Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Success Story - Who to contact at Borders


This author worked very hard to get his book signing at Borders, which traditionally allows their store managers more flexibility in managing content. He did not initially find it easy to get his book in as they were hesitant to promote a self-published book, but he kept working with them - showing them positive reviews and providing them with copies to review. He ended up having some great events and here is a tidbit about that in his own words:


The whirl-wind tour of Des Moines, Iowa was outstanding! We have been asked to make a Return Engagement to WHO during August when they host a special Talk Radio booth at the Iowa State Fair (Oldest & Largest in America). It would be in conjunction with Michael Reagan's syndicated talk radio show. Michael doesn't know about this yet, so I must let the program director at WHO work his "magic" first. They did say they REALLY liked my twenty-five minute appearance---& that the answers I gave were "excellent & came across--great!" They said, "It sounded good."
THE BORDERS book store Speech & Book Signing went very well! The staff had best venue inside the store with chairs, desk, mic & sound system &, as you can see by the Attachment, the BORDERS Regional P.R. people sent out numerous signs & enlarged RR book covers as signs & posters. By the way, my WHO host & anchor, Steave Deace (DAY-CE) allowed me to promo the BORDERS date (two days later) twice on his show---no problem. BORDERS was the firm that had ordered fifty (50) books through Baker & Taylor. We sold them all & signed them all. Then orders were placed, by the "stragglers" & store patrons who just happened to be there & heard my talk---with BORDERS for more books.
I had some friends who were planning a 50 year East High School Reunion at a library near the old H.S. & they asked me in to give a short talk---this is the way Reagan did it---unannounced---time after time---I sold & signed fifteen (15) books there. Seems miniscule---but the "buzz" sure got around Des Moines that we were in t own with REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE? VOL. 1.
Here is what he advises on who to contact:
The BORDERS story is this: The individual store manager, in KEY markets, MUST be approached by the author through a direct, on-the-scene, contact from a LIVE representative of that author---plus a telephone call from the author---IF he or she is in a remote location from the desisgnated Key market store. Then that store manager, if he or she does not initiate it, should be asked by the author to contact the Regional BORDERS Rep., known as the District Regional Marketing Manager responsible for a specific, multi-state area. They are ALWAYS looking for someone to promo in their regions.
It is up to the author to send that BORDERS DRM Manager a "package" by e-mail of 1. Photos of the author. 2. Newspaper / magazine clippings plus photos (even personal snapshots) of the author giving Speeches / Talks / Lectures / Presentations of the author's work---to groups---the larger the better.
Those authors (Fiction or Non-fiction) should start out with local book clubs, authors clubs, church groups, Current Events & History Clubs, etc. etc.---to get some groundwork laid down first. One or two little events begets MANY larger, more important events! Tell them to do something (logical but innovative) to get people TALKING about them & their book!!!


Technorati Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, June 8, 2007

Children's Book Contest Opportunity

This group is the same group that does the IPPY awards that are announced at BEA each year. It is an honor to win one so I wish each of you the best of luck. See below.

Calling All Children's Book Publishers

Entries now being accepted into the inaugural 2007 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Early Bird entry fee deadline June 15th www.moonbeamawards.com

We welcome and encourage all children's book authors, illustrators, and publishers to enter their 2006/2007 releases in the first annual Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, designed to honor the year's best children’s books.This new book awards program is accepting entries until August 1st, 2007 for books with 2006 or 2007 copyrights or that were released in 2006 or 2007. Results will be announced in early November. The contest is presented by Jenkins Group and their book marketing webzine, Independent Publisher Online, sponsors of the popular Independent Publisher Book Awards. www.IndependentPublisher.com

Early bird entry fee deadline: June 15th postmark or online entry. Pay $75 per category through June 15, 2007. Regular entry fee thereafter is $90.

Complete entry guidelines and secure online entry form at: https://moonbeamawards.com/MoonbeamGuidelines3pg.pdf

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. The new awards program will recognize books in a wide range of children’s publishing categories, from board books and alphabets books to young adult novels and multicultural non-fiction. The Moonbeam Awards also acknowledge excellence in specialty categories including Religion, Holiday, Interactive, and Audiobook, and give special awards to Best First-time Author and Best Children’s Book Illustrator.

24 Awards Categories include:• Board Book/Cloth Book• Alphabet/Counting Book• Pop-up/Cut-out• Activity Books• Books with Music/Theatrical• Audio Book• Picture Books - Preschool• Picture Books 4-8 Year Old• Picture Books - All ages• Juvenile Fiction - Early Reader• Pre-teen fiction - Intermediate/Middle Grade• Young Adult Fiction• Young Adult - Mature Issues• Non-Fiction - Picture Book• Non-Fiction - Young Adult• Multicultural - Picture Book• Multicultural Fiction• Multicultural Non-Fiction• Comic/Graphic Novel• Religion/Spirituality• Holiday• Book with Merchandise (e.g.. plush toy, etc.)• Best First Book• Best Illustrator

“This children’s book awards contest will go much deeper than any other,” says Jim Barnes, Awards Director at Jenkins Group. “We’ve learned by judging children’s books for 11 years in the Independent Publisher Book Awards that it’s not fair to judge an alphabet book against a sophisticated book of verse. One of our goals with the Moonbeam Awards is to create a list of categories that allows us to judge the many styles of children’s books being published today.""The Moonbeam Awards recognize a very diverse group of authors and publishers, and ‘illuminate’ hidden gems that don’t make it onto the national radar screen. These will surely include books from publishers of all sizes, styles, and locations. Each year we'll bring a great list of award-winners to the public’s attention."The Moonbeam Awards are part of a huge national effort to bring attention to children's books and childhood literacy. This week the Library of Congress announced a newly created post of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Programs such as FirstBook.org,TeachingBook.net, and Letters About Literature (http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters.html) are dedicated to bringing books into kids' lives in creative and meaningful ways. The Moonbeam Awards will include special awards for the best books dealing with world peace and environmental awareness.Visit the Moonbeam Children's Book Award website to learn more and enter online www.moonbeamawards.com

Complete entry guidelines and secure online entry form at: https://moonbeamawards.com/MoonbeamGuidelines3pg.pdf

Technorati Tags:
, , ,
Writing Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory