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Book Shop Chats:
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)
Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.
Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.
Book Shop Chats:
Is A Dream Still Worth It If No One Believes with S.R Morton
About the author:
Saoirse Raylene Morton is the author of the Faeries of the City series and is co-authoring a steampunk fantasy series with her husband, Cody Owen. She has a degree in English Education and worked as an editor for many years before stepping away to pursue her writing career.
She lives in her suburban townhome with her husband and a possible pantry ghost, and spends most of her free time playing video games, writing in coffee shops, and teaching herself hobbies she doesn't have time for.
Book Blurb:
Is a dream worth having if no one else believes?
When Reverie Vyse loses her barista, she hires a man from a neighboring city to work in her bookstore's coffee shop. But when he arrives, so does the music.
Decan Jarris, a barista and violinist, just wants to start his career as a musician, even going so far as to run away from his old life. It's a test of bravery, trust, and resolve as Reverie, who has already fulfilled her dreams, helps Decan fulfill his own.
But is resolves enough when no one else believes? And can a blooming romance survive the hardships of dreaming?
Dive into a cozy fantasy that feels like sipping coffee in a moody, dark library -- and dream as if anything were possible.
Follow S.R Morton & Grab the books: LINKS
About Victoria:
Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.
Here’s how I can help:
📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days.
Grab it HERE
📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.
Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!
📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, where we cozy up with books, creativity, and embrace the magical, messy process of writing a book. I'm Victoria Jane, a writer, developmental editor, and coach for sensitive busy writers, and I love to support you on your journey of bringing your story to life. So whether you're here for inspiration, behind the scenes peaks of what it what it means to actually write a book, or just some bookish conversations, you are definitely in the right place. And if you're looking for more personalized support, I also offer one-to-one writing support sessions to help bring your story to life because sometimes you need a little bit of support digging through the noise that is your brain because saying. And if you've got a finished draft, I would love to chat to you about developmental editing. It is my favorite thing. I love supporting authors in bringing their story to life. You can find all of the details in the show notes. So grab a coffee, grab a tea, plug in your headphones, go on a little walk, and let's dive into today's episode. Welcome back to Bookshop Chats. In today's episode, I'm talking with SR Morton. Welcome to the podcast. Hi, thank you for having me. I'm so excited. Me too. I am pumped for this. So we are just gonna dive right in because I would love for you to share about your book that is out in the world right now.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, it's available on Amazon, Barnes Noble. It's available for ebook, um, Kobo. It's called Sweet Music, and it follows Reverie, who's a bookstore owner, and she just lost her barista. And this guy waltz in from another city, and he's like, I used to be a barista, and he's fantastic at it, by the way. Um, hires him on the spot, but he brings his violin along, and she's like, What's with the violin? And he tells a story that he always wanted to be a musician. No one back home supported him, so he dropped everything, moved to a new city, and she's like, Then why in the world are you trying to be a barista? And is the first person to encourage him on this dream to do what he wants and pursue the the life that he wants to live. Um, she's already built her empire, she's already uh started this business with her best friend Cerise, who's also a baker, and they um they help him start his journey, and it's such a fun little cozy romancy. Um, it's very adorable, like curl up in a blanket, sit by the fire, feeling, and yeah, again, it's available on Amazon, but um yeah, I just love Reverie and Deccan, they're the cutest things ever, and um yeah, amazing, amazing.
SPEAKER_01:I am loving that. Like, I feel like those books are just my favorite, like just cozy vibes, like it's it's happy, it's just it gives you all of the things that you want out of a romantic, and uh there's something so comforting about them, right?
SPEAKER_02:And especially with when life gets really crazy too, you want to escape into fantasy. Um, and the nice thing about sweet music is that it can't it could have been set in a real world setting. Um, the characters could be your next door neighbor, except for Reverie has wings, but you know, um but but it's the kind of story where you feel like you could have stepped into the world without feeling out of place, and something about that is extremely comforting, especially when we want to escape, but some people don't want to escape completely. So I like that that's a big chunk of it that I didn't quite plan on, but I've noticed that a lot of readers have pointed that out to me, and I'm like, yeah, I did that on purpose, sure. So definitely that's been that's been a very interesting aspect that people have pointed out to me.
SPEAKER_01:But I love that so right, it's that's such a cool thing, and I think there is something nice about having like a book that is it's still that sort of like magical element, but it's not like so fantastical that you're like, could this happen? And I always like that, those books that feel a little bit like oh, like this could actually be real, like this could happen, right? Uh, so that's there's something really fun about those kind of stories, right?
