Clear Message Media is so pleased to have Claire Reinburg join our team as our Director of Author Relations. Claire’s career in educational publishing has been marked by the great care she takes with the authors she works with. She brings out the best of their talents and works to showcase their work to best advantage.
Pictured here is Claire (r) with Carole at where else but an author event.
In this recent interview, Claire discusses her approach and publishing philosophy.
Q: How did you begin working with authors in your career?
I began working with authors in my role as managing editor in professional and scholarly publishing. That experience sparked my love of partnering with authors not only on editing and producing their books, but also on helping them develop new book ideas. Negotiating and signing contracts for projects has been an important component of my work as well. I’ve been fortunate to work with authors in education and STEM fields, on both professional and trade books. It’s been very satisfying to support them while I also learn from their work. I’ve enjoyed wonderful partnerships with many talented authors.
Q: How do you think your new role will allow you to support authors in new ways?
Authors today are launching their work into a changed landscape for publication and communications. The previous ways authors reached their audiences were primarily through their publishers’ efforts and outreach. The publishing industry continues to change, and now we have more channels through which authors can connect directly with their audiences, from Twitter to blogs and Facebook groups. I’m excited by the opportunity I’ll have as part of the Clear Message Media team to focus exclusively on authors and their work and how we can help them reach more readers through novel channels. And higher book sales can follow from closer communication with their readers.
Q: What challenges do you think that today’s authors face?
The marketplace for content is crowded, and breaking through that congestion is challenging. Planning out how best to reach your audience is key for authors today. Which publisher is strongest in your field for producing and supporting authors and their books? In your own communications after your work is published, does your audience connect on Twitter, or are they more of a Facebook-based community? Authors are doing virtual events now, but in-person meetups will be back before we know it. Finding the right mix of outreach and connection with your audience is a challenge, but a challenge always brings opportunities, doesn’t it? Authors who have a little help with communications have the edge in adapting and thriving in this environment. The small but mighty teams in publishing and communication are breaking new ground all the time in today’s publishing environment. Join their teams and you might see more and better support for your work.
Q: What new opportunities do you think that today’s authors have that didn’t exist earlier in your career?
Authors today have so many more ways to control their own messaging and to talk directly with their audiences than in earlier publishing setups. If you have an author website and a Twitter account, you are on your way to directly conversing with your readers. Some authors publish blogs and hold Facebook live or other virtual events, and this web presence helps them stay in touch with and grow their audiences. Nurture your chosen channels, and then adjust course to keep in contact with your readers’ needs and interests. Authors I have worked with receive such helpful feedback and suggestions from their readers, and that input brings fresh ideas to their writing.
Q: What do you think is paramount for any publisher to keep in mind when working with authors?
Publishers more than ever should be nimble in how they produce, market, and distribute authors’ work. Each author and each book should receive customized approaches that best fit the author, the content, and the audiences.
Q: What one piece of advice you would give an author seeking publication?
If you have friends or colleagues who successfully published their work, talk with them to ask their advice. Other authors are not really your competition—they’re your allies. Exchange tips as you navigate your publishing journey. With all of the new ways of publishing and communicating, you can find a circle of peers who will help and support you. And work to find that publisher and communications team not just interested but excited to bring your work to readers and supporters.
