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Book Marketing can feel overwhelming. Here I offer practical, doable ideas to promote your books. 

What I’ve Learned from Working with Michelle Gladieux on Communicate with Courage

What I’ve Learned from Working with Michelle Gladieux on Communicate with Courage
by Fauzia Burke

Working with Michelle Gladieux on Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges has been a deeply rewarding experience. As I reflect on this collaboration, I am filled with admiration for Michelle—not only for her expertise as a communication coach but also for the way she shows up authentically in every interaction. Her wisdom and guidance have not only helped shape the launch of her book but have also enriched my personal and professional communication.
 

Finding Gratitude Amid Life's Seasons

Finding Gratitude Amid Life's Seasons
by Fauzia Burke

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on gratitude in a way that feels more profound and more resonant this year. It's a season to gather, to cherish, and to give thanks—but it's also a time that reminds us of all the changes, challenges, and beauty that life brings. I think of my mother, a woman whose resilience, creativity, and warmth shaped so much of who I am today. She taught me the art of gratitude, not just through words, but through her actions, her joy in simple moments, and her unwavering support.
 

Patreon vs. Substack: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Goals

Patreon vs. Substack: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Goals
by Fauzia Burke

When it comes to building a community around your work, especially in the publishing world, we now have more tools than ever to make it happen. But with options comes decision fatigue. I’ve been thinking about the two big platforms—Patreon and Substack—and wanted to share my thoughts. If you’re like me, always balancing the desire to grow your business while experimenting with new things (hello, AI), knowing where to focus your energy can make all the difference. 
 

Grateful Reflections on a Remarkable Journey with Thom Hartmann

Grateful Reflections on a Remarkable Journey with Thom Hartmann
by Fauzia Burke

Working with Thom Hartmann on the Hidden History series has been a deeply rewarding experience. My team at FSB Associates and I were honored to support Thom’s mission of uncovering critical issues like democracy, labor rights, and economic inequality through ten impactful books.

 

The 4A’s Framework: Making Book Marketing a Breeze

The 4A’s Framework: Making Book Marketing a Breeze
by Fauzia Burke

Marketing a book can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops—daunting, awkward, and at times wildly uncoordinated. But don’t worry! Enter the 4A’s Framework, a clever tool popularized by Dickie Bush. It breaks ideas into four simple categories: Actionable, Analytical, Aspirational, and Anthropological. Think of it as your go-to guide for making content creation easy, fun, and—most importantly—on target.
 

Book Publishing Predictions from ChatGPT

Book Publishing Predictions from ChatGPT
by Fauzia Burke

By Fauzia Burke and ChatGPT

I asked ChatGPT to predict trends for book publishing in 2025. The following is the answer I got. It’s interesting. Some of this is already happening. Take a look at what AI is predicting for the future of our industry. 

As we look ahead to 2025, the rise of AI is poised to influence book publishing trends in several vital ways significantly:

AI is Just a Tool; Your Creativity Makes Your Content Yours

AI is Just a Tool; Your Creativity Makes Your Content Yours
by Fauzia Burke

Maybe I’m just hungry or thinking of my Italian vacation, or maybe this is a good metaphor for using AI. I think Ai is just like pizza dough. Stay with me here, I am thinking or writing out loud…... 

Does Your Book Jacket Work? Let ChatGPT Help You Find Out

Does Your Book Jacket Work? Let ChatGPT Help You Find Out
by Fauzia Burke

A book jacket can make or break a title—it’s your book’s first impression, and we all actually do judge a book by its cover. This makes getting the cover right an anxiety-inducing task for publishers and authors. But how do you know if your book jacket is hitting the mark? Enter ChatGPT, an AI tool that can help you assess your cover’s appeal and marketability without the guesswork.

Laugh Envy: Celebrating the Unapologetic Joy of Kamala Harris

Laugh Envy: Celebrating the Unapologetic Joy of Kamala Harris
by Fauzia Burke

Laughter is often described as the best medicine, a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Yet, when it comes to women, laughter is not always received with the same appreciation. Take, for example, Vice President Harris. Her laugh, often spontaneous and infectious, has been scrutinized and ridiculed by political opponents. But for many, including myself, her laughter represents a form of joyful abandon that is not only empowering, it’s enviable.

Have Your AI Call My AI

Have Your AI Call My AI
by Fauzia Burke

In the not-so-distant future, a typical conversation might go something like this:

"Hey, did you get my email?"
"Yeah, my AI read it and had my other AI send a response."
"Cool, I'll have my AI check it out and get back to your AI."

A Tribute to My Beloved Mother, Nuzhat Subhani

A Tribute to My Beloved Mother, Nuzhat Subhani
by Fauzia Burke

It is with profound sorrow that I announce the passing of my mother, Nuzhat Subhani, at the age of 80. Her life was a tapestry of bravery, fascination, and boundless love. Her loss is the most significant I have ever experienced, leaving an irreplaceable void in my heart.

