People still ask me, “How did you get that interview (or speaking gig or book review)?†My typical response is, “I asked for it.â€
Especially in the early stages of authorship, you have to be proactive. You must reach out—let the media, web hosts, book reviewers, booksellers, know that you exist and why you or your project is noteworthy. With time, if you have a worthwhile product and/or program, they will come looking for you. They will seek you out and ask to review you book, request that you speak to their group, set up a book signing or offer you space in their magazine/blog, for example.
It came to my attention recently that Writing for Dollars has given me a page at their site with my photo, bio and a list of my articles for view. Check it out at http://www.writingfordollars.com/articlesDB_lookup.cfm?author=94
I did a search this morning to see where else my name is appearing and here are some of the links I found:
My article, “Are You Writing a Bulldozer Book?†is at http://www.publishingbasics.com/current
There’s a surprise review of my book The Successful Writer’s Handbook by Molly Martin posted at Epinions. Tamara Sellman mentions me in her blog http://www.tamarasellman.blogspot.com
Of course, my upcoming conferences and workshops are noted numerous times throughout the web. Check out my calendar of events at http://www.matilijapress.com/activities.htm. I’ll be in Atlanta at the Spring Book Show March 29; Borders in Nashville on March 31; Los Angeles Times Book Festival April 26-27; a writers’ conference in Baltimore May 2-3, West Coast Authors’ Event in Ventura, California July 11; Wizard of Words Writers’ Conference in Phoenix October 10-12 and, possibly, the Prescott Library in Prescott, AZ October 15.
What’s the best avenue toward obtaining publicity for yourself and your book? Get out there and ask for it.
• Research appropriate sites, venues and publications.
(My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, gives you tips for conducting research and links to sites such as those for book festivals, newspapers, libraries, etc.)
• Contact the director, organizer or editor with a specific request.
(“Will you review my book?†“I’d like to come speak to your group.†“I’d like to submit an article/story.†“I’m available for an interview.â€)
• Be prepared to briefly and succinctly describe your book.
• Offer possible highlights for your article/speech/interview.
• Clearly outline your article/story.
• Ask for recommendations for additional venues, sites, etc.
If you want to sell books, you must have an audience and the ability to reach them. In order to be noticed, you must reach out. I tell my audiences and my readers, “While writing is a craft—a heart thing—authorship is a business which requires an entirely different mindset and array of activities.†It’s true, once you emerge from your writing room and start the process of publishing, in order to be successful, you MUST start honing your marketing savvy and promotional skills.
For more about this or other subjects related to writing/publishing, contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com