Hello friends,

I hope you're doing well. This summer I've been talking with various industry folks about what their writer audiences need most when it comes to learning about how to market and brand themselves. It's been an inspiring learning experience and now I have more ideas than I can execute quickly enough LOL.

One of the common misconceptions writers have is that you should have a book deal before you start working on your author brand and platform. I get the logic, but what's interesting is how working on your brand before you finish your proposal or query letter (and sometimes even book) can help you create a more powerful pitch.

The work of writing the book is an important artistic process, but once you're close to finishing, clients have found it helpful to apply the principles they've learned about branding and marketing to how they talk about their book. This applies whether they're crafting a query letter, live pitching, or tweaking their submission packet for acquiring editors at publishing houses.

So I wanted to create a class to help bridge that gap a bit, introducing Before You Pitch: How to Get Agents and Publishers to Invest in You and Your Book. I'll be teaching this live on August 20th at noon (PDT)! Details below.

More news:

Our next Author Brand Strength program enrollment will begin in the fall, so if you've been thinking about joining, please sign up for the waitlist here to get first notice when we open up applications.

🌟 Also, if you or someone you know might be interested in helping promote Brand Strength programs, please fill out this quick form to let me know and I'll send you more info on our "street team."

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🎧 Quick Pep Talk

This morning I recorded a quick audio pep talk for you about dealing with fear.

Check it out here: Scared about putting yourself out there? 3 Shifts that Help​

📖 Helpful Reads

ICYMI: I started an Author Brand Strength Substack.

Here's what I've covered so far:

• How your humanity and personal brand is your secret weapon against AI
• ​Why your work matters most now (video),
• ​Why you might be sick of self-promotion (and what to do).

Next month, I'll be breaking down the reader journey and how to better understand your reader's psychological book-buying process. Please subscribe on Substack and share. :)

Upcoming Classes & Events

As a subscriber, you are the first to see these live events, but please feel free to share with your friends. Check out these two new offerings: Before You Pitch: How to Get Agents & Publishers to Invest in You & Your Book (2 hr class) and Ask the Author Brand Expert LIVE!

AUGUST 1st: ​Ask the Author Brand Expert LIVE!​ Bring your questions about author branding, book and author marketing, publicity, and how to find and reach your readers. It's free, but you do need to register, plus you can ask your questions ahead of time! 🗓️ Friday, Aug. 1st, 2025 at 11am (PT) /2pm (ET) 60 min. | Tickets: $0-$19. Register Now Free+ ​

AUGUST 20th: ​Before You Pitch: How to Get Agents & Publishers to Invest in You and Your Book​ Most writers think that as long as they have a good query letter, proposal, or manuscript they're ready for a book deal. But the most successful books begin with authors who understand what agents, publishers, and the market truly want. Learn the key author brand essentials that will transform your query letter, proposal, and submission. 🗓️ Wednesday, Aug. 20th @ Noon (PT) / 3pm (ET) 2-hour masterclass, incl. breaks + Q&A Learn More & Register Now Early bird pricing available til 8/9!

Stay tuned, lots of fun stuff coming...including some new client case studies and behind-the-scenes stories from authors.

As ever, thanks for allowing me so visit your inbox.

All the Best,

Andrea

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