Book Promotion Tip #2: Throw a party to celebrate! Invite friends, family and writing buddies. Don't worry about selling--just have fun.
Book Promotion Tip #3: Send email announcements to your contacts. Don't forget to include a cover image, and don't leave anyone out. Ask your contacts to forward your email to others they think might be interested in your book.
I sent an announcement to EVERYONE in my address book for A SISTER MORE LIKE ME--which included many business contacts as well as friends and family--plus all the bookstore, school and library contacts I've communicated with in the past.
If you made an impression when you first dealt with contacts in the book industry, even if it's been several years since you've been in touch, you'll hear back. Within a couple of days of my email announcement, along with a flood of congratulations from old friends, I'd heard from two bookstore managers and two PTA program coordinators inquiring about my availability for signings or school visits. I'm currently preparing for a pair of trips from Washington State to Southern California, where I lived until two years ago, for three school visits, four bookstore signings and two library visits, all a result of touching base with old contacts through my initial email.
I might have made my announcement a bit more creative--actually making it look like a baby announcement, for example--but I did what I could in the time I had. Even something short and sweet can be effective. Here's what I sent:
I'm pleased to announce that my latest picture book, A SISTER MORE LIKE ME, is available as of early last week! This is my first book with Disney Press, and is a tie-in to Disney's new animated feature, FROZEN, due in theaters Thanksgiving weekend. It's a great book for girls ages 3-8 and for sisters of every age. (If you have a sister, you will recognize her--and yourself--somewhere in these pages.)
Isn’t the cover gorgeous?! The illustrator is Brittney Lee, one of the animators for the film. I couldn’t be more pleased!
Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone you think might be interested--and thank you!
Lift a glass (or a teacup!) in celebration with me sometime this week--I know I'll feel the love. :-)
Cheers,
Barbara Jean Hicks
I was amazed and gratified, after sending out this simple announcement, at the number of people who let me know how excited they were for me. Just as you are pleased when the people you know have something to celebrate, they like to feel that pleasure for you. Let them know, and let them celebrate!
Barbara Jean Hicks is a regular guest contributor to Tales From the Rushmore Kid. She is a credentialed teacher in K-12 English/Language Arts and the award-winning author of seven picture books for children, including AN AMAZING SNOWMAN (February 18, 2014, Disney Press), which along with A SISTER MORE LIKE ME is based on characters from the 2013 Disney animated feature film FROZEN.
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