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Karlene Browning

Member Spotlight: Karlene Browning!

June 12, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

Karlene Browning lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?

As a typesetter, editor, and formatter, I’ve worked on many books over the years, including HE DID DELIVER ME FROM BONDAGE by Colleen C. Harrison, a best-selling LDS 12-step recovery book; PIECE OF SKY by Ann Hunter, a middle-grade fairy tale retelling; and many more. As I recently returned to the publishing scene, I’ve released OMEGA ALPHA and LIFE IN THE PIT by Kristen Landon, and LIFELIKE by Sheila A. Nielson (a 14th annual Whitney Award finalist).

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

Since I learned to read at age 4, I’ve been fascinated with stories. I love words, I love stories. I was about 12 when I realized that people wrote books, and thought, maybe, I could write one too! I haven’t published a novel yet, but I’m still thinking about it. In the meantime, I play with words and story every day—reading, editing, typesetting, formatting, design, and marketing. I love taking a manuscript and making it shine!

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

That’s like asking which is your favorite child! I am very proud of my work with Hearthaven Publishing, getting the message of recovery through Jesus Christ out to the Latter-day Saint community. Their first book, HE DID DELIVER ME FROM BONDAGE, has sold over 200,000 copies. Another huge highlight is my most recent release, LIFELIKE, which is a Whitney finalist! There was much jumping and screaming and exaltation when that was announced.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?

Don’t ever tell yourself you can’t do something because you don’t know how. We have Google now. You can always learn how to do something. The more you use a tool or skill, the better you become. Also, a recent piece of advice that I use daily: “When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing.” – Pabbie from Frozen II

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

If you want to do something, keep learning and keep practicing. Network with people you know. Don’t be afraid to tell friends and family what you’re doing. Your excitement for what you do will inspire them—and they’ll tell others. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to establish yourself as a professional in any field—it’s how I got (still get) 95% of my work.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

I can see the end of the project from the beginning, in all it’s shining glory. That view keeps me going.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

Book people are my people. I can talk with them for hours about books, authors, and other book-related things. It’s networking with others who love books that keeps my creative process going.

You can find tips on the creative process on my “About” page on my website at: https://inksplasher.com/meet-inksplasher/

In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?

I love doing workshops and presentations about creating and publishing books. I love sharing what I’ve learned over the past 40 years and encouraging others to keep trying, celebrating their successes. Years ago, author Josi S. Kilpack told me that I was the best book cheerleader ever and that has remained one of my most treasured compliments.

If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.

http://inksplasher.com/

Filed Under: Member Spotlight Tagged With: book design, book formatting, books, editors, Hearthaven Publishing, Josi S. Kilpack, Karlene Browning, Latter-day Saint, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS, LDSPMA, LDSPMA Member Spotlight, Lifelike, publisher, Sheila A. Nielson, typesetting, Whitney Award, writers

7 Ways To Help Readers Discover Your Books

May 12, 2021 By LDSPMA 1 Comment

By Karlene Browning

When you publish your first book, you aren’t just putting a story out there. You are launching a brand and an identity that will travel with you over the course of your writing career. If you do it right, it will help lead readers to you in a natural and organic fashion. If you do it wrong, it will confuse readers and they will get lost on their way to finding you.

While each of these tips has its own set of pros and cons, whys and wherefores, rules, and reasons to break the rules, this tip list will help your readers find YOU when they’re looking for a good book to read.

1. Pick your name

As your brand, your name needs to be unique enough to differentiate you from other authors with similar names. Do a Google search. If you happen to share a name with another author or a famous person, consider adding an initial, using a middle name, or using a less common pen name.

When a reader finds an author they like, they will Google the name on the cover of the book. You want them to find you online wherever you are. Whether you’re Jane Doe, Jane S. Doe, or Jane Smith Doe, that is your brand and you need to use it on every book cover and on all your online author accounts.

2. Claim your name

Before your name is set in stone, make sure you can get it as a .com, a Google ID and gmail address, and on the social media platforms you prefer. You want identifiable and consistent name branding across as many platforms as possible.

Here again, Google is your friend. If the .com is taken, adjust your name until you find a variation that you’re comfortable with, then grab the URL and social media account names as fast as you can. Even if you aren’t quite ready to publish, get them NOW!

3. Avoid too many pen names

There are several valid and legitimate reasons for having multiple pen names. Just know that for each name, you start all over from scratch to build a brand and platform. You’ll need a website, social media accounts, and emails for each one. Is it worth it?

In most cases, differentiating genres is not a good reason to create a new pen name. Readers usually find you through the genre they like best. If they like you, they will give your other genres a try. A good website will let them know what to expect in each genre.

The only time it truly serves you to use a second (or third) name is if one area of writing would offend established readers or damage your reputation. For example, if you write both Middle Grade and soft porn, use a pen name. Or if you write academic papers on quantum physics and Regency Romance, use a pen name or your academic peers will snicker behind your back.

4. Get a website

You need an online presence with a permanent URL and an easily searchable website or blog. (Facebook and Twitter are add-ons, not adequate author sites.) Unless you know you are only going to write one book, your URL should be your name (see tips 1 & 2), not your book title. Not only will a website help people find you, but it gives them something to link to when they want to share your books with their friends.

While you can start with a free site, I recommend a hosted domain as soon as possible. Free sites can change policies or close down at any time. At the very least, point that URL from tip #2 to your free blog, and use that URL on business cards and book bios.

5. Post your books on your site

You would think this is one of those “duh” statements, but you would be surprised at how many author sites and blogs I go to that have absolutely no mention of their books. At all.

Somewhere on your site, you need a tab or button that says BOOKS. A simple list of each book and/or series in suggested reading order is the minimum. Ideally, each book would have its own page with a large cover image, title, release date, publisher, ISBN #, genre category, description, and links to where the books can be purchased. Keep this information current!

6. You need an About Page

Readers want to know who you are, not just what you write. A good website always has an About page with a photo, a short professional bio that bloggers and news media can use, and perhaps a longer bio just for fun. It also needs to include links to all of your active social media sites and a way to contact you.

Your photo should be a nice image that will clearly identify you everywhere. Use this same image on your Amazon, GoodReads, Facebook, Twitter, and all profiles where you are acting as your author identity. Even if you’re camera shy, you can come up with something.

This isn’t to say you can’t change it up sometimes or use more casual photos on social media. The goal is to have your readers recognize you, no matter where they find you.

7. Email

You MUST have a way for people to contact you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to reach an author for an interview, presentation, or tell them they’ve won an award, only to discover there is no way to contact them.

As to the email address itself, no self-respecting author would use [email protected]. If at all possible, it should be your name as it appears on your books, [email protected].

These seven simple tips will make it easier for readers, new and old, to find your newest releases.

Karlene Browning is a publisher, editor, typesetter, and book designer at www.Inksplasher.com

Filed Under: Articles, Marketing, Professional Skills, Publishing Tagged With: authors, book, book marketing, Karlene Browning, Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, LDS, LDSPMA, social media tips, writers

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