Clare is a thirty-something, aspiring author from England, and Queen of Social Media at Curiosity Quills Press.
She runs the Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and Goodreads accounts for the team, all the while assisting in the curation of blog content, including guest posts from authors and weekly columns.
She also schedules and organizes virtual blog tours for CQ authors, and is the person to go to for ARC and review copies.
Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.
When both my sons reached school age, I began looking for work that would allow me to remain at home (so I wouldn’t have to get a sitter for when they got out of school), that was flexible to the needs of a parent, and also related to the publishing industry, too, as I’m also an author.
My mum suggested I see what jobs were available with publishers online, do I began reaching out. I’d heard of Curiosity Quills previously in my research for publishers, and they’re one I’d marked down to query in the future, as I loved what they were doing, knew a few people who’d published/ were going to publish with them, and liked the speculative fiction niche they’d carved for themselves.
I had a very fun Skype interview with Alisa, which led to an internship, after which I was taken on fulltime to manage the social media platforms. After a few months, I was offered the role of web curator too, and joined the marketing team.
That was almost eighteen months ago, and I’ve been lucky enough to watch CQ expand and go through some exciting changes since then. We’re now moving to a distributor, and with the awesome website Eugene created, the future looks amazing!
What does your job entail?
Making sure the Curiosity Quills social media platforms are up to date with current sale, release, pre-order information, and anything else relating to our titles and authors, along with a peppering of literature and writing related things from around the internet.
Adding new titles to the CQ site, and Goodreads, along with creating Goodreads giveaways.
Sending paperbacks to giveaway winners and reviewers, along with creating quotes and filling orders for authors.
Assisting CQ team member Hans with web curation – he mostly deals with serials and regular columns, while I deal with announcements and blog posts by authors and CQ team members.
Organizing review tours, and sending out the monthly reviewer newsletter featuring current and forthcoming titles.
Participating in marketing discussions about covers, promos, events etc.
Contacting bookstores/ libraries/ colleges etc. on behalf of authors to arrange events/ signings.
What do you enjoy most about working with Social Media & Marketing?
As an author myself, I know how much hard work goes into writing a book (let alone everything that comes after it!), so I love seeing an author go from signing with CQ, to their book getting released and the first couple of review coming in, to making it onto bestseller lists on Amazon or getting nominated for awards. The whole process is amazing to watch/ be part of, and I’m so thrilled for – and proud of – our amazing authors.
One of my favourite parts of the whole process is the cover design aspect. I love seeing the initial concept, and artist’s first drafts, and then the author’s reaction when the perfect cover they love is created. We have some amazingly talented cover artists at CQ!
What have your experiences been like organizing all the authors?
Mostly positive. Every job has bad days, but on the whole I love working with the CQ authors, and they’re very easy to organize and do whatever they can to make my job easier.
What is the hardest part of running Social Media & Marketing?
I hate giving authors bad news – be it sending across a less than positive review, or letting them know I haven’t been able to secure a signing/ event. Though they’re always understanding about the things beyond my control.
And what is the best part?
Sharing their success. I love it when our authors get nominated for awards, make bestseller lists or get glowing reviews!
Last question; If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?
Oh, great question. I’d love a dinner party with my favourite authors – Anne Rice, JK Rowling, George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien!
