A DAY IN THE LIFE: FULL-TIME JOB & BEING A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR
Thanks for joining me on this “day in the life” vlog. I work a full-time corporate job and write basically full-time as well. This is a typical day for me, Monday - Friday. I get most of my writing done on the weekends, and spend the week nights doing different tasks while trying to get at least 1000 words written.
You have to find what works for you and your schedule. I feel like most people work and write, though the ultimate goal is to write as my sole income. If you enjoyed this video or have any suggestions of what you’d like to see, please tell me below.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to post them below! Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments section. ___
Thanks so much for being here. As I mentioned, we will start from the basics and move to more advanced marketing techniques for self-published authors. If you feel comfortable sharing the answers to the 3 questions below, please do! The answers are the foundation of your book marketing plan!
We will start at a very basic level and talk about the different social medial platforms to different strategies for releases. We're starting at different levels so I don't want to leave a stone unturned. If I say anything that's confusing during this series, pretty please ask for clarification. Appreciate y'all!
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
ASK ME ANYTHING FOR MY Q&A MONDAY SERIES: https://forms.gle/fVbKesmhhCcUDBeP7
Don't forget to follow me on TikTok!
https://www.tiktok.com/@lyraparish
Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments section.
//A B O U T M E//
Pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)
I've been in the indie scene since 2011. I published my first romance novel in 2014 (Weak for Him). Under Kennedy Fox, we've made USA Today 4 times since 2017. With Lyra Parish, I've made top 100 several times on Amazon. I unpublished my Lyra Parish backlist in 2020 with zero regrets.
You can watch that video here: https://bit.ly/3k8P6pa
I'm currently a co-host for the monthly youtube show Publishable (Self-publishing versus Traditional Publishing) You can watch our videos on this playlist: https://bit.ly/2ZvKNwq
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//J O I N T H E 1 0 K G R O U P //
I have a writing group on facebook where you can earn stickers each month if you write 10K in a day. You can choose your own today. It's a supportive community, that's also fun. If you're international, feel free to join! I've sent stickers to people all around the world since July 2019!
www.facebook.com/groups/write10kinaday
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//2020 R E L E A S E S C H E D U L E//
Always Mine - January 2020 - Released
Always Yours - February 2020 - Released
Catching the Cowboy - April 2020 - Released
The Two of Us - May 2020 - Released
Keeping You Away - July 2020 - Released
Needing You Close - August 2020 - Released
Wrangling the Cowboy - October 2020
The Best of Us - December 2020
//2 0 2 0 U P C O M I N G S I G N I N G S & T R A V E L//
Talkbooks Author Event - April 18, 2020 - Boston, MA - CANCELLED
Wild & Windy in the City - May 9, 2020 - Chicago, IL - CANCELLED
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//S O C I A L M E D I A//
→ instagram:
www.instagram.com/lyraparish
www.instagram.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/lyraparishauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ twitter:
www.twitter.com/lyraparish
www.twitter.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ email: lyraparish@gmail.com
#selfpublish #writingadvice #selfpublishing #writingtips #authortube
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzmU9C4BY8A
For more information about #nanowrimo visit http://www.nanowrimo.org
If you'd like to friend me, you can find me here: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/lyraparish
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If you have any questions, please feel free to post them below!
Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments section.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzpjNs_9Iuk
I've been getting a lot of book marketing questions(which I love). I know I gave general answers but there's only so much time and the books I recommended will help you SO much and you can go through them at your own pace without having me rush through it. Many of these questions I will be making full-length videos on, and I'm hoping it will better help you with your marketing efforts. I've added creating a marketing plan for book launches on to my video list and it might be a few parts but it's something I'm asked a bunch so that video is coming soon! I think that will help you make you create a solid release plan to push your book and have a successful launch.
Sorry for missing last week's Q&A, my internet connection was laughable. The good news is I have no more camping vacations planned until next year, so you're gonna keep seeing this face. Whoop!
