Eeny Meeny Miney Moe!

 Apart from print and ebooks, what other formats have you explored - such as audio books, foreign translations, film rights? Do you have advice for a newbie writer exploring additional income streams from the same book?

This is a great question to think about it. Especially since we seem to be living in the time of the entrepreneur. Multi-million-dollar businesses have sprung up all over the internet turning bored housewives into a whole industry. Have you heard of #MOMTOK? Apparently, there is a TOK for everything, even #BOOKTOK groups of readers turned reviewers some of which wield tremendous power that can lift or sink a hopeful author’s dreams.

 

There are so many different avenues to explore to get your book out there, but up until now I’ve only tried ebooks and paperbacks for my indie work. Just a few short years ago, it wasn’t that common for indie writers to have an audiobook. But more and more that is changing. And from what I understand it’s not that difficult. So going forward I would want to include that option. 

My traditionally published books are available in paperback, ebook, and audio book. That was a trip, to hear someone read my words for the first time. Wild. I’ve also done podcasts to support both my traditional and indie books. But by far my favorite format is the in-person book club events. Food, wine, and a chance to get together with other book nerds and discuss characters that you birthed. There’s nothing better than that. 

The next best format for storytelling, in my opinion, would be film. Some writers will say their characters talk to them and tell them their stories, mine play out on a projector in my brain so I’m not writing what I’m hearing I’m writing what I see. I think a large number of writers would be stoked to see their vision on the big screen. So, given my druthers, I choose film as my favorite format. 

But I’d tell a newbie, don’t get left behind. Stay up on the new technologies that will allow stories to be told in many different formats. Make connections with bookish people on TikTok and Instagram, these people cannot be dismissed. Become friends with your local librarian and find some book clubs. All these things can lead to new opportunities. Stay open. Get active in your tribe. The tribe is everything.