SPEAKER_02:Oh yeah. I I love epic fantasies myself. Like I will read epic fantasies, sci-fi, the kind of stuff where I'm like, oh yeah, no, I don't have a fear of the proto molecule showing up on Earth anytime soon, but you know, uh but you know, anywho, but there's something there's something about that almost realistic, but not quite fantasy that feels like coming home to a space that you've never visited before. And um I had never read a book like that until I'd read Sarah Beth Durst's The Spell Shop. Um, and it was this very cute island setting, and all the people were so sweet, and I adored the characters, and I was I was like, okay, I have to try this. But I I I felt at home on that island, and I think that's what I was trying to do with with sweet music. I hope I did it. Um, but you know, it's it's something in the it's something you don't really I'll explain it later when the words come to me, but something is amazing there.
SPEAKER_01:I love it. Yeah, I feel I still feel you on that. I'm like, I can feel it brewing. We're not quite sure what it is yet, but it is it's going to it's going to hit and it's gonna be fantastic. Um, yeah, sometimes percolator in my mind a minute.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:It's just worrying. I can I can feel it. I can feel it coming. Um I'd love to hear a little bit about how this story came came to you. I this is always something that I find really interesting. It's like, where do these little like wild stories and characters come from and and why they choose you?
SPEAKER_02:So I'd love to hear a little bit about I love that you asked why they chose me because I believe that when you write a story, um you're not coming up with characters. It's it's almost like a character comes up to you, pulls out a chair, sits down at the table, and is like, Okay, I hope your hand isn't cramping because you're gonna need to write a good bit of notes. And they tell you their story. But um Reverie and Deccan were the sweet romance that I found with my husband. Um, we got married during COVID, and it was like, you know, how March 2020 everything kind of fell apart. That was our wedding date. That spring break where everything shut down. We went on a back porch and we said our vows, and we then just locked ourselves in the apartment for two weeks. And it was such a strange way to start a new chapter. And through all of that, it's been such a healthy relationship of communication and encouragement, and I wanted so badly to take pieces of our relationship and put them in different relationships throughout the series that I'm writing because sweet music is book one of a couple. Um, and with Reverie and Deccan, I wanted the aspect of encouragement to be the focal point of their relationship. The two of them are strong by themselves, but stronger together kind of relationship. Because I am a firm believer that your strength needs to start by yourself, your happiness needs to start by yourself, so that when you meet someone, you make each other stronger, you make each other happier. Um and that's what I wanted them to uh uh portray, I guess. But Reverie kind of was always there. Um, she was this character that I wanted to become as a person. She's strong, she's got her own business, she kicks her shoes off and she walks barefoot in this massive three-story mansion filled with books, and she wears long skirts and sweaters and drinks coffee, and she's the most magical person I know. And her best friend is the kind of person that I look for in a friend myself who is just spunky and fun and silly, but also does not pull any punches when giving advice. And so when Cerise came to be, I was just like, Well, hello there. Um, I didn't mean for you to be this sassy, but okay, girl. Um, and then Deccan, I wanted someone soft, I wanted a man that was not afraid to be confused about his feelings and confused about where to go. Um, and I wanted I also wanted someone who was confident without trying in a space that he recognized, and so his coffee bar is just that's his happy space. But the idea for sweet music didn't actually it didn't take a lot of time. Um, I wrote the book in about three or four months, and um, I was just sitting there like typing away like crazy because I'm a I'm telling you, like I actually had to go to physical therapy because I developed carpal tunnel from it. The muscles in my wrist were pinching the carpal tunnel, and it was it was honestly the the silliest achievement of my life to walk in there and be just like, hey guys, um, you wouldn't believe how I got this. I she was there always, but Deccan and Cerise and all of these other characters just wandered through the front door of between daydreams, her bookstore. And I was like, Okay, I guess I need to know your story now, too. And sweet music bloomed on its own, and I couldn't do anything about it. I had to write it down because I'm also a I'm a I'm a panther, I guess. So I didn't have any say in what was going on. It just they had a story they wanted to tell me, and I was blessed enough to be able to be the one to tell it.
SPEAKER_01:When you listen to that, like that's such a huge. I think so many of us will have these like little ideas of stories, and there's like this fear of like, oh, like who am I to tell it? And I'm always telling people, I'm like, if you have this idea or these characters, like write it down, like there's a reason. Exactly.
SPEAKER_02:No one can tell the story in your mind but you, like these characters are trying to tell you what's going on for a reason. Like, I I love that. Oh my goodness, like I feel like I'm the only one screaming that on the internet, but hearing you say that makes me so happy.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, yes, and I think that's the thing. Uh, like, you know, whether or not these stories have been like done before, right? Like, that's there is that element. I think a lot of people are like, well, like uh somebody's already written something. Like I'm like, well, yeah, but we love repetition, number one, like our brain really like that's comforting. That's why like trope marketing is such a huge thing, right? Like, that's huge. And also your worldview, the way your experiences are gonna influence these characters are gonna be vastly different than how somebody else would tell it. So I think really learning how to trust yourself is like the key. And it's gonna be messy, right? Like the mess of my first draft. Oh boy. Um, like it's just it is not, it wasn't, it wasn't pretty, but it it grows, right? And I think that's the thing is um I often like compare it to like building a house, right? Like in the beginning, it's just like a hole, and then you've got all of the boring stuff, like the rebar and the concrete and that. You need that, otherwise your house is not going to actually be functional. So, like, that's you really have to like just go with it. And I think that's so amazing to like let these characters like shine and share their story. And I freaking love, I love like characters that are just sweet, and when you can infuse it from your real life experiences, it's just so so magical.
SPEAKER_02:Like I um I dedicated sweet music to my husband actually, and it's it's funny when I would give books to people at signings. Um, they would flip through and they would say to Cody, I think I just fell in love again. And that we tell that to each other all the time. And I remember this one person reading it and going, Oh, is that Cody? And pointed to my husband like hovering in a corner because he didn't want to, he didn't want to hover too close to the table, but he was kind of hovering. She's like, Is that Cody? And I'm like, Yeah, don't tell him, but I have a crush on him. So it's just so it's so funny to to see like people swoon over like this romance that I get to experience all the time. Like, even just before I came up here and sat down, like he's just like, Hey buddy, I love you, and I'm like, I love you too, buddy. Like, I am living a fairy tale, and it's it's so silly at times, but it's the greatest inspiration for the romance in all of my books. Um, because I can't help it, he's just a cutie pie. Like, I love my I love my little buddy.
SPEAKER_01:So fun, right? I so I so feel you on that. Like it's just I think having that person makes such a difference, and then to have that, like just even somebody to grow with you. Um, and I think being able to translate that into a story of, you know, uh I think romance or romanticity will often get like a bad rap of it's like unrealistic expectations. I'm like, no, no, this is this is real and it is possible. And you just need to like, you know, it comes down to finding the right person. And like you said, yourself is a big part of it of like really doing that inner work and and your own healing and and such, and then just like letting yourself be vulnerable. And I think that's a hard thing for a lot of us because it's not comfortable or pretty.
SPEAKER_02:Like, I actually I do a lot of healing with my writing, it's why I write. Um, I actually started writing when I was in I think elementary school. Um, one of the first books I wrote was like about a dancing mouse. And like I gave the book away at an event. We went to a um retirement home, and I gave the book away to one of the ladies there, and that was like our big project, and it was kind of cool, but that fostered this interest in writing things down that I enjoyed or I felt strongly about. And the first book I ever completed was this apocalyptic book about um the two-facedness of um like the good guys, I guess. And then I was writing um, I wrote a lot of fanfiction too. So gosh, me too! Me too! But like I'm talking niche, I'm talking there was anime, there was there was teenage mutant ninja turtles, it was bad.
SPEAKER_01:Oh my gosh, just a side note, like I was obsessed with that show as a child, like so like I wanted to be April so bad, and I'm like they she had the best life, truly. I'm like I would have written fan fiction if I knew what that was at that time. Um but yes, go get cool.
