Can you tell me about your upcoming novel, Watch Them Fall?

I wanted to explore the thorny problem of housing in a town like St Andrews where even the smallest flat is out of reach of locals. So I imagined how the town might react to a high-cost luxury development and that gave me the backdrop for the crimes that take place. My detective, Clare Mackay is forced to divide her attention between a body found in the harbour and a burglary where nothing seems to have been taken. As protests against the housing development increase things become even more fraught for Clare.

Did you know anything about marketing and publicity before you became an author?

Very little! But I had the good fortune to stumble on your course, The Business of Being an Author. Over 5 or 6 weeks I learned how to market myself and my books to agents and publishers, and the importance of being visible online. It was such an important course that I believe played a large part in my finding an agent.

Have you done anything in particular from your side to promote your books?

My publishers create lovely photos for me to use pre and post publication and I share these hoping to catch readers’ attention. A picture that grabs the eye is so much more effective than a page of prose. I have a busy diary of talks and appearances, and I write articles for magazines. It all helps keep my name at the forefront of readers’ minds. I also write six newsletters a year and am always happy to engage with readers who contact me via my website.

Do you feel that publicity and marketing is part of an author’s job?

In an ideal world I’d hand my book over to my editor and move onto the next project. But resources in publishing are scarce these days and, realistically, a publisher can’t promote every book to the extent they might wish. So it’s down to authors to support that as best we can.

Can you tell me about your experiences of social media? And do you believe that authors should be on it?

It’s very much a personal choice but, in my experience, agents and publishers prefer authors to be visible to readers. These days, that’s most easily achieved through social media. As a debut author I was already on Twitter and Facebook. My editor encouraged me to have an Instagram account, and I now also post on TikTok and Threads. My engagement dips when I’m deep into a book or staring down a deadline but I do try to engage fairly regularly, varying the content from book to non-book things. It’s important not to always be talking about your books. Readers are increasingly interested in who authors are so I try to give a bit of insight into my life outside writing. My most successful post ever was a TikTok where I shared a video of Pitlochry Dam when it was overwhelmed in a storm. To date it’s had almost 600,000 views! But do remember, once it’s out there, it’s there for ever so take a second to think before you post.

When it comes to promoting yourself – do you have any tips to share with fellow authors?

First of all, be yourself. Don’t try to be what or who you think readers want. Choose one or two social media platforms and focus on them. Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Post regularly. It doesn’t have to be daily but do try to make it a regular thing. Otherwise people will drift off to other authors who post more reliably. Follow authors you admire and see which of their posts are most successful, then consider if you could adapt your content for greater engagement. And, if you’re not happy talking to camera, don’t. You’ll look awkward and uncomfortable. Consider adding a voiceover or use music and captions.

Are there any parts of author publicity that you avoid?

I won’t be on a platform that has any kind of political agenda or where hot topics are likely to be raised. I might agree with these aims or views but I don’t want to alienate readers who see things differently. Plus, my views are private. My father advised me never to talk about politics or religion and I’ve tried to stick to that.

Can you tell us about your experiences of being interviewed by the press? Do you have any tips for authors who are nervous about talking to the media?

Face-to-face interviews for print copy are great. Usually, journalists are keen to write an interesting article that highlights authors and their books in a positive way. But preparation is key. You don’t want to waste a journalist’s time by not being ready to answer the most likely questions. You can Google book interview questions which might help, or ask the journalist if there’s anything particular they’d like you to talk about. The most nerve-wracking thing for me is live radio. I’ve done a few interviews where the topic wasn’t my books but things like Meta downloading millions of books without permission, and the rise of cosy crime. There are no second chances when you’re talking live so you really do need to rehearse what you plan to say out loud. Practise answering the expected questions and, if necessary, jot down a couple of prompt words on a card, in case you forget.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about the publicity side of being an author?

A lovely wise author, Claire Macleary, said to me on my very first publication day, ‘think what you want to get out of this.’ It was excellent advice, relevant for writing and promoting books. If you’re happy to put your whole life out there for the world to see, that’s great. But, if you’re someone who prefers to keep your home life private, that’s good too. So work out what you’re comfortable with and stick to it.

