Author Name:
Linsey Knerl
Book Title:
Homeschool Hacks: How to Give Your Kid a Great Education Without Losing Your Job (or Your Mind)
Website URL
https://www.homeschoolhacksbook.com
Link to book page on Amazon:
Social Media Links
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lknerl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lknerl
Facebook: https://facebook.com/linseybknerl
What is your book about?
A working mother of six, who has homeschooled her own children for years, shows how any family can do it, with customized plans for every schedule, lifestyle, and educational goal.
What inspired you to write your book?
I have been homeschooling for over 15 years, and when the pandemic hit, it occurred to me that families may be seeking information on how to do it. I had previously tried to find an agent for this book over 8 years ago, but found little interest. I was quick to get an agent for this during the pandemic, and it sold to a traditional publisher very quickly.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
I am a freelance writer by trade, providing copy and brand content for tech and finance companies. While my book isn’t related to my business, it has been a very good addition to it. Many of my clients have asked about homeschooling, and many homeschooling parents are curious about making a business work. The two worlds go hand-in-hand.
What is a typical day like for you?
My day usually starts by running my teens to activities, where I do some email work and return calls while waiting for them in the car. Then, we return home for lunch and hands-on homeschool work. I may pop into my office for an hour for media or podcasts interviews during their “quiet time.” Then, it’s dinner together. Finally, I spend the evenings handling my writing for clients. This can last until 10 or even 11 pm, depending on my workload. Some weeks I travel for conferences, where I do some public speaking. And there are also those weeks where I take kids to a speech tournament or a camp, and that requires some extra creative multi-tasking!
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I love writing, being and author, and speaking because it’s never the same day twice, and if I get bored with a topic or industry, I can easily move to a new one. Having a book come out was the icing on the cake, as it introduced me to so many talented authors and those in the publishing industry who help me with new ideas and encouragement. It’s a big world out there, and writers get to explore every corner of it — and get paid!
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
Any author should read the book “They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today’s Digital Consumer.” It’s a must for branding!
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
I would definitely recommend promotional efforts that happen far in advance of your book. I had very little time between contract signing and publish date. While my publisher had some things planned, the shortened timeline didn’t allow for many of them. In hindsight, I would say I could have done more to market on my own, even in those areas where my publisher was working hard. Never assume that you can’t jump in and do the work, even with a traditional publishing contract.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I also write horror! While I have only had short stories published here and there, I have a few completed novels in the works. I enjoy spooky reads and find fiction writing a much-needed break from all the business and educational writing I do.
What’s next for you?
I have been excited to see the explosion of educational products and services that have come out of the pandemic. As a content marketer by day, it has been a nice way to segway into edtech and consulting. Many of the companies I do branded copy for are excited to hear that I homeschool, so I look forward to providing more marketing consulting in these areas, especially as educational brands look for new ways to reach the growing homeschool market.
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