus some, and talked to some wonderful people who just started reading as adults! All this while being in the armpit of the festival location wise!

Today my sales are mine. I am hoping to have another good day even if it is supposed to rain this morning.

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@zsdiamanti Didn't know you were in Tampa. I'm in Parrish

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@sarahgallwrites Congrats! And be prepared. You're going to be addicted to live events going forward. Once you try, and succeed, it consumes your brain

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@JamesAllenMaxey I started including review reminder cards with all sales. I'm still getting less than I'd like, but it's helped for sure

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@katesylvanwrite @Anthonybookedit If done correctly by the author, this scenario would be funny to the reader. We're laughing at the character. I'd say pulling this off is the sign of a very talented author

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@KGBBooks Makes me miss living in the rockies!

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@katesylvanwrite There seems to be a lot of congestion in that field. It's tough to find authors who agree on levels of spice

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

A conversation that's happened 2-3 times per show over the Summer

Reader: does your story have any romance?

Me: Not really

Reader: good, I just want to read some fantasy

Now, that doesn't mean romance isn't still hot (it is), nor does it mean you shouldn't write romantasy if that's your thing (you should)

I'm just passing along what I'm being told. Do with it what you will

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@CalderVenn Funny, I knew somebody reading this would be experiencing the same thing. I don't think romance is becoming unpopular, nor will it ever, but I do think there's a growing number of people who want fantasy not romantasy

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@madieeart Absolutely and that's why I commented right away that romance will always be a popular genre. No matter what, no matter where or when, there will be a demand for good romance books

[BrianGardnerBooks @BGardnerBooks]

@katesylvanwrite I think you nailed it in a way I couldn't have. As I read what you wrote I immediately said yes that's probably it