In this episode, I'm joined by Alysson Bourque from Expound Publicity—and she's making history as the first guest ever to return to the Children's Book Author Podcast!
We dive deep into holiday marketing strategies and modern publicity tactics that actually work:
- Why October is the best time to get prepared for Christmas book sales
- The genius of unexpected collaborations (think dirty soda carts and boutique book nooks!)
- How to use AI without losing your authentic voice
- The difference between earned and paid media—and why paid is now useful for authors
- Getting featured in satellite media tours and holiday gift guides
- When to invest in a PR firm vs. DIY marketing
- Thinking of your book as a product (the mindset shift that changes everything)
- Scaling beyond books: developing your IP into plush toys, musicals, and more
Whether you're gearing up for your first holiday selling season or looking to take your author business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can start implementing today.
🎁 Special Podcast Listener Offer
I've just launched The Picture Book and Middle Grade Writing Blueprint—my most comprehensive course yet, covering everything from picture book mastery to middle grade novels, story idea generation, rhetorical devices, self-editing, and market research. PLUS monthly group coaching sessions with me!
Use code PODCAST100 for $100 off (brings it down from $297 to just $197). Valid through Christmas Day!
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🧡 Learn more about Alysson and Expound at: expoundpublicity.com
MORE ABOUT ALYSSON & EXPOUND PUBLICITY:
Alysson Bourque is a bestselling, award-winning children's book author who began her career as a teacher after graduating from University of Louisiana Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Juris Doctor law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2007. Alysson is the author of seven books in The Alley Cat Series, including her upcoming Christmas release. Her work has been featured in major media outlets, and she's currently developing her IP for potential adaptation, including discussions with Apple about turning her series into a cartoon.
Using the latest industry trends, Expound's mission is to build a platform for an author to succeed and maintain their success as a writer. Created by a team of multi-award winning, bestselling authors and seasoned marketers, Expound Publicity is a full-service book marketing agency specializing in custom integrated campaigns tailored to each author's unique needs and goals.
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