Skip to main content

Interview with Cherrie Woods, Author of Where Do I Start? 10 PR Questions and Answers to Guide Self-Published Authors

Author’s Bio: Cherrie Woods is a 15-year public relations (PR) veteran who has a client list that includes self-published and traditionally published authors, visual artists and cultural and non-profit organizations. She has held staff and senior management positions in public relations at a variety of organizations including Baltimore City Dept. of Public Works, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Toronto Social Services and Public Health and Harbourfront Centre. Woods currently serves as the membership chair on the board of the Baltimore Public Relations Council and was the president of the National Black PR Society-Detroit Chapter (2005 to 2007). Woods is also a member of the Black Writers Guild of MD. Her latest venture is a PR workshop for authors called, “Promoting Your Own Book.”

What inspired you to write your book?
When I shared that I was a PR professional with other authors, I was inundated with many questions. Most self-published authors had little to no knowledge of how to do their PR, could not afford a publicist and had no idea what a publicist could do to help them. Some who had hired a publicist shared horror stories of paying considerable sums to a publicist and not believing that they got a good return. I shared with authors that there are existing books on PR for self-published authors, but they countered that these books were long and complicated and they wanted something simple, clear and easy to understand. My book was published January 10, 2016 and to date, the feedback is very good!

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Many authors have influenced both my love of reading and my appreciation for their book content and presentation. They include Donna Hill, Judy Blume, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Bernice L. McFadden, Eric Jerome Dickey and V. S. Naipaul on the fiction side; Iyanla Vanzant, bell hooks and Nathan McCall, on the non-fiction side, and on the poetry side (I’m a  published poet) my brother David Woods, Maya Angelou and Sonia Sanchez.

Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and finish your book?
This is my second book. I began to write this book in March 2015 and completed it in October 2015.

Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
I employ a combination of both methods.

Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?
I actually write best in complete silence. Which means early morning is my best time for writing,

What are the keys to success in getting your book out to the public?
Know your presentation strengths, know yourself, and of course know your book really well. In addition, know your genre and read the work of established authors in your genre. And of course, register for one of  my workshops and if you have a budget, consider hiring a publicist who has worked with authors (preferably me) J.

What advice would you give to new authors?
New authors need to understand the book industry, network, attend conferences, speak to other authors – traditional and self-published, attend authors book readings, analyze the published books in your genre - their presentation, formatting, etc.  

How about sharing an excerpt from Where Do I Start? 10 PR Questions and Answers to Guide Self-Published Authors
One of the first questions I ask self-published authors is this: “What is the genre of your book?” Your book’s genre defines and determines the direction of your PR and marketing efforts. If I could get $20 for authors who don’t know the answer to that question, I probably wouldn’t be a millionaire —but I would have considerably more money than I do now. 

"What is the genre of your book?" Genre is the type of book that you have written. The overall genre of your book may be fiction (not true), nonfiction (factual) or poetry. However, there are several subcategories including health and fitness, self-help, science fiction, mystery and suspense, romance, American poetry and poetry anthologies. Knowing your genre will also help you select the right reading opportunities, the best media to pursue for interviews and the best collateral to develop for your marketing campaign.

What’s next for you?
I’m working on a second book of poetry and a second guide for authors, Where Do I Start? 10 MORE Questions and Answers to Guide Self-Published Authors” and a guide for visual artists. Also, I am hosting a PR workshop for published authors only, “Promoting Your Own Book for Published Authors” on Saturday, March 26th for only $75 (which includes a FREE copy of my book, Where Do I Start? 10 PR Questions and Answers to Guide Self-Published Authors). Register soon at www.eclecticpr.com (limited capacity). This workshop is for all authors – traditionally and self-published.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?
It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Claire Dorsey

Poet’s Bio: Claire Dorsey studied acting at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked as an actress for almost 20 years Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, originating roles in Pearl Cleage's  Late Bus to Mecca  at the Judith Anderson Theater and Diana Son's  Stealing Fire  at SoHo Rep. She appeared in an episode of the TV show  The Wire . She worked as an artist-in-residence in NYC public schools and performed her poetry at venues throughout the city.  She collaborated with NYC photographer Kwasi Noire to self-publish a volume of poetry entitled  Rhythms of a Life . Her work appears in volumes 1 and 2 of The Fire Inside: Collected Stories and Poems from Zora’s Den . Claire works as a proofreader and copy editor and is the mother of one amazing daughter.  Readers can learn more about Claire and her work at: Facebook: Claire Dorsey Instagram: kleyrmoon  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to be a poet? Claire Dorsey: I am one of nine children. I was nicknamed Idy (

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Debbie Stokes, author of The Stranger He Knew

Author’s Bio: Debbie Stokes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has always had a desire to be a published author of a fiction novel, but fear stopped her. She often shares how her story ideas come to her in her dreams, and how she jumps up to write them down. Finally, one day, she pushed past her fear and allowed her vision to come to past. She is now a published author, and The Stranger He Knew is her first book.  Debbie is a former CEO, blogger, and interviewer for her previous women's empowerment blog called, 3 Women Voices, where she shared empowering stories of how people overcame odds to live their best lives. She is also a former contributing writer for FEMI Magazine, a cultural lifestyle magazine, where she interviewed and shared people’s stories.  When not writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, inspiring others, and spending time with family.  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Debbie Stokes: That is a funny story. One day, I went

Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and