So as I sit here, a safe seven months from my release date, I'm watching various friends and acquaintances as they madly dance through the steps required to promote and advertise a new book. It's important, especially for newer authors, to do something beyond just saying 'I have written a book and my mommy says it's awesome' when they have something hitting the shelves. (Although 'I have written a book and Seanan's mommy says it's awesome' seems to carry a surprising amount of weight for everyone but me. Does anybody else out there have a tattooed, foul-mouthed mother who'd be willing to fill that particular role for me?)
So the question becomes, what works? Book giveaways are obviously good things, but also somewhat self-limiting, as I sort of want people to buy things. (Oddly enough, I don't feel like earning back my advance all by myself.) Competitions are also good, providing the prizes are interesting -- and heck, prizes are just lovely things to offer. So what do you think would be a good idea? What kinds of promotion would you like to see? We have seven months to put even the strangest of plans into motion, so sing out!
There's going to be a sample chapter in the DAW Books Summer Sampler, which will be coming out at or around the San Diego Comic Convention. I should also be able to post a chapter or two on my website, once we get closer to publication (I'd say probably around the time they allow me to post my cover art).
thoughtful
February 10 2009, 19:08:24 UTC 8 years ago
(Icon? "Seanan's Mom says... / It's AWESOME! / [cover of book] / [title of book in big letters over the cover 'cause icons are teeny]"
Will they be putting up any sample chapters? (Can you sucker them into doing so?)
I'd suggest making a one-act operetta of the first few chapters and posting it to YouTube, but someone might take me seriously. >_>
Send the Foglios (www.girlgeniusonline.com) a copy and hope they stick a shout-out to it somewhere? *grin*
February 13 2009, 15:10:12 UTC 8 years ago
Good suggestions!
February 13 2009, 19:30:17 UTC 8 years ago
February 14 2009, 02:08:39 UTC 8 years ago