Samantha, I have found that most of the books I sell are to people who have heard of me through a friend. Therefore, I recommend having your friends put blurbs about your book in their newsletters and on their web sites. Don't have friends with newsletters and web sites? Make some! I send a newsletter to 3,000 subscribers. I'd be happy to include some information about your book. Email me at hugsandhope@gmail.com

This offer is open to anyone who has a web site or a book that might interest my newsletter readers. I would appreciate a link back to my site or a blurb about my book in your newsletter.

My newsletter focuses on helping families of critically ill children (see my site at www.hugsandhope.org ) but I often include miscellaneous recommended web sites and books.

Marsha Jordan
"The Peanut Butter Queen"
author of Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter
Endorsed by Phyllis Diller!
www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm

Hello Marsha

Thank you for your kind offer, I have emailed my 'stuff' over to you this morning. I shall send out information about your 'stuff' to my list ready for Monday morning as part of the coaching programme.

It was lovely to read what you are doing, keep up the good work, its making a difference in this world.

Way to network girls. I love it!

Hi Marsha

Just to let you know that I will be including a link to your site on the email coaching tip on the 24th July.

Hope life is treating you well.

Other than NABBW, Marsha is the only thing I advertise on my web site. Why? Because helping children is near and dear to my heart.

I believe in her and the mission she's taken on to help children everywhere. I call her Saint Marsha. To know her is to love her. But don't tell her I said so...I LOVE giving her a hard time.

JJ

First of all, I thank Marsha for including my children's book, Topsy Turvy Land , in one of her newsletters. Marsha, I didn't realize you had so many subscribers! That's great!

Secondly, there's a Yahoo group for Selp Publishing you might want to join. Although I'm not self-published, my publisher began her company by publishing her own books, and she's done very well- enough so that she can now publish and promote people like me. She recommended the Yahoo group for anyone who self-publishes or has a small publisher with limited resources where the author is expected to help promote her book. In fact, I've talked to many authors who are with the 'big houses' and they're still expected to help promote their books.

Here's the link and a warning. There's LOTS of posts with this group, so I went on 'digest,' but you'll find tons of wonderful information:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Self-Publishing/

Hello Dianne

Last week I decided to hand the book back to spirit to move forward. They sent it so they clearly have a purpose for it. So also decided to take step back and instead of working I have been meditating, relaxing and enjoying the UK Sun.

During this time the following has happened:

I have been approached by one journalist to write a story about the book,

have signed another contract with a publishing house for the story about my daughters abilities and my experiences of raising a child aware of spirit

also by one to be included in a ezine about inspirational people.

She is also writing a book called spotlight and has asked me to be included in it, again it is about inspirational people.

My amazon ranking has gone up to 7,000 !!!! on amazon.co.uk.

I have my first book signing organised for the 19th August too!!

So I wanted to thank you for being a little angel in my life and reminding me of a very basic dynamic to allow what is ment to come in.

Thank you

Beverly, I used to be a frequent visitor to BWS. I'm jumping back in by selecting from the active topics today. Dianne and I have shared our differences re: book signings, which I happen to like. At my last signing, 100% of the audience purchased. I enjoyed the "open discussion" with the audience about the topics covered in my book. I don't like presentations but I am trying because I am on a mission (or calling) and I have to get used to doing speeches. So, it's different for each of us. I don't really "promote" my book. I talk about the topics that are hard to talk about, like sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide. Then if spirit moves me to mention my book, I do so. Then if spirit moves the listener to want a book, it so happens. My methods are much like Dianne's other than the book signing difference. Of course, I have no income! Are you looking for readers to review your book? Are you looking for people to interview on your talk show? L

However, I would not mind a publicist or marketer or promoter or whatever it is that I need. I do want my book to come to its highest good to reach all those who may benefit. I once interviewed an expert on book promotion. Her fee was $90.00 an hour. She told me I needed a business plan and a marketing plan, both of which I needed to create. ME! Even the big publishing houses require the author to do this work. Health Communications, publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, was interested in my book. They wanted me to submit (along with my book proposal) a business and marketing plan that included the seminars and conferences I would speak at, and the probable number in the audiences, for the next 3-5 years. In other words, they wanted a guaranteed market. As a first time author, I could not do that. And, the business plan and marketing plan was over my head. What I'd like is to pay someone to do the promotion plan and the marketing for me. I'll be glad to polish my speaking skills, signing skills, and show up for the gigs and interviews, and pay from the proceeds of the books. Also, I noticed multiple products at signings and events. For example, a speaker with a book will sell a DVD/audio of a prior speech. I sell a pendant called A Drop for TEARS. It is a tear drop shaped crystal that sells for $10.00. TEARS is my Project: Telling Everyone About Rape & Suicide. I'm also developing other pieces of jewelry with quotes from my book attached. The sales will help cover costs of gas to the events that do not pay me to speak. Agencies that deal with SA & DV do not have big budgets. Do you have a catchy illustrated cover that will make a fridge magnet for an additional yet inexpensive sale during a signing? What products can you think of for multiple sales? Does anyone know of a publicist for me? How about a stylist? Although the sales people at Coldwater Creek are wonderful! Tell them you're gonna do a book signing and they will treat you like a rock star!

Hello Lynnie

I think the bottom line is that unless you are famous even the big publishing houses expect you to do all the marketing and publicity simply because you are your book. It requires your passion about what you do or what you have written to be successful, just as it does with any business and writing is a business after all.

So far I have done most of my promotion through my website and ezine online and a local paper. Its very early days but I am enjoying the journey and thats what matters. To be miserable and a huge succes is not what I desire, I would prefer to be an inspiration, thats all I ask of life.

I found getting my husband to phone up as my Manager opened doors faster with regards to book signings (in the UK they are not so widely done as it appears in the USA).

Good luck with the book.