Linda Shenton Matchett is a published author of 14 books and an Author Audience Academy member. She is our featured author this week for the Author Spotlight.
As I like to say, congratulations, Linda, on giving birth to your “book babies.”
Share the title(s) of your published book(s)?
- Love’s Harvest
- Love Found in Sherwood Forest
- On the Rails
- A Love Not Forgotten
- A Doctor in the House
- Under Fire
- WWII Word Find Book
Did you always dream of being a published author or is this something new for you?
I’ve wanted to be a published author ever since my parents gave me a writing tablet (that featured a bouquet of pencils on the cover) and a package of pens. I filled the notebook and never looked back
Before joining Author Audience Academy, what was your biggest obstacle?
Knowing how to market my books was the most difficult part of my writing career. There are so many websites and “experts” proclaiming that they have “the” answer, and often for a steep price. I had trouble coming up with an executable marketing strategy.
What prompted you to become a part of Author Audience Academy? Specifically, what were you looking for?
I found Shelley’s free book on Building a book marketing plan which helped tremendously. Then I took a couple of her free classes which included step by step instructions on how to implement each particular topic. I joined the academy because I felt it offered excellent value for the money with all the benefits and information available to members. I was looking for help in marketing, but have received so much more. The private FB group is an encouragement and a resource.
What has been your biggest “Aha Moment” for you while in the program?
That a writing career is a marathon and not a sprint, and there is no one “silver bullet,” but with the right strategy and tools, I can be successful (which is different for each author). I owned my own business and had a business and marketing plan for that, but didn’t really think about the fact that I should have one for my writing business. Once I realized my need for a strategic plan and went through Shelley’s 90 day plan, I felt equipped to move forward.
Now, I consider each opportunity as to whether it fits within my plan. There are great opportunities out there, but not all of them might be for me, and I’ve learned not to jump on each one.
What would you say to encourage other writers who are currently in Author Audience Academy along their journey? To writers considering becoming members?
To current members: take advantage of as many of the AAA benefits as you can: the FB community is a huge resource, one-on-ones with Kim to get new ideas, and the classes. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. I did at first because there is so much great information I wanted to take it all in, but I had to pace myself. What I ended up doing is deciding on one area of my career to focus on each month, set a goal for the month, and then use the benefits that will help me meet that goal.
For writers considering joining: If you can afford it, do it! The value for the cost is exceptional. There are other classes that are ten times the price and not nearly as well done. Shelley is an excellent teacher, breaking the topics down into bite-sized, executable steps
What’s next for you in regards to writing, publishing and marketing your books? What are you dreaming of and moving toward in this upcoming season?
I finished a manuscript that is out with my Beta readers, I just started my “opt-in” item that will be offered at the end of one of my books, and I’ll be making a permafree book. I’ll be setting all that up in the next month or so. I’ve got a couple of other manuscripts that need to be revised and edited that I’ll be working on.
Now that I’ve learned about my productivity “sweet spot,” my goal is to be more prolific with my writing in order to get more “product” out there. I’ll also be implementing several of the ideas that came up during my brainstorming session with Kim. I’ll continue to execute my marketing plan. Busy, busy, busy!
Find out more about Linda and her books here: www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Join Linda and hundreds of other Christian authors inside Author Audience Academy here: http://authoraudienceacademy.com
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