Podcast Summary: Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson
The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Kevin J. Anderson
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Episode Title: Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson
Introduction
In this episode of The Creative Penn Podcast, Joanna Penn engages in an insightful conversation with renowned author Kevin J. Anderson. They delve into strategies for building a sustainable author career, the evolving landscape of dictation with AI advancements, the significance of Kickstarter in diversifying income streams, and the role of short story collections in an author's portfolio.
Building a Long-Term Author Business
Diversification of Income Streams
Joanna opens the discussion by emphasizing the importance of authors not relying solely on one income source. She shares her personal experience of being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting the necessity for authors to cultivate multiple revenue streams to safeguard against unforeseen disruptions.
Kevin's Insight on Adaptability
Kevin echoes this sentiment, recounting his 40-year career and the necessity to continually adapt and reinvent himself to stay relevant in the ever-changing publishing industry.
"The publishing world does not stay the same. And if you just keep doing the same thing, you'll be left by the wayside."
— Kevin J. Anderson [23:20]
Dictation and AI Tools
Evolving Dictation Processes
Joanna discusses her reliance on dictation while walking and how AI tools have transformed this process. She explains transitioning from traditional typing services to AI transcription, which has streamlined her workflow and reduced costs.
"It has taken away an entire chunk of the pain in the butt, time-consuming work that has nothing to do with being creative."
— Joanna Penn [35:08]
Kevin's Approach to Dictation
Kevin shares his steadfast dedication to dictation, describing it as the creative part of his process. He appreciates how AI tools handle the tedious aspects, allowing him to focus on storytelling.
"AI and computers are supposed to take the grunt work away, not the fun work away."
— Kevin J. Anderson [36:32]
Kickstarter and Multiple Streams of Income
Role of Kickstarter in Author Business
Joanna and Kevin discuss the pivotal role Kickstarter has played in their careers. Kevin highlights how Kickstarter has enabled him to fund passion projects that traditional publishers deemed unviable.
"It's a way for you to connect with your fans, to give your real fans a chance to get a backstage club."
— Kevin J. Anderson [38:07]
Tips for Successful Campaigns
Kevin offers valuable advice for authors considering Kickstarter:
- Build a Platform: Successful campaigns often stem from authors with an established fan base.
- Deliver on Promises: Reliability is crucial; authors must fulfill their commitments to maintain trust.
- Plan Ahead: Have your manuscript either completed or in the final stages before launching a campaign.
"Make sure you know what you're doing at 20 books. Last year or the year before, I was talking to the head of publishing at Kickstarter... You should have written your book before you do a campaign."
— Kevin J. Anderson [46:23]
Short Story Collections
Importance for Indie Authors
Kevin emphasizes the strategic use of short stories in an author's toolkit. He explains that while the traditional pathway involved building a following through short stories before transitioning to novels, the current landscape sees short stories serving as supplementary content to engage and attract readers.
"Short stories have a very good purpose right now is you use them as like carrots to get people to check out your series."
— Kevin J. Anderson [51:19]
Kickstarter for Short Story Collections
Kevin recounts his successful Kickstarter campaign for a seven-volume short story collection, which traditional publishers declined. This approach not only funded the project but also directly connected him with his readers.
"With the Kickstarter, it's between creator and the reader. There aren't 25 other middlemen between it."
— Kevin J. Anderson [50:12]
Insights from Kevin J. Anderson's Career
Adaptability and Reinvention
Kevin shares his extensive career journey, highlighting his ability to pivot across genres and media to stay relevant. From writing Star Wars books to comic books and eventually embracing AI tools, his adaptability has been key to his longevity.
"You need to make sure you have a lot of moles to pop up in the Whack a mole game."
— Kevin J. Anderson [29:28]
Balancing Multiple Projects
He discusses managing various projects simultaneously, ensuring that if one genre falls out of favor, others can sustain his career.
Avoiding Career Pitfalls
Maintaining Professionalism
Towards the end of the interview, Kevin advises authors to maintain a positive and professional demeanor. He stresses the importance of reliability, ethical behavior, and supporting fellow authors to foster a thriving community.
"Don't be an asshole. Authors talk, readers talk. If you're like this total jerk, people are like, I like the books but I can't stand the person."
— Kevin J. Anderson [56:30]
Consistent Output and Managing Expectations
Kevin warns against setting unrealistic expectations for book releases, which can lead to disappointment and loss of readership if not met consistently.
"Don't go out and buy a private jet, like, sock your money away, build a nest egg..."
— Kevin J. Anderson [30:35]
Conclusion and Takeaways
Joanna concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of adaptability, leveraging technology, and maintaining multiple income streams for a sustainable author career. Kevin J. Anderson serves as a stellar example of embodying these principles, demonstrating that with perseverance and strategic planning, long-term success in the author business is attainable.
Upcoming Episode Teaser
Joanna hints at the next episode featuring Alicia Wright, an IP lawyer and author, who will discuss AI and writing, including topics like copyright, fair use, and the integration of AI tools in the creative process.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- "The publishing world does not stay the same. And if you just keep doing the same thing, you'll be left by the wayside." — Kevin J. Anderson [23:20]
- "It has taken away an entire chunk of the pain in the butt, time-consuming work that has nothing to do with being creative." — Joanna Penn [35:08]
- "AI and computers are supposed to take the grunt work away, not the fun work away." — Kevin J. Anderson [36:32]
- "Short stories have a very good purpose right now is you use them as like carrots to get people to check out your series." — Kevin J. Anderson [51:19]
- "Don't be an asshole. Authors talk, readers talk. If you're like this total jerk, people are like, I like the books but I can't stand the person." — Kevin J. Anderson [56:30]
This comprehensive discussion offers valuable insights for both emerging and established authors aiming to build and sustain a successful writing career in the dynamic landscape of today's publishing industry.