SPEAKER_02:Like that was my jam, and I was like, I I've I've written so much fan fiction. Please don't go out and try to find my Wattpad, y'all. Like, but um like I I started writing books because I had stories that I wanted to like tell messages with. Yeah, I think I said that right.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:But then I I wrote a book, I I started writing, um, I was gonna debut with darker fantasy, like epic dark fantasies. And this one book that I wrote um included a character that went through something rather traumatic. Um, and it was a fear of mine personally. I had a fear that um because of complications that I have, um, that I would never be able to be a mother. And I feared that if I couldn't fulfill that role, then I would be a broken woman, that I wouldn't be meeting the need that I have as this biological creature. And writing that book helped me realize that I don't need to fulfill a role. If I don't have that ability to be a mother, I can I can love people in other ways that fulfills that that need for love and nurturing in the world. And so that book helped a lot. But sweet music in particular helped me to realize that I am the I'm the one with the oar in the boat right now, steering through this crazy river of decisions. I can decide to go and get this job that I know that I'm going to be not at my best, or I can struggle a little bit and take some chances and do the thing that I want in life, which was write books and create stories. And because of that, and because we were blessed with the ability for me to be a stay at home wife, I took chances, budgeted like crazy. And we've been able to, or at least one of us was able to fulfill the writing dream because my husband is also a writer, which is also like one of the big reasons why we got married, too.
SPEAKER_03:Okay.
SPEAKER_02:Because he writes epics epics as well. We're actually co-authoring a steampunk fantasy. But like literally the coolest relationship. I love him so much. But again, sweet music made me more confident to put my foot down and say, Hey, I want to do this with my life. Um, I want to live my life with magic every minute. And sure, people may say I'm naive, sure, people may say I'm childish. That's fine. I'm smiling. I saw a bird today. That was awesome. Like, Cody, there was a flower outside. There's dogs on the sidewalk. I'm having the best life because I chose magic first. And I made sacrifices and fulfilled a dream. And now here I am talking with you about this thing that I've written that everybody is able to like pick up and read. Like, oh my goodness, my soul is out there on paper. That's terrifying, right? But I but I did it. And I didn't compromise on that. And that was the whole point.
unknown:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. This is that seriously. I feel like that's something that I've been reflecting on so much this last year. Just like, like I get to do this, like I get to write, I get to support authors in their journey of writing with the editing. And it's just such a mind-blowing thing. And I think it just it makes so much sense of like I didn't thrive in those jobs, right? And to be able to have the opportunity to do that is like freaking amazing. And I know that it's hard when you when you feel like you don't have that. But I think if that dream is there, like you just keep going. And then eventually it does click. Eventually it does come together. It's not a quick thing, trust me. Like this is like years in the making, years in the making. But I think that's something to like really remember is that all of the people that are living like the life that you wish that you could live were they they had to grind, they had to do the things, they had to like, you know, think that their writing was crap many times, right? Like it's all it's not all magic, but the magic is still very much a part of it, right? Like still hard moments. I think there's like a quote that's like choose your heart or something. I can't remember what it like relates to, but it's it's gonna be hard either way. It's just a matter of like, can you find like what do you actually want to do? And I think the more people that are following the dreams, the happier this world's gonna be.
SPEAKER_02:So like one of the quotes is like it's on the back of the book. Also, the artwork, I have to say really fast, Kana's art is the artist. I'm like totally obsessed with her artwork. I just contacted her not too long ago for book two. So she's coming back, and I'm so excited. But um, but yeah, the one of the quotes that's on the back of the book is is a dream worth having if no one else believes. And that's the question he asks himself. Deccan is constantly asking that because when no one else believed in him, he stopped believing in himself. And Reverie was the person that's like, Do you really believe that? Like, is that actually something you want to believe? And so that's that's a journey that she is already long past finished. That journey, she's she's down the road, but because she's already down that road, because she's a little bit higher on the mountain, she looks back and is like, are you really gonna sit there and look back at how far you come and how far you have to go and just stop there on the mountain? You're really gonna sit down in the middle of the road when you can take another step. Like, it's it's incredible how one person can step into your life and influence you to be the best version of yourself simply because they understand the struggle of not having their own person that believed in them. I mean, it's it's a blessing to have those people. I had that blessing because I was I I chose to surround myself with people who would believe in me. And thank goodness I was born into a family that did the same thing. Like my dad told me all the time, if you if you want to do it, like do it. Like you can do anything you put your mind to, and I truly believe that. Like, you can do anything you put your mind to, but it is the determination and the discipline. And I'm not talking like beating yourself up, I'm talking when you don't want to get out of bed in the morning because the executive dysfunction is absolutely holding you down in those covers, you have to remind yourself you can let these things get to you, or you can take another step and then another one because I struggle with ADHD. And so I love to write, but there are some days I will sit at my computer and the executive dysfunction hits and I can't move. I will sit there with my coffee cup in my hands and I will stare at the same sentence and know how to change it. I've got the rewrite in my head, and I can't do a thing. You work through that because if you don't, no one's gonna write that sentence for you. Take your time, take the time you need, take what you need from the earth because the earth gives you enough energy and enough, like and it gives you what you need to get past the hurdles. You just kind of go out there and find it, find it what it is that you need. So it is um, I guess that's my advice. My I will put the soap back soapbox back on the shelf. I'll pull that out next time. But I'm just I'm very passionate about about overcoming because yes, there's plenty to overcome. There's plenty to overcome. There's absolutely no reason to sit down in front of your obstacles because they look tall. You are much stronger than them.