For further information on Marion and her work, visit:

https://www.mariontodd.com/

That’s all for this March edition. If you’re looking for help with your book publicity in 2026, my diary is open, but it will close again in May for the summer - so be quick! You can find out more about my consultancy and bespoke publicity services over on my website:

https://www.booksmartpr.co.uk/

Dawn

Image by: Campbell David Parker

Can you tell me about your latest book, Murder in Darnley Glen?

Murder in Darnley Glen is the sixth and final Lola Harris mystery. Lola is at her toughest, angriest and most maverick as she deals with a shocking series of crimes. It’s fair to say she goes out “with a bang” and I’m delighted with the early reviews.

Did you know anything about marketing and publicity before you became an author?

I knew that marketing and publicity are important for success and that we need to be positioning ourselves and our books as “brands”. I hadn’t realised that marketing and publicity are so critical to success. Without them, how would readers know we and our books exist?

Have you done anything in particular from your side to promote your books?

Yes. I made contact with local newspapers, including a local free paper, to get my books featured. I’ve also made a real effort to travel to bookshops to sign stock — for my Yorkshire series. My publisher Allison & Busby have been great at getting booksellers interested in the series and in having me come along. I’ve also spoken at events for libraries and local societies.

Recently I’ve hired a book PR specialist, a social media expert who makes engaging content for me, and a videographer who makes brilliant book trailers. I’ve also set up an author newsletter which has a few hundred subscribers. (Oh, a last thought — get some decent headshots taken by a professional photographer, and take a couple of outfits so you can vary them.)

Do you feel that publicity and marketing is part of an author’s job?

Now more than ever, yes. Digital publishing means the market is full and busy. You need to shout loud in the marketplace to get people to come to your stall.

Can you tell me about your experiences of social media? And do you believe that authors should be on it?

I think you need to be on at least one platform. Probably Instagram, but also Facebook. I don’t understand TikTok but I get the impression I ought to be dipping my toe. X is sadly dead in the water nowadays. It used to be brilliant for engagement.

When it comes to promoting yourself – do you have any tips to share with fellow authors?

Writers are often shy and introverted, but it’s worth steeling yourself and saying “yes” to opportunities, and pushing yourself on social media at the very least. It’s uncomfortable but worthwhile and you might decide you like it.

Are there any parts of author publicity that you avoid?

No. I’ll do anything and go anywhere.

Can you tell us about your experiences of being interviewed by the press? Do you have any tips for authors who are nervous about talking to the media?

I’ve been interviewed on live and pre-recorded radio and also interviewed by reporters. Reporters often want to record the interview digitally (whether on Zoom or in person with a dictaphone). Be ready for this but don’t worry about being word perfect. If it’s not live, feel free to say: “Actually, would you mind not reporting that. Let me have another go at answering that.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about the publicity side of being an author?

Every little exposure helps.

For further information on Daniel Sellers and his work, visit:
https://www.danielsellers.co.uk/

That’s the last Book Smart newsletter for this year. Thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown this newsletter (and me in general!) in 2025.

If you’re looking for help with your book publicity in 2026, my diary is open.
You can find out more about my consultancy and bespoke publicity services over on my website: https://www.booksmartpr.co.uk/

Have a wonderful festive season and see you next year,

Dawn

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Image credit: Maria Jose Fernandez Hidalgo

Can you tell me about your latest book, Watch Your Back?

It’s also the story of a charity shop worker called Jo who’s mum was murdered 15 years ago. She’s doing her best to move and keep that part of her life hidden - but then she receives a box of letters from the prison and everything starts to go horribly wrong!

It’s also about a wee girl called Tink and her best friend Spider, who always carries a bike chain in her jacket pocket, just in case. I think you’ll like them.

For the record it’s my fourth psychological thriller novel and is set in the Portobello community of Edinburgh, same as my previous three novels.

Did you know anything about marketing and publicity before you became an author?

Not really – I wasn’t especially active on social media and I suppose I’d always naively imagined that if I ever got a book deal the publisher would spend enormous amounts of time and money promoting me…

Can you tell me about your experiences of working with your publishers on marketing and publicity.

