Young Adult Thriller, and the Three-Act Book Launch

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:14:02 — 67.8MB)

In this episode 344, we feature author and award-winning filmmaker Nick Brooks and his YA thriller Promise Boys, which Kirkus calls “breathtakingly complex and intriguing,” and Booklist calls “a top-notch page-turner and deep character study that will grip readers.” Plus Landis shares a practical breakdown of the three acts of the book launch period.

Today’s Featured Authors

Nick Brooks Time Stamp: 4:22

Promise Boys is a debut YA thriller by writer-filmmaker Nick Brooks, in which three boys at an urban charter school investigate their principal’s murder during a high-stakes 24-hour day. It is a page-turning murder mystery thriller that shines a light on themes of social justice and educational inequities, shaping this novel to be both a commercial and literary blockbuster.

Landis Wade Time Stamp: 42:30

From Landis’s blog post “The Three-Act Book Launch,” we take the following tips:

  • A successful book launch starts with a good book. Use an editor and revise thoroughly!
  • Allow at least nine months for a pre-publication launch period.
  • Get creative with your marketing and think beyond the typical bookstore events.
  • Solicit honest reviews from readers and trade reviewers, and consider using promotions like Bookbub to get more reviews.
  • Say yes to opportunities, no matter how small.

2-Minute Tip: Time Stamp: 35:04

Don’t miss Charlotte Lit co-founder and executive director Paul Reali’s tip about The Rules of Writing, Part 5: Outlining and Planning.

Elevator Pitches:

Thanks to the following authors for sharing elevator pitches:

John Gerdy – The Journey of an Old White Dude in the Age of Black Lives Matter

Rebecca Wheeler – Whispering Through Water

Community Updates:

         Listen to our episode for updates on the Charlotte writing community, including events from the Charlotte Writers Club, Charlotte Lit, and more. 

Book Recommendations: Time Stamp: 1:03:08

         Hannah recommends:

         The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

         Sarah recommends:

         Family Planning by Karan Mahajan

         Landis recommends:

         Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour

Mark West, Storied Charlotte Blog, recommends:

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Community Voices:

Thanks to readers of The Write Quotes series for the wonderful reviews you’re leaving for the first two books! A sampling:

from Judy Goldman: Have you ever wanted to sit down with the author of the book you just finished reading and ask a bunch of questions? Well, Landis Wade has done just that with his remarkable podcast, Charlotte Readers Podcast. He has been asking authors questions for years. And now look what he’s done! He pulled many of the answers he heard and compiled them in books. Apparently, this is the first one. And it’s a doozy. So much fun to read. So tantalizing to think about all the different perspectives from these writers. I highly recommend.

from Mary Bess Dunn: The writing life with all its warts and rewards is showcased in Landis Wade’s excellent compendium of eye-opening responses to interview questions writers were asked on his Charlotte Readers Podcast over the years. As a writer myself (and proud interviewee) I find a nugget of inspiration and encouragement in each carefully honed segment. My new favorite resource!

The Write Quotes Series:

Go to https://charlottereaderspodcast.com/writequotes/ to learn more about our series of quote books, download Book 1 for free, or support the show and get more free books by joining our street team.