SPEAKER_01:Totally, and I feel like that's the thing is it's like the only way through it is is like the only way to get to the next level is through it, right? Like you gotta walk with the fear, the discomfort, all of that stuff. And that's and I feel like that's such a huge thing to build within yourself as a writer because you are putting yourself on the line all the time with your books and being like, here, please read this. And then people were like, I hated it. And you're like, Great, thanks for tagging me in that review. That was rude, right? Like that kind of stuff, like you're constantly putting yourself in in the face of rejection. Um, and I think it's it's wild. And I I know that it can feel really frustrating sometimes, but I like I look at any sort of creative, I'm like, you guys are freaking rock stars. Like we are doing something consistently that is pretty much like failure is a guarantee, and like rejection is a guarantee, and yeah, we keep showing up.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, like that. I think that's the part that maybe sound maybe it's why I think a lot of creatives have to have a little bit of insanity in them because they know yes, we have to be just a little crazy, because we know we're stepping into a field that is extremely subjective and extremely opinionated, and a lot of people are very loud about their opinions. I know I'm loud about mine sometimes, and I should probably not be, but we have opinions, we can't help it, and especially if we're the ones who've created a thing and and sat it out on the table. We'd put a little bit of our soul into that, and then someone with an opinion comes along and it's just like that's hot garbage, and we just have to be like, honestly, you're kind of right, sometimes it is, but like like honestly, if you look into my soul, you'd be just like, oof, you need a label maker. Like, I know that the things that I put out there are gonna be a little bit crazy. I know the things that I put out there are not going to be everybody's cup of tea, and that's fine. Like, I'm not everybody's cup of tea, I'm insane. Like, I go up to my husband all the time and say weird things, and I'm like, why are you still here? And he's like, Because I enjoy this, this is fun. Like, I'm not everybody's first choice, and I'm okay with that. Like, I don't have to be everybody's first choice because I have to wake up and choose myself sometimes. Like, I get it, I'm I can be a lot. I'm not going to pull back and compromise again because I'm happy and I found my own joy. And if my own joy is a little too much for someone, I mean, we all dial back, but I'm not gonna stop being happy, I'm not gonna stop being myself. So I think that's one thing that I had to come to terms with, especially when I hit publish, and I was like Ingram Spark, don't do me dirty, please. Please be kind to me. And then I went out into the world and was like, hey, I did this thing, and I had to accept I'm probably gonna get a two-star review, and that one's gonna hurt the most because the one stars are fine. The two-star reviews hurt. I haven't gotten one yet, and I'm praying that I don't, but you know what? Um I it's gonna happen one day. It's gonna happen one day, and until then, I'm prepared and I understand that again, I'm not everybody's first choice, I don't hit the tropes that some people want. But I wrote the story that was true to the characters, and that's the only job I needed to do. So, like pat myself on the back, dust my hands off onto book two. Well, first I gotta write a second edition because there's some typos, but that just means it wasn't AI written.
SPEAKER_00:So if exactly, right?
SPEAKER_02:If you find typos, it's just proof.
SPEAKER_01:Um who is like, I swear I know how to spell guys. It's just my brain works too fast. That's my problem. And it's usually I'll forget words of like I read it right, my brain read it right, it just didn't translate on the page. I'm fine.
SPEAKER_00:I think maybe you you're the problem. It's like a it's a you thing. Like, I'm good here.
SPEAKER_01:Even if there is a typo, I will usually read it as I'm like, oh, I saw the first letter, the last letter, definitely. You spelled it right.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, yeah, it's fine. Like, like laptop, if you're deciding to become sentient one day and like take over the world, just know that this isn't personal, but sometimes you're wrong. I did spell it, you just got it wrong.
SPEAKER_00:Um, literally.
