Write Angles: Unfiltered Voices, Episode 18 - Mary Anastasiou

Marketing is one of the biggest pain points for indie authors and Mary Anastasiou doesn’t sugar-coat why. In this episode of Write Angles: Unfiltered Voices, I’m joined by children’s author, publishing mentor and marketing strategist Mary Anastasiou.

Mary shares how she self-published her first picture book I Want to Be a Rock Star, how it was later picked up by a publisher after strong marketing, and what she’s learned from working across both traditional and indie publishing.

We unpack the difference between personal branding and transactional marketing, the biggest myths authors believe about selling books, and why learning the craft (especially rhyme and meter) matters just as much as promotion. Mary also shares practical insight into finding the right illustrator, building a sustainable author career, and showing up with confidence even when visibility feels uncomfortable.

Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube.

If you’ve ever finished a book and then thought, “Okay… now how do I get anyone to actually notice it?” — this one’s for you.

Mary Anastasiou joined me for a refreshingly honest conversation about marketing, personal branding, and what it really takes to build a sustainable author career (without burning yourself out in the process). Mary isn’t speaking from theory. She’s lived the industry from every angle: self-published author, traditionally published author, publishing insider and the person behind campaigns that helped debut authors get noticed.

Mary shared how her first picture book, 'I Want to Be a Rock Star', was born from bedtime storytelling and a music-loving curiosity … and how her six-year-old son’s question (“When are you going to make your dream come true, Mum?”) pushed her into self-publishing. What happened next is rare: after investing heavily in marketing and visibility, her book was discovered by a publisher and she was offered a contract for three titles.

We dug into why so many authors struggle with marketing and why the real shift often isn’t learning ‘what to post’ but understanding that people don’t just buy books; they buy you, your story and your ‘why’. Mary broke down personal branding as the long game (building advocates) and marketing as the transactional piece (selling one title at a time), and why you need both.
We also talked craft: the ‘one and done’ mindset, why rhyme can fall apart without consistent meter and why investing in professional illustration is non-negotiable if you want your self-published picture book to compete with traditionally published titles.

If marketing has felt confusing, overwhelming, or like the price of entry into publishing, this episode will give you clarity and a much calmer way to think about being visible.

✨ Key Moments to Listen For
• How Mary’s first self-published book was later picked up by a publisher
• The difference between personal branding (long game) and marketing (transactional)
• The biggest myths authors believe about selling books (trad and indie)
• Why rhyme isn’t just rhyme — it’s meter, beat and readability for kids
• Why quality illustration is crucial for self-published picture books

📚 Resources & Links
• Mary’s website: maryanastasiou.com.au
• Follow Mary on Instagram: @maryanastasiou_author
• Author guide: Write It Right: Rhyme and Meter (mentioned)
• Free eBook: Pitch It Like a Pro (available via Mary’s channels)
• Workshops mentioned: Personal Branding Workshop + Marketing Matters Workshop (Feb intake promoted via Instagram)

▶️ Your Next Steps
• Share this episode with friends
• Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes
• Follow Mary on Instagram to catch workshop intakes and resources
• Keep questioning the myth that self-published is second-rate