from the collected notes of Barbara Jean Hicks
Here are a few more nuggets from “Marketing for Authors,” a roundtable moderated by Kelly Milner Halls and Esther Hershenhorn at my first ever SCBWI Summer Conference…
From Kelly: Contact your local newspaper’s “Features” editor and help him fill a gap by writing an article about your book.
From Esther: Use an e-mail footer under your signature that lists all your books and all the things you do.
From Michelle Parker-Rock: Offer to write a short, simple column for an SCBWI region’s website and/or newsletter. Give yourself a nice, meaty byline and “About the Author” profile.
From Erik Talkin: Host and judge a “Young Author” contest through your local newspaper.
From Bruce McBay: Provide teaching guides for your books. Include questions and answers—anything a teacher might need to use your work as curriculum.
From April Halprin Wayland: Have business cards made with your book’s ISBN and a blurb about the story on the back of the card. (Note: If you want to include an image of the book cover, get permission from your publisher.)
From Kathleen Duey: Make bookmarks. Hand them out to schools and kids. Include the bookmark as a pdf file on your website so kids, parents and teachers can print it out on their own.
From Sabina I. Rascol: Always carry a copy of your book. Walk into bookstores with it, volunteer to sign copies, and have publication information available if the store doesn't carry it so they can make an informed order.
From Tekla White: Tap in to a fund-raiser for your local school. Tie your book into the fund-raiser theme, do presales, and be there for the event and to sign books.
From Eileen Rosenbloom: Don’t limit yourself to book stores for book placement. Approach niche stores that sell products having to do with the subject matter of your book.
If you have a great marketing/promotional idea that’s worked for you, share it!
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