#39: Pitch Smarter, Not Harder: Media Placement Strategies for Aspiring Authors

What’s the real key to turning media placements into a book deal? Spoiler alert: It’s not just about landing a big-name feature.

In this episode, Allison answers a listener’s question about pitching magazines and shares expert insights from powerhouse literary agent Sam Hiyate. You’ll learn why visibility, consistency, and audience targeting matter more than ever for authors trying to get published.

Whether you’re a Canadian writer or an aspiring author anywhere in the world, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to boost your author marketing game.

Tune in now to discover how to pitch smarter and turn small wins into big opportunities!

What You’ll Learn:

Why one magazine feature isn’t a “golden ticket” for authors (and what actually matters).
How to evaluate media outlets based on visibility and digital reach—not geography.
Why pitching consistency (like one pitch per day!) can transform your results.
Tips for amplifying your media mentions to build long-term discoverability.
How Canadian authors can tap into U.S. and global media markets effectively.

Resources Mentioned:

Sam Hiyate’s agency: The Rights Factory https://www.rightsfactory.com
Magazines referenced: Chatelaine, Toronto Life, Chicago Tribune
Allison’s email for submissions: [email protected]

Timestamps:

[00:02:00] Why one media placement isn’t enough to land a book deal?
[00:03:00] How to evaluate magazines for their audience reach and digital footprint.
[00:05:00] Sam Hiyate’s insights on pitching Canadian vs. U.S. magazines.
[00:06:00] The power of consistency: One pitch a day for 29 days.