We were lucky to catch up with Allie Burton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Allie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Traditional publishing always proceeded slowly but ever since the advent of independent publishing, trends move radically faster and self-publishing numbers keep climbing. There is a growing demand for both ebooks and audiobooks. I almost exclusively read on my phone because I can carry a hundred books with me. Audiobooks are expensive to produce for the independent author which is one of the reasons why Google Play has introduced automated narrating, where a computer instead of a person narrates a book. Right now, it’s only recommended for nonfiction books, but I’m sure as the technology improves this will become a gamechanger in the industry.

I believe the trendiest things in the industry have to do with digital marketing. New avenues for promoting and advertising books pop up all the time. From a company offering to tweet about your book, to advertisements on retailers like Amazon or ads on social media. Authors need to get creative when trying to get visibility for their books. First chapters are being read on live social media, virtual book releases in Facebook parties, and thanks to the Covid era, virtual literary events where anyone from anywhere around the globe can participate. I’m a speaker at the annual Buns & Roses Literary Tea where I will speak from the comfort of my living room, maybe in my pajamas. Authors also give away their first ebook in a series for free to gain visibility, for example my very first book Atlantis Riptide is free on all the major retailers. Serializing books on Wattpad or Kindle Vella is another way to gain traction.

And let’s not forget authors promoting themselves and their books on social media. I’m not sure if this helps sales, but it gives the authors visibility and readers feel as if they know the author. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok are the most relevant ones. At one point, Bookstagram was where authors needed to be but now one of the hottest ways to market books is #booktok on TikTok. BookTok has over 41 billion views and many authors attest to success on the median in helping to sell books.

Recently, many authors have used Kickstarter campaigns. Instead of publishing traditionally or independently, authors put together a funding campaign where donors get exclusive content depending on the dollar amount given. Substantial money has been made. For example, with seven days to go Sherrilyn Kenyon has earned over $972,000 with books that have already been published. Midlist authors are having success with Kickstarter as well. Anthea Sharp has earned over $7,000 with extra bonuses including a fiddle concert and short stories.

Allie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always loved books and making up stories. I wrote my first book in 8th grade while stranded in a snowstorm at a hospital. After graduating college, I worked in a “real” job in advertising and public relations before focusing on my writing. I wrote romantic suspense until my kids finally asked when they could read what I was writing so I switched to young adult books. I finally landed an agent in 2012 and my first book was published in 2013. But I didn’t go the traditional route. I independently published my first book. (At that time this was a new trend, but now it is a standard publishing business model.)

As of this writing, I will have twenty-three books published by the end of June 2022. Three young adult series: A Glass Slipper Adventure, Lost Daughters of Atlantis, and Warrior Academy. And one contemporary romance series: Castle Ridge.
My books are about finding yourself and your true family, whether biological or otherwise. They also feature adventure, love, and a little bit of magic. I hope my books provide an escape with a side of education and inspiration to do what you love. The books aren’t preachy but will open readers eyes to different possibilities.

I’m most proud of the fact that I did it my way. As an independent publisher, I do everything. I come up with the concepts and write the stories. I decide on the deadlines and make sure I adhere to them. I format my own books and do my own promotion. Not that I don’t have help. I hire a cover designer, editor, and proofreader. I belong to book marketing groups that help me advertise. But the biggest thing I’m proud of is my tenaciousness. Most people don’t realize that being an author is not all daydreaming and staring at your computer. It’s hard work. And I love every part of it.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

For an author brand loyalty is important. It’s why we mostly write series instead of stand alone books hoping that once someone reads the first book in the series they will read the rest. It’s also why most authors stick to one or two genres. Once someone discovers your work and loves it, they want to get to know you.

Social media is a good way to stay in touch with your readers. I travel a lot and started using the hashtag #writingviewtoday. Fans have come up to me to ask about my location. They know me because of the consistently used hashtag.

In my books, I always offer to stay in touch with my fans whether they email me, follow me on social media, or join my newsletter. My newsletter is the best place to keep in touch and build brand loyalty. For signing up, I give them a book and then follow up with another email offering them a second book. This hopefully keeps them engaged and reading the newsletters. In my newsletters I talk about my books and other authors’ books. I have contests, tell them about sales, and give them sneak peeks at covers or secret excerpts.

If anyone is interested in signing up, you can join my list here: https://www.allieburton.com

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I started writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance and did not have success. When my kids asked me to write something they could read, I whipped out a short story about a soccer player and a gymnast because that’s what activities my kids enjoyed. I had so much fun writing the story and realized I’ve always loved watching young adult movies and reading young adult books that maybe this was the genre for me. That’s when I got my agent and became a published author.

Then I began seeing how much money romance authors made, especially independent authors. I knew how to write romances. My own writing had improved after publishing a dozen books. Why not try romances again?

So I did. I published five contemporary romance books and one novella with ideas to write more. But I didn’t love writing romances. I loved teenage angst and imaginary powers and new worlds. I pivoted back to young adult fantasy and started writing my A Glass Slipper Adventure series. I found that my writing flowed better and my relationship arcs were even more angsty. I don’t regret my pivot because writing those romances helped me grow as an author.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.allieburton.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/allieburtonauthor
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllieBurtonAuthor
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/allie_burton
• Other: www.tiktok.com/allieburtonauthor