1. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
I loved reading from an early age and the escapism books provided; how they can transport you to another time and place, and into someone else’s shoes. As an avid reader, I began crafting my own stories in elementary school, but I put the dream of writing my own book someday on hold while I pursued a business degree and career in marketing.
2. How long have you been writing? How many books have you written?
I have been writing my whole life in various forms, but long-form journalism and penning books full-time is the apex of my writing career. My penchant for words began with short stories and progressed to daily blogging (during the golden years of blogs) and freelance articles for magazines and newspapers. After a six year career in marketing at Elizabeth Arden in New York and Geneva, Switzerland, I made a left-turn in my career and completed my master’s degree in journalism at Harvard University where I wrote my debut nonfiction book, Behind the Red Door.
3. What made you want to self-publish?
Timeliness of getting the project out into the world and more control over certain design, distribution, and marketing aspects.
4. Would you recommend new authors self-publish, and would you recommend Gatekeeper Press?
I absolutely would recommend Gatekeeper Press — they are efficient and professional throughout the publishing process.
5. What do you do marketing-wise to help announce and sell your books?
In terms of marketing, social media plays a large role in spreading the word about my books to other readers and writers. Cultivating relationships with readers and other authors is a great way to expand your network and to reach a likeminded literary community. People are visual, so creating high-quality photography, book trailers, video teasers etc. has been extremely helpful in visually branding my books and myself as an author.
6. What advice do you have for a new or fledgling author?
Keep going! Just keep going! Even when self-doubt or impostor syndrome rears its ugly head, remember your end goal of wanting to see your book on shelf someday, and find a way to make it happen.
7. What social media platforms are you on?
Instagram *mostly*
Twitter *sometimes*
Facebook *rarely*
8. What is the one piece of advice you wish you had known when you first started out?
There are multiple routes to success. If you hit a roadblock on your writing/publishing journey, it’s okay to re-route and find an alternate path to get to where you want to go.
9. What do you feel is the biggest challenge authors are facing going into 2021 (and beyond)?
One of the biggest challenges is gaining traction and visibility in a saturated marketplace. Authors will need to continue being their own biggest advocates when it comes to marketing and promotion of their books beyond launch week.
10. Have you won any awards or contests that you would like to mention?
My book was recently optioned by Lionsgate to become a TV series! Very excited to see my words come to life on the big screen.
Please share your website/social media links below:
Website: www.louiseclairejohnson.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/louiseclairejohnson