My first two books were published by a small independent publisher. I got a small advance and was led to believe that small advance meant very little promotion. But in fact the book was everywhere – it was placed in three supermarkets, Waterstones, WH Smith and the publisher arranged for a diverse range of articles and interviews. I was featured on national radio, reviewed in national press, the opening chapters were serialised in the main Edinburgh newspaper and I appeared in numerous glossy magazines. Since it was my debut I thought that was standard but now realise I was really lucky to receive that level of attention - and often debuts do get more attention than other books. I’d say that with each book I’ve published there’s less and less spending and more and more emphasis on me to create the buzz.

Have you done anything in particular from your side to promote your books?

I’ve done loads! But I’ve always tried to create events that benefit other people as well. I set up bookshops events with new writers and the biggest thing I did was run an online book festival for several years, specifically for debut novelists. That helped promote me and my brand while helping other writers too.

I also founded the Caledonia Crime Collective, a group of seven Scottish crime writers, so we offer each other support as well as mutual promotion of each other’s work. Giving is always more! I’ve also pitched and written articles for magazines and paper and I have no shame at all in approaching better-known writers to read and potentially give endorsements for my books.

Do you feel that publicity and marketing is part of an author’s job?

I think these days it is.

Can you tell me about your experiences of social media? And do you believe that authors should be on it?

I quite enjoy Instagram but have very varied results. I usually have spells when I’m on it a lot and get decent engagement but then I get tired of it and ignore it for a few weeks! I’m not convinced it helps sell any books but I think it can be a great place to make connections with other writers, readers and bloggers. It can be a lovely place to be if you find the right people. But there needs to a balance – it’s easy to spend far too much time on there.

When it comes to promoting yourself – do you have any tips to share with fellow authors?

That’s a tricky question and I’m not an expert at all but I’d say don’t just bang on about your books all the time! And also, if ever you think a particular post or reel is going to be a big hit, that almost definitely means it’ll be a flop. The ones that have worked best for me are the times I genuinely open my heart and say what I feel. Showing my real life and real vulnerabilities.

Try to work out what your niche is – or your brand – what’s the thing only you can offer? And something that might stick in the mind of others? It doesn’t need to be about books or writing. I did a 7 month campervan trip around Europe and wrote part of my third book along the way but I got loads of attention for that because it was something a little different.

I’d also say one of the most important things you can do is to make real, meaningful connections with other authors, with bloggers, with readers, etc and you’ll find that naturally your community will start promoting your books - and of course you’ll do the same for them. Give and you will receive!

Are there any parts of author publicity that you avoid?

Not really, I’m quite happy to be in the limelight if it’s on offer!

During your career, have you been interviewed by the press? And can you tell us about that experience? Do you have any tips for authors who are nervous about talking to the media?

I used to be a journalist so it’s not a new environment for me, and maybe as a result of that I’ve never really been that nervous in interviews etc. I’d say, don’t overthink answers, don’t overprepare and don’t try to be too clever or funny - just be present and be yourself and try to enjoy the novelty of it. Don’t slag anyone off, especially not other writers or your publisher! And if you say something that you regret, try not to worry too much - you can be sure that few will notice or remember it after a few days. The news is always moving on.

To find out more about Emma’s work, visit: https://www.emmachristiewriter.com/

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Hello! And sorry for being m.i.a. for so long. This year has been a particularly busy for me. As many of you will already know, I work with lots of different clients in the Scottish book industry including lots of authors and the International Crime Writing Festival, Bloody Scotland. Back in January, I took on another biggie - the lovely Islay Book Festival - who have been a joy to work for. It did, however mean that my summer was jam packed with work and I let this newsletter slip - apologies for that.

Now that life is back to a normal pace, Book Smart is open again to new clients. I’m putting my focus back on consultancy work and my course offering at the moment (something I can control better during busy spells). I’ll also be bringing you lots of publicity hints and tips through this Substack. The first of which will be chat with the brilliant crime author, Emma Christie, who will be sharing her own publicity wisdom. Look out for that chat coming your way very soon.

