Book-Promotion Ideas
The best way to promote your book will depend upon the book: whether it appears under the imprint of an academic or commercial publisher or is self-published; whether it is fiction or nonfiction. However, even if your book has a commercial publisher, you cannot assume that the publisher will promote it vigorously, and you may have to supplement the publisher's efforts with your own.
Other People Are Reading
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Press Release
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Your book presumably appeals most to a specific audience. A book about the manufacture of PT boats during the Second World War, for example, will appeal most to those with an interest in military or maritime history. Prepare a list of the publications that people in that audience read, such as the "Journal of Naval Engineering." Most of those periodicals will, in turn, have a regular book reviewer. You will want to have a press release to send to all of those book reviewers, whether by old-fashioned post or by email.
Sending the Release
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If you just send these releases out to "whom it may concern" at these periodicals, they may end up in the hands of the wrong person. Thence they proceed to the nearest garbage bin. Instead, do due diligence to learn the name/s of the appropriate individual/s at those magazines, and then address the release accordingly.
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Book Tour
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You must be willing to travel. If your publisher cannot arrange a book tour for you, or arranges an inadequate one, you must be prepared to do your own fieldwork, creating what writer Stephen Elliott has called a "do it yourself" tour. "Before my book came out," Elliott has explained, "I had set up a lending library allowing anyone to receive a free review copy on the condition they forward it within a week to the next reader, at their own expense." In this way he found enthusiasts around the country who were wiling to host him in their homes on his tour.
Also as part of your advance work, mail or fax as many radio stations as you can. Identify the talk shows on their station that would host an author. As you do this, keep in mind the specific market for your book. Some of the talk radio shows will suit it better than others.
Self-Publishers
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Unfortunately, some reviewers may dismiss your book as unworthy of their time if it has been self-published. Don't be discouraged by this. There will be others willing to have a look at your book if you pitch the release properly. Also, there are some outlets that specialize in providing independent reviews precisely for the self-published market. Such reviews, if favorable, can provide a foot in the door, helping you attract the attention of other platforms.
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References
- Photo Credit Books image by explicitly from Fotolia.com
