“Make Your Author emPact” by Stephanie Feger

Make Your Author emPact: Sell More Books, Increase Your Reach & Achieve Your Why

Stephanie Feger
Stargazer Publications (2022)
ISBN: 978-1736387214
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (11/2022)

“Make Your Author emPact” by Stephanie Feger is not just another book on book marketing; it is a handy guide that shares with readers some of the most important and helpful advice about book marketing that comes from an author who has “been there, done that.” From the struggles of writing a book, getting the book published, and establishing a plan for book promotion and marketing, Make Your Author emPact assures the reader that they, too, can make an emPact with their book just as Stephanie has with hers. Reading this book is like taking a course in book marketing; it sets the author apart from the writer and helps to create a plan of action for book promotion and marketing.

If there is one thing that will grab my interest in reading a book, it’s the title. Cover art is good and it helps if the book is authored by someone I know or a favorite author whose books I like to read. But the title of a book can really set the book apart from the rest, and it was the title of this particular book that grabbed me. ‘Author emPact?’ I thought. ‘What’s that?’ Why was “impact” spelled differently? What did the “em” stand for? I knew I had to read this book to find out. I’m glad I did! I really enjoyed reading this book and I feel that after I finished reading it, I am a better author for it. The knowledge and information in this book is indispensable, and you won’t get that kind of knowledge from all of the other book marketing experts out there writing books on how to market to readers.

Did you know there is a difference between a book’s release day and launch day? I sure didn’t! I thought they were the same thing, and I have been at this author thing for nearly 30 years. That’s just one of the things this book had to teach me. I thought these days were the same thing but they are not. After reading this book, I now know the difference between the two, as well as how to make the best out of both of those special days in a book’s life. Stephanie not only covers a “launch day” for a book but the lowdown on how to do a successful “relaunch” for a new edition of a book.

Another valuable piece of advice I gleaned from reading this book was information about an “author platform.” We hear that term bandied about everywhere. “Author platform.” But what is an author platform, exactly? I have tried to find out on my own, doing research across the Web on what an author platform is and how to create one. Well, now I don’t need to look any further! Stephanie breaks down just what an author platform is, why it’s important, how to create one, and how to keep it going strong. Yes, every author should have an author platform, and Stephanie brilliantly explains why.

One thing I didn’t like about this book is that the author shares A LOT of personal stories. I know they tie in with the point she is trying to make, but I really felt they were not necessary for her to make her point. Still, telling stories is a Southern thing. Also, I understand that she shares stories in this book to make herself appear vulnerable (see Chapter 14 for her discussion about vulnerability), as well as to remind readers that she is human, just like them. She is not perfect. She doesn’t have everything figured out. She has “been there, done that” on this author journey and she has made mistakes just like we all have. So sharing her stories is her way of having that human connection with her readers. Her stories are actually what sets her book apart from the rest. They are her own personal stories and you won’t find them in another book on this topic. Nor will you find the word “emPact,” a word of the author’s own creation.

Then again, her stories are a part of who she is, as an author. And, I have to admit, some of the stories did stick with me! Like the story about the turtles. And, this lovely author is not just sharing her personal stories, but she actually uses her gift for storytelling to impart her knowledge to authors. (And, readers, she has a lot of know-how! She really knows her stuff about book marketing.) Take the story about how an author’s book is not like a banana. I saw that chapter title and it made me pause. What? How on earth could a book in any way be likened to a banana, or not be like one? How did books and bananas even get grouped together? This particular phrase was pointed out to her early in her author career and she shares what this means in that chapter. It was pretty surprising and quite enlightening to read, but I swear I won’t be looking at a banana the same way ever again!

So what exactly IS an author emPact? The short answer is that you will need to read this book to find out. (The author shares the origins behind the creation of this word in one chapter.) But the long answer is that your author emPact has a lot to do with you the author, your book and the way you share your creation with the world. The book goes into lengthy detail about what an author emPact is, so pay attention while reading if you want to get a better understanding of it. The whole book itself describes how to have an author emPact and how to be emPowered as an author with a marketable book to share with readers. If you have ever hoped to find the confidence, knowledge and tools to help you stand out in your journey as an author, or if you wish to create a more solid footing in the book marketing world, Make Your Author emPact is definitely a handy guide to help you make that happen.