There’s lots happening in the Matilija Press/Patricia Fry offices and at the Matilija Press and Patricia Fry websites. I’m offering a free ebook—a condensed version of my latest book, The Successful Author’s Handbook, for FREE at http://www.patriciafry.com
I produced The Successful Writers Handbook in 2003 and it has been a popular book with many writers and authors. So, last year, I compiled The Successful Author’s Handbook and produced it as an ebook. Recently, I condensed that ebook in order to offer it FREE for serious authors who visit my Patricia Fry website and sign up to receive it.
I’m still collecting quotes from authors who have used unusual means to promote their books and/or who have had relative success with some form of book promotion. It’s a good opportunity to get exposure for your book as many of the quotes—mini-interviews—will appear in my new book on book marketing to be published by Allworth Press. If you wish to participate, contact me here PLFry620@yahoo.com.
I’m even interested in hearing about some of your book promotion disappointments. One of mine involves bookstores. Years ago, when I came out with my first book of national appeal, I bought a mailing list of bookstores. My grandchildren and I spent hours preparing promotional packets to send out to hundreds of bookstores throughout the U.S. The results of this effort were zilch, zero, nada—absolutely nothing.
I had come out with two books at that time—a metaphysical memoir and a book about preparing a luau on the mainland. As it turns out, I was able to get the luau book into several specialty bookstores—those related to cookbooks and foods, but this was through an entirely different promotional effort. I did the research by hand—no computer involved—to locate such bookstores and contacted them individually. This effort was a success. I’ve also had success approaching independent bookstore managers in person with my various books over the years.
What about you? What book-selling stories can you tell? What have you learned about book promotion over time? Leave your comment here.