TYPE YOUR WAY TO THE TOP
One book and 1.5 million copies sold in one week of release. You might be asking yourself, how does one sell a book like Suzanne Collins? The secret is to have an actual fanbase, duh. Although being a really good writer helps a lot too in the long run. Suzanne Collins released the long awaited prequel to another prequel of one of her beloved characters, Sunrise On The Reaping, and it was a huge success at the bookstores.
The key to a successful book launch really comes down to being a good writer and very persistent. Writing takes time and if you don’t write then you better get started to master your craft. I like to think that writing is a lot like riding a bike, at first you will fall and scrape your kneecaps but eventually the balance will come to you and soon enough you’ll be doing all kinds of neat tricks, with the safety of a helmet of course.
STEP ONE:
Find your niche. Collins found hers by writing about a dystopian society that is starting to feel like reality now. Your niche can be anything you want but one thing to keep in mind is be AUTHENTIC. Write about what you love and what fascinates you. It can be nonfiction or literary fiction. The choices are endless.
STEP TWO: Learn your craft. Write and write until you feel like it’s good enough to have someone revise it. You won’t become a better writer if you don’t practice a million times until you cannot stand to look at your computer. Find courses online or read into some books that are similar to the genre you want to write about. It’s okay to take inspiration from other writers just as Collins did with Harry Potter. Just make sure you are creating a world that is your own.
STEP THREE: Be passionate about the work you are writing. If it’s romcoms you want to write about then dive into the world of networking with other romance writers. Suzanne Collins built her fan base by diving into the world of politics and voicing her stance on propaganda. She was persistent and did not back down from her determination to tell this story.
Suzanne Collins started her story back in 2008 with the first book in the famous trilogy nearly 16 years ago. With it came passion and movie contracts with Lionsgate. Collins never stepped down when it came to her writing books. What stayed consistent was her passion for politics. She used her niche to gain fans worldwide and voiced her opinions through characters.
So what does this teach us? Consistency is key. Who knows, maybe you’ll write the next book for a summer blockbuster.
BIO: Jillian Padilla is a senior at CSUN majoring in Journalism with a concentration in public relations. She is excited to dive into the world of PR and share her knowledge and expertise within the film and television industry.