If there are any other authors out there who’d like to chat about the publicity and promotional tools and tricks that help their career for this Substack, please do get in touch: dawn@booksmartpr.co.uk

Announcing my new flagship course…

I’m also excited to announce that my next Book Smart course is all about Getting Media Ready. It’s a subject that can be really daunting and confusing for authors - especially if you’re just starting out. It will run on Thursday the 20th of November from 9am to 1pm online and will go through everything from: how the media works, how to pitch yourself to magazines and newspapers and writing a press release to author photos, creating a media pack and the dos and don’ts of dealing with journalists.

I put together a similar course for BookMachine (but aimed at publicists) earlier this year and the reaction to it was brilliant, so I’ve decided to adapt it for the first time for authors and other creatives. I really hope you enjoy it. It’s recorded (for people who can’t make the live stream) and also includes a 30 min one to one with me afterwards, at a time that suits participants.

That’s all for now - thank you for your patience subscribers! I’ll be back in your inbox soon.

Image by: Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Can you tell me about your journey to publication?

I resolved one New Year's Eve that I would prove to myself I cloud write a children's book. I wrote a book (a pretty conventional portal story), dutifully purchased a Writers' and Artists' Yearbook and began to send my manuscript out to agents and publishers. 121 rejections and five full-length book manuscripts later, I was taken on by a new and small publisher called Cranachan Publishing. It came as a result of the XpoNorth Tweet Pitch, so it wasn't a conventional route to publication. I have loved working with them, and with Luath Press, another wonderful publisher who has published some of my work. My 11th book came out in April - The Boy, the Witch and the Queen of Scots.

Did you know anything about marketing and publicity before you became an author? 

Very little, to be honest. Most of what I do to promote my books is intuitive rather than based on knowledge or understanding of the market. When my father urged me to take on the family business, importing textiles, I remember exclaiming in frustration 'You don't get it Dad - I'm not like you! I can't sell things!' It turns out that I simply wasn't passionate about bathrobes and cork boards, but I am passionate about books - and maybe that's why I find it easier to accept marketing and promotion as part of my role as a writer.

Can you tell me about your experiences of working with your publishers on marketing and publicity. Have your publishers had a lot of input and has the experience varied at all between different publishing houses?

It has varied a lot - Both of the publishers I have worked with have made a real effort to help promote the book, but the truth is that it is largely up to the writer, especially after the initial period of promotion around book launches etc. Occasionally, I have worked with a freelance publicist who has opened the door to feature articles in the national press. Marketing budgets vary too - generally, publishers will provide bookmarks for promotional use, and I got a banner for Rivet Boy which made me very happy. We tend to have a meeting, trying to identify opportunities and making sure that the basics are covered. My publishers have also often made lovely graphics for events, or of reviews which I can use on social media. 

Have you done anything in particular from your side to promote your books? 

I think the most important thing I have done is reach out to potential allies and foster good relationships with teachers, librarians, editors etc. I consider social media part of my work and try to stay active on a range of platforms. Most of my books are suitable for use in schools, so offering teachers an incentive to use my stories has proved very effective - I create teaching resources for all of my books which tie in with the curriculum and are hopefully easy to use. If you wait for people to come to you, you may wait for a long time. Think of your wishlist and have a go at reaching out - you never know what could happen.

Do you feel that publicity and marketing is part of an author’s job?

No question, it absolutely is! I write books, but much of my writing is content which will become promotional in some way. Saying that, I think it's really important not to bombard people with constant messages of 'buy my book' - you need to offer them something of value or interest to them, and that takes time, thought and creativity. I try to balance any output about my own work with lots of championing of other people - and it's a win win because they will often reciprocate.  

Can you tell me about your experiences of social media? And do you believe that authors should be on it?

I am on loads of platforms, so yes, I really believe in the value of social media. Teachers and librarians as well as fellow authors are all brilliant to connect with. And this often does translate into income. The day before yesterday, a friend alerted me to a tweet - a school in Glasgow were reading my book. I hadn't followed them and they hadn't tagged me, but I replied to them, tweeting a video of me saying hi to the class, pointing to free resources and mentioning that an author visit was also an option. Today the teacher emailed me to arrange a school visit. This would not have happened without social media.

