THE TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY THAT MADE 'SKY IN RED' A SELF-HELP STANDOUT.
INTRODUCTION
Sky in Red: Why Self-Trust and Confidence are Your Superpower is a motivational and self-help book, written by Tyra Juliette Schwartz, that empowers readers to develop self-belief and build confidence as a personal superpower. Written for readers seeking growth, empowerment, and mindset transformation, the book falls into the popular self-help and personal development category.
The author chose the self-publishing route, which presented the common challenge of needing professional refinement and visibility. Without polished editing and a marketing plan, the book risked being overlooked in a saturated self-help space.
This case is important because it demonstrates the power of combining professional editing with a targeted social media strategy to ensure that a strong message resonates with readers and finds its audience.
THE CHALLENGE
When Tyra Juliette Schwartz partnered with Novella Publishers, there were two major challenges:
The manuscript was powerful in its message but required professional editing for clarity, flow, and reader engagement.
The self-help market is extremely crowded, with hundreds of new releases each week. Standing out required not just a good book but a visible presence.
The author had no structured social media plan and a very limited following.
There were few reviews and no strong Barnes & Noble and Amazon visibility at launch.
AT THE STARTING POINT, THE BOOK HAD POTENTIAL BUT LACKED THE POLISH AND PRESENCE NEEDED TO GAIN TRACTION.
GOALS
The author’s objectives with Novella Publishers were twofold:
THE STRATEGY
Novella Publishers crafted a two-part strategy that blended editing excellence with social media promotion.
PROFESSIONAL EDITING
Comprehensive line editing for readability, tone, and flow.
Grammar and structure refinements to ensure consistency.
Polished formatting to meet Barnes & Noble and Amazon publishing standards.
Guidance on strengthening chapter hooks and ensuring key takeaways were clear.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Development of a content calendar based on empowerment themes.
Creation of quote graphics from the book’s strongest lines for Instagram and Facebook.
Targeted ads reaching personal growth and motivational book readers.
Encouraging readers to share testimonials and reviews online.
IMPLEMENTATION
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(Weeks 1–4) Manuscript review, line edits, and final proofing.
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(Weeks 1–4) Refinement of chapter flow and reader engagement elements.
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(Months 2–3) Setup of branded Instagram and Facebook accounts.
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(Months 2–3) Creation of daily content tied to motivational themes.
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(Months 2–3) Launch of ad campaigns targeting self-help readers.
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(Months 2–3) Encouraging readers to leave reviews.
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(Ongoing) Weekly content management, community interaction, and ad optimizations.
RESULTS
The combination of editing and social media campaigns brought clear results:
4.5
average rating from readers on publishing sites
1,000
followers on Instagram and Facebook within 90 days
65
verified reviews gained on Barnes & Noble and Amazon within the first three months
AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE
TYRA JULIETTE SCHWARTZ SHARED:
“Novella Publishers made my book the best version of itself through editing, and then helped me bring it to readers through social media. The response from readers has been overwhelming and motivating.”