What Do Business Book Publishers Really Want from Authors?

In the latest episode of the Smith Publicity podcast, we sit down with publishing veteran and expert Debra Englander with a strong focus on helping business and non-fiction authors:  Navigate working with publishers, Importance of building an author brand/platform What publishers are looking for in authors (platform vs good content–what is more powerful) Setting realistic […]

New Podcast Episode: Hybrid vs Custom Publishing and Book Distribution for Your Author Brand with Karen McNally Upson

We spoke with Karen McNally Upson, Sales Director at Girl Friday Productions. They offer authors a full spectrum of publishing opportunities from selective hybrid imprints to custom production. In our conversation, Karen contrasts publishing pathways, the power of print on demand, and essential book distribution information–all in support of the best solutions for an author […]

Top Takeaways from NINC 2024: Strategies to Boost Author Marketing

Just settling back in after attending the NINC (Novelists, Inc.) conference in St. Pete’s Beach with my colleague Andrea Kiliany Thatcher! Our gears are already turning, and I’m excited to share all I’ve learned with our clients and authors. The event was packed with discussions, workshops, and breakout groups featuring fiction authors and industry peers. […]

How Many Edits Does a Book Actually Need? And What TYPE of Editing?

By Astra Crompton, FriesenPress Professional editing gives a book a chance to succeed in the market. Especially with the glut of hastily produced, poor quality books on the market, engaging in editing will not only give you a better chance with reader reviews, it will also establish you as a serious author of quality books. […]

Smith Myths: 3 Myths About a Book’s Potential, Post-Publication

By Katie Schnack, Publicist at Smith Publicity Writers often work for years to get a book published. From coming up with the concept, writing and editing,  to finding an agent, and then finally securing a contract or finding an indie path–it’s a long, hard road! With that there is pressure and energy focused on the […]

New Podcast Episode: Grow Your Author Brand Post-Publication with Deb Gabor

Can you give us a quick recap on author branding? It’s important to understand what a brand is. A lot of people think that a brand is a logo or a color scheme or a tagline or something that you’re known for. Really, there’s two kinds of branding. I like to refer to “big B” […]

Book Launch Journey: The Year After

Once the initial flurry of your book launch settles, the journey doesn’t end—it evolves. In the critical year following your book’s release, maintaining visibility and connectivity through your author platform is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide to strategically managing your author presence in the year after your book hits the shelves: Update Your Messaging —Shift […]

New Podcast Episode: Post-Publication Book Marketing with Emma Boyer

Why is publication day the target for most marketing for books? Why don’t we talk as much about what authors can be doing post publication? That’s such a good question and such a pertinent point. A few months post publication, it’s still the same book, so there’s not as much news to talk about. That’s […]

Smith Myths: 3 Myths About Working with a Literary Agent

by Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity Whether you’ve watched our latest webinar or read some of my recent LinkedIn posts, by this point, you’re probably aware of the many positives that come when working with a literary agent. Agents have long been viewed as the ultimate member of your book launch team – the […]

Highlights from Smith Publicity’s Get on the Same Page with Literary Agents Webinar

For authors navigating complex publishing pathways, a literary agent serves as a guide and advocate, cutting through the noise and opening up the doors to new opportunities on your behalf. Not only is working with a literary agent essential for any kind of traditional deal, but they can also help authors with translating publishing contracts […]