blackbear communications

Hey Fantasy writers, this one is for you!! DIY MFA is doing a Focused Workshop on World-Building happening on Thursday, November 7 at 2pm ET. Focused Workshops are smaller, bite-sized workshops designed to let you get in, get the info you need, and then get back to writing. These workshops do a deep dive into a specific area of the craft. In this case, they are focusing on world-building. In this 90-minute session, they will look at the different layers of world-building, how they operate, and how to maximize their effectiveness. They plan to examine how characters contribute to the story’s world and make it come alive. Finally, you will do exercises to solidify what you have learned. Interested in participating or want to learn more? Click the link below for more information. (Registration ends November 4th!!) 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/gYPZNu3J

We're adding more Swarm Sessions to the calendar. SAVE THE DATE for these two, and RSVP here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gkFVx2a2 ! For the rest of 2024, Swarm Sessions are FREE and open to everyone! 👩🏽💻What are Swarm Sessions, anyway? These open Zoom hours with guest industry professionals and peers are a wonderful opportunity to build community, meet fellow authors, and learn. Got questions for these two guests? Drop 'em in the comments 👇🏽

📚 Need help crafting a perfect first chapter? Let’s break it down with THE HUNGER GAMES as our guide. While it isn't flawless, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it an engaging start for many readers (even those not typically into dystopian stories, like myself!). Here’s what makes it work: 1️⃣ Hook Your Reader Immediately: Start with a gripping line that raises questions. Example from The Hunger Games: “When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.” Instantly, we feel the foreboding and wonder—who’s missing? 2️⃣ Introduce Your Main Character: Show us who they are through actions, not just words. Katniss’s morning routine showcases her resilience, survival skills, and her deep care for her family. We quickly connect with her struggles and motivations. 3️⃣ Set the Tone and Setting: Use vivid, sensory details to immerse readers in your world. Collins paints a grim picture of District 12, setting a dark and tense tone that reflects the harsh realities of Katniss’s life. 4️⃣ Hint at the Central Conflict: Tease the main conflict subtly to build intrigue. The mention of "The Reaping" fills the chapter with dread, hinting at the brutal events to come without giving everything away. 5️⃣ End with a Cliffhanger or Question: Leave readers needing more. The chapter wraps with Katniss promising to keep her sister safe during "The Reaping," a pledge filled with tension and uncertainty. This ending compels readers to turn the page. #WritingTips #FirstChapter #TheHungerGames #BookLovers #WritersOfInstagram #Storytelling #DystopianFiction #BookCommunity 📖

Yesterday, blackbear communications hosted our first Swarm Session, and witnessing my clients connect brought me immense joy. Every year, I spend Q4 reflecting on what my team's guiding word for the upcoming year will be. This year's word was "Emerge," and emerge we did! Last night, I was filled with excitement as I saw members of my little hive *connect,* and it was truly beautiful. While I can't say for certain if "connection" will be our word for 2025, the concept is vital to the culture we are fostering within the writing and publishing industry. Swarm Sessions are designated, open Zoom hours where members can connect, share, and learn from one another. These sessions feature guest appearances from industry professionals—including literary agents, publishers, genre-specific editors, formatters, authors, and influencers—and provide excellent networking opportunities within the writing community. For the remainder of 2024, Swarm Sessions will be open to the public. Beginning in 2025, these sessions will be exclusively available to Hive Collective members, although special events may still welcome the public. Swarm Sessions celebrate the spirit of connection, sharing, and learning as a community. We are stepping away from a culture of gatekeeping and scarcity thinking regarding success. Instead, we are nurturing, uplifting, and amplifying each other’s voices. If you're interested in joining a Swarm Session, you don’t have to be a client or pay anything at this time. Simply fill out this interest form and I'll send you an invitation --> https://lnkd.in/g9D4WEaF If you're interested in being one of the industry professionals sharing your wisdom at our sessions, we're looking for agents, editors, publishers, writers, and more. Please connect with me here --> https://lnkd.in/gjrBGvza

Marketing Tip for Writers: Build Long-Lasting Connections Your #1 book marketing goal? It’s simple—building an email list! 📧 Why? Reach readers who loved your first book directly You own the list (social media can’t take it away) It’s a quieter, more intimate space to drive action for future books Start today: Create a sign-up form on your website and offer a reader magnet! #WriterTips #BookMarketing #EmailListBuilding https://lnkd.in/gM9dmDby