Of course, I do acknowledge that social media can be a minefield. It's best to be clear about what you are and aren't comfortable to share, and to stay clear of futile online spats. If you do get involved in those, the algorithms won't be kind to you.

When it comes to promoting yourself – do you have any tips to share with fellow authors?

Champion others as much as yourself. Be authentic. Be human (people are suspicious of perfection). Ask yourself if you would be interested if that content came from someone else. Find partners and allies, and be a team player.

Are there any parts of author publicity that you avoid?

Paid-for ads. I feel that I don't earn enough to justify spending needlessly :)

During your career, have you been interviewed by the press? And can you tell us about that experience? Do you have any tips for authors who are nervous about talking to the media?

I have, and made a mess of it. I once sat through an entire video interview without once mentioning my book! I'd say, slow down, have a post it note with the key info you definitely need to say, and lower your voice pitch as far as is comfortable. Nervous voices can be high voices, and they can grate - you will relax yourself and others if you take pace and pitch down a notch. 

Best bit of advice I have ever been given: Don't worry about being pretty. Be interesting. Be memorable. Be nice. 

You can find out more about Barbara and her work, here.

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Can you tell me about your journey to publication?

My first novel came out in 2015. Which feels like a million years ago now. Or perhaps that's just me! It was a dark comedy about family life and published by Ringwood from Glasgow. They were incredibly supportive of the work and me as an author. And I'll always be grateful for that opportunity. 

Until that point I guess I did the rounds like every other aspiring author. Submission to agents and publishers looking for work. I'd been writing "seriously" since I was 17 but the first draft of my first book actually only took six weeks (a feat I'm yet to replicate). You learn, pretty quickly, to have a thick skin in this industry. Rejection letters are par for the course. I do a lot of teaching of creative writing now and I always say that to my students. Don't see a rejection letter as a failure, it's part of the job. Even when you get a book deal and write full-time, like I do, you're not going to score a home run with EVERY idea. It's part of the gig. And the quicker you treat it as much part of the job as the writing, the editing, the promotion etc, the easier it becomes to swallow. 

Did you know anything about marketing and publicity before you became an author?

The short answer is no. I was a journalist so I guess it was always on the periphery. But in terms of the art of it, what to do, how to go about publicising work and books and everything else, it was a total unknown. 

Things have changed dramatically since my debut. There wasn't such a thing as BookTok and online literary events and festivals were very much in their infancy, if they existed at all. It's still a learning curve, even though I’ve been in the industry for nine years now. But I have a very wonderful, innovative and creative team at HarperNorth who, thankfully, know exactly what they're on about. And I try my best to look and sound like a normal human being when I'm doing videos for social media. I even comb my hair!

The Bingo Hall books have been hugely successful. Can you tell me about your experiences of working with a publicist, and how that has worked for you? What has your publisher the books with in terms of publicity and marketing?

That's very kind of you to say. At the risk of sounding like one of THOSE people, I still pinch myself that I'm an "award-winning" author. For The Bingo Hall Detectives to have won a gong in its home county of Cumbria was really a very special moment. Not just for me, for the whole team at HarperNorth. I believe I'm the first award-winning author for the new HarperCollins imprint. And that's one of the big differences and new experiences I've found dealing with the publicity team. They're all over awards and opportunities for the books and me as an author. Don't get me wrong, I still chip in with ideas and such. The devil makes work for idle thumbs etc. But the HN team, led expertly by Alice Murphy-Pyle, has been very kind, generous and enthusiastic to and for my work. From arranging interviews to other writing opportunities, it's felt like there's a whole team of champions out there, fighting the good fight and getting my books into readers' hands. 

Have you done anything in particular from your side to push your books?

I always try to be of some help and assistance. I'm a big geek when it comes to upskilling, especially with tech. And I've been slowly and surely learning more about Photoshop and video editing skills since I turned full-time author. I did a lot of that kind of work when I was a digital journalist. But there's a big difference between breaking news graphics and publishing industry assets. So I like to have a go at promotional videos and banners etc. I always run it past the HN team and they have always been very generous and kind to my feeble efforts. 

