Two Intrepid 60s-Plus Female Authors Are Each Publishing Their First Book
Featuring Anne Dean, Nikki Finlay & Guest Book Marketing Expert, Fleur Hull
A Common Theme
A common theme among female authors 60s-plus is the significant time they have spent gaining firsthand experience, researching, and writing their books. In both Anne’s case (through her 70s into her 80s) and Nikki’s case (through her 50s and into her 60s), the book has been a decade in the making.
Anne and Nikki are both on the verge of having their books published and reaching their ideal readers. In later posts, I will interview authors aged 60 and above who are writing with the goal of making a decent income from their book release. But for Anne and Nikki, they will have achieved their goal once their books are in print. That said, I’m sure they would appreciate any support we can provide in increasing their sales.
I am delighted that Fleur Hull has agreed to provide our two authors with some book marketing tips to enhance their current plans. The business side of things can often be more challenging for first-time authors than the actual writing process!
Anne and Nikki have chosen the hybrid publishing model, in which the author and publisher share the costs of publishing and distribution. The publisher then produces and distributes the book. In Anne and Nikki’s case, the publisher is designing both their front and back covers.
Click here to see my post, where I outline details about the differences between Traditional, Dependent, Self-publishing, and Indie publishing.
Anne’s book is a work of fiction, and Nikki’s is a non-fiction title. I asked each of them the same four questions.
Anne’s Story
I asked my first question based on my understanding of the various roles and duties a woman may have to undertake while still finding time to write her book. Here’s the question…
What were your circumstances when you first started writing your book?
Earlier in my life, I did have to balance multiple tasks and responsibilities, not always, I fear, to the benefit of my children, who, however, seem to have survived.
When I first started writing Brian Boru’s fictional memoir at approximately age seventy, I was still in psychoanalytic private practice. My three children and their spouses were raising my four grandchildren without any required assistance from me. My husband was still working as a psychoanalyst, when not practising his singing, so I was free to do what I wanted with few interferences, except those I created.
What Did You Have To Research For Your Book?
I bet the research was massive!
Yes, the research was massive.
For Far Side of Revenge, I had to:
Research all that was known about Brian Boru and his family in the first half of his life (Tenth Century)
Research Medieval Irish history
And everything connected to medieval Ireland.
This was not a chore but a delight, as I was able to visit Ireland on multiple occasions, talk with some very interesting people, and read many books. At one point, I spent six months in Belfast, immersing myself in the conflict between republicans (Irish) and unionists (Brits).
Then, it dawned on me that I could never be an insider and write anything new about the Troubles.
But that repetition over 1000 years of the Irish trying to unite the island under Irish (not British) rule was actually more interesting.
It took me even more time to realize that the first half of Brian’s life was centered around his relationship with his older brother, Mahon—the central conflict of the story. Brian believed they should be striving for lasting peace, but he and his brother did not see eye to eye. Eventually, Brian must choose his brother or his vision and, ultimately, his island.
How did you decide between taking the traditional or non-traditional (self-publishing) path, and what challenges did this choice present?
I spent a good bit of time attending conferences and pitching to agents, some more than once. After those agents from big-name New York publishers, whom I truly believed wanted to represent this book, turned me down, I spent way too much time pursuing other agents by other means.
It finally dawned on me that all I really needed was a small press to take over the nitty-gritty of all the aspects of publishing I had no knowledge of or interest in learning.
Fortunately, a writer friend here in Eugene found GladEye Press for his book of short stories. So I wrote to them, and voila!
Initially, I planned to write one book of nonfiction, one chapter for each of nine tragic Irish heroes, but agents/editors at meetings convinced me fiction was the way to go, one book per hero. Since I had never written fiction, and since Brian is the oldest of the heroes, it took me a very long time to get up to speed in Brian’s world and life, and then into the world of writing fiction.
But, that said, it has been the best thing I have ever done. I will make little to no money to make up for the money I have already spent, but that is not my goal.
What will be your key marketing strategy now that you are about to be published?
I am preparing for a reading/signing at a bookstore in New Orleans, my home town, in June, and one here in Eugene, in July. I’m creating a website and a Substack page, and I'm contacting some of the conference organisers and workshop leaders I have encountered thus far along the way. It will also be available on other sites, for example, Amazon. But hopefully, whoever buys this book will support my publisher. I am sure I will think of other contacts and social media outlets as I go.
At its heart, my book is about high-stakes sibling rivalry in the context of medieval Irish history. My ideal reader is someone interested in the psychology of sibling rivalry, and I hope that when they read this interview, they will decide they cannot wait to buy my book. It will be released by GladEye Press in early June 2025.
Nikki Finlay
What were your circumstances when you first started writing your book?
I've been writing bits of this book for over a decade because I thought I could create something better for my older students. But in 2021, I was stuck in bed, sick, depressed, and with a million things to unpack after our move.
So, I decided to start writing. I began by writing a healing memoir about my days as a teacher and how it ended. Then someone said to me, "I just don't get inflation." And I thought, "I can explain that." And from there, I had my book.
What Did You Have To Research For Your Book?
I researched (and rechecked) current data
Checked up on my usage of phrases
Found stories
Culled through my memory of stories from the classroom to write the book.
How did you decide between taking the traditional or non-traditional (self-publishing) path, and what challenges did this choice present?
I decided to go with a hybrid publisher, Amplify, for two reasons. I didn't want to spend time looking for an agent or going through years of waiting for a publisher to accept and then publish my book.