Make sure to go check out @David Gaughranon Youtube! He created his channel in the last few months so go follow him. He's super knowledgeable and is no BS, plus I could listen to him talk all day with his accent. I also appreciate his honesty. It's easier for me to share what he's already put together because I pretty much agree with everything he says (which doesn't happen much in this industry! Too many scammers out there trying to rip you off or lead you astray.)
David's Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/dgaughran
David's blog:
https://davidgaughran.com/
His blog posts contain a wealth of knowledge. As I mentioned, I've paid thousands of dollars to learn the things he's willingly shared for FREE. If you go to his website and scroll down his blog posts are broken up by categories.
Side note: it's worth enrolling in his FREE course too. The info he shares, I've seen people charge $397-$997 for.
The books of his I mentioned in this video:
***This is the series link. GET THEM ALL! ***
https://amzn.to/37kAkso
They're all great! Trust me when I say don't recommend many marketing books when it comes to self-publishing because most people don't know what the hell they're talking about. David, on the other hand, does. Can't recommend him enough. Probably could've done a video on why you should download all of his books, read every single blog post, do his free course, and sign up for his newsletter, but oh well.
ALSO, I DO NOT KNOW HIM. I just want to make that very clear. He's not my friend or someone I'm trying to help sell. I've just read his books and blog posts over the years. This isn't a buddy push, just a personal recommendation that I would stand behind.
LOL, David if you read this... thanks for sharing so much information. I've been self-publishing for 6 years (recently quit my job to write full-time) and can't recommend your website/books enough to people at all different
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOncDzY5Is
Having a newsletter as an author is so important! I hope these tips help! If you haven't started your newsletter yet, please check out the links below.
MAILCHIMP: http://www.mailchimp.com
You'll get 2000 subscribers for free.
MAILERLITE: http://bit.ly/2oTebJx
You'll get 1000 subscribers for free.
For domain names check out:
Bluehost - http://bit.ly/2I7sW4C
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChUcH_fOSdU
Hope you enjoyed today's video where we talked about self-publishing! If you have questions you'd like to submit here it is: https://forms.gle/fVbKesmhhCcUDBeP7
Pros & Cons of KU & Wide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvP6LROYZfs&t=47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFcjpEVX-q8&t=829s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVMieko5rRE&t=9s
Let's be Pen Pals:
Courtney Young | PO BOX 697 | Groves, TX 77619
My List of Recommended Books for Self-Published Authors:
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit - https://amzn.to/3at1yyk
Romancing the Beat - https://amzn.to/38rfc2C
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel - https://amzn.to/34pmNxl
Let's Get Publishing Series - https://amzn.to/2WvDKBP
Newsletter Ninja - https://amzn.to/3oPOXwx
Help! My Facebook Ads Suck - https://amzn.to/3as81IH
//A B O U T M E//
Pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)
I've been in the indie scene since 2011. I published my first romance novel in 2014 (Weak for Him). Under Kennedy Fox, we've made USA Today 5 times since 2017. As Lyra Parish, I made the top 100 list several times on Amazon.
If you're looking for those books, you will not find them. I unpublished my Lyra Parish backlist in 2020 with zero regrets. You can watch that video here: https://bit.ly/3k8P6pa
Want to check out Kennedy Fox's Books? Visit: http://www.kennedyfoxbooks.com
___
//Searching for a Motivational Writing Group?//
I have a writing group on Facebook where you can earn stickers for writing 10K in a day or 50K in a month. You can choose your own day. It's a supportive community that's also fun. If you're international, feel free to join! I've sent stickers to people all around the world since July 2019! In 2021, those who write Half a Million or 1 Million words in a year, will be sent an enamel pin!
www.facebook.com/groups/write10kinaday
___
//S O C I A L M E D I A//
→ TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@lyraparish
https://www.tiktok.com/@kennedyfoxbooks
→ instagram:
www.instagram.com/lyraparish
www.instagram.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/lyraparishauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ twitter:
www.twitter.com/lyraparish
www.twitter.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ my personal email: lyraparish@gmail.com
→ If you want to follow my writing partner too:
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookekfox
Instagram: www.instagram.com/brookekfox
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbrookecumberland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blcumberland
//Affiliate Links //
Dashing Divas - Nail polish stickers I LOVE because I suck at painting them!
