If you want to listen to the interview, it’s on “Blogging with Lesli Peterson”— one of the best podcasts for bloggers to keep you surviving and thriving as a blogger.

Start listening to the “Book Marketing: Launch & Evergreen Strategies with Melissa Taylor.”

The post Blogger with a Book? Listen to My Podcast Interview appeared first on Melissa Taylor.

A brand is a product, business, or person with an identity and platform.

As an author or illustrator, YOU are the brand, not your book or books.

You are the one that stands for something, that has a mission and a purpose. Your books are simply an extension of your mission.

Let’s get into some examples to make it clear.

Here are authors and creators that are BRANDS. When you see their names, you know what they stand for and what their books will probably be about or like.

Author Brands That Are Easily Identifiable

• Nikki Grimes
• Aaron Becker
• Oge Mora
• Sandra Boynton
• Dusti Bowling
• Adam Gratz
• Kelly Yang
• Neil Gaiman
• Raina Telgemeier

For each of the above creators, you can think of descriptive words that identify who they are and what they value.

You know that Nikki’s books will be lyrical and poetic and about Black characters.

Or that Kelly’s books are about social justice, literacy, and Chinese American characters.

Brands (LIKE YOU) Have a Mission and a Purpose

What is your mission statement? Why are you doing this?

If you’re like Sandra Boynton, you might say to delight babies and toddlers with fun and playful board books.

Brands Also Have an Audience

Your brand has an audience, the people who will read your books. Your buying audience might be parents of child ages 2 to 6. Or librarians of elementary schools.

Your reader audience might be preschoolers.

Who is your audience? Your buyers and your readers?

Jarrett Learner’s audience is teachers and librarians. He creates a lot of content for them.

Brands Have a Niche

What is your niche, or your main content or topic that you want to write or illustrate?

Maybe you are passionate about mindfulness or SEL or funny books?

Susan Hood writes mostly historical fiction — it’s her niche.

Do you have a niche? What is it?

Why Your Brand Matters

Once you know your Purpose, Audience, and Niche, you can better grow your brand platform!

It will guide what you do on social media, where you pitch your books, and the events you schedule.

The post You Are the Brand, Not Your Book appeared first on Melissa Taylor.

My biggest tip is to PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES. Think like the person on the other end of your email.

Do they want to read your life story? NO.

Do you need to tell them that your neighbor’s kids liked your book? NO.

What do they need? Let’s get to that next.

Pitch Writing List of Dos

• The subject line is clear and interesting
  Example: Monsterous & Magical Middle-Grade Book, or Raised by Squirrels Chapter Book Blog Tour
• You only give the pertinent information
  – brief description
  – publisher, pub date
  – age range of reader
  – tie-in to the media outlet’s content (topic, theme, angle)
  – cover and link to the publisher’s website
• ASK for what you want
  Example: Will you accept a review copy for consideration? Would you join this blog tour on this date?
• BE FRIENDLY (I know. You’d be surprised!)

It’s as easy as that! But you would be surprised at the pitches I get that do not include any of the above.

Winning Pitch Example

Dear _________,

Ellen Potter’s forthcoming chapter book, Squirlish: Shark in the Park, is a playful chapter book for ages 6 to 9 about a girl raised by squirrels in Central Park. It will be published by Simon & Schuster with a release date of July 9, 2024.

In this second book of the Squirlish series, Cordelia’s adventure takes her to the Natural History Museum, where she and the squirrel prince learn the important history of Seneca Village, a 19th-century settlement of African-American landowners in what is now Central Park.

Would you be interested in an interview with Ellen and/or a review copy of the book?

Warmly,

Melissa

Pitch Writing List of Don’ts

Pitch Don’ts

• Don’t get my name wrong. Melissa, not Michelle.
• Don’t forget to spell check and grammar check.
• Don’t forget to tell me the TITLE of your book!
• Don’t forget to say the ages the book is for.
• Don’t tell me the themes or that your kids like it. Why do I care? Tell me that.
• Don’t make me work for the information. I don’t have time to search on the internet for your book to figure out if it’s self-published or traditionally published. If you don’t tell me, I will delete the email.
• Don’t tell me your backstory unless it’s pertinent to your qualifications to write a nonfiction book.