Elevating Your Book Launch with Exclusive Bonus Content

Elevating Your Book Launch with Exclusive Bonus Content
by Fauzia Burke

In today's digital age, authors are constantly seeking strategies to engage their readers and make their book launches stand out. One powerful tactic gaining traction is integrating exclusive bonus content with incentives for newsletter sign-ups. Let's delve into how this approach can propel your book launch to new heights:
 

Embrace the Journey: A Guide to Author Empowerment and Book Marketing

Embrace the Journey: A Guide to Author Empowerment and Book Marketing
by Fauzia Burke

Did you know that books often face rejection simply because the author isn't enthusiastic about marketing them? It's true. In the vast landscape of publishing, where countless stories vie for attention, marketing plays a pivotal role in ensuring your book doesn't get lost in the shuffle. But fear not, fellow writers, for this blog is dedicated to empowering authors like you to embrace the journey of promoting your work and letting it shine!

Building Buzz: Strategies for Generating Pre-launch Excitement for Your Book

Building Buzz: Strategies for Generating Pre-launch Excitement for Your Book
by Fauzia Burke

Are you gearing up to launch your next book and want to ensure it makes a splash in the literary world? Building buzz before your book hits the shelves is crucial for its success. In today's competitive publishing landscape, creating pre-launch excitement can mean the difference between a book that languishes unnoticed and one that captures the attention of readers far and wide. Here are some proven strategies to help you generate buzz and anticipation for your upcoming release.

Reflecting on the Year: Leveraging AI for Authorial Insights

Reflecting on the Year: Leveraging AI for Authorial Insights
by Fauzia Burke

As we approach the year's end, authors often find solace in contemplating their creative journey—a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In our digital age, the realm of AI opens up fascinating possibilities to deepen this introspection. Join me as we delve into how authors can harness AI to gain profound insights into their literary adventures throughout the year.

AI should be our collaborator, not our replacement.

AI should be our collaborator, not our replacement.
by Fauzia Burke

Ethan Mollick professor at the Wharton School shares his insights on generative AI in his newsletter (which I highly recommend) called One Useful Thing. His take is always intriguing and thought-provoking. His perspectives, from educators to business executives, provide an extensive look at AI's capabilities and its current trajectory. As a book publishing professional, I believe it's essential to approach these insights from our industry's unique lens.

Marketing Your First Novel: My Advice for Authors

Marketing Your First Novel: My Advice for Authors
by Fauzia Burke

Releasing a novel can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to marketing. With so many authors and books competing for attention, how do you make sure your book gets noticed? I recently spoke with a new author who was feeling anxious about her upcoming book launching here are some of my recommendations for marketing a new novel.

Navigating the AI Landscape in Book Publishing: What I Learned at a Recent Conference

Navigating the AI Landscape in Book Publishing: What I Learned at a Recent Conference
by Fauzia Burke

I recently attended an eye-opening conference on Artificial Intelligence: Revolution and Opportunity in Trade Publishing hosted by Publishers Weekly. I was grateful to be one of the speakers and excited to meet other like-minded folks in book publishing. As someone passionate about how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of books, it was incredible to learn from other forward-thinking industry folks. Organizers and hosts were Thad McIlroy and Peter Brantley who did a wonderful job curating topics and speakers that were interesting and exciting. Here are some of my key takeaways from the insightful sessions.

Elevate Your Book Titles and Descriptions with GPT-4 AI: A Friendly Guide to Effective Prompts

Elevate Your Book Titles and Descriptions with GPT-4 AI: A Friendly Guide to Effective Prompts
by Fauzia Burke

One of the best uses of AI for authors and book publishers is getting ideas for book titles and descriptions. However, when working with AI systems like GPT-4, crafting the right prompt is essential for achieving the best results. It's not just about asking a question—it's about asking it in a way that ensures the AI-generated content meets your needs and expectations. Let’s look at examples of creating effective prompts for book descriptions and titles, which is a great use of AI. 

In the age of AI, who owns the copyright to a character in a book?

In the age of AI, who owns the copyright to a character in a book?
by Fauzia Burke

I am no lawyer, so I don’t know the answer to this question, but it is something to consider. Who owns the copyright to the Harry Potter characters? I know the obvious answer is J.K. Rowling, but with the popularity of AI, will that change? Two days ago, I wanted to send a motivational message to my daughter, and I thought it would be fun to do it as Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter. 

Since I am a huge ChatGPT fan, I used a prompt and let the AI write the message. It was also a way to test the prompt.  (For those new to ChatGPT, a prompt is instructions to the AI. The better and more specific the prompt, the better the output) 

Here’s the prompt I used: 

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