Interview with Steph Wynne

Published 2022-07-03.

What Masterclass teachers do you like?

I really like Dan Brown and James Patterson. They really break down scripts, books, and films.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

What inspires me is knowing that a seed (media) that I have planted could sprout at any time. I am motivated by the "chase" of success.

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

I like reading a lot! I also like creating marketing videos, brochures, t-shirts, booklets, and landing pages for my media. I get charged by "thinking" about my next big idea!

How do you discover the ebooks you read?

I discover some of the books I read by another author mentioning the book. If I'm reading an author and they recommend a book or mention a book in passing, I google it and if I like the description I will read it. Or add it to my list of books to read.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

When I was detained in a juvenile girl's school I wrote a story. It was a story about a boy who wore all black as I can remember.

I showed the story to the counselor who embarrassed me by asking was I the boy in the story.

I was 13 or 14 and did not realize she as the older adult could read between my lines. I didn't write much after that...

What is your writing process?

My writing process is to record my thoughts into a recorder. I don't use my cellphone and use an old-school hand recorder that I upload for transcription. I have hand notes as well.

What bugs me is that some of my energizing thoughts I want to turn into a book when the thoughts can be a blog post or simple essay.

Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?

I've read a lot of stories but when I read Jurassic Park I thought it was great and would make a fantastic movie, and well it was.

How do you approach cover design?

Usually, I do the cover myself with an app like Canva.com. I find a photo or piece together a photo and go from there. Lately, I've used the Fiveer for my covers.

What type of books do you like to read?

I like to learn so books that teach me the art of communication, self-improvement, persuasion, leadership, or a new app to make something I do easier is what I like. I also like sci-fi books mainly audiobooks.

What do you read for pleasure?

I like marketing books and books about getting customers. It's like I want to "break the code" of marketing so that if I do XYZ I will 100% get the results I'm looking for.

How do you read your books?

I like the feel of a printed book but I also like audiobooks. I don't read as many e-books.

So it's:

50% printed book

40% Audiobooks

10% e-books

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

I use direct mail, Google Ads, Amazon Marketing, and Youtube and can get traffic, my issue is converting traffic into customers.

Describe your desk

I have three work areas. One at my client's office and two at home. One desk is for editing videos and the other is for creating other media such as brochures, booklets, landing pages, templates, e-commerce sites, etc.