Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leah Lindeman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Leah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

It is a well known author trope that being an author is a lonely journey, that an author is destined to remain a lone wolf. Whatever entrepreneurial industry you may have chosen that requires long hours alone on a computer, making calls, vision boarding, or slogging through your company’s finances, you don’t have to go it alone. You shouldn’t!

One of the most important things you can do when starting your new business is to find a group or multiple groups of people who know and understand the journey you’re on, whether they walked it many years ago or are currently walking it with you. Those who are in the trenches with you can viscerally feel the lows and highs you’re experiencing and walk hand in hand with you as you grow together. Those who have paved the way before you can help you navigate the uncertain road to avoid the pitfalls and push you to higher heights with a momentum and efficiency you may barely be able to initiate yourself.

When I was first published, I personally knew one other author. Unfortunately, at the time, that author seemed unapproachable. Not at all because they acted like so but only because they had been in the business for a while, and I, well, I was only starting out. Who was I to approach them and ask for mentorship? They were busy! Not only were they a prolific author but also held a full time job, a family, a life. These were the excuses my mind laden with imposter syndrome chose to believe. Instead of the possibility of receiving so much treasure from a potential mentor, I paved my own way and overcame hurdles and pushed past obstacles I may not have had to.

Fast forward eight years—with five books under my belt—I began to have a burning desire to see beyond myself and meet other authors at their own meet and greets. At my local library, one such event was presented. I went, and, in that author, I found a friend, a confidante, and someone who was just as excited about her own work as I was mine. By building my relationship with her, being part of a local writer’s group she helped run, going to markets and fairs together, we built an author community together.

I rediscovered my love for people in this building of community. Through this work, no, necessity to increase joy in our author businesses, we, authors, have come together so many times in person and chat groups and have learned from each other and given our expertise to one another. Not only do I learn from more seasoned authors but I also get to share what I have learned with those who are just starting. I’m so grateful that they are starting out with a community of authors who have their backs and want to see them succeed.

Whatever industry you have chosen, find or build your community. Go to your local groups where your people congregate. If there aren’t any, build one for yourself and for those who feel they have no voice and no support. In doing so, you’ll save yourself years of regret and gift yourself and others a brighter future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a feisty Latina—history buff—Canadian patriot—and author of the historical fiction Canadian Reminiscence Series, enabling time travel to different parts of Canada and its past full of romance, intrigue, and heart. My first book Redeemed From the Ashes is available as a teaching resource to the Nova Scotia School Board. My latest novel Unborn Melody was the subject of an interview with Emmy award winner Logan Crawford.

I’m also a high performance fiction writing coach under my company WriteNow and the founder of the Eastern Ontario Writers’ Festival & Book Fair. Very recently, another author and I created a national directory of book events for Canada entitled Canada Book Events.

When I’m not preoccupied with writing, reading, and raising seven children with my husband, you’ll find me daydreaming about the Scottish Highlands.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My involvement in Canada Book Events (Canada’s national directory of book events) came as a pleasant surprise from a one minute introduction and conversation with another author at a book fair.

Although I decided to pass on having an author table at the inaugural year of Readers Take Cornwall, On, I decided I would go as a cheerleader to my author friends who had tables and as a shopper to support their works. There I zoomed by the tables because I only had fifteen minutes before the event would end. I met Tiffany for one minute before I rushed off to see the next author. A few months later, she sent me a message saying she had an idea for a nationwide directory and would I be willing to embark on this new venture with her? After a few discussion and discovering our same passion for books and readers, we teamed up to create Canada Book Events.

How did you build your audience on social media?

For many years, my presence on social media was barely ticking upward. It was a miracle if I gained a single follower in a week, try a month! Three strategies have helped my numbers steadily increase upward over the last couple of years.

First, consistency in how many time you post a week/day and the consistency of the type of content has helped gain a following that is looking specifically for what I offer: in-depth or fun reels about my books/characters/tropes/plots, thoughts on the books I read, and life lessons I learn as an author.

Second, actively commenting, sharing on my stories, and communicating with other authors and readers has helped keep the following I’ve gained and led me to new connections because I’ve proven that I care about the content others create and am there to give just as much as I receive.

Third, making in-person connections with other authors and readers alike and leading them to my socials via different channels such as signing up for my newsletter and making it clear on my business cards and back of my books has also led to a huge increase in social media following.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leahlindeman.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/leahtlind/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/leatlind
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-lindeman-5908604b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/leahtlind
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/pentopaper/

Image Credits

Jason Setnyk