An Interview with Our #1 Top Selling Author, Kat Flannery
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Congratulations, Kat, on being our #1 bestselling author. We know you have worked very hard to get the word out about your books and to create your unique brand.
1. Tell
us a bit about your books. What are they about?
I have two full-length novels and a novella out with Imajin
Books and am currently working on my third full-length book. My first novel,
CHASING CLOVERS is a historical western romance. A heartwarming mail order
bride story of how love can heal all wounds. LAKOTA HONOR is a darker
paranormal historical romance that deals with racism, discrimination and lust.
HAZARDOUS UNIONS is a Civil War western romance and takes you on a trail of
treason within the Confederate army.
2. Why
do you think your books have sold so well?
When I signed on with Imajin Books back in 2011, I wasn’t naive
to the fact that I would be responsible in marketing 90% of my work. Most
authors make the mistake of expecting the publisher to do all of the marketing.
It doesn’t work that way anymore. I researched the publishing industry for
years before I even finished my first book.
I wanted to be educated with the
ins and outs of how publishers perceived authors and what they expected from them.
Almost every publisher I looked into wanted the author to be responsible for
more than half of his or her marketing. From the beginning I knew I wouldn’t be
the kind of author that would let my book sell itself. I watched other authors.
Cheryl Kaye Tardif was one of them. I mimicked what they were doing. I learned
a lot the first year CHASING CLOVERS was out—what works and what doesn’t.
3. Even though you're
published by a hybrid/traditional type publisher, you've taken on the role of
book promoter. What are some of the ways you've promoted your books?
I watched or stalked certain authors. Cheryl Kaye Tardif was
doing so well and she shared everything with me. It did help that she is the
head of Imajin Books, but it didn’t change the fact that she worked very hard at
promoting her work. I admired that and still do. I utilized every piece of
information in her marketing book.
I put myself out there. I talked to readers,
reviewers and online book blogs. For the release of LAKOTA HONOR I was on 27
blogs in one week. I tweet every hour when I have a promo. I interact with my
followers and friends. I blast updates on facebook and I use giveaways. On
occasion I’ll pay for my advertising. There are some great book sites I’ll
market on and the cost is very little. I’ve used BookBub and although
expensive, I found it well worth my time and money.
4. What advice would you give to writers considering Imajin
Books for their works?
The first thing I tell any aspiring author is to get their work
professionally edited. There are two reasons for this; you’ve spent countless
hours to write a book you want it to be the best it can be and the only way to
do that is to have it edited. The other reason is you’ll have a better chance
at getting a contract if your manuscript is clean and concise.
Another point I’d suggest is to be flexible. A publisher,
whether it be Imajin Books or any other has their own way of doing things. Be
accommodating. They know the industry. They know what sells. Yes, you need to
trust them. However, the trust goes both ways the publisher has to trust that
you’ll hold up your end of the contract as well. Publishing books is expensive
and a publisher is taking just as big a chance on you as you them.
Do not let your ego get the best of you. All publishers know one
another, as do editors. If you come across as demanding and difficult to work
with you won’t publish with them again, and could potentially ruin any chance
of publishing with someone else.
Imajin Books is like my second home and if you’re lucky enough
to sign with them you won’t find a better publisher. I’ve met some great authors
here and an amazing mentor in Cheryl Kaye Tardif. I wouldn’t be the author I am
today if it wasn’t for them.
Learn more about Kat:
