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!
You're an artist, an author, and a musician. There are a lot of opportunities there.
I like the YouTube video idea. There are a lot of zombie fans out there and with a little promotion you could get a lot of hits. Look for other fan videos (Jonathan Coultan Re: Your Brains come to mind) and see about cross linking your video.
Special music for con and above video. I've no doubt in your skill to come up with something along those lines.
Draw a poster or something similar that can be printed out in Black and White or Color so that people who are already fans can promote for you. Lots of people know people who run or frequent book stores, comic shops, conventions, etc.
Art contests. Why draw your own art - find others to draw it for you. Including but not limited to: Icon contests, poster contests, dress up as your favorite zombie and take amusing picture contests, etc. Post the winners on your web site for bragging rights.
thoughtful
February 10 2009, 21:22:33 UTC 8 years ago
I like the YouTube video idea. There are a lot of zombie fans out there and with a little promotion you could get a lot of hits. Look for other fan videos (Jonathan Coultan Re: Your Brains come to mind) and see about cross linking your video.
Special music for con and above video. I've no doubt in your skill to come up with something along those lines.
Draw a poster or something similar that can be printed out in Black and White or Color so that people who are already fans can promote for you. Lots of people know people who run or frequent book stores, comic shops, conventions, etc.
Art contests. Why draw your own art - find others to draw it for you. Including but not limited to: Icon contests, poster contests, dress up as your favorite zombie and take amusing picture contests, etc. Post the winners on your web site for bragging rights.
That's all I've got at the moment.
February 14 2009, 02:12:45 UTC 8 years ago