Client Interview: Author Beth Ann Mathews
I had the pleasure of catching up recently with my client Beth Ann Mathews to hear about the months since the launch of her memoir, and how her new website fits with her overall book marketing strategy.
We worked together at the start of this year to create a brand new Squarespace website, in time for her publishing debut.
About Beth Ann Mathews
Beth Ann Mathews is a marine biologist, mother, and author of the award-winning memoir, Deep Waters.
Deep Waters takes the reader along on her family's nail-biting journey as Beth's life in Alaska is upended, when her healthy husband is slammed by a rare type of stroke.
Beth and I met through the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and it was my absolute pleasure to work with her on her new author website, to serve as a home for her blog and debut memoir.
Watch our video conversation
Or, jump to the topic you want to hear about:
> 0:56 About Beth, and how she didn’t set out to write a book
Beth’s scientific background and research writing
The unusual stroke that struck her healthy, active husband
How her field biologist note-taking training, journaling habit, and the website CaringBridge resulted in her having detailed notes from this time
Her realization that her family’s story could help others
How Beth identified the underlying theme of relationship resilience
> 7:49 The process of turning the memoir into an audiobook
Why choice of narrator was so important, and how Beth selected Alex Picard
Why some authors have unrealistic expectations for the narrator sounding exactly like them, and what Alex aims for instead
> 13:26 What made Beth decide it was time to bring her author website up to date?
How Beth looked ahead to her book release and wanted a web presence to support it
Why the change from Squarespace version 7.0 to 7.1 was important
How the website visuals, including the family’s sailboat, play a big part on the website and tie into the themes in the book
> 17:45 How easy is Squarespace, for Beth to make her own website updates?
How Beth is able to make her own website updates, including during her busy book launch period
How Beth uses the website to show current news about the book and other material
> 19:20 How does the website fit with the rest of her author marketing?
Why the website allows for more in-depth storytelling than, for example, a Facebook post
How the website reminds Beth to reach out with substantive news to her audience
During the book launch, it felt very important to have one source of information for her event calendar
The website now has a page that helps Beth connect with Book Clubs
> 22:45 What advice would Beth give other authors, who will soon be launching a book?
Why you should start your author website well ahead of time
Why you should hire a professional website designer, if you can afford to
How to think about the professional printed materials you will need
Standing out by sending printed postcards to your friends and contacts
How to prepare for, and get the most from, bookstore appearances; see a video from one of Beth’s appearances here
Beth’s next book, a memoir that starts 30 years before Deep Waters
Deep Waters
A Memoir of Loss, Alaska Adventure, and Love Rekindled
Next Generation Indie Book Awards - Winner Memoirs: Personal Struggle/Health Issues
Independent Publishers Book Awards, IPPY - Bronze Award West-Pacific: Best Regional Non-Fiction
A marine biologist’s adventurous life as a professor, wife, and mother in Alaska is upended when her healthy husband is slammed by a rare type of stroke. His radical approach to recovery clashes with her instinct to keep him safe at home and sets them on a collision course as he insists on ambitious sailing expeditions with Beth and their young son in Alaska’s magnificent yet unforgiving waters. Deep Waters is a gripping, intimate story of relationship resilience set against the backdrop of Alaska’s dramatic marine wilderness.
Where to get your copy of Deep Waters
Book giveaway!
Beth is kindly offering to send a signed paperback copy of Deep Waters to one of my USA readers. If you’re outside the contiguous United States and you win, we’ll send you a link for an audiobook instead.
To enter:
Find and say hello to Beth on Facebook or Instagram and mention this article
Closing date: November 28, 2023
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Would you like me to design and build your author website?
As a professional specializing in Squarespace websites for authors and consultants, I’m an expert in planning and implementing a site that generates results for your business. If you’d like strategic expertise, top quality design, and all of the implementation taken care of, consider hiring me.
After careful preparation together, I’ll design, build and launch your site in usually just 2 weeks. Learn more, and then schedule our free and friendly chat.
Other resources for a strong author website
And you can also get your free Author Website Starter Kit here.