I got lucky; they were looking for a title like mine. My main challenge was just getting the manuscript ready for editing so the process could begin. I went through a developmental edit three years ago, and then I had a copy edit.
What will be your key marketing strategy now that you are going to be published?
I found it challenging to learn that the marketing and selling were on me. So far, I don't have a grand plan, but here's what I hope to do:
1. Build the book up on Substack. I'll add a sales page here.
2. Work on networking and positioning, including podcasting and, most importantly, being a good literary citizen by writing reviews of the books I like and the authors I admire.
3. I'm hoping to have a little launch party at an independent bookstore in Atlanta.
Right now, there is so much confusion about the economy. People are getting lots of data, but they don’t know what it means. My book is designed for those who want simple tools to help them better understand the economy.
Fleur Hull: The Marketing-First Author - Substack
Fleur is a bestselling author with over 25 years of experience in writing and marketing. She has collaborated with over 50 authors across various genres and is now here on Substack.
As the title of her newsletter suggests, we should all think about marketing first, or at the very least, six months prior to publication. Far too many of us learn this lesson after we’ve published our first book. That’s why I’m so happy to have Fleur sharing her expertise, not just with Anne and Nikki but with all my subscribers.
Both Anne and Nikki are in the pre-launch phase, so I’m sure whatever suggestions Fleur can offer will be gratefully received.
My question to Fleur:
What Three Or Four Marketing Tips Can You Offer To Anne and Nikki To Supplement Their Current Marketing Strategies?
Fleur went above and beyond, writing a comprehensive Marketing Plan for both Anne and Nikki.
Below are some key elements of their plans; you can view the full versions in Fleur’s Substack Post
Anne: The Far Side of Revenge
"The Far Side of Revenge" is a historical novel following Prince Brian Boru's journey from displaced youth to potential unifier of Ireland. This plan focuses on improving passive marketing elements and implementing strategic active marketing approaches to reach the target audience of historical fiction enthusiasts and those interested in Irish history.
Active Marketing Strategy
Substack Enhancement
Update Anne's Substack profile to clearly identify her target audience
Establish a regular posting schedule with content that:
Teases excerpts from the book
Explores the historical context of Brian Boru's Ireland
Shares the research journey and the author's interest in the subject
Engages with readers through notes and comments
Public Relations Strategy
Develop a compelling press release highlighting:
The novel's focus on Brian Boru as a significant figure in Irish history
Anne's thorough historical research and unique perspective as an American author
The book's themes of national identity and unification, which remain relevant in modern Ireland
Target strategic Irish media outlets:
National newspapers (Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner)
Cultural magazines (History Ireland, Books Ireland)
Regional publications in areas historically connected to Brian Boru (Clare Champion, Limerick Leader)
Radio programmes focusing on literature, history and culture (RTÉ Radio 1's History Show, Newstalk's Talking History)
Podcast Appearances
Register on Podmatch.com to connect with podcasts interested in:
First-time authors
Historical fiction
Irish history and culture
Authors publishing later in life
Author Positioning
Leverage Anne’s background in psychology to offer unique insights into historical character motivations
Position as a thoughtful observer of human nature across time periods
In summary, my suggestions focus on Anne connecting with readers interested in Irish history and historical fiction, while establishing her presence as a first-time author publishing later in life.
Nikki: The Economy Will Get Better
This marketing plan aims to position your accessible economics guide effectively, grow your audience before publication, and maximise current sales opportunities and those beyond the launch date in January 2026. Dr Finlay brings credibility as an award-winning economics professor with three decades of experience and a growing Substack community.
Book Title Analysis
‘The Economy Will Get Better’ is optimistic but potentially generic. Consider more engaging alternatives:
‘Economics Without the Boring Bits’
‘The Non-Jargon Guide to How Money Works’
‘Economy 101: What They Should Have Taught You’
Alternatively, the current title could be tweaked slightly to one of these options:
‘The Economy Will Get Better: Your Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) in Tough Times’
‘The Economy Will Get Better: Navigating Uncertain Times with Confidence’
Substack Rebranding
“Nikki’s Economics Stories” is personal but lacks specificity about your value proposition. Consider:
‘Everyday Economics Explained’
‘The Plain-English Economist’
‘Economics for the Rest of Us’
Content Strategy
Substack Growth:
Publish consistently (weekly is ideal)
Create a “Start Here” Guide for new subscribers
Develop a content series that will later connect to book chapters
Host occasional AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions
About Page Improvements:
Include your personal "why" - what motivated you to make economics accessible
Feature testimonials from readers who previously struggled with economics
Add a clear call-to-action: "Join 400+ readers who now understand economics without the jargon"
Include a professional photo
Add book pre-order information prominently
My plan is focused on building authentic connections with your potential readers while positioning your book as the accessible solution many people need to understand economics.
In Conclusion
This has been such a fun and cooperative process!
Self-publishing a book is an exciting yet vulnerable exercise, and it takes courage to share the journey in such a public form.
My thanks to Anne and Nikki for doing so, thereby inspiring other authors in their 60s and beyond to believe in themselves and pursue their writing goals.
Also, a huge ‘thank you’ to Fleur, who has joined us with such enthusiasm and has so generously shared her knowledge and expertise to help Anne and Nikki take their publishing goals to even greater heights.
Thank you GeorgeAnn for the restack :-)