Brain Burps About Books #184
Worst Mistakes Every Author Should Avoid
An Interview with Bestselling Amazon Author Shelley Hitz
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In this episode we talked about:
- How do indie authors apply for awards?
- How she works for herself and was able to quit her job
- Shelley’s one secret to being consistently in the top 100 authors on Amazon
- The three most important mistakes every author should avoid
- Forgiveness Formula
- Author Publicity Pack
- Marketing Your Book on Amazon
- What R.E.A.D. stands for
- What can a virtual assistant do for you?
- What’s the 80/20 principle?
- How to learn Scrivener!
- How to record an audiobook using ASX.com
- Click here to get Shelley’s inspirational graphics (you’ll have to sign up for her mailing list to get them): https://katiedavis.com/ShelleyInspiration
- Click here to get Shelley’s awesome marketing guide (you’ll have to sign up for her mailing list to get them): https://katiedavis.com/shelleyguide
Click here to subscribe to the podcast and get a free eBook of some of the biggest episodes ever!
Have questions or feedback? Ask them by going to http://speakpipe.com/katiedavis
Thank you to our sponsor, Just Write for Kids!
12 Comments
Some person on the interwebs
Hey! Tried to download this episode about 5 times in iTunes. No luck, error every time. Then I downloaded the MP3 from this page. The MP3 cut off at 28 minutes, or so.
They say third time is a charm, this would be the first podcast I’ve ever heard from you, Katie!
Maybe other people have noticed the same thing? Am I crazy? Or is there a problem with the way this MP3 file was encoded?
– Mike
Katie
Hi Mike, So glad you want to listen, yet so sad you’re having trouble! I’m at a conference right now, and just meet Natalie Zaman, who told me about how when Mercury is in retrograde all kinds of tech mishaps happen. I believe it now, because for the past 2.5 weeks I’ve had NOthiNG but tech issues, and here is another! That said, the player is brand new and I’ve been having issues with that, and when I get back I’ll make sure both the mp3 file and the player are okay. I hope you’ll stick around and check out other episodes while you wait! Thanks for your interest in the show! Katie
Some person on the interwebs
Of course I will! Love what I’ve heard so far, can’t wait to release my first kids book soon! I think this podcast is going to be quite useful 🙂
–Thanks again, and have fun!
Katie
Hey, Mike,
Here is the direct link, which plays fine in Libsyn, so I know it’s not the file (thank goodness!)
I’ll talk to the developers of the player plugin again, and see what could be the issue now! So sorry!
Enjoy the show and keep in touch about your book – there is a ton of info on this site for you to learn about the craft and business of children’s publishing. In fact, if you have questions, please call it into the show:
http://www.speakpipe.com/katiedavis
http://traffic.libsyn.com/brainburps/Shelley_Hitz-Bestselling_Amazon_Author_Shares_Worst_Mistakes_Every_Author_Should_Avoid.mp3
Some person on the interwebs
Bam! Works like a charm. Thanks Katie 🙂 ..and I’ll be sure to leave a review later this week!
Katie
Mike, I’ve just taken down the plugin I was using and put up my old one. Just click the arrow and you can hear it. Sorry for all the trouble!
Taurean Watkins
Another great episode, Katie.
I still long for the day when I can afford to travel (whether work or play) but I’m going to pretend I was there in Jersey and answer the question as the authors featured in part 1 of this podcast-
I’m Taurean J. Watkins, also known as Taury.
My upcoming debut middle grade novel is “GABRIEL” from Alten Ink. You can learn more about the book at GabrielandRum.com
In the meantime you can check out “Crocodile Flint” available on Snippet (thesnippetapp.com)
You can find me and my fantastical fauna musings at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
My answer to the question, “If you could get lost in any children’s book, which book would it be, and why?”
First, I’ve got to say I’ve been in love with this idea since watching those old Gumby cartoons in my ’90s childhood. (saw a lot of them recently, amazing how they still hold up) Anyway…
Excluding my own books, I’d LOVE to enter the world of Redwall.
(RIP Brain Jacques, aka, my eternal rival)
I’d still be me, only with the skills of a warrior/diplomat, but a rat on the side of good. Who’s also well read, a fab baker, and super-opinionated.
(I am “The Literary Rat” after all!)
The rats are ALWAYS the bad guys in this world (at least the ones I’ve read so far) and I’d fancy being the one rat on the side of the Redwall Abbey residents.
Taurean Watkins
Oy, entered this in the wrong place! Sorry Katie…
I just put this comment in the right place (ep. 185) and my links went all screwy.
This is what happens when I post stuff on holidays….Happy 4th and take care
Taurean J. Watkins (Taury)
Dave Chesson
I know I am late to the party since this was done over a year ago, but say your post on Facebook and totally just listened to it. I’ve never chatted with Shelley Hitz, but I have read her stuff and she is extremely knowledgeable. Great podcast show! PS: I didn’t know you were 5’4
Katie
Hey, Dave! Yep, Shelley is great and has completely changed her business model now. Thanks for the kudos! PS: I might be 5’3″ but don’t tell anyone.
Ingrid Sawubona
Thanks for the info! Exactly what I needed to hear!
Katie
Great! Glad I could help!