On episode 65, I am giving you a pep talk about finding your 1000 true reader fans. This is a term that is often thrown about in entrepreneur spaces when it comes to sales and marketing, but it’s something authors need to think about as well.

Therefore, in this episode we’re going to talk about:

• Why authors should be searching for fans not audiences or followers.
• How to figure out who your real fans are.
• Where to find your fans.
• How to nurture your fans once you find them.

This isn’t going to be a theoretical pep talk. I’m sharing facts and figures from the publishing industry to support why having 1000 true reader fans would significantly move the needle on your career and longevity as an author.

Grab a pencil and get ready to take notes. This is a good one.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

If you want to start your own book club and/or find your readers online try:

Fable: A Social App for readers

The Storygraph: An alternative to Goodreads created by a Black woman.

Bindery is a start-up publisher relying on author fandoms to drive publishing decisions.

The Black British Book Festival recently announced their new partnership with Pan MacMillan.

WE’RE OPENING THE DOORS TO The Sanctuary at the end of November. If you’ve been looking for a supportive writing community to join, and you are a BIPoC woman who takes your writing seriously, then make sure you’re on the Tell Me More Wait List so you’ll be the first to know when the applications go live. Inside The Sanctuary we provide everything writers need to succeed and thrive in their writing life. Check out the website for more details on what we offer.

If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.

On episode 64 of the podcast, you’re going to learn how to successfully strategize, plan and execute a book tour for your first (...second, or third) book that will set you on the road to literary success.

My guest on the show, Nadia Alexis, is a poet and writer who created a launch plan and book tour that is still going strong ten months after her debut poetry collection hit the market in March 2025.

Nadia Alexis is a poet, writer, and photographer born to Haitian immigrants in Harlem. She is the author of the hybrid poetry and photography collection Beyond the Watershed, which was a finalist for the Ghost Peach Press Prize.

You don’t have to be a poet to use the ideas, resources and strategies Nadia shares during this exciting episode. But you do have to be willing to do the work if you want to see the unbelievable results Nadia has seen and continues to see, including getting a second print run on her book before the launch date, and finding her book in the most incredible places that even her publisher couldn’t believe.

Press play, get ready to learn, and lean into your Famous Author Era.

LIT LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Check out Nadia’s comprehensive website ByNadiaAlexis.com

Find Nadia on Instagram and Threads at NadiaLovestoCreate

The Publicity Incubator Nadia attended is hosted by Poets & Writers.

Author Patrice Gopo’s website was an inspiration for Nadia when making her own author website.

DOORS ARE OPENING TO THE SANCTUARY AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2025. Join the Tell Me More email list to be the first to know when we start taking new applicants to the most amazing private community for BIPoC women writers who take their writing seriously.

If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.

Statistically speaking, a book’s chance of making The New York Times bestseller list is less than one percent. But that’s the list most authors want to be on. Well, on today’s episode of the podcast, I’m going to offer a different, better measure for success. And this isn’t just my opinion, this is what agents, publishers and savvy authors know is true. The backlist is where you want to be if you want a long career as an author.

Tune in to hear:

• Why it doesn’t make mathematical sense to aim for a bestseller's list.
• The difference between the front list and the backlist.
• The truth about how many authors actually earn out their advance.
• The lifetime financial benefits of being on a publisher’s backlist.

LINKS to get LIT

If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

Join the Tell Me More email list to be the first to know when we start taking new applicants to the Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary, our private membership community for BIPOC women who take their writing seriously.

Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.