I’d like to start by saying that I’m no expert in the literary field. In fact, attending the “Salon du Livre” in Montreal this past week really drove that point home. But I do have a passion for marketing and have worked in market research and sales long enough to realize that, even with experience, there’s always more to learn.
That said, after publishing two children’s books that have exceeded my expectations in the market, I’ve picked up a few things along the way. And I’d love to share what I’ve learned with this community of writers.
1. Fight Through Imposter Syndrome
At the last literary event I attended, I had the honor of hearing Janette Bertrand speak at an awards ceremony. At the age of 99, Janette, who had achieved tremendous success in television, cinema, and writing, shared that she still never felt fully “good enough.” Despite her countless accolades, she never shook the feeling of being an imposter.
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard creative people—writers, musicians, and artists alike—express that same sense of doubt. The feeling that your work is never quite finished, never quite perfect enough to share with the world.
I get it. As a writer, I wrestle with this myself. But here’s the business-minded advice I’ve learned: Don’t get caught in "analysis paralysis." If you’re so focused on perfecting every little detail, you’ll never be able to share your work with the world. At some point, you have to trust your process and your skills enough to let your passion project take flight.
So, take a deep breath, let go of the fear of imperfection, and watch your work soar.
2. Community is Everything
When I was marketing my children’s books, someone close to me said, "No fair—you have a great network!" It’s true, I do. But it’s a network I’ve been cultivating for years, and one that grew organically because I genuinely care about the people around me and the causes I believe in.
I've been incredibly fortunate to be part of many supportive groups: my children’s schools, our local sports teams, friends, family, former colleagues—and even acquaintances—have all been quick to lend their support. When I first self-published my children’s book about COVID-19, I initially wrote it in English. However, because I chose to donate all the profits to a local hospital’s COVID ward, people in my network offered to help translate the book into French, Italian, and Spanish. This not only expanded our reach but also opened doors to media coverage from special interest groups across borders.
At this point, you might be thinking, “But Claudia, I don’t have a good network.” Here’s the good news: You can create one. It takes time, but it’s entirely within your control. Get involved in local community groups, attend events, and be genuinely willing to lend a hand to others—especially those seeking guidance in a field you’re familiar with. These communities could even be related to the audiences you may be targeting with your writing. This isn’t about networking with an agenda; it’s about being open to helping others, offering support, and forming meaningful connections along the way.
Disclaimer: This only works if your efforts are genuine. People can sense when you’re only looking to get something in return. But when you truly engage and offer help, your network will grow in ways you never expected.
Here are a few concrete examples of how this might look in practice:
- Volunteer your time or skills at a local event or organization. If you're a writer, offer to host a writing workshop or give a talk at a community center or library.
- Attend local events that align with your interests—book fairs, cultural festivals, charity events—where you can meet like-minded individuals.
- Start a small online community (such as a Facebook group or a local writer’s circle) where people can share resources, give feedback, and offer support.
By being genuinely helpful and involved, you'll find that your community—and your network—grows naturally. And you’ll be amazed at how that support comes back to you when you need it most.
3. Invest in Yourself
When I started promoting my second children’s book, I knew I wanted to connect with my readers more deeply than I had with my first book. COVID-19 had put a damper on the whole "meet and greet" idea, so this tome around I really wanted to engage with children and educators in a meaningful way. I began visiting local schools to read my book, but I felt that simply reading the story, answering questions, handing out freebies, and signing books wasn’t enough. I wanted to offer something that would leave a lasting impact.
That’s when my illustrator and I came up with the idea to talk to the children about emotional regulation—something loosely related to the theme of the book. The response was amazing. The kids loved it. The teachers loved it. But here’s the thing: we wouldn't have felt equipped to take that step if it hadn’t been for our own experiences with our children (six between the two of us!), along with some psychology classes we had taken during our undergrad years.
Still, we knew we needed to make it official. So, we decided to take an online course that helped us build confidence in talking about emotional regulation with both children and school administrators—those who ultimately made the decision to book our author visit. The course provided valuable tools, tips, and strategies that made us feel more prepared and knowledgeable, and it led to more successful visits.
The point is, wherever you feel you need to grow or improve, investing in yourself is key. Whether it’s by taking a continuing education course, getting a certification in editing, honing your public speaking skills, or even improving your social media presence, there are so many opportunities to level up. We were also very fortunate to be able to work with a like minded publisher- Livres Agapé. They agreed that this investment was of the upmost importance and helped guide us on this part of our journey.
In sum, investing in YOU will not only enhance your skills, but they’ll also help you grow your network and fight off imposter syndrome—both topics we’ve discussed above.
It's my hope that these tips will give you the confidence to market yourself, allowing you to reach many more potential readers and taking you even further on your literary journey.