Tag: Lauren Crews

Categories
Bestsellers

Interview with Award-Winning Author Lauren Crews

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

Strength of a Woman: Why You Are Proverbs 31 looks at Proverbs 31 as an acrostic poem of the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 10-31 each begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Hebrew, the letters are pictographic. The pictures hold meaning that shows up in the verse that we miss in English.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I’m a teacher and a big Bible study nerd. I love the process of discovering those “a-ha” moments. There is great joy in watching others make those same discoveries. Proverbs 31 is so often looked at as a harsh standard. I want women to know it is actually a heroic hymn recognizing their strength. Knowledge is power and the struggles of our lives do not disqualify us from God’s use.

How long have you been writing?

Not very long. Maybe five years. I write curriculum and academic papers but I’ve never considered myself a creative story teller.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

It took me a year to research and write the book. I attended the Florida Writer’s Conference as a test. Does God really want me to do this, or have I just wasted a year of my life? My submission won first place in the Bible study category and first place overall for nonfiction.

Through that I obtained my agent Karen Neumair with Credo Communications. She and I worked on my proposal for about 6 months than she began the pitch process which took a year. I received two publication offers in that time, but she encouraged me to decline them and keep working the process. Turning down those offers down was crazy to me, but I trusted her. In the end, we finally received the offer from Iron Stream for two books, Strength of a Woman, and an accompanying devotional. I’m so glad I hung in there with Karen.

Which of your books is your favorite?

The main book, Strength of a Woman: Why You Are Proverbs 31.

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

Winning 1st Overall in Nonfiction! It was God’s amazing YES over me. I’d never written. Never attended a conference had no idea what I was doing, but God said yes. The other was winning the Christian Market Book Award 2020. My book launched April 15, 2020, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. As it was for everyone, all my speaking engagements and marketing were canceled. I was sure the project would die before it even launched. That award gave me such a boost, another big yes from God. I spent the summer hustling and chasing down every marketing opportunity.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Forever! I research for months and dump everything in to structured notes. Then I’ll begin writing through the notes. I always get beta readers and have things edited before I submit to contests, or to my agent.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

 I work fulltime so I do most of my writings early Saturday morning. Otherwise I have to make myself write after work.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

It must be silent, even the radio is too distracting. Most of my writing is prayer and a constant conversation with God. It’s His message and I want to get it correct. And peanut M&M’s help.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Watching God work through this process. The nudges, catapults, and opportunities He has provided as answer to prayer have been amazing. My faith has grown as I’ve surrendered all of this to Him. Then, when someone shares how the book spoke to them – Yes, Lord!

Could you tell us about a dark moment in your writing career?

The launch. In a pandemic. I really questioned God. Why would you have me go through all this just to have it flop? I had to really surrender the book to Him. He isn’t surprised, or worried and I can’t be either. It’s a hard process.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

All.the.time. A no just means no for them, not no for me personally or no for my book. Things just weren’t a fit for them. It is disappointing and after multiple no’s you really start second guessing. So, I have to find the one who will say yes. I really seek God through all my projects, and He has the plan. My challenge is discovering the plan and being faithful to walk it out. It takes FOREVER, but I’m learning God wants time with us. The walk and the wait are how He gets our attention and time.

Where do you get your ideas?

Studying, research and prayer. I have a fairly long commute into work, and I keep my radio off and pray. I don’t think I’m a very good writer, so I ask God to give me a story tellers eye. God has sparked some interesting ideas on those rides.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Charles Martin, Tosca Lee (she has an incredible vocabulary), John Grisham.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Don’t give up and don’t assume someone else will do things for you. The publishers want to see your platform because YOU are responsible for selling your book. They will help but less than you realize. If you want the book launch, podcast interviews, the speaking engagements, book signings, radio interviews, social media presence, etc., it only happens when YOU do it. And the life of your book baby is a marathon not a sprint. You must be in it for the long haul.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

Not networking. Writing is such an isolating activity, but we must network, help and support each other. There are enough readers and styles, for everyone. We aren’t competing with each other. If you have a chance to help someone, do it.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

You can’t go wrong with writing conferences. You will learn so much and make great connections. The appointments, whether with mentors, agents, or publishers, will save you months of time.

Lauren Crews is a multi-award-winning author who loves God’s Word. She holds an MDiv and more than twenty years in women’s ministry. She works as a high school English teacher and an adjunct Bible professor for Northwest University. Lauren lives in Jacksonville with her husband and two chocolate labs who have their humans well trained.

Categories
Guest Posts

How to Use the 4-P’s of Marketing While Waiting for Your Book to be Published by Lauren Crews

I heard a recent statistic. It takes three to eight years to publish a book. For a writer, especially a newbie, that statement can be a deflating. The wait can be challenging, but in the world of building platform, the wait is worth it. There is vital work to be done while waiting to be published.

