Navigating the publishing terrain can be tricky for authors and for various reasons. This presentation will not only speak to what author care looks like, but we will empower organizations to create their own tools for authors while reducing burnout. Publishers will be encouraged to look at their current processes and resources and find ways to redirect where the energy and time is spent. -We will attempt to answer the following: -What can we offer authors and how do we do it? -Why is author care needed? -How do we know what our authors need? -How do we address our assumptions? -How do we manage expectations (authors and our own)? -What do we owe to authors, ourselves, and our community? -How can we ensure the relationship between authors and publishers is cooperative instead of adversarial techforum.booknetcanada.ca #TechForum

1. The Necessity and Power
of Author Care
presented by Breathing Space Creative
& Arsenal Pulp Press
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

2. Questions we will answer
● Why is author care needed?
● How do we know what our authors need?
● What do we owe authors, ourselves, and our
community?
● How do we address our assumptions?
● How do we manage expectations? (authors and
our own)
● What can we realistically offer authors and how
do we do it?
● How can we ensure the relationship between
authors and publishers is cooperative instead of
adversarial?

3. What is Author Care
Author care means creating and being transparent about added support
for authors by asking what they need. Authors need to be able to write,
participate in events, travel, promote their books and do everything else that
makes a writer a writer. What tools can you provide that help with tips for
navigating social media, utilizing tracked changes, google docs, and creating
bios? How do you prepare your authors for CanLit and beyond? Is this even
your job?
How do our own assumptions prevent us from providing care?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

4. Q1: Why is author care needed?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

5. Author care is already part of a lot (or some) of our
publishing programs (we just don’t call it that!)
● Publishers know each book requires a different
strategy.
● Acknowledging authors have diverse & needs &
experience
● Good relationships (ones that we put care into) are
what allow us to retain authors

6. Q2: How do we know what authors
need?
We ask them
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

7. Common Author Fears
● not having enough sit down/one on one time with editor or full
transparency on what this relationship will look like
● not having support around doing media when the book has traumatic
content
● fear of not selling enough books
● realizing they don’t fully understand their contract
● fear that if they don’t win awards the book is “dead”
● Fear of being passed over for support/resources
by their publisher
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

8. How do we address these fears?
Communication
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

9. Q3: What do we owe to authors,
ourselves, and our community?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

10. We need & deserve:
● Care for the artist (& artist support staff) as well as the work
● Caring about care: recognize it is needed on an individual &
community level
● Advocacy: model professionalism & look out for each other
● Protection from burnout through transparency & sharing
tools and experience
● To examine & re-examine our definitions of “fairness.” Are
we flexible in our policies?
● Admit where we want to improve & are working to improve
(without seeing it as a dismissal of our good work)

11. Q4: How do we address our
assumptions?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

12. Q5: How do we manage authors
expectations and our own?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

13. Q6: What can we realistically offer
authors and how do we do it?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

14. Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp
Realistic offerings may include
● Normalizing ongoing communication & questions
● Option of in-person, video, & phone meetings
● Check-ins (with hotsheets) through various points in the publishing
process
● An in-depth author kit & other onboarding documents
● Being clear about what we can and will contribute
● Advice on where authors may best focus efforts
● Flagging potential conflicts or challenges (ie: is this tour
sustainable?)
● Demystifying goals (“lots of publicity’) by breaking them down into
categories with concrete actions
● Hiring support (publicists, consultants etc)

15. Q6: How can we ensure the
relationship between authors and
publishers is cooperative instead of
adversarial ?
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

16. Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp
Allies not adversaries
● Treat authors as partners & inviting and considering their input
● Be clear about why you need certain information/how it will be
used
● “No” has to be normal and an option for both authors and
publishers
● No ghosting: each side will let the other know if they will be
unavailable, are overwhelmed, and when the other can expect a
response.

17. Tools You Can Give
Your Authors Now
1. grant guide
2. quick & dirty self promo tip sheet
3. quick & dirty organizing your own launch tip sheet
4. quick & dirty talking to the media tip sheet
5. quick & dirty stay organized tip sheet
6. and in-depth author on-boarding kit
7. Sharing event planning spreadsheets/tour planning duties
○ so authors learn how it’s done/timelines
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp

18. Chelene Knight, Breathing Space Creative
info@breathingspacecreative.com
Cynara Geissler, Arsenal Pulp Press
cynara@arsenalpulp.com
Tech Forum 2020 #TechForum @BSC_AuthorCare @Arsenalpulp