(Get $5 off!)
https://bit.ly/3DBERUb
Sips by Tea Subscription Box (Get $5 Off!)
https://www.sipsby.com/pages/referral?code=xpsthbdbb8tyqy2
Vellum - Best Book Formatting Program EVER!
https://a.paddle.com/v2/click/49674/123957
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePw0SpS883E
Just wanted to give you all an update of what's been going on with me after Hurricane Laura. My heart goes out to all of those who were severely affected and the families in SETX and SWLA who lost so much.
___
If you have any questions, please feel free to post them below!
Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments section.
___
//A B O U T M E//
Pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)
I've been in the indie scene since 2011. I published my first romance novel in 2014 (Weak for Him). Under Kennedy Fox, we've made USA Today 4 times since 2017. With Lyra Parish, I've made top 100 several times on Amazon.
I'm currently a co-host for the monthly youtube show Publishable (Self-publishing versus Traditional Publishing) You can watch our videos on this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4xAn2FB0r2n-gcnUYSA_jvHdHRiU00wR
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Want to learn more about my books?
Lyra Parish - http://amzn.to/2rOHn9D
Kennedy Fox - http://amzn.to/2BEbpfG
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//J O I N T H E 1 0 K G R O U P //
www.facebook.com/groups/write10kinaday
___
//2020 R E L E A S E S C H E D U L E//
Always Mine - January 2020 - Released
Always Yours - February 2020 - Released
Catching the Cowboy - April 2020 - Released
The Two of Us - May 2020 - Released
Keeping You Away - July 2020 - Released
Needing You Close - August 2020 - Released
Wrangling the Cowboy - October 2020
The Best of Us - December 2020
//2 0 2 0 U P C O M I N G S I G N I N G S & T R A V E L//
Talkbooks Author Event - April 18, 2020 - Boston, MA - CANCELLED
Wild & Windy in the City - May 9, 2020 - Chicago, IL - CANCELLED
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//S O C I A L M E D I A//
→ website:
www.thecourtneyproject.com
→ instagram:
www.instagram.com/lyraparish
www.instagram.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/lyraparishauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ twitter:
www.twitter.com/lyraparish
www.twitter.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ email: lyraparish@gmail.com
#authortube #writingtips #selfpublishing
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRBYfj5yros
I'm late, as always with these signing vlogs because I have so much footage to go through. Holidays with the Belles was hosted February 8, 2019. It was such a wonderful, well-organized event and I have nothing but amazing things to say about the ladies who put on these events! They do several per year! I'll post some links below to their facebook along with the bookstagrammers shown! Hope you enjoyed this vlog, and if so, let me know!
Bookish Aromas - Bookish Inspired Candles
www.bookisharomas.com
www.instagram.com/bookisharomas
www.facebook.com/bookisharomas
Bookstagrammers:
https://www.instagram.com/espressoandexpletives
www.instagram.com/nightreads
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKRSupt64M
Thank you for watching this Cover Critique video for @Bethany Atazadeh 's book The Stolen Kingdom. This book is on all platforms—Apple, Barnes, Kobo, Google Play, and Amazon so we are taking a different approach with the book cover critique today. The goal is to determine if these covers are competitive on the wide platforms, and why they are or aren't. Big thank you to Bethany for allowing me to review her covers for all of you! You are amazing and I appreciate you trusting me with your book babies. Mwah!
I really hoped you all learned something even though this video was long AF. Apologies about the featured film, but y'all know how I feel about splitting it in parts. It's easier to give it as it is.
