Promo
Tips For Authors Or Soon-To-Be-Published Authors
By Binnie
Syril Braunstein
Some of these
may seem pretty elementary, but you'd be surprised what
a difference they make.
ARCS/BOUND
GALLEYS
When sending out an ARC (advanced reading copy) of your
book, whether it's a publisher- supplied photocopy, self-copied
copy of a manuscript from your own printer, or an actual
bound galley, please sign it. "Best wishes" and your signature
is all that's needed. Also when you're sending out a photocopied
galley, try to include a cover flat, or copy of your cover
flat, if one is available, so the recipient will have
an idea what your book will look like.
CONTACTS WITH
BOOKSTORES
If you haven't done so already, start making contacts
with bookstores, whether in your local area, or farther
afield. E.g., you go on vacation, by yourself, with a
friend, your S.O/DH, and/or your family. Don't just have
a good time. (What a concept!) Find out whether the local
bookstores are (chain or independent). Visit. Introduce
yourself. Leave some copies of your promo materials, or
take the store's contact information, and send a note
and some promo materials when you return home. Even if
you don't return to do a signing, the store might be inclined
to promote the books of that author who stopped in to
say hello.
MORE ABOUT
BOOKSTORES
Consider doing "drive by" stock signings of your book,
rather than sit down scheduled booksignings. This way,
a bookstore doesn't have to worry about getting in stock,
inventory problems, crowd control - or worse - lack-of-crowd
control. How do you do a "drive by?" Let's say your new
book will be out June 1. Go to the bookstore. If you find
your title on the shelf (hopefully it's there!), go to
the front desk and inform the person on duty that you
are the author of this fabulous new book, and you'd like
to sign their stock copies and put "autographed copy"
stickers on each title. Have your own stickers with you.
Chances are, the store will be happy to accommodate you.
WARNING: at least one WRW member had this experience when
encountering a store clerk and asking permission to sign
stock: "Oh, you'll have to wait. I'll have to ask the
manager if it's OK for you to deface the books." (Yes,
this really happened! And through magnificent diplomacy
and reining in of raised eyebrows and incredulous responses,
the author managed to accomplish her objective!).
I spent the
better part of an hour on the telephone with a bookstore
maven today. Among other things, she advises:
- authors to use "autographed copy" rather than "local
author" stickers on books.
- don't bother putting a "wonderful read" sticker on your
book. Both booksellers and book buyers scoff at them.
By the way - this was a new one on me!
- my contact says that booksellers love bookmarks, but
dislike the larger postcard format promos. (I know there
are differences of opinion on this matter. I know authors
who are comfortable with either, and some with both formats.)
- have a wonderful web site. Keep it current. Run contests.
Author websites are attracting lots of readers.
- make contact with readers groups by sending them promo
materials, ARCS when available, etc. I now have a list
of approximately 50 readers groups (in bookstores and
libraries) around the country. Many of the groups specialize
in romance, or include romance with other genres, such
as mystery. Please contact me if you're interested.
CONTACTS WITH
LIBRARIES
Also very important. Don't forget - they buy multiple
copies of books. Get to know the adult fiction librarian
in your local branch. Speaking engagements may also result.
CAPITAL EDITIONS
LIST
One of my pet projects this summer will be to update the
Capital Editions List, which includes WRW-area bookstores
and libraries. To that end, I will be sending the file
(via attachment, saved in RTF) to all members. Feel free
to print out a copy. Also - (here's a plea for help, folks!)
please read over the list. If any bookstores (new, used,
independent, chain) are MIA or DOA (missing or no longer
existing), please let me know. I'm also interested in
the names of individual store contacts. I'll correct the
list as I receive replies. When the replies (I'm being
optimistic and hopeful, hint, hint) dry up, I'll have
a new compilation ready to send out. Thanks so much in
advance for your cooperation!
PUBLISHED AUTHOR
BIOS
Yes, it's that time again. Something happened this year.
It ought to be incorporated into your bio. And that bio
ought to be sent to me. Feel free to email me (either
within the body of the email or via attached file. If
you use the latter method, PLEASE SAVE FIRST IN RTF. I
have WordPerfect 8, which does NOT automatically convert
MSWord into something I can read. (Unless you'd like your
bio to look a miniature string of boxes, of course!).
If nothing has changed since you last sent me a bio, you've
got a reprieve. Or if you recently sent me one, you're
off the hook. If you have any questions, please let me
know. BTW - I'll be glad to appropriate your latest bio
from your website, if that's your pleasure.
AND SPEAKING
OF AUTHOR WEBSITES
Please - keep your website current! If you have a book
coming out, it should be on your website, along with an
excerpt, or at least, the first chapter. I don't care
if the book isn't coming out until 2003! Don't you want
those readers to be slavering in anticipation in the mean
time? Also, you don't have a web site just because it's
de rigeur and everybody else has one - it's a useful tool.
But to be useful, it has to be effective! Link with other
sites, when appropriate. Have you linked with WRW, for
example? Does RWA know about your site? And the many romance-friendly
reviewing sites? Consider that a web site is a kind of
electronic press kit; a reporter seeking to do an article
on you, or interview you, might visit your site first.
Keep it spiffy, current and easy to navigate!
Binnie writes the monthly Promotion and Publicity column
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