Empowering Authors: Insights from Book Publishing and Marketing Expert Kathleen Schmidt

Writers With Wrinkles

Send us a Text Message.

Season 3 launches with Kathleen Schmidt, an accomplished vet in the book publishing world. This episode, rich with insights from Kathleen's extensive background as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter, is a must-listen for authors navigating the complexities of publishing. Our discussion, full of practical advice and industry secrets, is perfect for those searching for content on authorship, publishing success, and marketing strategies.

Key Discussions:

1. Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations: Kathleen explains her firm's specialized services, focusing on customized PR campaigns, branding, marketing, and consultancy tailored to authors and publishing entities.
2. Insider View of Book Publishing: Schmidt provides an honest look at the publishing industry, addressing the challenges authors face in traditional publishing and the dynamic shifts happening self-publishing. This is a 'lift the curtain' and demystify episode!
3. Effective Social Media Strategies: Offering expert advice on social media usage for book promotion, Kathleen emphasizes the importance of engagement and audience targeting. Understand the importance of identifying what your audience is doing when they're not reading books. Also, things that are not worth your time or effort.
4. The Impact of Substack: The episode discusses Kathleen's successful venture, "Publishing Confidential," highlighting its role in offering fresh, industry-specific perspectives. Substack is taking over various industries and is worth checking out.
5. Forecasting Publishing Trends: Schmidt shares her insights on future trends, including the potential shift away from the dominance of the big five publishers and the rise of self-publishing.

About Kathleen Schmidt
Kathleen is a well-respected voice in book publishing with in-depth experience in all aspects of the industry, including as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter. Her career encompasses 30 years of creating and directing strategic global media, marketing, and branding campaigns for politicians, A-List celebrities, athletes, and high-profile personalities.

She has worked on 50 New York Times bestsellers, and her clients have appeared in top-tier national print, broadcast, and radio outlets such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Vogue, Elle, Financial Times, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Sirius XM. Kathleen founded Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations and the Substack Publishing Confidential. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two teenagers, and two Boston Terriers.

Social Links and Website
Instagram
Publishing Confidential
TikTok
LinkedIn
KMS Public Relations
Support the Show.

Subscribe for updates, cheat sheets, news
Visit the Website
Twitter: @BethandLisaPod
Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!

Chapter

1. Welcoming Kathleen Schmidt - A Publishing Industry Veteran (00:00:00)

2. Self-Publishing and Cost-Effective Marketing for Authors (00:12:11)

3. Social Media's Role in Book Promotion (00:20:19)

4. Promoting Books and Engaging Audiences (00:29:30)

5. Substack Publishing and Show Updates (00:35:36)