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:
, , ,

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Publicity for a Book Signing



It is difficult to overstate how important creating publicity for your book signing is to the success of a signing. This author makes a concentrated effort through passing out pamphelets, posters, etc. and he sees very good results. In the first image you will notice his book is right below a display in front of a bookstore in a mall under a Harry Potter advertisement. I honestly would not have believed he could have gotten that prime a location if he had not sent me the pictures. This level of success does not happen everyday, but it is possible to succeed with a book or any product - you just have to create the demand!


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

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Another way to get people to a signing


Placing posters where you plan to have the event such as the one above can be a great way to start to build interest in your book signing. The designer that made this poster is Mia and if you want to get some posters made by her for your event you can contact her via the following email address, mp7982@yahoo.com. This author has done well with his book by pre-publicizing at events and making sure that each reading and signing is indeed an event.

In his words, "So far it has been Trial and little error.we knew our market before we published and planned out the strategy long before we had our copies. That is why i was biting my nails to get my baby..I have a good team we all know our jobs and I think that is the secret...(my agent writes letters, makes phone calls etc.) my tour mgr who is doing all the leg work (he was a first Sgt 20 year man in military knows how to give orders and hustles) i will send you copies of our posters we use, I have a graphic artist who is amazing . so all i have to do is direct (like a Lt does) and sign books.....prior to a book signing my people go in set up and I come in about 20 minutes later.. Some Posters will Read A NEW STORM IS HITTING NEW ENGLAND..etc.....we put these up 3 or 4 days prior.....Then press sees it gives us a free ad. I sorta play Zorro the mystery man"

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

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

How to get an audience at a reading











This is a great example of how to make your event worth going to. Alistair offered people much more than just a chance to hear him read - he also offered them a chance to tour a historic landmark while at his reading giving people an incentive to attend the event. Read below:

Hi John:

Hope you're doing well. Thought you might enjoy this self-promotional effort.

Best regards,

Alistair

Do not miss what many are calling "the cultural event of the season, if not the entire year." On Sunday, April 29th, Alistair McHarg will read selections from his recently published, and widely celebrated, memoir of Manic Depression, Invisible Driving. The reading will take place at one of Philadelphia's true architectural and historical treasures, The Physick House. Named for Dr. Philip Syng Physick, "Father of American Surgery," the house has hosted innumerable luminaries and played a pivotal role in the foundation of this great land of ours.

Doors open at 1:00, the reading commences at 3:00. You are strongly encouraged to arrive early and take the tour, which is offered by J. Del Conner, Dr. Physick's great great great grandson. The Physick House is located at 321 South 4th Street, just blocks from Independence Hall. Secure parking is available on Lombard Street between 2nd & 3rd. The $5 admission goes entirely to The Physick House, which is a national landmark.

In the unlikely event that you have not already purchased, read, enjoyed, and actively promoted Invisible Driving, you are advised that it can be purchased from Amazon.com. Links to all online vendors, (and so much more), are easily accessed by visiting http://www.invisibledriving.com/.

Some photographs of The Physick House are attached for your enjoyment. See you there!


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

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Success Story

Here is an email I received from one of my authors - some of the things she did may be of help to everyone:


Hello JohnMark
I wanted to give you a small review on how my first book signing event went. First, I did a great job promoting and marketing the book. I went on 5 different aired Local TV Shows, I passed out flyers, I posted 18X24 posters all over my town and shared my publication announcement with over 7 collaborative groups consist of members from different community based organizations throughout the Hudson Valley area, which includes, Rockland County, Westchester County, Ulster County, Sullivan County, Orange County. I also advertised on all the lower hudson radio stations, live and on their websites. I advertised on the Local Journal news and on News12 New York News Cable website. I also made use of my company email data and sent the announcement to hundreds of people and businesses. As a result I am happy to say that I had over 150 people in attendance and sold 80 books. The Library donated their space. I printed bookmarks and donate to buyers. I signed bookmarks to the children and I catered refreshments. I had a big cake made with an edible book cover printed on top. I also met the Manager of my local Barnes and Nobles recently whom came to attend my book signing. She will be contacting you soon. She seems very interested in having my book on her shelves.
I connected with a Jazz Enterprise promoter that is doing an annual concert in New York City on March 10th, 2007. They offered me an opportunity to make announcements throughout the concert acknowledging my first publication. I admire the gesture and since they are also doing a raffle for the early birds, I have donated two books as door prizes.There is also an organization that is doing a fundraising to raise awareness of the existence of LGBT in the Haitian community. I am their guest of honor and will also donate 3 copies to be sold for their benefits.
In all, I think I am on the right path and my book is starting to smell like success. Thank you all at booksurge for making it simple for starters such as I, to bring our stories to life.
Daniela D. DuCasse, Author

Here is her book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Old-Me-Love-you/dp/1427607664/ref=sr_11_1/103-7613588-2714267?ie=UTF8&qid=1173203424&sr=11-1

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Initial Posting

As I mentioned in the welcome to this blog it is intended to be a vehicle for self-published authors to learn more about how to market their books by creating a forum where ideas can be easily shared. Hopefully by sharing successes and failures everyone can become a better marketer of their books!

I hope you find it helpful!

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