I attended “Marketing Strategies for Writers” with Alexa Bigwarfe at the Writer Igniter Author Life Summit. Alexa gave valuable insights into why marketing your book (and author brand!) is much different from, say, a coffee shop or fast food place. ☕ Product-Based Businesses: Think of your favorite coffee shop with a signature latte. They market that latte because people come back for it daily. Their goal? Keep you coming back for the same great product. It’s about brand loyalty and repeat customers. 📚 Authors: We’re not selling the same book over and over. Our challenge? To sell ourselves. We need to build an author brand and foster a connection with our readers. When a reader loves your book, you want them to: Tell their friends – spreading the word and growing your reach. Buy your future books – because they enjoyed the first one! So, focus on creating a lasting impression. Build a fanbase that’s excited for your next release. Your marketing should aim to cultivate loyal readers who eagerly anticipate each new book you write. Need help marketing yourself and building your author brand? Reach out to us at hello@blackbearcomms.net (or message us here!) to see how we can help. #AuthorMarketing #BookPromotion #WritingCommunity #BuildYourBrand Alexa Bigwarfe Women in Publishing Summit Write|Publish|Sell

Publishers want to see that you have a strong brand presence and the ability to connect with your audience. A well-established brand shows publishers that you can actively market your book, engage with readers, and drive sales. It signals that you’re not just relying on the publisher to do all the work but that you’re a proactive partner in your book’s success. Your brand presence demonstrates that you’re not just an author—you’re a marketable asset. To truly make an impact, authors need to step out from behind the page and into the spotlight as public speakers and thought leaders. Writing a book is just the beginning—sharing your ideas and insights through public speaking amplifies your message, establishes you as an authority, and connects you with your audience on a deeper level. On 8/22/24 at 3pm CST, Kate Stead of Old Mate Media will be hosting a webinar on how to embrace your authenticity and have fun selling your books. If sales and marketing make you feel uneasy, you're not alone. Kate's unique approach promises to make the process comfortable, authentic, and even fun! She'll guide you through finding your own path to selling your book in a way that feels right for you. This session is a must-attend for authors looking to connect with their audience in a genuine way. We’ll be tuning in, and we think you should, too! 📅 Date: 8/22/24 🕓 Time: 4pm EST Register here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gG-BgRtF #AuthorResources #BookMarketing #AuthenticSelling #WritingCommunity #OldMateMedia

Genuine connections with readers are built on authenticity. Not marketing. Not cover designs. Not shelf placement. When authors are authentic, readers can sense the honesty and vulnerability in the writing, which fosters a deeper emotional bond and engagement with the work. Authenticity helps readers feel seen, understood, and respected. On 8/22/24 at 4pm EST, Kate Stead of Old Mate Media will be hosting "How to embrace your authenticity and have fun selling books your way." Most authors dread sales and marketing, but Kate, an indie author and publisher with over 20 years in the corporate sector, is here to change that. She’s a marketing unicorn who believes in finding your unique, comfortable way to sell books—and even enjoy it! We’ll be attending, and we highly recommend you do too! Here’s what Kate will cover: 📓Why the "must do" sales paths aren't for everyone 📓How stepping back can help you move forward 📓How to identify your better way and enjoy the process See you there! 👋 Register here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/dA3UnFX8 #BookMarketing #Webinar #AuthorLife #IndiePublishing #OldMateMedia #WritingCommunity

👩🏽💻“I’m ready to publish my book… but I know nothing about the different types of publishers.” We got you! We understand that navigating the publishing world can be overwhelming, with a myriad of options ranging from traditional to self-publishing, hybrid, indie, micro, and vanity publishers. Each path offers different benefits and challenges. For example, traditional publishers may offer more credibility but less control. On the other hand, self-publishing gives you complete control but demands a significant investment in time and resources. As you weigh your options, it's crucial to understand what each type offers and what aligns with your goals. (blackbear communications strongly discourages any association with vanity presses, as they exploit young and amateur writers.) Always choose a path that values your work and supports your journey as an author. Learn more about the different types of publishers on our TikTok: https://lnkd.in/g6CaKVwF

"Write what you know" vs. "Write to market"—which path should you take? Writing what you know brings authenticity and depth to your work, drawing from personal experiences. On the flip side, writing to market ensures your book resonates with current reader demands and appeals to literary agents and publishers. But why choose? The key is blending both—knowing your market while writing from the heart. Understanding the trends and knowing your genre inside out is crucial. Keep reading, keep analyzing, and keep writing. 👩🏽💻: "Okay, okay Brooke, but how do I get started?" For beginners, the "Write what you know" strategy often works best. Starting with familiar topics allows you to focus on honing your writing skills without the added pressure of mastering a new genre or market. It also helps you build confidence and authenticity in your storytelling. And this is why one of the very best things you can do for your career is not just write—but to read in your genre. Read, and of course, analyze. What are the bestsellers in your niche? How are they written? Why are they successful? What are their tropes? Their tone? Their pacing? Their viewpoints? The voice of the author? Soak all of that in, take inspiration from it, and then — perhaps — add your own unique twist in your writing. Remember: the “markets” — that is, what readers like to read — change over time. Trends rise and fall. As such, getting to know your market is not a one-time thing, but a constant endeavor. In other words, you should never stop reading and learning from the bestsellers in your niche (and even adjacent niches). This is one of the best ways to become a better writer.