SPEAKER_02:I'm sitting here and I'm like, I was reading through, like flipping through sweet music, and then I got to the one this one scene that's so important. It's probably one of the most important scenes. Um, it's a conversation that's happening. And I get to the line that Reverie says her big thing, where she goes, absolutely not, and I spelled her name wrong. I left out the eye, and I'm sitting here and I'm like, oh no, Paul Revere, what are you doing here? I was like, no way, but thank goodness. Um, Ingram Spark does this thing where I can make those edits, and I don't think it'll charge me too much or anything because that's what people on on the Facebook have been saying on the social medias. So I'll believe them until I do it, but I will have to fix that one that that one typo at least because it's gonna bother me to the end of my days.
SPEAKER_01:Really? I feel like once you see it, you can't unsee it, and it's just like my brain will forever hyper focus on that one thing until it's done.
SPEAKER_02:Um just like nor or nor. Like it was so bad, it was so bad, and I found it while out of reading for a bunch of ladies at my church who wanted to have me read the first chapter, and I was like, and I just sold you people copies. How dare I? So that was wild, but um, but yeah, had a blast. It's fine, it's fine.
SPEAKER_01:But um pretty much the motto of life. It's fine, I'm fine.
SPEAKER_02:It's fine, I'm fine. The house is on fire. My coffee cup is still kind of lukewarm despite it being in the microwave. It's fine. It's I'm fine, it's fine.
SPEAKER_00:Truly, truly um amazing.
SPEAKER_01:I'd love to dive in and chat a little bit about the like marketing side of things. This is something that I feel like a lot of authors are like, oh my god, I want to jump off a cliff. Um, so I I always I've lately I've been asking about like how do you make it how do you make it like work with you? And if you have any sort of creative outside of the box ideas aside from like making a thousand graphics, I'd love to hear them.
SPEAKER_02:So here we go. This I'm like rubbing my hands, like the evil villain version rubbing my hands because I have some tips, tricks, and a little bit of things. So when it comes to social media, I am hot garbage at that. So I'm I'm just not very good at it. But when I know that I'm going to be doing a collaboration with someone, I say first things for or like as soon as I get the opportunity, hey, I'm doing this thing with this person. And then I wait a little bit, let it simmer. And then as I get up closer to maybe the release date, then I start really marketing it. I tag the person, invite them for collaborations. Um, but that's for if like that, that's on Instagram and stuff. Um, but if you're not collaborating with somebody, and say you are about to release your book, it's release week, you've been talking about this every day for the past two months, which you absolutely should have. Like, really get it out there, like till you're blue in the face, talk about your book. One thing that really sold, and or I get maybe not sold, but like really brought in a lot of people was um listing your tropes. That seems to be the thing that really people want to know about. They want to see the tropes. Um, have like three sentences that really sums up the book and sums up like the um exciting factor that's part of it. Um, for me, for sweet music, it was she needs a barista, he needs a job, good thing the bookstore is hiring. And see how it kind of flows really well, it's got that cadence to it, it hits all of those pieces that the the beginning of the book is, and so you know that it's gonna be low-key, you know that there's gonna be coffee involved, and like here you are drinking coffee, so of course you want to read about a coffee shop, like, why not? And then you've got the artwork. I spent more money on art than I did anything else. Before you even start marketing, do not be stingy with the artist. I got this advice from another uh writer named Kale Colerich. Um, she wrote the Hadron Legacy. And she's sold over 2,000 copies. She's an indie author herself, she owns her own publishing company. Like she knows what she's doing in terms of marketing. Do not, do not, do not pull back when it comes to your your artwork for your book cover. It is extremely important because everyone says not to judge a book by its cover. Do that for people. Do that, don't like don't do not judge the book by their cover for when it comes to to meeting new people, but you judge a book on its cover all the time. Like, you know, the sprayed edge copies absolutely have bought more sprayed edge copies of books than I care to admit, um, simply because they were sprayed-edged. Like it it is important. So when I say that the marketing involved with pushing out the artwork and being like, look at how beautiful this is, that's a big thing too. Like, really let people fall in love with the cover. So market your cover all the time, like just have a picture of it in there. Um, if you're on TikTok, go on TikTok Studio and um creator insights, it'll tell you what's popular right now, the sounds that are being used right now. Um, I was told if you really want to increase your followers, post three times a day um just to really get out there. And then when you get um, when you get big enough, then you can do live streams on TikTok. And I literally did a live stream where I was researching bees, and it was the silliest thing I've ever done because I sounded like a little kid talking about like, did you know that bees communicate by flying in figure eights? Like, that's all that it was, but because of that, it pushes you out into the algorithm because it's something new. So if you want to do all of that kind of stuff, like get into the SEO things and like marketing stuff, like that, those are my big pieces of advice. But what happened, what happens when you put your phone down? Or what happens when the algorithm isn't pushing fall stuff because it's the middle of summer and it's brat summer besties? Like, yeah, what do you do then? The best thing that you can do first and foremost, get a business card and get an author logo. Don't don't skimp on that either. Like, hire somebody. I personally use deranged doctor designs, it was 200 bucks flat, and I have this really cool gears and butterflies