This week, we’re joined by Nardia Plumridge, who shares her insights and advice on writing, publishing, and marketing a travel guide on Birds Of A Feather Press.
I’ve never been to Florence, but if Italy is on my travel schedule, I would gravitate toward this type of travel guide.
It shows that no matter the destination’s popularity, there’s always a way to put your unique spin on the content you include in your travel guide. You must follow Nardia’s lead by defining your angle and theme to narrow down your content niche to target a specific audience.
How would you describe the type of books/genre you write?
I write traditional travel journalism, focusing on boutique and independent travel. Little backstreets, artisan stores, and local foodie joints offer the true essence of a city or country.
What motivated you to start writing?
During university, it became very clear that I love to write, adore magazines, and have an avid interest in photography. So, working in publishing seemed the next step. I have a curious nature and love exploring, so travel became an organic go-to for ideas and articles.
Tell us the journey you went on to get your books published (e.g. direct on your website, self-published, assisted-publishing, traditional publisher)
It started by creating the website Lost in Florence to showcase the Tuscan capital’s independent artisan stores. I didn’t see anything else concisely showcasing these venues. Most information was generic, with most guidebooks detailing all the famous sights and cultural pursuits. I wanted to lead readers to the city’s lesser-travelled parts and places. Having a niche certainly helps (in my opinion), and from here, I developed a social media following. So, starting my website purely out of passion, with a purpose, was my beginning and helped shape the book before it was in print.
What publishing elements do you most enjoy and most like to avoid, and why? (e.g. design, marketing, formatting, etc.)
I thrive on creative planning and writing. That’s my skill set, and I don’t feel I can do it all—which is why I don’t self-publish; it’s too overwhelming. I love to collaborate with creatives, so going down a traditional publishing route was always my dream to have an editor and publisher to bounce ideas off.
As for parts I prefer to avoid, the marketing side is not my forte. Yet these days, you have to be willing to be the writer, PR, marketeer, and event organizer all in one, regardless of whether you self-publish or go down a more traditional route. Be prepared to be involved in all elements of book making if you truly wish to succeed.
With the hindsight of being a published author, is there anything you would have done differently?
I understand the editing timeline process better, making my approach more streamlined. I’d assumed once I submitted my manuscript, I’d have a few weeks of grace before feedback and edits began, but no, they came through immediately, with amendments required ASAP. I was travelling at the time, so it was a crazy few weeks. So my learning is to set aside these months from submission to print for editing, as it takes longer than you think.
What marketing or promotional tools or techniques do you use to reach your readers?
Using my social media channels first and foremost. Then reaching out to people I know who would genuinely enjoy the book. If they like it, hopefully they will share with their followers however I never expect anything in return. There are never ‘deals’ or any pressure. I believe in authentic engagement. Also, creating events helps to drive a ‘story’ around your book release that can be both fun to do and help drive engagement, so liaise with a few venues to see if you can host an event together.
What impact do you want your books to have on your readers?
To discover the true essence of a city and create memorable travel experiences away from the tourist masses. Florence is a major tourist centre, and you can easily see the main attractions and miss its beauty. The artisan stores, backstreets and little independent ateliers offer an authentic Italian adventure.
What’s your book’s elevator pitch or key selling points?
Lost in Florence takes you to places beyond the tourist spots, ideal for the curious traveller who wishes to discover the unexpected. Go beyond the facades of the palazzi and the cobbled pavements to discover a city rich with creative energy and unique outlets by new designers and artisans of style. This is an indispensable book for anyone visiting or living in Florence.
What’s next on your writing journey?
I have a tonne of freelance writing commissions to do—both to support the book and other work for travel adventures around the globe. I am evolving ‘Lost in’, which was always my plan, to be beyond Italy with Lost in the Cities, a website and podcast filled with tips and travel tricks with a continued focus on chic, boutique, and unique venues in major cities.
