Should You Build Your Author Platform or Write Your Book First? 

Should You Build Your Author Platform or Write Your Book First? 

It’s a classic “Which comes first? The chicken or egg?” kind of question: Should you build your author platform or write your book first? We get versions of this question ALL. THE. TIME. So buckle up, because we’re breaking it down just for you. ​​​​​​​ (By the way, we’re mostly talking to non-fiction writers on this … Read more

[VIDEO] Why You Shouldn’t Go on a Book Tour

When you’ve got a book coming out in the world, everybody is going to start asking you the same question:   “Are you going on a book tour?”   My answer, after 20 years in the book business, is an emphatic NO!  In this video explains why—and what to do instead. Filmed just five weeks before my own … Read more

How Writing Blogs Can Sell Your Book

sell your book

If you’re a first-time author, you may be surprised to learn that writing the book is only 20% of the work. The other 80% comes from selling it! Even if you’re published by a traditional company, these days the selling of actual copies of your actual book is actually…up to you. If you’re watching a … Read more

A Tour of the Publishing World with Rob Kandell

publishing world

Ready to throw in the towel because you’ve received 3 rejections? 10? Kelly says not so fast. Take a listen to her conversation with teacher, coach, and lecturer Rob Kandell on his podcast Tuff Love. Kelly addresses the real reasons you should–or should not–write a book, how the publishing industry has changed since she got started 20+ … Read more

Approaching a Publisher: You Gotta Have One or the Other

Approaching a publisher

When I started KN Literary, I used to write, edit and coach most of our clients. But as we’ve grown, so have my responsibilities. There was a point about two years ago when I had to stop taking on long-term editorial and writing projects. Why? Because I spent most of my time on projects being … Read more

Why “Platform” Is the Most Important Word in Publishing Today

publishing today

If you are thinking of writing a book–but don’t yet know what a “platform” is–then this video is just for you! Author platform is THE buzzword in the book biz these days, and “What’s your platform?” is the first question an agent or editor is going to ask you when you tell them about your … Read more

Building an Author Platform: Show Them the Money

building an author platform

Lately I’ve been working closely with a client on a book proposal for a self-help book. A proposal, if you’re unfamiliar, is a marketing document used to sell your book. It includes everything a publisher will need to know about you and the book in order to acquire your project for their company—or not. One … Read more

How I Worked the Publishing System (And You Can, Too!)

publishing system

This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking at the Hay House Writer’s Workshop in Chicago with Reid Tracy and Nancy Levin. The headliner for the weekend was Mike Dooley, creator of “Notes from the Universe,” a daily email I’ve been loyally reading for several years. It was pure entertainment to hear him recount … Read more