How Fabric Scraps Led to a Reality TV Deal with Kira Hartley-Klinger

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Kira Hartley-Klinger, author of 'Fabric Wars' and 'Fabric Wars and More.' Kira shares her journey from running a vintage fabric shop on Etsy to becoming a published author. She discusses the humorous and emotional stories behind her fabric collections, the challenges of self-publishing, and the importance of marketing strategies for authors. Kira emphasizes the need for authors to take charge of their own promotion and shares insights on how her books have contributed to her business. In this episode, we discuss: How to identify "book-worthy" stories within your existing business listings and customer interactions. The reality of self-publishing on Amazon: why Kira chose the DIY route and how she handled the learning curve. Marketing outside of the algorithm: why Kira sells 100x more books in person at quilt guilds and libraries than on Amazon. The "Free Marketing" hack: how a pre-printed note in an Etsy package caught the eye of a TV producer. Balancing the "squirrel brain" of being a self-employed creative and making time to write. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Fabric Wars by Kira Hartley-Klinger: https://amzn.to/40hGkw0 Fabric Wars and More by Kira Hartley-Klinger: https://amzn.to/4qUDJ6o Kira’s Etsy Shop (Fabric Wars): https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricWars Kira’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabric_wars Kira’s Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/kirahartleyklinger Kira’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-hartley-klinger-b63116314/ If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Kira Hartley-Klinger's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.