um logo, and I call them the gears and butterflies because it's so so cool, um, inspired by the fantasy aspect that I'm writing and the steampunk aspect for like my husband and I's book. And not that also, I'm kind of a machine, like so much so that like I hurt my hands writing books. Um, and I just keep going and writing and writing and writing, and I think that I'm invincible to getting hurt and then want wind up in a brace two weeks later, but it's fine. And so I've incorporated even that flaw for myself into my logo so that when people see the gears and butterflies, they think SR Morton. And then when you get that logo, get that business card, carry it. With you everywhere because you go to your local coffee shop, they've got the pin boards, and they've got all the business cards up there. Put it up there. You go to your local restaurant and they've got business cards there. Drop your business card in the little box thing, like put it where people can see it. And then if you are you've got your book, if you've if you've got it published, printed, you're ready to go out into the world and start promoting it, get bookmarks with your logo and a QR code that goes to your website and a separate QR code to buy the book. Um, especially for when you do signings. Yeah. Um, because when I go to author signings, especially ones that are um, you know, the real deal authors, like they've got decorations and cardboard cutouts and lights and flowers. And I'm like, holy crap, that's a lot. It's just a Hobby Lobby run. Like, go to Hobby Lobby, go to home goods, like just find decorations because that's your biggest marketing tool as well, is your table. You get you get out there, you pay like$60,$75 to get a table at an event. Your table is your one of your biggest marketing tools because your eye will be drawn to these twinkling orange lights and these fall leaves and the cute crochet pumpkins and the lantern sitting on the floor. And everybody wants to see those decorations as opposed to perhaps a table that's just a black tablecloth and the book and the QR code. And I can tell you from experience, because of the decoration of the table, I have brought in more people just because they were like, oh, this looks interesting. And I'm like, well, you're about to be even more interested. Awkward sales pitch. But um yeah, put a lot of effort into your appearance, not only when you're setting up your table, but also your appearance as a professional. Like, get the logo for sure, and make sure that cover is really well done. Get an artist who knows what they're doing. Um, also like get your website up before you even start doing anything with social media. Because once your website's up and running, people can start finally seeing what you're all about, getting to know you. They get to um they get to see what kind of aesthetics you like because you make your website your own. Square is probably one of the best ones you can do because later on, when you go and um need to go get your card reader for the big author event that you're gonna sell your books at, go with Square. You already have your website on Square Online, you can start selling your books online, have everything linked up. It just works really, really well. Um, but really marketing starts before your book is even written, with uh telling the world, hey, I'm an author, this is who I'm going to be in this space, uh, based literally on a picture no bigger than the little circle you make with your finger and and thumb. Like it's that powerful, your logo is that powerful. So um, that is my biggest piece of advice in terms of author marketing, because I'm telling you, it has saved me so much heartache to just reach back into my purse, whip out a business card, and be like, here's all my info, scan that QR code, takes you straight to a link tree. Um, and my book is on there as well. If you want to email me for this, that, and the other, it's all right there. Like the business card is my best friend. I love that thing. So um, biggest piece of advice I could give out there is the business card and the logo. So, anywho, I feel like I'm talking in circles now about that, but I'm like, that's like I can't harp it enough. Get you a logo, please get the logo. Um, I want to see some cool logos out there, people.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, my husband is all in, like he's in print and design and all that stuff. So it's very well versed in the it's so cool, the wild things that you can create and and um just how really that like marketing does it it is it's a huge part of pulling people's attention in just because there is so much stuff for them to look at, so many amazing other authors that are available, so standing out and really like basically I guess embodying your your book, your brand is huge, and that's gonna be what people I think ultimately what people connect with as well. And I think that's why social media obviously is a great tool in that because it's the energy and who you are behind the scenes that people are like, I want to read your book, or if I don't, you're hilarious. I know my friend would love your book. So that kind of thing. And I think that's a great, and all of those things are really I think important that you mentioned because a lot of them get you off of social media, which is great. Um, not because it's bad, but it's it's rented space, right? Like so and we've had that before where it's gone down, and then you're like, crap, what do I do? So having your website, your email list, your business cards, like all of these other ways that people can get in touch with you is key. And that's stuff that you own because that's like you've like it's it's nothing that you have to like you, you get you get it. You're in control of it. Uh, and I think that that's something really important to remember um as you're kind of like building out the journey. And it's and you're playing the long game, right? Like it's a slow process, it's it's not gonna be like everything all at once with your first book, because I mean that would be cool, but I think also really overwhelming as well. So just really reminding yourself that it's like slow and steady, like we're gonna get there, we're gonna get there. It just might take a little bit longer because I get got distracted by something shiny.
