November 12 @ 7:00 pm - November 14 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
The story is at the heart of all we do, even when we switch from crafting the story to getting the story to readers. Join award-winning writers Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks to engage and build your knowledge of marketing and promotional opportunities that you can do as a book creator in order to get your book to kids.
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- You’ll have access to the recordings through December 31, 2024
Why This Workshop?
There are boundless opportunities for children’s book writers and illustrators to market their work, and get their books in front of readers and the adults who care for them.
Learn from picture book writer Valerie Bolling and novelist Janae Marks as they discuss topics like:
- How much is expected of YOU, the storyteller
- Opportunities to speak with librarians, teachers, and fellow writers
- Social media and digital promotion
- School visit tips
- How to balance your generative work with promotion
Feedback Expected
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are an author and/or illustrator. This course is open to both authors and illustrators, and will include personal and promotional experiences shared by a picture book author and a novelist.
- You would like to develop or refine your marketing and promotion plans for your children’s books. This short course will offer several possibilities to consider when building a marketing plan for your stories.
- You are a debut author or illustrator. Learn ways to get your new title into the hands of readers, including children, teachers, and librarians.
- You are comfortable with the craft elements of building stories, but need some support when it comes to spreading the word about your work.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your knowledge of marketing and promotional opportunities directed by book creators.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through December 31, 2024.
Please note that if you cannot attend live but you’d like to receive recording links by email, you must register for this course. Recordings are not sold separately; they are only available to those who register.
Please also note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Standard Time.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
Before Your Book’s Release
- Know the difference between marketing and publicity
- Collaborate with your publisher and maximize your online presence
- Plan launch events
- Open Q&A
- Homework: Analyze (or create) your marketing plan and look for opportunities. (If you don’t have a book release in progress, consider a possible project for this exercise.)
Part Two: Thursday, November 14, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
After Your Book’s Release
- Explore creative social media opportunities
- Pitch yourself for school visits, festivals, conferences and more!
- Balance promotion with writing/illustrating your next book
- Open Q&A
How It Impacts Kids
Kids need to know about your books to fall in love with your stories. This opportunity can help you begin to develop marketing and promotional plans to get your stories into the hands of kids.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I really enjoyed Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks as presenters – they were authentic, conversational, and honest about their work and experiences, and full of information.”
“Loved that Valerie was able to create an interactive space during a webinar. Loved that she provided time for us to try out what we were being taught.”
“I loved listening to Janae Marks’ tips!”
“The information that they provided was exactly what was promised and of enormous value! It gave me the courage to start developing my own marketing ideas for a book that is being published soon, even though my publisher has not met with me yet.”
The content on marketing was phenomenal. The pacing in which the information was presented made it easy to take in and digest. I also appreciated the way it was divided up with examples of marketing and publicity on day one and more specifics about conferences and authors visits on day two.”
Related Resources
- Getting Attention for Your Books: Two Authors Share Some Things They’ve Learned
- 3 Questions With Alyssa Raynoso Morris and George Jreije About School Visits and Events
- 3 Ways Children’s Authors and Illustrators Can Use Podcasts for Storytelling & Marketing
- Podcast: Jess Rinker & Debbie Gonzales on Marketing Platforms
- Carmen Oliver on Connecting Authors With Children
