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Podcast: From Book One to Book Two – Production and Distribution Lessons for Purpose-Led Authors
If you read my recent post about why it’s worth writing second and subsequent books, you’ll know I used Sarah Martin as a case in point. Her second book,Dear Carer: For Those Supporting Someone with Complex Mental Health Concerns, is a brilliant example of an author building on everything her first book, Dear Psychosis, put in motion.
But how did Sarah actually produce these books? What things did she change up between the first and the second and how did the books help her grow into her role as a mental health advocate.
You can find out as we recently recorded a conversation for the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast (listen here or on your favourite podcast platform) and it’s one of those episodes that’s useful whether you’re still working on your first book or already thinking about your second or fifth.
Here’s a taste of what we covered.
No author does it alone
Sarah pitched her first book, Dear Psychosis, to traditional publishers. Several wanted to read it, but none took it further – she felt mental health wasn’t in their wheelhouse, or they weren’t interested in taking it on. So she found her way to self-publishing through book coaching group EAC, an Australian Society of Authors (ASA) online session I hosted, and a copy of Look It’s Your Book! which she described generously as her ‘publishing bible’.
Bookstore relationships and consignment
Sarah distributes through IngramSpark for wider reach, through direct consignment with local bookstores, and through speaking engagements. She also shares a hard-won lesson about tracking consignment numbers that every author selling through bookstores needs to hear…i.e. stay on top of the admin!
Speaking as a distribution channel
This is where Sarah’s story gets particularly interesting for authors with a purpose-driven book. She has turned speaking engagements into one of her most powerful distribution channels, including one keynote that resulted in a bulk order of 260 books, every single one of which she wrapped individually before delivering!
On book awards
Sarah is selective about which awards she enters because the fees add up. But she has an interesting take on the value of entering even when you don’t win, and it’s not one I’d heard put quite that way before. For Sarah, the purpose-led mission of the book means even getting just one more person to read her book (and in this case, that’s the book awards judges), is worth it.
There’s plenty more in our discussion about how she built out her production team and other decisions she made differently between book one and book two.
Sarah’s books are helping families and friends of people with acute mental health conditions navigate what can be a really difficult time, so help spread the word.
Listen to the full conversation hereor on your favourite podcast platform.
And if you haven’t already, have a read of my earlier post about Dear Psychosis and why second and subsequent books are worth writing. Sarah is a wonderful example of both.
If you’re thinking of writing and self-publishing like Sarah, you might also like to:
- Borrow from your library or buy a copy of Look-It’s Your Book!
- Join the global Alliance of Independent Authors – I’m a huge fan of ALLi and all it offers authors through its membership. (fyi: If you join through this link I may receive a small payment from ALLi that helps fund the production of writing resources you find on my site. Thanks!)
- Book in for a 1:1 book coaching consult with me to help you navigate your book idea, draft, publishing options, book marketing and more.