Market Savvy Authoring: Self-Publishing Strategies and Success Stories With Melissa J Cave

In today's episode of Iron Age Marketing, I talk to Melissa J Cave, author of the fantasy novel Traitor's Son.

Let's Meet Iron Age Creator Melissa J Cave

Melissa J Cave is a project manager and a veteran who has spent most of her life traveling, first as a military brat and then in the Air Force and Department of Defense. She has always been fascinated by new places, cultures, languages, and history, and there is no better place to indulge that interest than in fantasy writing. She currently lives in Virginia, where she is failing to grow strawberries for the third year running.

Exploring Fantasy Writing with Military Veteran Melissa J Cave

In this first of three segments of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P talks with guest Melissa J Cave, a military veteran and debut author, to discuss her new fantasy series 'Traitor Son: First Book of the Empire of the Stars.' Melissa shares her background as a 'military brat' and soldier, and how these experiences have informed her writing. They delve into the misconception that military discipline stifles creativity and discuss the importance of diverse life experiences in storytelling. Melissa also talks about the themes in her series, such as post-war promises and hope, in contrast to the grimdark genre. With six books written before publishing the first, Melissa explains the advantages of completing an entire series ahead of time for tighter storytelling.

The Intersection of Romance, Family, and Marketing: An Author's Journey

In this second of three segments of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & author Melissa J Cave dive into the writing and marketing journey of an experienced author who has been crafting stories since childhood. Beginning with a simple romance idea in 2019, the story expanded into a multi-book family saga, including elements of action and politics. The author discusses the importance of romance in storytelling, particularly in appealing to male readers. She shares insights on marketing strategies, using platforms like Net Galley and Book Sirens to gather feedback and generate buzz. The episode also covers building an audience through email lists and maintaining an online presence, focusing on marketing primarily to romance readers.

Navigating Self-Publishing and Gender Dynamics in Historical Fantasy Literature with Melissa J Cave

In this third and final segment of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest Melissa J Cave., who discusses her unique approach to writing fantasy literature, focusing on realistic character development and gender roles in historical contexts. The conversation explores Melissa's decision to self-publish her books, driven by a desire to maintain creative control and effectively target different audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Melissa further delves into how she handles negative reviews, the limitations of traditional publishing, and the importance of showcasing the complementary roles of men and women in her medieval city-building narrative.

Hopefully, today's episode with Melissa J Cave serves as both inspiration and education in your own journey to bring your creation to the world.

Melissa J Cave Resources & Extra Media
- https://melissajcave.com/
- https://geni.us/traitorson-global (Amazon link)

Shill
Need help connecting with or growing your audience for your book, comic, TTRPG, or other creative endeavor? Check out Nicky P @ ironagemarketing.com