LOSING PITCH EXAMPLE

My name is ____ and I wrote a book of poems for kids (or really anyone that loves funny, quippy poems. Think along the lines of Where the Sidewalk Ends). I am trying to get my name and book out there and would love it if you would be interested in reviewing my book or interviewing me. I have been working in the animation industry for over 15 years and I love bringing a smile and laugh to someone through art. I have attached a copy of my book for your reference to read. You can get a hold of me through email, gmail or calling or texting ###. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

LOSING PITCH EXAMPLE

Hi Michelle,

I guess you’ll update your NATURE Picture books section this spring. My husband and I have been doing story based outdoor programming for 20 years (Nature’s Theater) We really get how STORY captures kids’ imaginations. If you would consider adding a book from a small publishing operation to your recommendations – we’d be happy to ship you a hard cover to read. Themes of Collaboration and Little can do big things get kids excited. (A 6 year old did all the character drawings) We’ve been reading it to Kindergarten and 1st grade classes with rapt interest. Thanks for taking the time!

So many things are wrong with these pitches, right?!

I get no information on either person’s book!

If you want to grab my free Pitch Perfect worksheet of tips, grab it here.

If you want someone to do all your pitches for you, message me! I’m happy to partner with you so you can do other things!

You can do this — good luck!

The post How to Write a Pitch Like a Pro (That Hooks the Media) appeared first on Melissa Taylor.

I own four Magic Puzzles. My kids like to get me these puzzles as gifts. I recently got one for a Christmas present.

(YES! This is a fun mom gift! Just saying. Or whoever, you are. Adults are hard to buy for so hint hint — why not ask for a Magic Puzzle?)

I’m one of those people who always needs a puzzle going. It feels calming and meditative. I love my puzzles. And no, I won’t give up the dining room table.

What Makes Magic Puzzle Company Jigsaw Puzzles Different

Straight Edges Aren’t Always Edge Pieces

One of the first things that is different about thes puzzles is ALL the straight edges– that aren’t edge pieces.

So you can’t start with the edge pieces like you might usually do in this puzzle. Or at least that’s how I like to start puzzles.

Because there are straight edges EVERWHERE in this puzzle! It’s wild! And for a reason, keep reading…

Build One Puzzle, Then Make Another!

Put together the first jigsaw puzzle that matches the illustration on The Magic Puzzle Company box.

It’s so cool!

But then, you get to follow the directions to make a new magic puzzle. Surprise!

Do you see the separations in the finished puzzle above?

Slide and swap the puzzle pieces that separate into a new puzzle with a large empty spot in the center. Voila!

Then, you’ll open the sealed envelope to find more puzzle pieces for this step.

You won’t get a picture but you can do this!

Put this puzzle together in the middle using the shapes and colors as a guide and you’ve created a new puzzle!

See the new happy witch in the finished puzzle below!?

Isn’t this so cool?

What Makes The Magic Puzzles Amazing

Fantastical Original Art

These are gorgeous illustrations, created by real independent artists. You’ll find worlds filled with magical creatures, cute little animals, cute little kids, mazes, streams, oceans, buildings, mushrooms, and more in these themed illustrations.

The Surprise Ending

No other puzzle allows you to move the parts and make a new illustration!

Easter Eggs to Search and Find

All the puzzles have a list of easter eggs to find when you’ve completed the puzzle.

High Quality Pieces

I love that these puzzle company pieces are sturdy and don’t have cardboard puzzle dust.

Made from Sustainable Recycled Cardboard

These puzzles are printed on recycled cardboard.

You can read even more about this company on their former Kickstarter page including watching a video about the collaboration between game designers, artists, and magicians.

My Top The Magic Puzzle Company Picks

The Secret Soup

A witch, yetis and more!

Buy on Amazon

The Puzzled Patron

Set in a fantastical tavern (with a pool in the middle!) this is from the series three.

Buy on Amazon

The Forest Feast

From series two, this is outdoors in the forest with gardens and picnics and a lake, among other things.

Buy on Amazon

The Mystic Maze

This was the first one I tried and it was fun to wander through the. maze with weird creatures and purple colors.

Buy on Amazon

See all the available puzzles on Amazon. (They aren’t available on the company website at this time.)

The post Why the Magic Puzzle Company Jigsaw Puzzles Are the Best appeared first on Melissa Taylor.

Signing with Alli at Stimola Literary Studio has been the most amazing experience. She’s on top of communication and frankly, great at everything she does including contract negotiation!

I will have more news soon because some cool things are in the works!

The post I Signed with Allison Hellegers! appeared first on Melissa Taylor.