Jo Lallo on How Creating a Plan Helps in Writing and Marketing Books

Episode 042 /  Science fiction and fantasy author and co-host of the Six Figure Authors podcast, Joseph Lallo joins us to talk about the advantages of planning when it comes to writing books as well as in promotion and marketing. We also delve into how Jo’s prep for NaNoWriMo has changed over the years, his tips for writing short stories, how he commissions art, and his advice on the transition from the day job to full-time writer.Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com.Interview with Sara Rosett and Tonya Kappes for Authors A.I. First Draft FridayJump Start Your Cozy Free Mini-CourseIn this podcast episode, you’ll discover:Why Jo wishes he’d known how to outline at the beginning of his career and how he learned to outlineHow Jo’s prep for NaNo has changed over the yearsJo’s maintenance advertising strategyWhy rejections from agents and editors aren’t always a good measure of an authors’ ability to write or a book’s appeal to readers How Jo’s “mistake” of writing a book that seemed to fit the steampunk tropes but was a little off in some critical details actually turned out to be a good thingJo deconstructs why one of his releases didn’t do as well as he hoped, even though he did all the “right” things (write to the tropes, rapid release into KU, and run an ad campaign)Jo’s advice on writing short stories:Uses “orphaned ideas” file for starting pointsCan be all premise Start in the middleHow Jo uses short stories in his marketing:PatreonTurns longer ones into novellasBundles into anthologies either for sale or as newsletter signup bundle bonusTips for commissioning art and how Jo uses it for marketingJo’s advice for writers who plan to transition from the day job to a full-time authorMake a financial plans that includes boom years as well as slim years📥 Send us a Text Message Support the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast