Sarah Sundin, @sarahsundin
When my first novel released, I jumped on every opportunity for guest posts and author interviews. But I soon realized I could become overwhelmed by deadlines and documents if I didn’t get organized. I kept saying, “No one mentioned this in Author School.”
Because Author School isn’t a thing. But it should be.
Today I’m returning to the classroom for our second lesson in Author School—how to manage articles and interviews. Open your spiral notebooks and pick up your No.2 pencils, class.
Requests
Online articles and interviews are a wonderful way to spread the word about your novels to new audiences. You’ll need to decide how many you want to do, remembering each will take time both to write and promote. When you receive (or make) requests, check out the website to see if it’s a good fit for you. Make sure you understand exactly what they want, especially for articles. If they don’t give you a deadline, ask when they want it back. Sometimes they don’t care—in those cases, I give myself a personal deadline at least a week in advance.
Then file your email correspondence. I have an email folder titled “Articles & Interviews.” If you communicated via another form, such as a Facebook message, note that in your document (see below).
As soon as I commit to a guest post, I enter it on my calendar and in my spreadsheet, and I download the questions or article instructions into a Word document.
Calendar
A calendar is very useful for scheduling guest posts. I use a free downloadable Windows calendar (WinCalendar). I also enter scheduled posts for my own blog, radio/podcast interviews, speaking events, etc. This helps you avoid clumping too many events on one day—and reminds you to talk up the interviews when they post. A printed copy of this calendar hangs over my desk.
Spreadsheet
Ooh! Teacher used the “S” word. Yes, I did. Make friends with spreadsheets. You don’t even need to do math.
Keep a spreadsheet of the articles and interviews you’ve committed to (see picture). I have columns for the name of the site, the URL (so I can find it on the post date), the date the questions were received, when they’re due, when I send them back, and the post date. I note whether I’m giving away a book and when the giveaway ends. I have another column to check after I’ve mailed the book—I note in this box if I’m still waiting for the winner’s name or address. The “notes” column is for other information, like post requirements or the contact name, especially if the site name isn’t the person’s name or if they use a virtual assistant.
The spreadsheet helps you meet deadlines. Not only do you need to return the interview on time, but you’ll want to promote the interview when it posts.
Documents
Most important, you need to file these things so you can find them. For each interview or article, I create a Word document, either downloading the questions they send or copying and pasting information from the correspondence. If the information is on their website, include the link.
I always title my documents in the same format—“Interview Brenda Blogger 8-4-18 Sundin” (the post date) or “Article Wonderful Writing Website 8-4-18 Sundin.” Hosts often send documents with the author’s name as the title—but I could end up with a dozen documents titled “Sarah Sundin.” Not good. Name it so you can find it. Tack your name at the end of the file name for the host’s convenience.
Writing the Posts
If possible, write the articles and interviews well in advance. In your release month, you will receive more requests, some with very short turnaround. If you go into your release month with a clear desk, you will have more breathing space.
It should go without saying, but follow the instructions. Writers are often horrible readers. Don’t be that author.
Another tip—keep a document of bios and blurbs of various lengths, as well as social media and purchasing links. Then you can copy and paste the information into the document if your host requests it.
Be a Lovely Guest
Remember the host is doing you a huge favor, so be the kind of guest they love. Return your post by the deadline, preferably responding to the original email. Include all requested information or files. Even if they don’t ask, I attach a jpg of my book cover and publicity photo.
When your article or interview posts, chat it up on social media. Interact with commenters. And thank your host.
Class is dismissed for today. Would anyone like to stay after class to clean the blackboard? Anyone? Anyone?
In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, who pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France—including those of her family’s summer home—in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt turns into naval bombardment plans for D-day.
As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn into something more. But both of them have too much to lose to give in to love . . .
Sarah Sundin is the author of ten historical novels, including The Sea Before Us. Her novels When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and Through Waters Deep was a finalist for the 2016 Carol Award and won the INSPY Award.A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school. She also enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups.Please visit her athttp://www.sarahsundin.com.