SPEAKER_02:So man, that's me.
SPEAKER_01:Yep. Sorry about it. Like, why are we going down this rabbit hole? Uh, it entirely like it sure it might be helpful for the book, but the reader's not gonna know half of this information. But yet my brain is like, we must know, we must, we must do it now. Um so yeah, I still feel you on that. Well, that's that is amazing, solid advice. Um, and as we wrap up here, I would love for you to share how people can follow along and be in touch with you. And obviously, you mentioned all your book is available pretty much everywhere. Um, so yeah, any social media or um events or anything that you feel called to share, I'd love for you to shout it out.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Um, well, obviously I'm on all social medias. Um, normally if you just type in SR Morton or SR Morton Writes on any social media platform, I'll pop up. Um, I've also got a Linktree, um, Linktree slash SR Morton. Um, and I also have a sub stack called the Unhinged Author. And I haven't posted on there very often lately because life things happened. But um, I also have a paid subscription where I have been doing some retrospectives on is that the right word? Well, anyhow, pieces where I've been writing about the um the world building and talking about some of the cities that are involved in all the books. Um, but yeah, find me on social media, find me on Substack. Um, my website is also on my link tree. Um, sweet music is out currently, and book two is coming out early spring, and we'll follow new characters in a new city. Um, but the main character is also once again a fairy, but also a business owner. And I'm very excited for everyone to meet Iridine and Vale in book two called The Bending of the Praxis. And um I have a couple of signings coming up. I've got one actually this Saturday at the Kennesaw Barnes and Noble in Atlanta. And I will also be in Roswell, Georgia for another signing at the second at Charles and Roswell. Um, I'll be most likely traveling um to a couple of other states in the spring, maybe. I'm definitely gonna try to be in Florida. Um, I tried to sign up for a table there, and um, there's another couple of stores in North Carolina as well. So definitely trying to get out there. That's another marketing tip. If you can contact your local bookstores, they love having local authors. Um, but yeah, oh, last piece of advice before I go. Um, if you can choose Ingram Spark for your distributing, for your self-publishing, Ingram Spark is the reason why my book is in Barnes and Noble. It's why it's in Books a Million, because Ingram is the company that was battling with Amazon when Amazon was just books, they were neck and neck for the biggest big book distributors. And now they have a self-publishing group called Ingram Spark that if you can get through all of the um all of the um requirements for making sure the pages are correct and making sure that everything fits the bleed and ISBN codes, um, which I can also talk about in some substacks later, or like if there's another video or something, I would love to talk about it that as well. But um, but yeah, I cannot wait for everyone to meet these new characters in book two. And if you haven't met Reverie and Deccan, um, I'd love to send them your way. They would love to tell their story, and I hope that you see a little bit of your story as well in their following of their dreams. Um, never stop dreaming, everybody. But thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited that I got to do this.
SPEAKER_01:Amazing. I feel like this was such a vibe um and so much amazing, solid advice. Um, so it was a freaking blast. So thanks for chatting with me as well.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you. I honestly wish I had a coffee because this then then this would have been like a coffee thing.
SPEAKER_01:Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. And if you really loved this author, I highly encourage you to go check out their links and comment and share their work because let's be real, as an indie author, all that stuff makes such a difference. And if you're feeling a little stuck on your draft and just want some gentle accountability, check out my one-to-one offers that are linked in the show notes as well. I'd love to support you with your writing or editing journey. And if that's not quite where you're at, I've also put together a really amazing free resource to help with taking your writing to the next level because there are so many amazing resources available without needing to spend a ton of money or get that MFA or all of the things that you may think that you need in order to write a book. Until next time, keep writing your way and trust yourself enough to tell your story. Because I promise, if it's coming to you, there's a reason and someone needs to hear it.