Disclaimers about Cover Critiques: These are my opinions and my opinions only. Following this advice cannot guarantee more sales. With that bing said, if you'd like to send me your cover to review, please email me at lyraparish(at)gmail.com and in the subject line please put COVER CRITIQUE. Please include your cover, genre, subgenres, along with any other information that may be helpful for me to understand where it should be placed. TBH: I have been sent a lot, which I appreciate greatly, and I will get to them as soon as I can. :)
Why I chose to call the female cover a photo manipulation: It looks more realistic than hand drawn or cartoonish. It's not overly airbrushed. I do understand this cover has a filter over it to make it look more like a person illustration cover (I zoomed in and studied it in more detail and made an assessment based on the woman), but I'd still consider it a manipulation due to the realism. The other covers I considered manipulations for the comparison on Amazon had the same type of filters/magical backgrounds/fantasy vibes.
I chose higher prices for her paperbacks than the previous YA book I reviewed because Bethany is on all platforms and the books are longer!
The giveaway will be chosen and will close on June 7, 2022 (Three weeks from when this video is posted to give everyone plenty of time to enter!) . I will announce who won in a video on June 10th. You MUST be a subscriber to win. Another big thanks to Shannon Nemechek for collaborating and being so generous! You're the bomb and your generosity is really going to help someone in the community!
Questions? POST THOSE BABIES DOWN BELOW!
//A B O U T M E//
Pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)
I've been in the indie scene since 2011. I published my first romance novel in 2014 (Weak for Him). Under Kennedy Fox, we've made USA Today 5 times since 2017. As Lyra Parish, I had books ranking in the top 50 sold several times on Amazon.
If you're looking for those books, you will not find them. I unpublished my Lyra Parish backlist in 2020 with zero regrets. You can watch that video here: https://bit.ly/3k8P6pa
Want to check out Kennedy Fox's Books? Visit: http://www.kennedyfoxbooks.com
___
//Searching for a Motivational Writing Group?//
I have a writing group on Facebook where you can earn stickers for writing 10K in a day or 50K in a month. You can choose your own day. It's a supportive community that's also fun. If you're international, feel free to join! I've sent stickers to people all around the world since July 2019! In 2021, those who write Half a Million or 1 Million words in a year, will be sent an enamel pin!
www.facebook.com/groups/write10kinaday
___
//2022 R E L E A S E S C H E D U L E//
The Heart of Us - February - Released
Claiming the Cowboy - Released
Tempting the Cowboy - June
Seducing the Cowboy - August
The Fall of Us - October
The Joy of Us - November
Plus...we're releasing 12 Italian books and some collections!
___
//S O C I A L M E D I A//
→ TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@lyraparish
https://www.tiktok.com/@kennedyfoxbooks
→ instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lyraparish
https://www.instagram.com/kennedyfoxduo
→facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/lyraparishauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/lyraparish
https://www.twitter.com/kennedyfoxbooks
→ my personal email: lyraparish@gmail.com
DO NOT EMAIL KENNEDY FOX!
//Affiliate Links //
Dashing Divas - Nail polish stickers I LOVE because I suck at painting them!
(Get $5 off!)
https://bit.ly/3DBERUb
Vellum - Best Book Formatting Program EVER!
https://a.paddle.com/v2/click/49674/123957?link=1775
Scrivener - Application I use to write!
https://a.paddle.com/v2/click/49535/123957?link=1570
Otter - Dictation app I use (get a month of pro-light for free)
https://otter.ai/referrals/FDSZW8XM
Streamyard - Best Live Streaming Software! (get $10 off!)
https://streamyard.com?pal=5688077045465088
Flodesk - Newsletter Sender (get 50% off). It's easy to use + afforadable!
https://flodesk.com/c/2HQR5F
#writer #author #selfpublish #writingadvice #selfpublishing #writingtips #authortube
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPctnWJRrrQ