GREAT book! I mean, really great. Lots of new and original ideas for marketing. Too often with books like this it's the same old thing over and over and this definitely isn't that. But one criticism, this version has SO MANY formatting errors it is just about unreadable. I struggled to get through it. Terrible formatting, and while this might not be the final version it needs to be fixed because other reviewers will see the nightmare of sentences running together without even a space or huge text followed by tiny text... and just skip it. (Or for some, give it a negative review overall without considering the material.)

The Internet has democratized the process of creating content, but this abundance has also hurt the overall writing community on the whole. Budding authors now find it increasingly difficult to break into the publishing industry. The explosion of self-published writers and ability to reach readers through services like Kindle and BN has dried up the once fat advances that authors could hope to get from publishers. Becoming a career author has become increasingly challenging and not so lucrative.

In Author Power, Lynn Isenberg shows you how you can turn around your fortune as a writer. She argues that authors now need to shed the image of a reclusive writer and proactively hustle for their dues. With the advice that she shares in this book, the author promises that you can earn a fortune even before you get your book out and get on the charts.

Lynn Isenberg is the author of comedic trilogy The Funeral planner and frequently consults for entertainment technology companies and teaches Transmedia Entertainment at LMU. She is also the Chief Creative Officer at Focus Media Inc. where she crafts cutting edge narratives, branded entertainment, and publishing properties for select clients.

While I believe that Author Power is most useful for authors who already have a book under their belt and a good sales number in their armory, it shouldn’t stop never published writers from applying the solutions that Author Power shares.

The process of publishing has undergone a big change like every other business. In the first part, The I Am Philosophy, the author outlines these changes and shows you why you need to sit up and take notice of these changes and face the reality. She sums up the state of publishing when she says “Unfortunately, the days of giant advances are over, unless you’ve reached a celebrity status and can guarantee substantial sales and media attention on your own.”

But a change doesn’t really mean that you are out of business. It is just that you need to adapt to the changing environment and find new ways to generate business. She suggests that authors need to see themselves as entrepreneurs, and explores the new roles and helps you in adopting these roles.

Part II, Strategies, begins with how self-publishing is not necessarily the last option. Here, the author talks about various ways the author can raise money even before the book is finished. Crowd sourcing is the most ‘happening’ thing in the business world. Raising money as a loan or in return for endorsements is gaining traction in various industries. The movie and television industry is no stranger to product placement and the author believes there’s no reason why it cannot be done in a book. The author shares literally hundreds of ways you can raise money for your writing project before the book hits the stands.

Throughout the book, the author provides various resources to put in action what she suggests. You will not just find examples of how she did it or how someone else did it, but also concrete resources to do what she did. She also goes a step further by actually quoting email transcripts and chats she had with different corporate sponsors and other small businesses. Part III of the book, Proof of Concept, shares and end-to-end case study of how Jim Dratfield managed his book Dogphoria.

All this marketing jargon can sound too intimidating to authors. Lynn Isenberg gives you the basic tools to run your next book project and provides you with the material for each step of the way in Must Have Materials: Roadmaps.

You can see everything that the author professes applied to Author Power. A simple online search will help you see how the author has put in action what she has shared. Author Power is a must-have book for every published, self-published, and wannabe writer. You will find some great resources to make money and support your next book.

Anyone who considers themselves an author or is even thinking about getting into the writing world NEEDS this book! There are so many great tips in this book. It is a treasure trove of information for authors who are trying to launch their career and make money at it. Lynn Isenberg has done a great service to authors everywhere by writing this book!

Terrific reality check for authors in the new writing economy. The truths are hard to take, but accurate, with a game plan for the savvy, super motivated to overcome hurdles. Well done.

I appreciate Ms. Isenberg's ability to take what has always been a mystery to writers and bring it out into the open. Her tips and techniques are well researched and supported. I think this book is a tool that any writer's arsenal should contain. It is written in a conversational and anecdotal style. The information contained seems to be applicable to writer's both beginning and established. I especially appreciated her notes on the use of technology and social marketing.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review:

Author Power: Profit Before You Publish By Lynn Isenberg

Writers of all publishing camps, whether traditional or indie, need to read this book. Lynn Isenberg brings her experience from the business/marketing world, Hollywood and the publishing world in a remarkable new way to increase that ever-so-sought after visibility.

Branding takes on a whole new definition with Isenberg’s tutelage. She outlines ways for authors to look outside the norm for getting their message, their novels to new audiences than ever thought of before. Just as Hollywood clamors for deals with big businesses to place products in their films, authors can utilize the same ideas within their novels with brand partnerships.

She warns that this isn’t “selling out” but rather joining forces with others that equally need the exposure to ensure it’s a win-win for both the author and the company/charity. It doesn’t stop with just product endorsements, but is limitless with social causes that need more attention to benefit charities and whatnot. As long as the book stays true and doesn’t pander to products, but rather showcases them in real ways the character would use or interact with them.

This book advises authors to look into tradeshows, conventions and other out-of-the-box venues to showcase the author’s work married to the subject of those gathered there. The avenues within multi-media are endless as technology merges with story more and more. Apps, video games, videos, short films, commercials etc. are among the many that could be included in this marketing avenue.

Author Power offers not only the roadmap of how to utilize these techniques but offers basic scripts for cold calling and examples of basic contracts. It offers sample press releases and multi-media sponsorship packages and ways to create alternative marketing campaigns. Above all, it brings to the forefront that in today’s publishing world, an author can no longer sit back and write without also being a business person. They need to think beyond the pages and be creative in bringing their books to the world. They need to bring the world into their books.

To learn more about Lynn Isenberg’s Focus Media and her other work please visit her website at: http://lynnisenberg.com/

FTC Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this title by Net Galley for review purposes only. No other compensation was awarded.

Author Power is a roadmap of how to market your work and yourself as a writer. It's full of tips, templates and tools to empower authors. The days of big advances from your publisher are long gone, and Author Power provides new, alternative approaches to making the most of your efforts.