I can honestly say that anybody writing a book, unless you are Oprah or Steven King, needs to understand that the marketing is UP TO YOU. I don't care what your publisher promises you, if it sales, it will be because of YOUR efforts. This should be in every single beginning writiing class on the syllablis! YOUR BOOK SALES ARE EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU INVEST IN MARKETING IT. Period. I feel so bad for people who have just finished a book only to find out (the hard way) that the money they gave a publisher for marketing was for naught. Ask any veteran (of which I am NOT one, but hope to be some day) of the biz and they will tell you right up front, it is UP TO YOU!

You make it or break it. Yes, some publishers help...yes, some of them even come thru writing press releases, even setting up a few book signings...but in reality folks...it is up to you.

In my opinion, the sooner a writer realizes and accepts this, the better their marketing plan will be, and their successes. I know I thought...you write a book, I've done my part, now the publisher would take over. NOT. If someone had told me from the get-go, I would have been laying the groundwork way before the book even came out. That's why these new books that are out on marketing your work are so popular AND needed!

I'm not saying publishers don't help so please do not misunderstand me. I am also NOT saying that there are NONE that go out and do some marketing for you...there again, please do not misunderstand.

What I AM saying is that 99.9% of them DO NOT do the aggressive marketing you need for your book to be out there and for the continued sales to climb.

(Queen stepping down from soapbox...goes toward kitchen, dragging her soapbox behind her...trips over Trixie, curses, but not too badly, then continues on to her bowl of cereal...)

JJ

Well said Queen JJ!

I suppose you could say that if you don't enjoy the promotional journey, you are not going to be the successful Author you would like to be.

JJ, you're so right. The majority of marketing and promotion must be assumed by the author. It's not going to come from your publisher. However, you can hire a publicist for 3 - 6 months to blast the world with info about your book but it can cost you from 3K to 20K depending on how many services you purchase.

And, of course, authors need to know how to market and promote, which most of us don't, not really. So, we have to buy the books that tell us how to market and promote. We need to talk to each other and share what's worked and what hasn't so we can help educate each other in the promotion world.

I have a new book out called TRUST IN THE WIND, and I've been doing a lot of online marketing. I'll have my first booksigning for it in September. If that doesn't work, I'll try something different.

Hello Vicki

My mum has just moved to your neck of the woods as we say, Snead Island.

Anyway, I just wanted to wish you every success with your book. I have my first book signing in August so will share how that goes.

One of the things I have done is join a website called www.starnow.co.uk. On here you will find all the magazines and tv shows asking for participants. UK and USA.

I was involved in an article in a national paper through this and even though my website wasn't given I had thousands of hits on the day the paper came out. So it might be worth looking at!

See? There you go! THAT'S NETWORKING....THAT'S MARKETING...You girls have hit the nail on the head. It's up to us to share, help promote, and support one another. I'm telling you right now that you can take it to the bank (no pun intended) that if you help someone in this biz, it comes back to your threefold.

There's plenty for everybody out there. Way to go you two. Way to share!

JJ

I wanted to bring this post back up because I'm not sure we answered Casey's question about "where else" to promote books that are specific to a thing, cause, or targeted audience. Like her wine book.

One venue I think we have a tendency to overlook is libraries. Most libraries I've visited have book clubs that are registered with them and they are always looking for speakers and not necessarily someone "on the circuit." They want people/authors to come and just talk to their book club. It's entertainment for them. Usually they don't pay, but you are allowed to sell your books afterwards. What book club can resist buying your books? Hello? It's a book club..it's what they do! You can also tell them, "Look, you buy my book, read it, then I'll come back at a scheduled time FREE and we'll discuss it. We'll have ANOTHER party." When put to them like this, they jump on it. Sell them at a discount if you want to, they will love you for that. Or make sure you take some "freebies" like I have bookmarks, and have a drawing for a book. Sometimes I throw in a couple of drawings for The Complete Writer's Journal, which is a journal put together by the Author's Coalition I belong to. It has bits and pieces of writing tips and quotes (mine included, whuhooo) inside the journal. It makes a great gift idea. AnyWAY...my point is that libraries are a great place to spread the word and get "in" with book clubs.

JJ

Hello JJ

I know a lot of the USA Publishamerica Authors (thats my publisher) do a lot of library work to get their book out there and a lot of them appear to go into schools too. I will have to see if they do the same here in the UK.

I have just applied to be in another womens magazine article so fingers crossed!!

I have also been asked to go back into a local college and talk to the new Students in September - I love that and I definately recommend it if you have appropriate material etc.

Maybe we can get Pam Kimmell, one of our own, to come in here and share her experience with schools and how she became involved. It's a neat experience and is along the same lines as you are referring to. Pam?

JJ

Thanks for the "intro" JJ ! As many of you know, I'm taking a bit of a hiatus from my mystery series because of my health issues/chemo treatments BUT that hasn't stopped me from at least staying "involved" with writing. Last March I was invited by a librarian at one of the local high schools to join some other local writers and teachers for a Junior Writers Conference at the community college. I jumped at the chance to share my knowledge with the kids who are just trying their wings. It was wonderful. The local Borders store sponsored the event and ran a "book sales" table at the conference for those of us who participated. I had two groups of kids; fiction writers and poets.

The librarian told me after the conference that several of the students who had been in my work/critique groups had asked if I could come speak to them after school some time. I came in to talk with them about character development - one of my favorite subjects! I've already been asked to come back in September to talk to the students again....I can't wait. The enthusiasm these very talented kids have is infectious. The plans are already in progress for the 2007 Junior Writers Conference at the college and I'll be there again!

This is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I can think of - "paying it forward" in helping the students find their voice, AND give them some information on the "real" world of publishing and writing. I want them to know it's a tough road but well worth it.

Also, JJ, you are right about libraries....they are usually thrilled to have donations of our books and sponsor events as well.

Leave no stone unturned!

Hello Pam

Lovely to read about what you are upto. I go into the local holistic college and show them firstly what it is to be a Spiritual Medium and secondly as a Spiritual Life Coach I talk to them about the importance of loving yourself first and it is great. It is just so rewarding to do.

Definately recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it.
It raises your credibility too.