One of the biggest assets an author can have in 2024 is flexibility. Not just with the work itself, the nuts and bolts of writing (we've always needed that). But having an open mind to opportunities, upskilling, and developing all the other elements that go into what being a writer is today can only be a positive and good thing. Like I always say in my classes, you don't have to be a professional writer to be professional about your writing. 

Do you feel that publicity and marketing is part of an author’s job?

I think so, yes. Obviously, there are different elements to this. And it will depend on the type and size of publisher you're with. Self-published authors have EVERYTHING to do. It's in the "self" part. That's writing, editing and of course, marketing. The same can be said for writers with smaller indies. And as the scale slides towards your traditional Big Five houses, it can vary how much input you have as the author. I'm nosey and a pain in the backside. It's an unfortunate pair of side effects that have grown out of me being a tabloid hack for most of my working life. It means that I like to be involved in all aspects of the publication process. I'm hugely grateful for the opportunities I've been afforded in my career. And getting to be hands on, being curious about things like marketing, sales, timelines, all the "other" parts of this industry that aren't necessarily shouted about, has been a real gift for me. 

The days of a writer scribbling away in a dark room for months/years on end, sending the MS off to the publisher and that being that are long gone. But I don't think that's a bad thing. Actually, the contrary, I think it's great how involved authors can/have/should be in things like marketing. There will be no greater a champion for your book than you as the author. You should be immensely proud of the work, toil, blood, sweat and tears you've put into it from day one. Why not be involved in sharing that with readers. 

Can you tell me about your experiences of social media? And do you believe that authors should be on it?

Cards on the table - I used to be a social media editor when I was a journalist. It was one of the MANY hats I wore during my time in the tabloids. So I'm maybe a little biased. Yes, is the short answer to whether I think authors should be on there. I know it can be a cesspit at times, and no platform is perfect. However, in my own experiences, I've found that the writing community, of all shapes, forms and genres, has been very hospitable and welcoming. And continues to be. That's just my experience. 

Necessary evil or not, I do think there are opportunities on a daily basis for writers on social media platforms. I don't know many publishers, agents, marketing directors, editors, commissioning editors etc who AREN'T on there. If you're an aspiring author, you can get a direct line on what professionals in the industry are looking for, are looking to publish, are looking to represent. A lot of this industry is being in the right place at the right time. And catching a single tweet when it suits where you're at with your MS can be that break you need. 

There are also really great open opportunities for writers on social media. The wonderful XPoNorth festival every year runs a pitch session annually - you have 240 characters to pitch your book to agents and editors who will be watching the feed all day. A good few of these kinds of events happen all year round. While you might not be ready to do so, depending on where you're at, you can learn lots from what OTHER authors are pitching, how they do it, what the industry wants etc. 

So yeah, I'm a big advocate for social media for authors. You get out of it what you put in. And I think knowing that before you start is always going to be helpful. 

Jonathan’s latest novel, The Concert Hall Killer, will be published in April.

When it comes to promoting yourself – do you have any tips to share with fellow authors?

Champion your work. As I mentioned before, nobody should ever be more enthusiastic about your work than you are. If you're not enthusiastic, how can you reasonably expect marketing teams and editors/publishers to get excited about it for you? It doesn't work that way. If that means you go back to the work, tear it to shreds and start over, then do it. It sounds harsh, but it's what it takes. Kill your darlings, as the old writing adage goes. IT's hard, but if there's a drop off in enthusiasm from you as the writer, you're probably going to struggle. 

I'd also recommend not being pushy. We've all been there, in a shop being followed around everywhere you go, being asked 'is there anything I can help you with'. It's annoying and I don't know anybody who this has happened to, who went on to buy anything from that place. If you're on social media for the purpose of promoting and marketing your book, try to bear that in mind. Readers and people in general know that you've got something to share with them. They don't need it shoved in their face every hour on Twitter. 

Be yourself too. It sounds corny, but it's true. Readers want to know who you are, they want to hear about your stories on writing, where ideas came from, the highs and the lows of this job. It's the easiest thing in the world to tell the truth. And if readers get to know you, it's a lovely bonus. We writers are ALL readers and I know I love getting to know my favourite writers. 

