There’s something magical and alluring about certain words like….
Maven
Guru
Expert
So one of my goals for 2012 is to become a maven. It just sounds so sexy like I should be standing on the top of a cliff with the wind blowing my long raven tresses while I hold my book in my hands. (Or maybe I’m confusing maven with raven, who might’ve been the name of a character in a book I read at some point? Not sure.)
And certainly readers will line up to sign up for a newsletter or buy a book if one is a maven.
Right?
I mean a maven sounds so official like this person knows what they are talking about; hence one must buy all their books.
Makes total sense.
In fact, it’s a marketing or promotional strategy (I’m still trying to figure out the difference between the two) that I’m surprised more authors don’t take advantage of. Clearly that would shoot them up the NY Times bestseller list.
So, maven. What could I proclaim myself a maven of? And it probably should have the whole alliteration thing going too.
I can’t really say I’m a Marketing Maven; well, because I’m not. Though maybe just by saying it readers will believe me. That’s not very ethical and considering I write middle grade fiction along with YA, I’m naturally very moral.
How about Meatball Maven? I make a mean crock-pot of meatballs with almost little or no prep. But that doesn’t really fit into my brand. And meatball is an extremely small niche. I wonder if there is a Kindle list for: children’s literature – spy thrillers – humor – meatballs?
Hmm. Let’s see.
Marvel comics Maven? (My son loves comic books.)
Mailman Maven? (I know exactly when my mail person comes each day, especially when I’m expecting a book in the mail.)
Geez. This is hard.
Any suggestions? Are you a maven? Guru? Or expert? And how have you sufficiently incorporated that into your brand and your use of keywords, tags, and lists?
And there may or may not be meatballs in my short story, THE ALMOST ASSASSIN, in the In His Eyes Anthology. Not making any promises. You never know how lethal meatballs can be.
I believe you already are a maven. It doesn’t alliterate but you a maven of all things writing, you’ve certainly given me food for thought over the years in how, and why I write the way I do.
Okay here’s one, (And remember it’s still way too early)
Merry Maven of Mid-grade.
Merry Mid-Grade Maven (No that makes you sound like a car)
The Maven of Penning, Ms. Pauling. You can be a maven AND have a title.
Love that word! I want to be a dream maven. Lol
I consider you a maven, but I like some of Anne’s suggestions. You definitely need an “of” in there.
ROFL. Merry Maven of MG sounds like one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men.
How about Maven of Plotting or Maven of Story Structure? I don’t know anyone who can strip a book down to it’s basic structure like you can. 😀
I love the word maven, too. Hmm…
Something that captures the humor…the MGness of it all…The Mistaken Maven? Mostly Maven? (playing off the Almost Assassin here…and whee! I love having our names on a cover together!)
I know your Mavenness will be Magnificent…once you figure out what it is. 🙂
I got a chuckle out of that!
I wouldn’t go with something like Monkey Maven though.
Sorry, can’t help – I’m a Ninja not a Maven.
Ha ha! You’re all making me laugh. I never thought about being a ninja. I kinda like that too. What exactly is the difference between a ninja and a maven? Hmm. How about the Merry Maven Martyr of Middle grade. I have no clue what that means though.
A maven sounds like a magic woman who holds control over ravens. LOL. I’m a sushi maven. I can roll a maki with the best of them. Hope you had a great holiday!
Hysterical. I’m a thought maven (and I agree throw that word next to any other word and it does sound sexy). Even meatballs. 😀
Thought maven really means I think to much and overthink everything.
Oh, but I’m going to be playing with this all day. Maybe I could be a book guru or…hmm. Fun post!
~ Wendy
I love, love, love your new picture, Laura!! It’s so pretty. And I’m one of those encyclopedia type of people–I know a little about a lot of topics, but I’m an expert on none!
Meatballs sound good now… 🙂
Mmm, I love meatballs!! I wouldn’t mind being a maven. But I’m not an expert at anything, boo! Maybe that should my new year’s resolution, to become a maven at something, ha!
I think Maven suits you just fine 🙂
Unfortunately, I can only proclaim to be the ‘Princess of Procrastination’. Perhaps I should aim higher, something like the ‘Prodigy of Productivity’??
You are my Plot Busting Maven! Looking forward to your new series on Monday.
As for me–can I be the Publishing Czarina? I’ve always loved the word Czarina.
I agree! You already are a maven! (and I totally pictured the flowing tresses thing, too! and perhaps a white steed in the background…?)
Good luck on your continued maven-ness.
Shelley
Meatball Maven made me lol.
Love your new pic.
Maven is a great word…it will come to you.
Happy New Year!
Ha, ha. I know you what already are: A PLOT MAVEN. You’re so good at that. *bows down*
Meatball Maven sounds good to me. 😀 Or Media Maven. Or Marvelous Maven. Magical Maven? Marshmallow Maven. Oh boy, I see why you had s much fun with this…
You’re all too kind. I can’t call myself a plot maven until my own plots turn out better! 🙂
There’s something about the word maven that makes me want to say it in a Jerry Lewis voice. Heyyy maven!
I cast my book for Merry Maven since your posts always give me a positive boost. BTW have you tried sweet and sour meatballs using a jar of grape jelly and a jar of chili sauce? Yum..
Silly Laura. You’re the Plot Maven, didn’t you know that?
Merry Maven – I like b/c it has the alliteration. Plot maven just doesn’t have that good ring to it!
Gotta watch out for those meatballs!! Heehee. Wishing you the best of success with your story.
This post made me laugh so I’m going for Maven of Mirth – although the meatballs sound good 🙂
This is fun, Laura. I love all the suggestions you’re getting. I think you’re a Marvelous Maven of Manuscripts. Me, I’ll go with Kristy and say I’m a Princess of Procrastination!
Maven, what a great word! I want to be a maven of something too… yes, marketing would be nice 🙂
So exciting about your anthology!!!wink.
I think there are some excellent suggestions in these comments! I agree, that you are a maven. Already. I think it has to do with how you drive towards success with whatever you put your mind to. You are a Mind To It Maven!!
I have no doubts as to whether your newest endeavors will yield success!
I don’t think I’m a Maven of anything. I am a learner though–I love learning from others and steadily improving as I go. 🙂
I hope to learn more about marketing this coming year. It’s such an interesting topic and I know I need to really hone my skills as much as possible to round myself out. 🙂
Hope you had a terrific Christmas Laura. 🙂 Looking forward to a year of more great posts from you!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I really don’t see why you can’t be a maven of meatballs, but I do see your point about the branding thing. Maybe it’ll come in handy as an interesting “side maven” thing, once you are a household name, sort of like a minor to a major in college? You never know…
Ha, this cracked me up. And you should totally go for Marvel comics Maven! Your books would sell themselves. (;
Congrats about the anthology, by the way!
Lethal meatballs are definitely intriguing, if not mavenish!!! But my isn’t maven a great word? And it goes well with two of my primary interests: maps and mythical creatures!
I think you just need a “m” word version for plot because you are the plotbuster maven! I also love your movie plot analyses because usually I’ve seen the movie, but rarely have I read the book. How about movie plot maven?
LOL! You’re so funny. There was a time in about 2008-09 where I wanted to be a mogul. I was doing so many different things, I decided I’d get on TV and solidify it all…
then I just started writing books. *le sigh* 😀