Interview With Book Publicist, Marketing Associate & Smith Publicity’s All Things Book Marketing Host Olivia McCoy!

With departments like publicity and marketing, how common is it for authors to pitch their own promotional ideas? Book publicist and marketing associate, as well as host of Smith Publicity’s All Things Book Marketing Podcast, Olivia McCoy, says it is not only common, but encouraged. 

“We really lean on authors coming to us for ideas,” the publishing professional tells So Booking Cool. “We know the book space, we … Read the rest

Author Spotlight: “A Key to Home” Author Vanessa Rodriguez!

In the return of SBC’s Author Spotlight, we welcome debut children’s book author Vanessa Rodriguez, who shares what led her to writing a book and her journey as an author thus far. Get comfy and read her piece below!

My name is Vanessa Rodriguez and I’m the author of the up-and-coming children’s book A Key to Home: Unlatch the Adventure,  publishing on October 31, 2023. 

The journey I’ve … Read the rest

Interview With “Dream Big Young One” Author Cheyenne Gadsden!

Often, when people share that they have written a book, they are met with congratulatory responses. While the reason may seem obvious, let us unpack an author’s perspective on why this is common. New York-based entrepreneur, educator, and debut author Cheyenne Gadsden recently appeared on SBC in support of her children’s book Dream Big Young One: Believe it and It Will Come True.

“That is a milestone,” she says. … Read the rest

Interview With Priceless Publishing Founder & “Chasing Rainbows” Author Dr. Sidjae Price!

Sometimes our success stories seem unplanned. Entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and consultant Dr. Sidjae Price can attest to this as it happened with her company Priceless Publishing. It all started when she gained the desire to write a book, which prompted her to take a course on how to publish it. 

“Part of the course was an assignment to get a beta tester—to publish their book,” the Chasing Rainbows author … Read the rest

Interview With “Mysteries of Sir Lionheart: The Intricate Code” Author Hexael Rivera!

2022 marks the year that Hexael Rivera accomplished his dream of becoming a published author. The full-time educator and student, who idolizes J. R. R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), has loved storytelling and world-building since his youth. This past summer he released The Intricate Code, the first book in his steampunk fantasy series Mysteries of Sirlionheart (illustrated by Phrygian Bayona). His literature is targeted towards readers … Read the rest

Interview With “Soul Beneficiary” Author & Entrepreneur Jessi Park!

The past can be painful, but it can also motivate. Entrepreneur and author of the bestseller Soul Beneficiary: The Good, Better, Best Guide to Success in Selling Insurance Jessi Park faced hardships during her childhood and later as a single parent. “I feel like whenever you experience choosing between paying a bill or eating, that you find yourself saying to yourself ‘I will never be in this position again,’” … Read the rest

Interview With “Another Christmas” Actress Sheena Faust!

Sometimes actors will seek books for craft, sometimes they will seek it for perseverance. Sheena Faust, star of the feel-good Another Christmas (Stacie Davis Films) and creator of the upcoming series WAISS (Why Am I Still Single?) can relate. “I really enjoy personal development books,” she tells SBC. “I think that this craft can be difficult at times. It is a journey. Actors, whenever we start … Read the rest

Interview With “A Basketball Hero is Born” Author Jerald LeVon Hoover!

The phrase “Not all heroes wear capes,” coincides with the concept of the acclaimed Hero book series by award-winning author, educator, and sports journalist, Jerald LeVon Hoover.

“When people look at the books,” he tells SBC, “you’re not going to see one person with a cape on or a mask on or a uniform on—not unless it’s a basketball uniform. In other words, they’re going to be regular folk … Read the rest

Interview With “The Pay Day” Actor & Screenwriter Sam Benjamin!

What would you do if shortly after losing your job you receive an offer to hack into a computer for $5 million? This concept is explored in the new British heist film The Pay Day (Vertical Entertainment, November 11). The post-pandemic story was developed and written by award-winning actors Sam Benjamin and Kyla Frye, who co-star in the movie as Jennifer and George.

“It’s a working class tale about characters … Read the rest

Interview With “Another Christmas” Director Stacie Davis Hamilton!

From books and journalism to filmmaking, Stacie Davis Hamilton has been a storyteller for many years. The likes of Mildred D. Taylor (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry), Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun), and Barbara Park (Junie B. Jones) were early inspirations, especially the latter who she credits for introducing her to writing. A pivotal moment in her journey came during her … Read the rest