What are the pitfalls?

Time vanishes, just like that. It takes a long time to write a book. As I mentioned before, I wrote my first novel in six weeks and I'm yet to do the same again in almost a decade. But even still, six weeks is still a relatively long amount of time.

When it comes to marketing, you have to work smart, as well as working hard. Learn, learn and learn some more what works for you as an author. Can you make certain events? Will you be able to commit to the timeline set out by your publisher? What are the knock-on effects of decisions you make now and in the long-term. For example, if you're going to promote your book with a live Q&A on Insta - you can't promote this event for weeks ahead of time and then not do it. You'll let people down and that's not fair, or professional. 

Every action away from writing will stop you from writing. Always remember that. Writers write and without the writing part, the project is never completed. So manage your time, don't let it run away from you, and always, ALWAYS meet your deadlines. I have nightmares about editors I worked with when I was a junior reporter who drilled that into me. So I'm passing along the horror :)

As a former journalist, what is it like being interviewed by the media? Do you have any advice for fellow authors on how to approach this?

Terrifying! No I'm joking. It's a strange one actually. I think when you're a journalist, you sort of wear a kind of armour when you go into an interview. You're there, you're neutral, it's your job to get answers, good and bad. When it's your turn on the other side of the dictaphone, you don't have that shield. Not that I've ever been grilled, Paxo style, on anything for that matter. But I have noticed that I'm always a bit jittery when I do interviews. Maybe it's because I was a rubbish journalist.

My advice would be to try and enjoy the experience. I know I've not exactly painted it as something TO enjoy. But that's just me, believe me. It's fun. You're there to talk about your work, to share your experiences and why you've decided to tell this story. So tell the media that. As I said earlier, the easiest thing in the world is to tell the truth. You should be proud of the hard work and world you've created. Why not talk about it, then?

You can find out more about Jonathan and his work, here.

And that’s it for this issue. We’ll be back in two weeks time with a post on how authors can make the most of their social media.

Thanks for reading Book Smarters. Do feel free to share this post.

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Setting up Book Smart PR, earlier this year, was one of those moments when everything just sort of came together. You see, like many journalists, my background is in PR. Since graduating in 2000, I’ve worked within a number of organisations including a leading charity, an award-winning media agency and a government body. In 2021, I went freelance in 2012, and began spending half of my working life as a journalist and the other providing public relations services for creatives. Today, my clients include best-selling authors and much-loved literary festivals.

I’m also a creative writer myself, writing gothic fiction for adults and teenagers. As you can see - it really is just books, books, books with me!

Photo by Rey Seven on Unsplash

Wearing these three different literary hats has given me a very unique skill set. I know that makes a good story - but I also relate to the reluctance that authors feel when it comes to promoting themselves. And that’s why I set up Book Smart PR, a service that offers one-to-one consultancy sessions to writers. I can also help with copywriting projects, helping authors to build their own platform through promotional tools such as newsletters, and run bespoke courses, arming creatives with all the tools they need to publicise their work.

My plan is to use this Substack as a way of sharing my publicity tips and ideas with creatives across the UK and beyond. I also want to build a community here, because let’s face it, writing can be a lonely business and I believe that there really is strength in numbers. I hope that you’ll stick around and help me carve out a little bookish online space for us all.

Every month, you’ll receive two posts from me - one filled with advice on publicity and marketing and the other, an interview with a key person in the industry, sharing their own publishing experiences. There will also be lots of opportunities to get in on the conversation and have any burning publicity questions, answered.

Sound good? Great! I’d love to have you.

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See you later on this month with my first official Book Smart post.

Dawn
www.booksmartpr.co.uk

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Hi I’m Dawn, a literary journalist and PR specialist. I’m on a mission to arm writers everywhere with the tools and the skills that they need to build a brand and promote their work, that’s why I set up Book Smart PR at the beginning of this year.

I'll be using this substack space to share my thoughts, ideas and publicity tips & to create a community for writers - and I’d love it if you’d join me. Every month I’ll be publishing two posts - one informative article filled with publicity tips and the other, an interview with an industry expert or bestselling author who who will be sharing their own book publicity experiences.

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