Gone are the days when we wrote a book and sat back as the “professionals” took over our sales and marketing. Today, publishers require us to work as hard as they do in promoting and selling our book. This can be a daunting task, and if you self-publish, the job becomes even more paramount. So where and when does one begin? It may be helpful to start thinking of yourself and your book in marketing terms-Product, Price, Promotion, and Place and take steps now towards the work of marketing and promotion before you have a book to offer.

  1. Begin Fine-tuning Your Brand Immediately.

Your brand is you not your latest project. Your book may be fabulous, but your branding image is attached to it. Consider this your Product. Fine tune your brand by asking yourself – What is my passion? Does it show? Then, create a brand statement to use in your bio and all your promotional work.

Your brand statement should include:

  • 1-2 Sentence
  • What you do best
  • Who you serve
  • How you do it

For example, my passions are digging deep into Bible study, the Hebrew language and culture and teaching what I learn to others. So, my brand statement is – Introducing Christians to their Hebrew roots.

Stay true to your brand in your blog writing, your online presence, and promotional material. This includes a consistent headshot, use of colors and if possible profile names. Take time developing how you want to be received by the market because their perception moves with you into your next project. Until your book hits the market and becomes a bestseller, you are the visual and the voice of your brand.

  1. What Price are You Willing to Pay?

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage, “You have to spend money to make money” this applies to marketing your brand. These are items you may want to spend money on to begin promoting your brand now.

  • Business cards
  • Bookmark
  • Pens
  • Banners
  • Website
  • Items to leave as giveaways when you speak. I had rubber bracelets made with my hashtag #StrongWomanA2Z. I also splurged and had silver cuff bracelets made with the hashtag, and I use one per speaking engagement as a door prize.

Before being published, be sure the focus of these items is your brand, not the book. This is because the title of your book will likely change – several times. You will want a base of products to use book before during and after the book is out. After you are published, you can always reorder book specific items. Be sure to include your website, a headshot, brand statement and contact information.

  1. Begin Networking Now.

The goal in marketing your brand is to establish yourself as an authority. You want people talking about you in a good way. This is Promotion. Some aspects of networking you can do now are:

  • Post a positive book review for another author and share the link across your social media. You’re promoting someone else, but your name is getting out there.
  • Write a more in-depth book review as your blog post and share it.
  • Be a guest blogger for others.
  • Friend everyone you meet at writer’s conferences.
  • Follow like-minded people on social media and interact with them.
  • If you open your social media profiles to public, remember your “brand” is now out there for everyone to see. Be sure to represent that brand well, and all that you post, share, or retweet reflects your brand.

I’m in year three of the publishing journey, but it has been worth the wait. I started as an unknown in the Christian writing world with a private Facebook page. Networking has been my most significant area of growth. Last year I began applying these strategies to my brand, and in one year my social media following grew by 2,000% (really!). I have a solid foundation of subscribers on my blog, and I’ve guest blogged for others which has put me in front of more than 2,300 additional blog subscribers. My platform would not be considered record-breaking, but I’ve come a long way, and I’m delighted with the growth. You will be pleased when you see tangible results as you update your book proposal.

  1. Hone in on Your Target Market.

Where can you find your target market? Publishers will work to get you in stores, but where else can you focus on sales? This is the Place you will target to find customers. If you’re trying to reach women, they are often involved in home-based businesses like Pampered Chef, Mary Kay or LuLaRoe. These groups often meet in public places for monthly business meetings. Find a sales consultant, find out where they meet and ask if you can speak with them. Offer a copy of your book as a drawing prize through which you have collected their contact info. (Hey, they do it to us at those home gatherings!) Then follow up. Sometimes they will share additional contacts or networks. Other locations you might find your target market are:

  • The Coffee shop
  • Library
  • Trade shows
  • Craft/Farmers markets
  • The Gym
  • The Gun Range
  • City Rotary networking events
  • Rotary club
  • Women’s clubs
  • Men’s clubs
  • Country clubs (golf and tennis)
  • Readings at school, colleges, bookstores, club meetings, scout meetings
  • Can you take advantage of the book’s setting, your character’s interests or hobbies?
  • Where would you find your character?

Once you’ve identified where to find your market, mingle with them. Set up an informational table, leave promotional material, read for them or write for a website that reaches them. Do whatever you can to get your information in front your market.

Marketing starts well before your book is published. I was asked by a publisher at a writing conference, “what do you want in a publisher?” My answer, “I want a publisher who will work as hard as I do and let me show you what I’ve already done.” If you begin to refine these skills early, you will become an asset to your future publisher-one harder to resist.

BIO

As a Bible teacher and speaker, Lauren encourages Christians to explore and understand the Jewish roots of their faith. She lives in north-east Florida with her husband and two chocolate labs. She is mom of three fantastic young adults and recently welcomed a daughter-in-love to the Crews crew. She is represented by Credo Communications and working toward the publication of her books Rethinking the Proverbs 31 Woman: Breaking the Myth and Revealing her Legacy and Jesus: The Alef and the Tav. You can connect with Lauren on the web at www.laurencrews.com.