Brave New Bookshelf Episode 20: Crafting Sustainable Author Careers with Jill Cooper
In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite explore the concept of sustainable authorship with Jill Cooper from The Writing Wives. Cooper, a prolific author across multiple genres, shares insights on building a lasting career as an author without succumbing to burnout.
The discussion covers strategies for effective backlist management, the use of AI in both creative and business aspects of authorship, and finding joy in the writing process. Cooper's approach emphasizes the importance of balancing creativity with smart business practices to ensure long-term success in the publishing world.
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Building a Sustainable Author Career
Cooper emphasizes the critical nature of sustainability in an author's career. She explains how The Writing Wives teaches authors to build a supportive backlist that aligns with their long-term goals, moving away from the constant pressure of new releases. This prevents burnout and encourages authors to set realistic expectations that fit their personal lives.
The Power of Backlist and Marketing Strategies
According to Cooper, effective marketing of an author's backlist is crucial once a book moves past its initial release. She shares insights on optimizing Amazon product pages with appropriate keywords and visual elements that resonate with readers. The Writing Wives provide authors with checklists and workbooks to navigate various aspects of book marketing efficiently.
Using AI for Creativity and Business
Cooper discusses how AI has revolutionized her writing process and reignited her passion for storytelling after experiencing burnout. She describes using tools like Claude with Novelcrafter for fiction writing and ChatGPT for business-related tasks.
Embracing AI as Author Assistant
For Cooper, AI serves as an invaluable assistant that enhances productivity without compromising creativity. She highlights how AI can ease the transition between creative and business mindsets for authors, making various tasks more manageable and enjoyable.
Finding Joy in Writing Again
Throughout the episode, Cooper emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the writing process. She challenges the notion that art must involve suffering and encourages authors to embrace tools that simplify their creative processes. With AI as a supportive ally, authors can focus on producing meaningful work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Dive In
Explore the full podcast episode to hear more about Jill Cooper's insights on building a sustainable author career and leveraging AI in the publishing industry.
Visit the website to access the full episode notes, links to the tools mentioned, and a complete transcript of the conversation.