28. Connecting with readers before you hit publish w/ Stephanie Brandt

After becoming a parent, tackling the mental and emotional changes that arise is no small feat. Once you’ve worked through those feelings of self-doubt and being stuck, creativity once again flows. And before you know it, that idea in your head has turned into a finished story. But what comes next?

Joining today’s conversation is Stephanie Brandt, an author, photographer, and mother to a boisterous preschooler. Like all of us, Stephanie experienced these changes when she became a parent, and she became disconnected from her creativity in her new adventure of motherhood.

However, with time and perseverance, Stephanie overcame this loss and got her writing groove back. She shares how she did so and what’s next now that she’s on the verge of finishing her first book. You’ll also hear how she’s enticing readers into the series before its release.

To get helpful advice on book marketing from both Stephanie and Erin, tune in!

Topics discussed in this episode: 

• Stephanie’s writing journey from childhood to parenthood
• What sparked her to start writing again
• Working through the roadblocks in her mind
• Finding the time to write
• Stephanie’s writing process and what she’s currently working on
• What is a reader magnet, and why is it helpful for writers?
• Erin’s advice to Stephanie for her newsletter
• Marketing on social media 
• The author struggle with TikTok
• Some of Stephanie’s favorite books

About Stephanie: 

Stephanie Brandt, who writes under the pen name Hunter Knight, is a first-time mom to a 2.5-year-old. She has always been a creative soul since early childhood, refining her skills through college and beyond. 

She has been a full-time professional photographer on beautiful Cape Cod for almost a decade and now finds the familiar comfort in telling fantastic stories again. Her characters whisper sweet nothings all day into her brain until that fateful nap time hour appears and she is able to write down all of their adventures. 

Connect with Stephanie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterknightauthor/ 
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HunterKnightAuthor/ 
• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/505690424218547 

Books discussed during the show: 

• The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
• The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
• The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind
• The Sherlock Holmes Compendium by Peter Haining
• Play Hide & Seek with Tiger by Sam Taplin

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