If you're published, you might want to check out the latest additions to Amazon's Author Central -- the ability to post videos and events on your author page. Author Central is still technically only in beta, and there are indeed a few glitches. For instance, if you try to enter events, you'll find that you're... Continue Reading →
Series on the business of publishing
One of our esteemed chapter colleagues, Stasia Ward Kehoe, is running a blog series on children's book marketing:Here are links to her first two posts:The Business of Children's Books No. 1:Today I begin my series of musings on trade book marketing. I have worked in children’s publishing for over fifteen years, first as an educational... Continue Reading →
Baking cookies? Post on your blog
Julie Reinhardt sent along a link to a "Cookie Crawl" contest and a clever idea.If you're bringing cookies to the meeting tonight, why not promote your blog, as well? The Cookie Crawl info is here, with links to the rules. You might find some crossover readers in the cookie-baking crowd.
COLUMBIAKids: call for submissions and book titles
If you want to write an article or a story, or if you have a new book set locally to promote, check out these opportunities from COLUMBIAKids magazine.Call for Submissions: COLUMBIAKids’ “Icons of Washington” IssueWhat's your favorite icon of Washington? Is it a person, place, or really cool thing? COLUMBIAKids is looking for great stories... Continue Reading →
On working with publicists
An often quoted adage (that’s not actually in the Bible) with one little word change to make it apply to what I want to talk about today.If you are a published author, one of the smartest things you can do when it comes to marketing and promotion is to be a squeaky wheel without the... Continue Reading →
Do free sample chapters sell books?
The short answer? Yes.Some other interesting nuggets from the Frankfurt Book Fair:Women are spending nearly 70 percent more time browsing books online than men do. The most popular genre of books browsed online is romance novels, followed by books for tweens/teens and business books. The peak time for browsing romance titles is 11pm – 1am,... Continue Reading →
Would you ever create your own audiobook?
One author did--and thinks you should, too. His audiobook was broadcast 30,000 times and a PDF of the book, downloaded 80,000 times. Hmmm.Read the blog post (rather long) at Holt Uncensored.
Book publicity: a funny take
Before we get to the funny, here's a good summary of what a first-time author can expect from a publisher's publicity department. In other words, don't expect billboards and such.Here's the start of a Shouts & Murmurs letter to an author: Hi, Ellis—Let me introduce myself. My name is Gineen Klein, and I’ve been brought... Continue Reading →
Cheesy networking vs. going to events
Here's a useful post on GalleyCat about marketing:Book Publicity Tips: Real Conversations Vs. Shameless PromotionBy Jason BoogMost literary types are shy, solitary, and isolated--traits developed through the obsessive craft of writing. However, in this world of shrinking book reviews and disappearing publicity budgets, writers are being forced to break these habits.Today's guest on the Morning... Continue Reading →
Great tongue-in-cheek promotional video
Here's James Gurney, creator of the Dinotopia series, promoting his humor. Bet he books a lot of class visits with this.