Do you Google yourself? It’s a good way to find out where your articles/stories are being published. Google the title of your book and find out where it is offered for sale, who is reviewing it and what they’re saying.
If you’re the publisher—the person who is doing most of the promoting—you know who is reviewing it. But there’s also a lot that you don’t know. For example, I did a search for Catscapades, True Cat Tales, this morning and discovered that Steve Dale’s column, where he mentions Catscapades, has been run in newspapers all over the US—not just the one where I originally saw the review. I also found Catscapades on sites where I didn’t know it was mentioned or featured. Some site owners just don’t get around to letting you know when your review is posted or your book is listed.
I also use Google Alerts to alert me to new listings or mentions of me or my books. Every morning, I receive a notice letting me know where my name or one of my books has popped up. Sometimes they miss new listings, however. And sometimes they report old, old ones. So it is still a good practice to do your own Google search from time to time. Sign up for Google Alerts here: http://www.google. com/alerts
A big part of book promotion is research. And you thought that, once your book was finished, the research was over. Not by a long shot. Now you need to locate potential outlets, review opportunities, etc. for your book. And you must check back fairly often to make sure your book is being reviewed—that people are doing what they promised to do for you.
If you dislike research, but you want to produce a book that is at least somewhat successful, you’d better learn to tolerate the process of research. Or hire someone who will do it for you. Research is ongoing for the author with a book to promote.
Catscapades, True Cat Tales is being featured on the Cool Cat Books page of Flippy’s Cat Site in Melbourne, Australia. Check it out at http://www.flippyscatpage.com/coolcatbooks.html
To order your copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales go to http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html
Book sales are up for my hallmark book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. See what everyone is so excited about: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Summer is upon us. It’s a good time to sign up for an online course. Check out my array of online course:
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm